akeem is one man gang

Sorry JR but...

2007-03-20T09:28:00.001-07:00

We give WrestleMania 23 two big thumbs down.

Hickory Dickory Dock...

2007-03-02T20:40:00.001-08:00

Hickory Dickory Dock...

Wrestling can suck my...

TRUMPED!

2007-02-22T08:32:00.000-08:00

Here is our our list of who Donald Trump should choose as his representative in the "Battle of Billionaires" Match at Wrestlemania 23: Hillbilly Jim, Jumping Jim Brunzell, Tugboat, Van Hammer, Firebreaker Chip, Tom Zenk, Nick Bockwinkel, Prince Iaukea, David Sammartino, Mini Mankind and of course our first choice if he was still with us..Hercules Hernandez!

That 70's Guy..

2007-02-22T07:25:00.000-08:00

Regardless of his Fat Chick Thriller Persona in the post-nWo wcw era, We will always remember Mike Awesome for his victory over Masato Tanaka at ecw's One Night Stand PPV (which quite honestly in our eyes was the last ecw match ever)

Crushed!!

2007-02-22T07:18:00.000-08:00

WWE's Original Money in the Bank!!

OH YEAH!

2007-02-21T13:48:00.000-08:00

My first erection was when Savage beat Tito for the belt. Sorry Ms. Elizabeth.

Wasn't cool 15 years ago either...

2007-02-19T20:34:00.001-08:00

Go home Captain Sparklepants

Do us a favor...

2007-02-19T20:33:00.000-08:00

stay retired

Stuffed Pump

2007-02-19T20:31:00.000-08:00

Wind it up and it still can't cut a promo

If he knew then, what we know now...

2007-02-19T20:30:00.000-08:00

Remember the good old days of wrestling when a second-rate Rikishi cousin on his second gimmick wasn't headlining one of the main events at WrestleMania?

Schucks...

2007-02-17T20:38:00.000-08:00

Too bad WCW went out of business... we were waiting for midgets to form an MWO.

How'd you find three pictures of Kwee Wee on the Internet?

2007-02-17T20:37:00.000-08:00

It wasn't easy, but this is for you, Mr. Funk.

At this point...

2007-02-17T20:35:00.000-08:00

We'd be cool with Barry Horowitz beating this guy's streak at WrestleMania.

Call us crazy...

2007-02-17T20:27:00.000-08:00

but we actually thought the "testicle" gimmick worked...

Kip James: That's a Shoot

2007-02-17T20:12:00.000-08:00

Here our interview from last spring

The Full Monty
No Sapp, TNA's Kip James opens up on TNA, career, and the biz
By Jon Chattman

In the world of professional wrestling, Monty Sapp has gone by many names. He was a New Age Outlaw, Mr. Ass, "Bad Ass" and "The One" Billy Gunn. These days, the former WWE grappler goes by the name Kip James in TNA (Total Nonstop Action) Wrestling. While the names and attire have changed throughout the years, one thing's remained the same: the former "King of the Ring" succeeded on every level of the business. We recently spoke to James about his career and how life in TNA is going thus far. While he's enjoying his time in TNA and strongly believes in the product, James was a realist when it came to questions about the company's future. He also played ball with our quirky questions. With that, we take a page from his slogan, there's no futher introduction needed. Here's the interview.

JC: TNA seems to just keeps getting momentum and momentum. Do you think it's inevitable that the company will go head to head with WWE?
KJ: As long as they keep it in perspective and keep building on it...That's our goal to go head to head. I see that in everybody's eyes and in everybody's mind. It's a good product and they're going in the right direction, but I don't think head to head is coming for a long time. As much as I love TNA, I'm just being honest. It's nothing against the company. Head to head almost to me means the Superbowl. [It's] like taking a high school team and playing Pittsburgh. You have to understand Vince [McMahon] is it. He's been around since his dad was putting this together, and he knows what's going on and he knows this company. I know [WWE's] kind of like in a wishy-washy spot. It's in that downhill slope. They just don't have any storylines or anything that anyone really wants to see[TNA's] getting close, but it'll be little ways before they even get to that kind of a level. I only speak because I've been there and I know I've been there for 13 years, so I kind of know a little of what's going on in that company.

JC: Speaking of both companies, you've gone through a bunch of gimmicks over the years, and you never seem to mind no matter how crazy they are...

KJ: Yeah, and I loved that. That's the thing about what my perspective is on this business. When they come to us with a gimmick, even if I hate it, it's always a challenge to try and get it over. The Rockabilly thing, which almost killed me because of the circumstances and the way it all came about, wasn't good and there was no thought put into it. It was nothing. It was just something to do with no big gimmick, which is different with all the other gimmicks that I've done. Smoking Gun, I cared about. I cared about DX. I cared about the Chuck and Billy thing. They kind of were laughing at first and then all of a sudden, they got it. And, it got over big, but it was one of those things, like me and Brian (James of TNA), we never thought we're going to be as good as we were. We didn't even think that. We were just going to have fun with it. It was the same thing with me and Chuck. They were putting some thought into it, and they let us run with it and do what we wanted to do and it got huge publicity.

JC: Be honest, do you think the Billy and Chucky gimmick influenced "Brokeback Mountain?"
KJ: [Laughs] I don't know if they would've researched us. I don't think we had too much to do with that.. I [still] talk to Chuck about a couple of times a month whenever he's not in Japan. We kind of hookup, because I know he gets busy in Japan because he's doing really good over there. He'll call me or I'll call him and leave a message just to make sure and see what's going on with him.

JC: Getting back to TNA, 3 Live Cru is done now right? No more staple with Ron Killings, Konnan, right?
KJ: Everybody left. It's just me and Brian now. It's just the Dream Team now. Me and Brian are just getting back together and it's going to be fun. We could never top [what we did before], but can we at least try to keep it going and get one good little run out of it? Yeah, I think we can because of our personalities and just the way that we both are together. I'm having a blast. I'm having fun again and it's like being young again where I don't have all this pressure and stress of trying to worry about what's happening in NY and things likes that. I don't have any of those worries anymore.

