News and Notes

- WWE is stuck in a major rut. It seems like the GM gimmick has run its course already. The Shaq skits were predictible and featured typical WWE-style humor-- meaning not funny. And what's the main event of SummerSlam? Randy Orton vs. John Cena? Again? Why not plug Evan Borne in there? According to their stupid storylines, since he had the shortest win time in the Beat the Clock Challenge, shouldn't he get the title shot anyway? There I go, trying to make logic out of WWE storylines. What the hell am I doing?

- This just in: Kim Kardashian and Reggie Bush have split. Fellas, I think I'm gonna step on up to the plate. Soon as I put this cheeseburger down.

- Hulk Hogan and his ex-ball & chain made it an official split today as well. Glad to know her crazy ass is single now.

- As many times as I have called for her head since 2002, I think the producers of American Idol need to pony up and give Paula Abdul some of that scrilla so she can stay on the show. They gave it up for Simon and Ryan, so it's only right. Yeah, I know-- I'll be regreting this statement ten minutes into the season premiere.

- Wrestling sites are reporting that Total Nonstop Action Wrestling has a deal with Playboy to feature some of the TNA Knockouts in the magazine. Could this mean The Beautiful People? This might save the publishing industry.

- I caught the new show on Fox tonight where overweight women vie for the love of a male goofball. The show was decent but seriously, did they need to show the weights right next to the ladies? I'm sitting there trying to listen to what they have to say then all of a sudden it's like "DAMN, 279!!!" Absurd.

(Kim Kardashian photo available at allposters.com)

WWE Night of Champions Results

Results of last night's WWE Night of Champions PPV from Philadelphia:

- Chris Jericho and Big Show beat Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase. Show debuted as Jericho's surprise partner, which is a pretty good idea. Match was said to be lackluster.

- Christian beat Tommy Dreamer for the ECW title. They hugged afterwards. Awwww.

- Kofi Kingston won a scramble match over five or six other mid-carders.

- Michelle McCool beat Melina

- Randy Orton retained the Raw title over HHH and John Cena

- Maryse beat Mickie James

- Rey Mysterio pinned Dolph Ziggler

- Jeff Hardy beat C.M. Punk to win the Smackdown title

Seemed like an average show with nothing really glaring bad or great.

(Photo from wwe.com)

TNA Victory Road Results

Results from last night's wretched TNA Victory Road PPV show in Orlando:

- Angelina Love beat Tara to regain the TNA Knockouts title. Tara had her foot on the rope but the referee didn't see it (he was later seen coming out of the shower with a clothed Madison Rayne)

- Matt Morgan beat Daniels. Kurt Angle just last month proclaimed that Christopher Daniels was the best worker in the company, now he is being buried in the 2nd match of the show

- Abyss destroyed Dr. Stevie. Decent match. Daffney is hot.

- Team 3D beat the British Invasion. I don't even remember this.

- Jenna Morasca beat Sharmell. Incredible. First of all, Jenna from Survivor entered the ring with the most lewd ring entrance of all-time. She crawled in the ring and the camera was focused right on her crotch. Sharmell looked on appalled. The match was dreadful and that may be an understatement. Awesome Kong splashed Jenna afterwards.

- Kevin Nash pinned A.J. Styles for the Legends title. Reprehensible. I hope I spelled that right.

- Scott Steiner and Booker T beat Beer Money for the tag titles. Decent.

- Samoa Joe beat Sting. Taz debuted and inspired Joe to victory. Sting tapped.

- Kurt Angle beat Mick Foley to retain the world title. They tried but it wasn't that good.

(Photo from tnawrestling.com)

The Michael Jackson Memorial

I didn't get to see most of the Michael Jackson Memorial yesterday but I liked what I did see. The most memorable moments (of what I saw) included:

- Mimi singing "I'll Be There" with Trey Lorenz
- The speeches from Al Sharpton and Magic Johnson
- Stevie Wonder singing "I Never Dreamed You Leave In Summer"
- The speech from Michael's daughter

It was a very classy ceremony and great way to pay tribute to perhaps the greatest entertainer ever.

Michael Jackson

Hollywood Nation is back after a brief hiatus. I am still reeling from the death of Michael Jackson. The man was not only a great entertainer but also an icon and an inspiration. I can't even put into words how much him and his family meant to me and other black families in the 70's. They were the good guys from little Gary, Indiana that we could all root for. I've spent hours listening to his music and even pathetically trying to imitate him. If I had to name just one of his songs as my favorite, I'll go with "I Can't Help It" from the Off The Wall album (written by Stevie Wonder and sampled by De La Soul in the hip hop classic "Breakadawn"). Rest in peace. Here are just two of my favorite memories from his illustrious career: