Wrestling Stuff

Yesterday's Charlotte Observer gave an account of the Stevie Wonder concert that was held in Charlotte, North Carolina on Wednesday. I would have given anything to see this:

"After several love songs, the mood elevated with the Latin beat of "Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing." In the audience, wrestler Ric Flair could be seen dancing to "Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours," even busting out into his signature in-ring dance at one point."

Wow, the two greatest entertainers ever in the same place, at the same time. Mentally, I don't know if I could have handled seeing this live. It would have been too overwhelming. Also, will somebody please contact WWE and ABC to get Flair on Dancing with the Stars? He would go all the way.

I was at the Total Nonstop Action Wrestling website yesterday when its daily internet show popped on. Before I could hit mute, I found out that the women's champ, Gail Kim (above) is listed at #32 on the Forbes.com list of Most Eligible Bachelorettes in the U.S. Props to Ms. Kim. If she's looking for a man with a steady job, a benefits package and his own blog, send her on over to Hazelwood.


According to the U.K.'s Sun newspaper, hot mess/singer Amy Winehouse was a huge WWE fan before hitting it big. Her favorite wrestlers were Chris Jericho and Rob Van Dam. They must be thrilled. Maybe she can train to be a wrestler when her career ends in about three months.

Britney Update

Remember back in the days when Britney's biggest problem was that sometimes she dressed as an erotic police officer and had chunky legs? Ahhh, the good old days.

Thangs done changed. Here's some of the latest:

- According to an article at Us Magazine, the young harlot rolled into a Hustler Store in West Hollywood last week (possibly high), tried to try on some draws and was denied, then took off her own underwear in the middle of the store-- in front of customers-- and tried on some shorts. After this spectacle, she was annoyed that she had to pay and as revenge, she stole a wig off of a mannequin. They would have locked Lil' Kim under the jail for this type of shit. Her brain must be so fried right now. She's like a homeless maniac with good credit.

- She shot a new music video earlier this week. She was late, nervous and allegedly used a body double for all the scenes that didn't need her face. I have a feeling this won't be the next "I'm A Slave 4 U".

- In Touch Weekly reported that she was pregnant. Let's all get in a circle, hold hands, and pray that isn't true.

- After just one month, her latest CD has sunk to #41. Compared to her earlier sales, this is a flop.

- Most people don't have this much drama packed into one year, let alone one week. Her family needs to stage an intervention like yesterday. Or maybe just a really stern, good old fashioned, back of the hand, 360 degree pimp slap, preferably like the one Prince gave to Apollonia in Purple Rain. That usually snaps people right out of it. She'd be back to doing good songs and flawless choreography in two days.

Dancing with the Stars Results

Some guy in a bright yellow suit and questionable chicklets won Dancing with the Stars last night. The staff of Hollywood Nation had Scary Spice (above) ahead by about 80 points on our scorecard, but of course, we are a tad biased. So just like Stacy Keibler a few seasons ago, she can take solace in the fact that she is The Hollywood Nation Dancing with Stars Champion. Other notes:

- The best moment of the show was Scary Spice entering the stage to Ric Flair's theme song. If she had been carrying a pizza, that would have been like combining all of my favorite things.

- It was good to see the clips of the Spice Girls and all of the nice things that they had to say about Scary, but wasn't it just last year when they all hated each other?

- Speaking of the Spice Girls, did you ever see that time when Ginger Spice arm wrestled Kylie Minogue? This is why they invented computers:

What was I talking about?

- At least Marie Osmond didn't win. We would have had to hear Donny talking shit for years.

- You just know that when they read the final results, somewhere in California Eddie Murphy (wearing his Gumby outfit) leaped out of his chair and cheered like his favorite team had just won the Super Bowl.

Dancing With The Stars

Last night was the finals of Dancing with the Stars and it was all about Scary Spice (although in fairness, Race Car Guy did okay also). She did two solid routines and got the highest scores from the judges. Best of all, the Spice Girls were in the audience! Royalty! Yes, even Baby Spice was there! This was even better than last year when half of the 90210 cast showed up to support Steve Sanders. Marie Osmond did a goofy dance where she was supposed to be doll, which flopped miserably. It was just bad enough to leave this show's credibility in tatters when she actually wins this thing tonight.