JC: It must be nice traveling less in TNA as opposed to WWE....
KJ: Yeah, I missed a lot. I have two boys and I missed doing a lot of stuff with them, but now I think they want me to get my job back so I'll go away. [Laughs] I love spending time with them. I'll pick them up from school, go to practices and games, and it's fun for me. I love spending time with them now, because now I have a relationship with them.

JC: Okay, enough with all this serious stuff, I'm going to throw out a bunch of ideas for wrestling gimmicks and you tell me if they work. A guy wrestling in a monkey suit called "Monsoon Gorilla"?
KJ: No. No, that'll never work.

JC: What about a guy with a hairy chest who wears a mask and he's called The Masked Furchest?
KJ: If he was ugly enough and he was hairy enough... I think that's about as close as you can get with that one.

JC: Last one: What about a big guy named Joe who goes by the name The Big Joe?
KJ: That's a possibility. I think that could work. It depends on how big Joe really is.

JC: Good point. Hey, do people call you "Mr. Ass" whenever you walk into a bar?
KJ: Yeah, they laugh for a second. "Mr. Ass! Badass!" People are starting to get the TNA thing because I had people coming up to me and say "Kip." It kind of throws me off guard for a minute because I wasn't used to people calling me that.

JC: Was there ever a time when you were going to use your real name?
KJ: Well, Kip is my middle name. [And], we just threw in the James thing so we could get that angle a little bit with Brian like a volunteer brother kind of thing.

JC: Are you an ass man or breast man?
KJ: I'm a leg guy, actually.

JC: Are you in talks about a Mr. Ass ride at Disney World?
KJ: They approached me at one time and then figured "Dumbo's Ride" was as far as they would get with that.

Jackie Gayda... Interview

2007-02-17T20:09:00.000-08:00

Hey check it out from last year... she's had a baby since this which we'd bet could already kick our ass.

Thecheappop’s interview with TNA’s Jackie Gayda
By Jon Chattman

When she got married last year (to fellow grappler Charlie Haas), Jackie Gayda likely had something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue. She, as fate would have it, also got something pink, as in a slip. "Everybody was extremely shocked," Gayda told thecheappop recently of her and her husband's untimely release. Some seven-and-a-half months removed from it, Gayda offers no sour grapes. The 2002 "Tough Enough" Winner told us she and Charlie understand the nature of the business, and left the WWE on very good terms. As a matter of fact, the knockout, who joined TNA in November, informed us Haas has been involved in serious discussions with both TNA and WWE as of late, and is expected to re-sign with the latter soon. And, as for Gayda, life couldn't be better. The All-Ohio athlete is enjoying every minute on TNA, and is hopeful with a better timeslot, it can elevate the company, not to mention the women's division, to the next level.

JC: Hey Jackie, how's married life treating you?

JG: It's going great. I can't complain yet. [Laughs] It hasn't been a year so you might want to ask me after the year mark. Just kidding. Charlie and I, we're really blessed. We had a chance to get to know each other under the most stressful circumstances and situations. And, that's what they say married life's all about. Right now, it's going really, really well.

JC: And, it must be nice to have to be on the road all the time. The benefits of TNA, at least for now, is that there's not a lot of traveling - unlike the WWE experience...

JG: You're absolutely right. I love Orlando. And, it's really great that it's just so in and out. It's a very, very nice change to actually feel like you're at home when you're at home. The bigger time slot and more dates and everything may not be too far off in the future, but right now it's a nice change.

JC: How's Charlie doing?

JG: He's doing a lot of indie dates...doing a lot of work with New Japan, (and) just did an England show. He's trying to make the right decisions. He's looking at things in terms of longevity with career goals, for his future, and our future financially. He has a lot of offers on the plate, including WWE, and he's talking to Jeff Jarrett with TNA. I can assure you that he'll be showing up at one of the places very, very soon. I'm not giving anything away, but decisions with him and WWE are looking like they're going to merge again.

JC: That sounds great... That must be nice considering it didn't end great for you guys at WWE...

JG: You never really know why people leave or get let go, because the whole thing is based on gossip and 'he said' or 'she said.' But, we've talked to the McMahon family face to face, unfortunately at Eddie's (Guerrero) funeral. We left on great terms. It was not a bitter leave by any means. [Pauses] Everyone was extremely shocked including Vince's (McMahon) righthand men about both of us... extremely shocked about Charlie. If he goes back, it's going to be on his terms this time, and get the run he rightfully deserves. He's been kicking his ass for awhile. He's really developed himself as a singles wrestler. To go back [to] WWE, that's something that might be right around the bend.

JC: And, what about you? You joined TNA in November. Did you know off the bat that that was the right fit for you?

JG: When everything happened with WWE, I can honestly say I wasn't too sure if wrestling was going to stay much in my future. I knew that it was Charlie's livelihood. I think he'll be in the business one way or another until he's 100 years old. But, I had to weigh my options for a month or so. I wasn't sure if it was going to be TNA or just doing some indies with Charlie or a few overseas tours. I really had to weigh it out. Wrestling goes in ups and downs: one week, it's great, the next you're not too sure about things. I know I made the right decision. It's a fantastic company from top to bottom.

JC: Your signing with TNA gave the company a boost in terms of its on-air women talent. What do you think of the women's division in TNA?

JG: There isn't anything right now. Every single week, we're hoping that that changes. The good thing about it is Gail (Kim), Traci and I have all worked with each other at one time. At the same token, TNA is all about going back to storyline, and not shoving entire two [or] three months worth of a soap opera into a segment and a half, which tends to be seen on wrestling nowadays. They really want to stretch it out, but as far as the women's divison, with an hour time slot , they have to pick and choose what it is they're going to focus on. There's so many great athletes on the roster, and you can't shove 15 stories into one minute. We're just taking it one step at a time. Hopefully, we'll have a larger time slot and we can make that happen.

JC: TNA is kind of the underdog. Is it exciting to be a part of its growth?

