Mike Lano 12.2.02 column
Evad Seltzer
No luck for Shamrock
BY DR. MIKE LANO
Special To The Examiner
Former WWE intercontinental and NWA champion Ken "World's Most
Dangerous Man" Shamrock showed his age, getting annihilated in just
three rounds, losing via TKO, by UFC champion Tito Ortiz. Ortiz had
dominated from the opening bell. Both had to be separated by police at
the weigh-in, with Shamrock enraged when Ortiz mocked him. WWE's
Bradshaw attended for Shamrock.
ESPN's "SportsCenter" covered Ric Flair at the New
Orleans-Minnesota NBA game. In the opening, John Anderson said the
highlights would be done "with flair," and Ric Flair appeared on the
Jumbotron saying his trademark "woooooo." In his sequined robe at
center court, he then announced the players, wooooooing after each
name, with the crowd wooooooing back. Reportedly, his "woooooo," one
of the most popular elements of Ric Flair's career since 1976 and one
of the most recognizable catch phrases of any celebrity, was just
banned by Vince McMahon, who decided Flair's new character is better
off without it. Boooooo.
Steve Austin said his plea of no contest "brought a thousand
dollar fine, community service and domestic-abuse counseling. If I
follow through, the charges won't be on my 'school permanent record.'"
Austin acknowledged trying to revive his career. "My first appearance
since quitting generated 5,000 people. I still have drawing power." He
said the worst part is that he can't drink his trademark beer for a
year as part of the probation. WWE already hinted it would take him
back when he fulfills his court obligations. Maybe he would send a
better message to fans if his Stone Cold character also gave up
brewskis. Sean "X-Pac" Waltman, recently released by WWE, quit rival
NWA-TNA in a dispute over matchmaker Vince Russo remaining a presence.
Most of the wrestlers themselves weren't aware Russo was still around,
until the mask of Wrestling-3 was pulled off to reveal Russo, who is
not the most popular guy in grappling.
Vic Grimes, Steve Rizzono and Brenda Goff all returned home to
promote APW at their last big Hayward "Gym Wars" show. Brenda's sister
Stacy remains the top manager/heel for Jim Cornette's OVW, WWE's lone
farm-system promotion. Both ladies broke into wrestling right in San
Francisco with Ron Hed, Jeff "J.R." Benson and Peter Hinds. Rizzono
still "bounces" for the Hustler Club on Broadway. International star
Bam Bam Bigelow announced his retirement from active wrestling, but
will continue teaching and promoting with Shane Douglas and Chris
Candido. On the same show, Balls Mahoney came to the ring and called
out girlfriend Lauren, asking her to marry him. How could she refuse?
She tearfully said yes in a first for such a name wrestler. "Big Show"
Paul Wight, once an NBA aspirant, says he "can drive a golf ball 325
yards, but still can't putt."