Hogan Divorce/Flair Return

The Hogan divorce continues to make news. And as usual with Hulk Hogan, you don't know what to believe. According to a report at tmz.com, Linda did file for divorce but says she wants a reconciliation. Yeah. Other reports claim that the couple has been seperated for some time. According to documents, she is asking for a share of their houses, alimony, child support for their maniac son, court costs, and most of the NWO money. In other words, HALF. You just know this is going to end up being some wrestling angle where she turns heel and comes out with "Macho Man" Randy Savage to set up a grudge match feud with Hulk on pay-per-view.

In happier wrestling news, Ric Flair did indeed return last night to the flagship, Monday Night Raw. They began the angle that will allegedly lead to his real-life retirement, where he will have to retire after the next match that he loses. He had a good main event match and pinned Hazelwood's own Randy Orton with the Greco-Roman low blow (above). If done correctly, this should be a good storyline leading up until next year's biggest show, WrestleMania, in March. I'll bet good money that they will botch this somehow, because it's too good to be true.

Jay Mohr on The Jim Rome Show

One of the funniest things that I've heard in awhile happened on Friday when actor Jay Mohr filled in as a guest host on the Jim Rome Show. He ripped on his haters, himself ("that joke was as lame as FDR's legs"), the University of Hawaii's football team, a blind caller ("how do you know when to stop wiping?"), Kim Kardashian ("a normal size girl with an ass the size of Nell Carter's"), and the TV Guide Channel, among other things. He then ended the three hour laughfest by calling the city of Irvine, California the whitest city he has ever been in. He said it was so white that he went to the airport and even the skycaps were white. Incredible.

The Champ Returns Tonight!

Don't forget! Tonight! It's the return of the "Nature Boy" Ric Flair!!!! WHOOOOOOOOOO!

HALF!

Things are getting worse for the Hogans. According to several online reports, Linda Hogan filed for divorce from Thunderlips on Tuesday. Worse yet, Hulk allegedly didn't even know about it until Friday. I don't even know how I feel about all of this. See, I have a love/hate relationship with Hulk Hogan that would take an entire book to explain. At some points he has been one of my favorite wrestlers of all-time; at other times, I have issues a grandstand challenge that if I ever see him in public, we would be fighting right on the street. When I think back to all of those $30 pay-per-main events where I paid good money to see this clown fake scratch Roddy Piper's back, I don't feel so bad that half of that money is about to go to his goofy wife. Then again, maybe this is all for publicity and they will work it out on American Gladiators or the next season of Hogan Knows Best. Regardless, there should be some interesting times ahead. Maybe he can get in a counseling group with The Rock and Ric Flair.

Happy Thanksgiving!

From Hollywood Nation, Layla and Kelly Kelly, we wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Oprah's Favorite Things

Yesterday was the annual episode of one of the finest hours of TV each year, Oprah's Favorite Things, where Oprah gives the entire audience things that she just can't live without. There's nothing like seeing an audience full of women going absolutely batshit crazy as Oprah brings out some sixty dollar cupcakes. She also gave out watches, a Scrabble game, cookware, a Josh Grobin CD, and an $800 movie box set among other things. The big item this year was a $3000 fridge with a TV set in it (like the one above). As Oprah explained that it also had a DVD hook-up, they cut to a lady who had an expression on her face like her life was now complete because she now had the ability to watch Norbit while reaching for leftovers.

Sometimes I wonder, if Hollywood Nation had a TV show, what would I give away on my Favorite Things episode? I'm sure the list would include the following: a box of Lemonheads, Ice Cube's "Amerikkka's Most Wanted" CD, the Mariah Carey Vote or Die poster, Chris Jericho's "Around the World In Spandex" book, a Tully Blanchard Classic Superstars action figure, bacon, and the American Pimp DVD.

Dancing with the Stars Results

Despite having the best dance of the week, Kelly Taylor from 90210 was cut from Dancing with the Stars last night. I can't believe that Marie Osmond advanced to the finals next week while poor Kelly is gone-- after all, Kelly is waaaaaay hotter. I am dreading next week-- there is no way Scary Spice is going to win this thing.