JG: I don't even know if I'd say its the underdog anymore, but I see what you're saying. You need a starting point. Look how far TNA has come. The company's only been around for three years or so. People are interested. Every week, our ratings are going up and up.

JC: On another note, do you think you'd still would have gone into the wrestling business if you didn't win/participate on "Tough Enough."

JG: I really don't think I would've. Things happen at the right time, right place, for the right people. It was one of those things. I was in college up in Ohio getting right to my major at the end of my sophomore year. I had a million things going on. I was a track and cross country athlete, and just had a lot of stuff on my plate. Wrestling just kind of happen. I was watching RAW one night, [and] my boyfriend at the time said 'why don't you try out for this.' I kind of watched it here or there. I watched it growing up with my dad a little bit. I said 'why not.' He kind of printed out application. I threw it in the mail, and didn't think much of it. I got a call back, and one thing led to another. Wrestling is a blessing in my life. It brought me to the rest of my life - not to sound mushy. But, it's bizare and strange, it brought me to my future family.

JC: It's got to be surreal for you... this whole three-year ride...

JG: It really, really has been. But, you have to take it one step at a time with things. And, take time to look back and realize what has happened and put things into perspective. It really has been surreal: the fans, people that write in, or [I'll] hear something like 'I watched you on TV, you motivated me with your knee.' Funny thing is, I'm still just me.

JC: Yeah, you sound pretty grounded...

JG: Oh, please. Charlie keeps me grounded. Everything happens for a reason whether good or bad. You have to take life and learn from it, and hope that you don't get too big for your pants or too small for them.

JC: Lastly, what's your biggest achievement in the ring?

JG: Probably the best and most outstanding moment that sticks out is being in Wrestlemania XX. Madison Square Garden... I remember thinking 'Who am I? I won this contest, now I'm in a storyline with three other talented and beautiful women.' It really was breathtaking. You have to step back and take it in. That's the highlight of my career so far. We'll see if something can beat it. I'm sure it will. Want more of Jackie? Check JustJackie.Net

Brother Dvon retro interview

2007-02-17T20:05:00.000-08:00

Check out our retro interview with Devon... or Dvon... or oh whatever...

Because he's one half of arguably the best wrestling tag team ever and to a lesser degree, because he digs Cosby's sweaters, it's time for Cheek to Cheek with TNA Wrestling's Brother Devon (formerly Dvon Dudley of The Dudley Boyz)
By Jon Chattman, for thecheappop.com

Graphic/Rich Tarantino

JC: Hey Devon, how long have you been a wrestling fan?
D: I started watching wrestling back in '77 at five years old. I was hooked. I remember saying to myself at one point 'man, it's great. It's fun.' I never really thought about it again until Hogan came on the scene. Growing up in the projects, it was very hard. I tried to stay out of trouble, and it was Hogan that kept me [out of trouble.] Back in 1983, it was just unbelievable. I saw people all the time, especially young people [rooting for Hogan]. You don't know what it was like unless you were there. The Steve Austin and Rock era was huge, but it was nothing like the Hulk-a-mania era. They'd never seen wrestling on that big of a scale. Wrestling never crossed over into the entertainment business and you never really saw actors and things like that, coming to the shows. I remember thinking, 'that's what I want to do.' I owe a lot to Hulk Hogan, because watching him made me want to do this. And just a small little tidbit, everytime I'm in the ring, I do a leg drop almost similar to Hogan's. I hit the ropes, take two steps, jump up, and hit it. That's just my little tribute, because if it wasn't for him I don't think I would've taken the initial step to get into the business.

JC: You've never been on the receiving end of a leg-drop from Hogan, right?
D: No, I've never been. That was always my dream to be in the ring with him. I was in the ring with him one time at a Battle Royal on Smackdown! and I remember telling everybody, "Do not touch me. I don't care what he does to me. Let me just stay with Hogan." When the man grabbed me, I felt like a little kid in a candy store. It was just unbelievable. I'll never forget that. I don't have it on tape, unfortunately. I wish I could get it. That was my only moment that I had in the ring with Hogan.

JC: Did the Hulkster know how big of a fan you were of his?
D: I never had the heart to tell him. I do know Big Show told him. Big Show was a huge fan, but I think he even knew that I was an even bigger fan than he was. I believe Edge told him, too. Edge is a huge Hogan fan, and he always rubs it in my face that he got to win the tag team belts with him.

JC: That bastard! Just kidding... lets jump into TNA. You and Brother Ray have been there a couple months now after being arguably the most dominant tag team in WWE history....
D: I like it. I think TNA is great, and I'm not just saying that because I left WWE. In my opinion, I've had a lot of great years at WWE, during The Rock and Austin era. It was a great time. We made a lot of money. We had a great time. It made us into stars. There's no question about that. Right now, the direction the company is going: it's not us. We'd been there for six years, but within that last year, it was a whole new regime that came in. And, there were no tag teams to work with. I don't mind if you're putting tag teams together, but for not for the hell of it. They were putting these tags together to beat us, but then breaking them up next week. And, we're supposed to be the [best] tag team in the business? That was one of the things we were really unhappy with.

JC: TNA is filled with tag teams....
D: The list goes on and on. I remember we were embraced by a lot of the boys in the back [when we arrived to TNA.] They were happy to see us especially the tag teams. They wanted to learn from us, which was great. It was weird actually being the veteran, but it was a role that we would've been more than happy to take. These guys are hungry. They love it, and you can see it. They remind me of ECW when it first started. It's a promotion trying to make headway. They're the real deal. This is what they're trying to do. I think they have potential. You got A.J. Styles, Christopher Daniels, Samoa Joe, Monty Brown... you've got all these guys that are making an impact. The fans may not know who they are right now, but they will get to know them as time goes on. It's just like when ECW started going mainstream. TNA has some learning to do, but that's with every new growing company. That's going to come with time. Everything that they're doing now, they're doing it on the right track. They're making headway and I think one division I'm very proud of is that X-Division. It's fantastic.

JC: Yes, the emphasis there is wrestling as opposed to the entertainment factor...
D: We're wrestlers, not actors. We're the worst actors in the entertainment business, but you let us do what we do best, and we can put on a show. Let wrestlers go out there and perform. Let them wrestle. The fans want that. This is what the fans have been asking for and for some reason WWE are not listening.

JC: It ended pretty bad with The Dudley Boyz and WWE. Are you guys bitter at all? It's one thing to let you guys go, it's another to copyright your names and gimmick....
D: Yeah it's a shot in the [butt], but as far as taking our names, I look at it this way: we know we have the right to our names. They know we have the right to our names. Basically, we're being bullied. I'm tired of bullies. We were The Dudley's way before we even thought about coming to WWE. We made a name for ourselves before we even got there, and we were on a national level TV-wise, way before we got to WWE. And, Vince [McMahon] knows this. He can try every loophole he can, but it's not going to work because we know the deal. [Legally], we're not giving up on that by a long shot.

JC: Moving on, TNA just signed Christian, is it exciting that talent is flocking to TNA?
D: I'm loving it. I think the more names, the better. It'll help TNA's product. Not that we're trying to get rid of the guys that helped build the foundation of TNA, but it just help those guys along way. It can make things a little bit easy on them. We're in this to make money and entertain the fans and that's what we have to do. A lot of the boys that are coming over from the other company or anywhere else, if they can help out in any way, shape or form, I think that's great. We need competition, because that's when Vince is at his best, and the business...

JC: Do you know others in the business that want to jump to TNA?
D: Oh yeah. There's a few of them that I know of, that I speak to, that tell me they can't wait because of how unhappy they are because they're not able to do what they want to do. They don't want to be actors, they want to wrestle, and put on a show in the ring. They want to tell their story in the ring, and not in front of a camera with a script in front of them. They're not getting that opportunity. At one point in time, you couldn't go anywhere because there was nowhere to go. Now there is and they're happy about that. They can't do anything now until they're contracts are up. You're going to see a lot of the boys leaving and coming over to TNA.

JC: Out of curiousity, why do you think tag teams are a dying breed?
D: Tag team wrestling was never at the forefront of the company. It was always on the backburner. I think that was used, in my opinion, to add on to the show: to give guys work to do. WWE has always been a company that emphasized on singles wrestling. It's always been that way. Tag-team wrestling was always secondary. It's just something that Vince has always seen as his baby. I think it all started back in the day of the Hulk-a-mania era. [In recent years], the tag team division started to wear down and they started breaking people up, and making them singles. They never have anything planned ahead of time. But I don't know, maybe one day Vince will wake up and start doing things the way he's doing them and stop the "I'm Vince McMahon and you do as I say.'

JC: Okay Devon, now for the serious questions. Why don't you ever wear tights?
D: Uh, I've got legs like my mother. I didn't take from my pops. I remember my trainers telling me once, "How the hell are those legs holding up that body?"

JC: What was the most embarassing moment you've had?
D: I can't remember the place, but I can see the building. Someone stuffed toilet paper as a trick, down my pants, hanging down. I'm running [to the ring], and you can see the paper flapping in the background as if it was a cape. As I'm circling the ring, Brother Ray sees it and goes, "come here." He pulls the paper out. Thank God it wasn't on TV.

JC: Who's the greatest and worst tag team of all time?
D: I would have to say The Road Warriors. A lot of people say we surpassed them, but I don't think so. I think they made such an impact that it would be hard for even us to take that away from them. I don't think we could. I really don't think we could. The worst? The Dynamic Dudes, or something like that. They came out on skateboards. We tease Shane [Douglass] all the time about that. Anything with Johnny Ace was the worse.

JC: What's your favorite TV show?
D: Number one is The Cosby Show, shows like Good Times and What's Happenin' Now. I love watching those shows. They bring back so many memories of my childhood and how I use to always be in front of the TV watching those shows. I'm happy seeing them back on TV now [with] TV Land.

JC: Are you old school with music, too?
D: I love the '80's. I'm a big 80's fan. I'm a huge fan of the rap and R&B of the '80's, early '90's. Even somewhat mid-90's. Today's rap I'm not too fond of, but there's certain artists I like 50 Cent and Eminem and Jadakiss, but a lot of it really turned me off because of violence and what have you. I know they're not glorifying violence. They're just talking about what goes on in their neck of the woods and where they grew up, but sometimes you don't want to hear that. At one point when you heard rap music, it was to forget all those bad things that were going on in your neighborhood.

JC: Hell yeah, people used to rap about McDonalds!
D: Exactly. That's what I miss about it. And, that's why I stick with the '80's and early '90's. If I could go back in time, I'd go back there. I look at that show, "Where are they now?" and it brings back so many memories, because you have no idea. It was so easy to please me as a kid.

JC: Thanks for your time Devon. Good luck in TNA and happy holidays. The latter of which, bring us to our final question. You've broken a lot of tables, but have you ever set the table?
D: [Laughs] Oh, plenty of times! My wife won't let me do anything else but set the table!

Spike Dudley: 150 pounds soaking wet

2007-02-16T20:46:00.000-08:00

Here's thecheappop.com's interview with Matt Hyson from last year...

Because he probably weighs 150 lbs. soaking wet and can still kick your ass... it's time for cheek to cheek with Matt Hyson (formerly Spike Dudley on WWE, which was formerly on Spike TV, and Brother Runt in TNA, which is on Spike TV now) - How's that for a headline?
By Jon Chattman, for thecheappop.com

Hey Matt, are you bitter with what happened at WWE?
Not bitter at being fired. I can handle getting let go, it's the nature of the business for talent to come and go. What I resent are the lies the office of the WWE spews at the talent. I was promised over the phone a two year extension on my last contract. Why would they promise that and a month later fire me with no explanation? Why would the office constantly re-assure me my job is safe only to fire me? What work place in the world treats their employees like that? I can honestly say I'm not bitter, just flabbergasted that they operate like that. After 5 years of literally destroying my body for the sake of the company don't I deserve, at least, a face-to-face meeting instead of a late night cell phone call? Their lack of appreciation is what's disapointing.