Dancing with the Stars

Great edition of Dancing with the Stars last night. Of course it was highlighted by an appearance by the Spice Girls. Who doesn't love them? I can't even choose a favorite. All of them are about 50 years old now and still adorable. Oh yeah, there was dancing too. They can send the race car guy home and they can send Marie, Donny, Jimmy and the rest of them home while they are at it. It's all about Kelly Taylor and Scary Spice. Let them battle it out next week in the finals. Unfortunately, I'm not running this thing so I think we might see a slightly different result tonight.

Did You Break The Code?

After weeks of mysterious clues and videos, last night on WWE Raw saw the return of the most charasmatic showman to ever enter your home via a television screen, Chris Jericho.

It was still a surprise despite several sources reporting that he was coming back soon. One give away: just hours before the show, the new WWE Magazine arrived with a cover story of Chris Jericho's electrifying return. Good job keeping it a secret. Anyway, glad to see him back on top, especially as a main eventer, before he inevitably gets buried by the ass-kissers in the back and returns to the mid-card.

Random Thoughts on the American Music Awards

Oh yes, it's time for the American Music Awards again. Fergie started the show off with a medley of about five of the most annoying songs of the year. Thank God for tight, sparkly dresses. Will I. Am performed as well, followed by the girl from the Pussycat Dolls who went solo. The sparkly dress did not save her performance because it was not tight.

Jimmy Kimmel was the host for the night and made the first writer's strike joke of the evening. Apparently all of his material was ad-libbed. He invited Jordin Sparks and Kellie Pickler of American Idol onstage to do the Soulja Boy dance. It was kind of funny.

Carrie Underwood presented the first award of the night, which went to Daughtry for the Breakthrough Artist of the Year. This thing is slowly starting to look like an American Idol reunion show.

Avril... Rascal Flatts... Maroon 5, moving on...

Jordin Sparks brought out the Jonas Brothers (?). A bunch of girls rushed the staged. Alas, this fell victim to the fast forward button.

...until, Jimmy Kimmel referenced that one of them fell down. I went back to watch and indeed one of the group members fell down upon hitting the stage. I was pressed for time and still watched this three times.

Best soundtrack went to High School Musical. Some of the cast members came out to accept. I recognized one of them from Dancing with the Stars and one of them for being naked on every gossip site on the internet.

In a strange match-up, country group Sugarland performed the song "Irreplaceable" with Beyonce. This was weird but good. I can't get "you must not know 'bout me" in that country twang out of my head.

Daughtry and Carrie Underwood were winning just about every other award. Idol is running away with this thing.

Celine Dion performed. Fast forward. You know I don't get down like that. Lenny Kravitz also did a new song that will be played to death over the course of the next year.

A commercial aired with Barry Manilow in it, giving me the chance to make my yearly "Barry Manilow looks like Barbara Walters" joke.

In the bad timing department, an old clip of Eddie Murphy aired right before Scary Spice hit the stage along with Kelly Taylor and the race car driver from Dancing with the Stars. They introduced Chris Brown. He danced. I had to fast forward-- hey, I also need to fit in hours of Survivor Series analysis tonight as well.

"Hannah Montana" made an appearance. I accidentally saw about ten minutes of her show a few weeks ago. It was as dreadful as I had predicted. Carrie Underwood won for something and Daughtry won the very next award.

Next was the best performace of the night from Alicia Keys. She did her new song then she brought out mid-90's reggae stars Chaka Demus and Pliers and Beenie Man. It was surreal. What, were Patra and Shabba Ranks not available? Alicia even did some choreographed dance moves. This was phenominal.

Duran Duran did their new song, blah, blah, blah, then went into "HUNGRY LIKE THE WOLF". Now this is what the people wanted to hear! Stick to the classics, fellas!

Carrie Underwood won for best country album. She said "if anyone had ever told me that I would have been presented an award by Slash and Scott Weiland, I would have never believed it". The camera cut to them and they looked like they would have rather been in Iceland.

Beyonce won an image award. We should all strive to be more like her.