Do you think you'll find a new home with TNA or another company?
I'll definintely make a home somewhere. There's plenty of wrestling left in me and there are a number of companies out there. I can't point to any one promotion and say that's my new home. I believe I'll have to wrestle the circuit, as I've been doing. I'm having too much fun to commit to one place only.

Are you surprised Joey Styles is commentating for RAW now?
I wasn't aware he was until you asked. Nothing surprises me anymore.

Whats your crowning achievement in the business?
There's no such thing. I've found every time I go out to the ring it's better than the last time. Just having my first match was my crowning achievement. Every thing else is icing on the cake.

What's your general feeling about the state of the industry these days?
The business is always on a roller coaster. It goes up and down with the fans and the styles. Something works, everyone exploits it until it gets old, something new pops up, sparks everyone's interest unil it's exploited. I think the business is in the upswing. I feel the WWE has lost touch with it's fan base and is much too focussed on the "entertainment" side and has forgotten the "pro wrestling" side. This might be economically smart for them, but it leaves the industry wide open for a group like TNA to come in and steal the wrestling fans. By going back to wrestling TNA is a giant breath of fresh air to a very stale WWE product. Wreslting fans now have options, be it TNA or UFC or Indy shows. As I've hit the independants I still see the true wrestling fan out there. I believe some big changes will occur in the next year or two in pro wrestling.

Do you still consider yourself a wrestling fan?
Of course, I have hundreds of tapes. I've always been a student and I'm always watching wrestling. I do prefer old-school stuff, put I'm the biggest fan in the world.

You've accomplished so much despite being a "little guy," what's your secret?
Gravity.

That question was pretty lame, wasn't it?
No, really there's no secret. Work hard, love pro wrestling, be a pro, give it your all. That's my secret.

What question are you sick and tired of every one asking you?
What's it like to go through table? I hate that one. It F'N hurts!!! What else can I say?

Okay, thanks Matt, what does the future hold for you - in this business or out?
That's your lame question.

Tonight on Howard Finkel's House of Tinkle...

2007-02-15T17:30:00.000-08:00

A bra and panties rematch between "The Fink" and Harvey Whippleman...

hey we can dream can't we

Paid To Lose 2

2007-02-15T16:27:00.000-08:00

B is for Brooklyn Brawler. Whether he's Steve Lombardi or the Brooklyn Brawler this guy has been losing matches for decades. This one time member of the Heenan Family had a brief push back in day against The Red Rooster (go figure) and he even scored a clean victory over Triple H during The Game's heyday. However no wrestler in WWE history has been on the losing end of the 1-2-3 more times than the artist formerly known as Abe "Knuckleball" Schwartz.

Hey, we all make mistakes

2007-02-15T10:48:00.000-08:00

All hail the king...

Paid To Lose

2007-02-14T09:43:00.000-08:00

Starting today Sunday Night Steam is going to chronicle the biggest losers in wrestling history from A-Z. So let's begin with the biggest jobber of them all. A is for Andre "The Giant" Roussimoff. Andre is without a doubt one of the most well known faces in professional wrestling history. Dubbed "The Eighth Wonder of The World" he is perhaps the biggest athlete ever to appear in a wrestling ring. Sadly however, after a long and successful career The Giant will be remembered most for these three loses: 1)Wrestlemania III in front of 93,000 Andre takes one for the team and jobs to a guy named Hulk Hogan, the same Hogan that Andre used to slap around during the Verne Gagne AWA era. 2)Saturday Night's Main Event went primetime as Andre became the WWE World Champion only to sell the gold minutes later to Ted DiBiase. 3) It's one thing to get your head shaved but to have it done by a longtime 80's midcarder is another story(that's right Ken Patera we are calling you out).

From Perks Unknown...

2007-02-14T08:06:00.000-08:00

Here's a regular feature that ran on thecheappop.com last year...

FROM PERKS UNKNOWN...
"Best of" Times, Worst of Times
ByGary Perkowitz

As a wrestling fan, I've enjoyed these "Best of" DVDs that the WWE has been putting together for their loyal fans over the past year or so. "The Self Destruction of The Ultimate Warrior" is classic and a must have for anyone who worshiped bodyslams and biceps during the '80s. I am looking forward to watching the just released Jake "the Snake" Roberts as well as the best of Bret "The Hitman" Hart. But, there is a problem with all of these dvds...they make me realize that the state of wrestling today sucks!!!
Since the jump back to USA Network, the WWE has not given the attention and detail to today's talent that they put into making these fantastic DVDs. Sadly, the best thing I've seen on WWE programing in about two years was at the "Homecoming" when Rob Conway (formerly of La Resistance) decided to "crack whip" with "The American Dream.." In honor of that moment as well as my salute to Steve Austin for sticking it once again to the boys in Stamford (apparently refusing to lay down for Jonathan Coachman) here is my top ten reasons on why Monday Night's Suck, and it's got nothing to do with "Everybody Loves Raymond" leaving the airwaves...
10. KANE: How many times are they gonna push this guy? I say his final push should be back on the shelf between Isaac Yankem and the new Diesel. RIP!
9.Chris Masters: Someone tell this guy the Lex Express derailed at least 11 years ago.
8. Eric Bischoff: Awesome moment when he came out and hugged Vince McMahon on the Raw ramp, but come on ... three years later, it's time for a new face in the GM role!
7.No tag teams: I've got three letters for ya: TLC. Bring back the Dudley-Hardy-Edge-Christian highlight reel!
6. HBK: Not even gonna go there!
5. No Y2J: Raw lost its top heel when Chris Jericho decided to become a full-time rockstar.
4. Mis-use of Kurt Angle: He should have been given the gold his first night back on RAW instead he's jobbing to Eugene.
3. Carlito: I'd rather see re-runs of Adrian Ddonis' Flower Shop on WWE 24/7 before I tune into the Cabana.
2. Cena as Champion: Before I waste another second on a guy who should be feuding with Viscera on Velocity, let me just say how great it is to see Goldust back on TV!
1. Competition: The option to flip the station to watch Riki Rachtman and the Nitro Girls at a frat house party isn't looking so bad these days!

Scott Steiner retro review... holla

2007-02-14T08:03:00.000-08:00

Booty Daddy joins TNA
By Jon Chattman, for thecheappop.com - April 2006

Big Poppa Pump. Freakzilla. The Genetic Freak. The Big Bad Booty Daddy. Scott Steiner goes by a lot of names in the wrestling business, but perhaps the best moniker he should go by is "legs." Steiner's entering his 20th year in the wrestling business, and has no intentions of slowing down.

On Sunday, Steiner will make his in-ring debut this Sunday, April 23, with TNA Wrestling as part of the "Lockdown" Pay-Per-View. That night, the grappler will team up with longtime friend (on and off camera) Jeff Jarrett and America's Most Wanted against Sting, AJ Styles, Rhino, and Ron "The Truth" Killings in a cage match. We recently spoke to Steiner, who's been a prominent member of the NWA, ECW, WCW, and WWE, and asked him about his upcoming match, his career, his "freaks," and how TNA's treated him so far. We also asked him about his rocky experience with the WWE a few years back.

SS on why he joined TNA:
Timing. Jeff [Jarrett] called me up. [He] wanted me to take care of Sting. The main reason I came in was to beat up Sting... to make Sting's return to the ring as short as possible.

SS on whether he'd re-team with brother Rick:
We destroyed everybody we wrestled, but never say never.

SS on the state of tag teams in wrestling:
I don't pay attention to that much. I think tag teams are the same. There are not as many good [ones] as there were back then like The Road Warriors, Skyscrapers.... the quality has gone down other that that, it's still pretty much the same.

SS on what went wrong in WWE:
Same thing that happens with everybody...Same thing with Goldberg and Kevin Nash: HHH. What can you do? The guy's a very insecure man. Realistically speaking, if he wasn't banging the boss' daughter he wouldn't have a job there. He's never been an athlete in his life.

SS on whether TNA can compete with the WWE: Back in '96, [WCW was] basically doing the same thing as TNA's doing now. Everyone has noticed, Vince [McMahon] didn't pick up the WCW audience and it's still out there. If everything falls into place, we can pick it up because not everyone wants to watch the trash on WWE.

SS on whether he ever pondered retirement:
Pretty much, I was done after WCW, but WWE actually offered more money then I was asking for. It was hard to turn down.

SS on whether he'd accept an induction into the WWE Hall of Fame:
What's the Hall of Fame. It's Vince McMahon picking who he wants in the Hall of Fame. It's just a storyline.

SS on what's freakier: David Arquette trying to wrestle or Mike Awesome cutting a promo:
Pretty much equal...

SS on if I holla, if he'd hear me:Depends what your woman looks like...

Goldberg's Next

2007-02-14T05:52:00.000-08:00

Here's our interview with former wrestling star Goldberg...

WHAT'S NEXT FOR GOLDBERG?
Martial arts and Steven Seagel for starters
By Jon Chattman, for thecheappop.com
July 2006

Apparently mixed martial arts (MMA) is next for former wrestling World Heavyweight Champion Bill Goldberg. The former WCW and WWE grappler will serve as a color commentator for the recently launched World Fighting Alliance's (WFA) upcoming pay-per-view event "King of the Streets," which airs live from the Forum in Los Angeles on July 22. While his career has been dominated by wrestling, Goldberg said he's always been a fan of martial arts and the MMA style and grapplers like Bas Rutten and Ron Waterman.

Goldberg said he's also psyched to join a broadcasting team led by boxing play-by-play man Barry Tompkins. The move behind the booth is just another example of how the former Atlanta Falcon is taking his career well beyond the wrestling ring. Since leaving the WWE two years ago, he's focused on film work, family (who recently became a father for the first time), and involvement in various charities. He's been featured in such films as "Santa's Slay," and last spring's Adam Sandler hit comedy "The Longest Yard," and is set to begin filming a remake of the martial arts film, "Half Past Dead," which originally starred Steven Seagal.

We recently chatted with "The Man" and asked him about the WFA, his movie career, and whether or not he'd ever jump in the ring again beit with WFA or another wrestling organization. Taking a page from the wrestling cliche book, Goldberg told us, "never say never." Having said that, one thing's clear, you won't ever see him get in a WWE ring again.

Q) Why'd you decide to get involved with the WFA?
A) My interest in the martial arts has run pretty deep for a long period of time. I own a martial arts school in Oceanside, CA. called Extreme Power. I've trained throughout my football career, wrestling career, and my normal human existence just for entertainment value of it. I find it's an area you can never have all of the knowledge. It was a no brainer. It's about time there was a viable competitor to the UFC in the states.

Q) True, but you're getting into the broadcast booth instead of competing. Why'd you decide to commentate rather than kicking ass?
A) First and foremost, I think I'm too old to be a participant. We all know I had an affiliation with the Pride organization in Japan. I did a little bit of color with them.
For me, I'm learning to reinvent myself a little more. I have a relationship with 90 percent of these guys already. Whether it be WFA guys or MMA guys around the world. I have been a fan since the inception of my wrestling career. For me to be part of the color commentary, it's the next best thing than being in there.

Q) What can you bring to the table as an announcer?
A) I can bring my insights on what I think as an objective observer. I can bring my relationship with all the fighters to forefront and give these guys some shit. Not too many other guys can do that.

Q) These days, the wrestling industry has been dubbed as stale. Do you think you can help lure wrestling fans away from the WWE and TNA?
A) I do believe my presence will not hurt by any stretch of the imagination. We are definitely looking for the crossover from the wrestling fan. I would think it's the same fan base.These guys really know what they're doing. The card that WFA has come up with for its inaugural fight is an unbelievable break out card. Any organization in the world would love to have the list of fighters they have on this card.

Q) There were rumors that you'd be joining TNA Wrestling. Will that ever come into fruition?
A) I would love to be part of somebody competing against the tyrant. There are many other business deals that have to be made for Spike TV prior to me even considering stepping in the ring for TNA. I really don't have plans to do it anytime in the near future. [But] who knows. You look at Sting, [and] he went over there. He's the one that opened my eyes to the possibility of me coming out of retirement.