MJB did her new song (see: Duran Duran), Latifah sang (does she even rap anymore?), Daughtery performed last, then Fergie won the last award for best rock female to end the show and that was that. Not bad a bad show but I was thankful that I watched it on tape delay.

Pix From Lori Light's Going Away Party

From Friday night at J. Buck's downtown:

Paddy McPhillips and the Woman of the Hour

Cecil Corbett and Randy Jackson

The Two Joe's: Eickmeier and Young

Cecil Corbett, Steve Jankowski and Dan Eyrich

Linda Williams and Jim Tuxbury

Congratulations

Props to TNA Wrestling for finally putting a fresh face in a World Title match. Last night on Impact, Kurt Angle defended (and retained) the World Title against Frankie "Kaz" Kazarian (above, who my boy Heavy Lunch said looks like a cross between Antonio Banderas and the evil karate instructor from Karate Kid 3). Kaz did a great job in his most high profile match to date and held up his end of the match against one of the top stars in the business. See, they finally pushed a new guy and it was a good match, the fans were into it, the ratings didn't crash (probably) and no one got hurt. No harm done! Maybe this will be the new trend. Also, it was refreshing to not see Angle and his wife arguing for twenty segments on the show. Are these people ever happy?

Lindsay In Jail

With Britney screwing up left and right, it seems like almost years since we've talked about her contemporary Lindsay Lohan. However she was back in the news yesterday after serving a staggering 84 minute stay in the hole for one of her DUI offenses. You just know that before its all said and done, Britney will be serving time too, just so she won't be shown up. I guess that's the new status symbol for young Hollywood females. It used to be Gucci purses and BMWs; now it's orange jumpsuits and being served mashed potatoes out of a ladle.

CD Review: Alicia Keys "As I Am"

It's dope. Pick it up.

Yo, I Tell Ya What I Want, What I Really Really Want

The new Spice Girls Greatest Hits CD (with two new songs) was released yesterday, exclusively at Victoria's Secret. Granted, you may have to suffer the indignity of being a grown ass man carrying around a little pink bag around the mall, but sometimes you have to make sacrifices for the sake of your record collection.

Dancing With The Stars Results

This week it was Soap Opera Guy (above) who was sent packing. Unfortunately, that means Edyta is leaving also. Conspiracy Theory: The last two weeks, the first one who was revealed as being safe has been Marie Osmond. Also, they haven't revealed a bottom two for the last two weeks. My theory is that Marie has been in the bottom two the last two weeks but they didn't want her to go through the stress with her father dying last week. Regardless, we are now down to four (Marie, Kelly from 90210, Scary and Race Car Guy) with two weeks left. My money is still on Scary.

They're Back...

... on wwe.com. We can all move on with our lives again.

Diva News

- Ms. Brooks (above) passed out at Sunday's Genesis pay-per-view show, but she is doing fine and appeared at last night's TNA Impact tapings in Orlando. According to a report on the Pro Wrestling Torch website this morning, she was dehyrdated and weak from a diet that she has been on. Baby, please, please, for your own sake, mix in a hamburger.

- The WWE Divas remain missing from wwe.com, however they did appear on WWE Raw last night, so I guess they aren't fired. According to an item on the Observer website yesterday, this might just be a transitional thing with the website. Kelly Kelly remains employed; we can all relax.

The Week In Britney

Not a good week for Britney Spears (what else is new?). Her new CD got beat out by The Eagles for the number one spot on the Billboard chart album chart. All indications are that it is getting ready to tank now. In addition, she was caught running a red light-- with the kids and her court appointed monitor in the car. She also has allegedly failed a drug test. Plus, video was posted on You Tube (and has since been pulled) showing a rehearsal of her performance at the MTV Awards and what it was supposed to look like (using a stand-in). It was significantly different to say the least. And the worst thing of the week? She no longer looks like the picture above.

That's Odd.....

Something strange is going on over at wwe.com. All photos and references to all of the WWE Divas (except for Smackdown GM Vickie Guerrero) have been removed. No Daily Diva, no Diva Dish, no bios, no Diva site, no Women's champion, no Torrie, no Kelly, no nothing. That's certainly strange. I'll have to keep an eye on this situation. In the meantime, I'm getting the shakes. I need to go have a drink, some cranberry juice or something.....