Q) What do you think of the product over there?
A) I've stomached a little bit of it. They definitely need some help whether its production, whether it's talent, or a [new] timeslot.

Q) Your last wrestling match (against Brock Lesner at Wrestlemania XX) didn't go that well. Were you surprised by the fans reaction?
A) It was tough for the fans. It wasn't fair to the fans. It wasn't fair to us. Truthfully,I really didn't hear it (fans booing). I was so disappointed with what was going on...I pretty much zoned everything out. I could tell in [Lesner's] eyes as the bell rang, it was going to be a long night [and] we just kind of wanted to get out of the ring. The match definitely was not booked and publicized like it should have been. That could have been the match of the century. Obviously, we were both leaving, but you would've thought they would've put a little bit more into it seeing as how it equated to money in their pocket.

Q) Brock's a free agent now, what are the chances you could face him again in the WFA?
A) Brock is a terrific friend of mine. For me to be able to get in the ring with somebody, I'm going to have to dislike the human being as much as possible. He's too good of a guy. He really is a good friend of mine. Let's get Vince McMahon in there. You'd have to tie both hands behind my back. Guys like that are all show and no go.

Q) When asked if you'd come out of retirement, you say "never say never," but is it safe to assume you'll never wrestle in a WWE ring ever again?
A) That's a fact. I wont say never say never there. There's no question that I would never step foot in that ring again.

Q) Were there any positives in the WWE?
A) Yeah. It thought me there was good and bad in the wrestling business. The good was in WCW. The bad was my entire tenure in WWE.

Tap Out

2007-02-12T20:06:00.000-08:00

Whatcha' Gonna Do?!?

2007-02-11T18:02:00.000-08:00

The Hogan point + Wrestlemania Main Event = Sid's 15 minutes of fame!

OH YEAH!

2007-02-11T17:59:00.000-08:00

One quick and simple suggestion for the latest WWE stink-fest: Snap out of it and Snap into a Slim-Jim!!!

Brutus!

2007-02-11T17:52:00.000-08:00

Let me get this right, We buy the doll and we get the real Beefcake to come over the house...Count us in!!!

The good old days...

2007-02-11T13:18:00.001-08:00

When wrestling mattered...

Keep trying Cena...

2007-02-11T13:13:00.000-08:00

You'll never come close.

We're guessing...

2007-02-11T13:12:00.000-08:00

One pissed lightnin' while the other crapped thunder...

Stole hours from all of us...

2007-02-11T13:11:00.000-08:00

Why Repo Man why?

What WWE needs now is...

2007-02-11T13:10:00.000-08:00

a little bit of Power and Glory!

wrestlemania re-cap

2007-02-11T13:08:00.000-08:00

49 days away..

YMCA?

2007-02-11T13:06:00.000-08:00

You can get yourself clean.. you can have a good meal?

While my guitar gently weeps..

2007-02-11T08:56:00.000-08:00

Sunday Night Steam is proud to announce the Top Ten List of Wrestling Props:

Mr Fuji's Salt
Jimmy Hart's Megaphone
Lanny Poffo's Frisbee
The Mountie's shock stick
Jim Cornette's Tennis Racket
Abdullah The Butcher's Fork
The Islander's Invisible Dog Leash
Honkytonk Man's guitar
George Steele's Mine Doll
Al Snow's head

Listen Brother!!

2007-02-11T07:58:00.000-08:00

Pay attention Batista you might learn something...

This just in...

2007-02-11T07:57:00.000-08:00

It's time to make the donuts... someone get Snitsky

This week in Howard Finkel history

2007-02-11T07:52:00.001-08:00

In 1986, we're guessing he attempted the combover, and failed miserably.

Tune in next time for the next installment of Howard Finkel's House of Tinkle

Strike Force!

2007-02-11T07:52:00.000-08:00

If Akeem is one man gang than Tito Santana is lame...ARIBA!!

Is it just us...

2007-02-11T07:51:00.000-08:00

or do you miss Billy and Chucky?

Road to Wrestlemania

2007-02-11T07:48:00.000-08:00

Hey Bernie, skip spring training this year and head to Motor City. We hear there's plenty of room for washed-up veterans on the WrestleMania lineup card.

Hey look its Koko...

2007-02-11T07:45:00.000-08:00

But what in the hell happened to Frankie!??!!?

Everybody Loves Raymond

2007-02-11T07:39:00.000-08:00

Sunday Night Steam is reporting that these guys will not be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2007.

From Berts Unknown

2007-02-10T10:54:00.000-08:00

Wrestlemania Moments come and go but these Wrestlemania Mustaches will never be forgotten:

SD Jones- Wrestlemania I
William "The Fridge" Perry- Wrestlemania II
Koko B. Ware- Wrestlemania III
Ron Bass- Wrestlemania IV
Raymond Rougeau- Wrestlemania V
Rick Rude- Wrestlemania VI
General Adnan- Wrestlemania VII
Jake "The Snake" Roberts- Wrestlemania VIII
Rick Steiner- Wrestlemania IX
Adam Bomb- Wrestlemania X
Bart Gunn- Wrestlemania XI
Paul Bearer- Wrestlemania XII
Doug Furnas- Wrestlemania XIII
Marc Mero- Wrestlemania XIV
Al Snow- Wrestlemania XV
D-Lo Brown- Wrestlemania XVI
Iron Sheik- Wrestlemania X7
Hulk Hogan- Wrestlemania X8
Howard Finkel- Wrestlemania XIX
Sgt Slaughter- Wrestlemania XX
Shelton Benjamin- Wrestlemania 21
"Mean" Gene Okerlund- Wrestlemania 22

Bend it like Basham

2007-02-09T18:03:00.000-08:00

We'd buy this shirt today over any of the other so-called scrubby tag teams that are currently out there. How many of you at home have Basham shirts?

Guess Who?!?!