The Artist Formerly Known As Joanie

According to tmz.com, former WWE Diva and reality star Joanie Laurer has filed the paperwork to legally change her name to "Chyna". It's never a good thing when you are following in the footsteps of The Ultimate Warrior. I wonder if she believes she is the wrestling character now. I just hope she isn't roaming the streets of L.A. in leather outfits, hitting random guys in the balls. The staff of Hollywood Nation would like to extend congratulations to Miss Laurer, er, Chyna on her new name change and we wish her the best in her future crazy endeavors.

WTF

Michael Jackson (above) who will grace the cover of the new Ebony magazine. At least he gave up the military jacket and rat beard.

The Reviews Are In.....

I picked up the latest Jay-Z CD yesterday and upon the first listen there were already four or five songs that I liked right off the bat. Normally, I'm lucky if I can find even two songs that I like on the first listen of a CD, so I highly recommend this one. It's butta.

Dancing With The Stars Results

We had to say a sad goodbye this week to Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, who had pretty much coasted since Week One. On the heels of our thick friend from The Cheetah Girls leaving last week, I would have hated to see Scary Spice (above), Kelly or Edyta leave this week. The judging was still as inconsistent as ever, but luckily the viewers votes came out the right way. I'm calling my shot now and predicting a Scary Spice victory. Norbit must be going nuts because she is still on the show.

It's 1997 Again

I have to admit, the return of Stone Cold Steve Austin on Monday's presentation of WWE Raw was fun. Recreating the infamous beer truck incident was a small look back at the "good old days". Too bad DX and the rest of the show sucked. I haven't seen the ratings yet, but if they are good, be prepared to see every throwback act from the Monday Night War era from Los Boriquas to Meat.

Keeping Up With The Kardashians

It's Kardashian Time. This week's episode centered around Kim deciding to take it to the next level and making the deal to appear in Playboy. Kim did the photoshoot and there seemed to be some confusion about whether or not she was going to take her clothes off, which you would have thought someone would have brought up before they actually arrived. Of course, you have to make some kind of plot for the show though. Then Mom and Kim went to The Mansion and sat down with Hugh Hefner, where they negotiated to actually get nekkid. Somewhere in here, Kim convinced her Mom to do a practice shoot, robbing us of valuable Kim Time. Eventually Kim did do the shoot, everyone was thrilled, they all rode off into the sunset and the issue hits newsstands and mailboxes this week. It was sort of like a very hot infomercial. Next week-- a DUI!

Britney Has A Crush

According to the British newspaper The Daily Star, Britney Spears was asked what star she would most like to romance and she answered America's new favortite reality star, Kim Kardashian. She went on to allegedly add "I really love Kim's butt, skin and hair. Kim is a real woman. A real horny beast." This would in effect be the first astute thing that Britney has said since 1997. In related news, I would give up my replica WWF World Title belt signed by Chris Jericho to see this actually take place.

Fabulous Moolah, 1923-2007

From wwe.com:


"WWE is saddened by the passing of Lillian Ellison, who was known to sports-entertainment fans as Hall of Famer Fabulous Moolah. She passed away last night in Columbia, S.C. In the world of women’s wrestling, there will always be one irrefutable legend that stands head and shoulders above the rest: The Fabulous Moolah. She was the longest reigning champion in the history of her chosen sport, or any sport for that matter. And with more than 50 years in the business to her credit, she established a legacy that will never be forgotten, making her name synonymous with female wrestling."

Another One Bites The Dust

Brooke Adams, in happier times

First it was Kristal, then Leticia, now Brooke of ECW's Extreme Expose has been released. What are these companies thinking? Sure, both leagues have too many women on the roster as it is, but don't starting cutting the ones on the top of the list! Sad, sad times. Oh well, wrestling's loss is Cinemax's gain, I suppose.

"Cheer up, it's Cinemax on line one!"

Britney's Halloween Costume

I'm not really sure what she was going for here. Regardless, it's a bondafide hot ass mess.

Harley Race and Tony Atlas

Taken last Saturday at Slam Zone in Mid-Rivers Mall in St. Peters, MO.