2007-02-08T20:19:00.000-08:00

Hide the women and children it's the Yeti

Stinger

2007-02-08T16:43:00.000-08:00

Here's an original Sting interview that appeared last year on thecheappop.com

Born again
Hiatus over, it's 'Showtime' for Sting and TNA
By Jon Chattman

He's well into his '40s, and hasn't wrestling on a consistent basis since Clinton was in office, but this Sunday, Steve Borden AKA Sting will return to the ring as part of Total Nonstop Action's (TNA) Final Resolution Pay-Per-View. The Stinger, a seven-time World Championship Wrestling champion and arguably that now defunct organization's franchise player, is set to tag with recent TNA acquisition Christian Cage against the "The Alpha Male" Monty Brown and former WCW nemesis Jeff Jarrett.

On Jan. 11, Sting spoke to us about the upcoming PPV, and more importantly, the new one-year contract he signed with TNA. As we found out, the grappler is eager to get back into the ring, put TNA on the map (he wants to see it go head-to-head against WWE on Monday Nights) and end his career on his terms - something he was unable to do when Vince McMahon purchased WCW. And speaking of Mr. McMahon, Sting also revealed that he had ongoing talks with the WWE before signing with TNA, but ultimately declined their offer due to personal reasons (traveling restraints and his own values among them - he's openly Born Again.) With that said, It's showtime...

On the PPV:

I'm going to go into the ring and I'm just hoping the rust kicks off really quick, and I believe that it will. I've been in the gym, working out, and I got myself in pretty good physical condition. I'm looking forward to it. [Christian] is a very talented guy.

On why he's returning now:

There are some pretty big names older than I am [that] are still out there... Ric Flair... Why now? It's now or never. The way I left wrestling was not the way I wanted to leave. I know this year, this is it. If I don't do something now at my age, then it's just never going to happen and I think what a great opportunity with TNA full circle with Jeff Jarrett. His dad (Jerry) hired me originally in 1985 so it is coming full circle. I want to give back in some way. I want be able to say goodbye to wrestling in a better way. Now's just a good time.

On WWE negotiations and why he chose TNA:

I talked to them recently just before I signed a contract with TNA. They contacted me, and we had conversations. I can say they were willing to work with me on my schedule, but in 2006 they're leaving the country more times than I believe they ever have. Whether you're on the Raw schedule or the Smackdown schedule, you're 12 to 15 days a month, and that does not include your travel days and dark days. I spent too many years running at that pace, and I don't want to leave my family again like that. I've made a choice, and I'm focused now on just TNA. I almost feel like it's the same brand... like I'm coming back home almost. With the WWE, the commitment that I would have had to make would've been more than I'm willing to make. TNA seems like the natural route for me. I was a second class citizen with WCW until we launched our Monday Nitro show, so I know what it's like to try to build an organization. And, I'm up for the challenge and see potential here with TNA.

On how often he'll be used on TNA and what he brings to the table:

This isn't a part-time thing that I signed up for. It's not a lot of travel time as it stands now, but I'm going to be pretty involved. I am going to be pretty consistent...I know there are critics out there. Some of the guys probably thinking Sting is going to come in and just push everybody aside. That won't work. One of the ways to give back is to give back, and elevate some of the guys you're working with. I remember when Hulk came into WCW in the mid-90s and when he came in, wrestling fans, people everywhere, constantly ask the questions 'does it bother you that Hulk Hogan has just come in here, and they sort of pushed you aside?' And I said no. Doesn't bother me at all. As a matter of fact, I welcome him coming in. It takes away some of the burden from me, and elevates the whole company. In the long run, it's going to be a pay off for everyone. I'm not coming in to push people aside. I know what its like. 10 years ago, when I was still in there, and you'd just go 'man, some of these guys have been around forever and ever, and it's just like they never let us run with the ball. I know what it's like. But, I want to add to the whole thing. I don't want to take.

On fitting in with TNA:

I am going to figure out a way to plug myself in and find my niche. I'm not going to be doing some of the high flying stuff that you see those guys do now. I've seen some moves with some of those guys on TV that I've never seen before, but I've also seen some guys who wrestle my style also. There's still guys who tell the same story in the same way. Whatever I can add, I'm going to add.

On who'd he like to work with:

I've always had good matches with the big guys. Years ago with Vader and Paul Wight. Abyss, I love his work. There's some kind of little chemistry there that I think we have.

On whether he's been watching wrestling since he left:

[Early on], I would tune in quite a bit to see what they were doing with the WCW guys. Then, it just got to the point where there was nothing that interested me at all. It was just like 'wow, man.' It just doesn't make sense anymore. Recently, I started watching again just to get back in the swing.

On the reaction he's received thus far:

I've had some guys come to me, and say, 'man, when I was little I watched you and that's the reason I'm in wrestling. I took this and that from you, my style is from watching you all those years.' That's pretty humbling. It's kind of cool. You kind of left your stamp wrestling.

On religious beliefs and watching wrestling:

You have to be grounded in the Lord. It's the old saying 'when the crap goes in, it's eventually going to come out too. ' If you're watching the stuff on WWE, and I heard what happened on Monday (Edge and Lita's simulated sex) ... if you're allowing yourself to watch it over and over again, how will it benefit you? If you can just tune it off when you have to tune it in, when you want to watch wrestling action... there's nothing wrong with that.

On acquisitions he'd like TNA to make:

I'd like to see The Rock come here. I don't want to say too many names. Some of the biggest names, you know who they are, I'd like to see him [here.]

On what happens when his contract expires:

We'll see how my body holds out. I don't want to be the old dinosaur in the corner, who's not able even to get back up. I want to be able to deliver the goods. If I'm doing that at the end of the year, and everyone's happy, and everyone wants me back, then I might consider it.

This Just In...

2007-02-08T16:29:00.000-08:00

James Hellwig has just been re-elected Mayor of Parts Unknown. In honor of this Sunday Night Steam is proud to announce The Top 10 Wrestlers from Parts Unknown: The Missing Link, Kane, Abyss, Demolition Smash, Mr. X., The Warlord, The Zodiac (we know thats you Beefcake), The Black Scorpion, The Ultimate Warrior, and Kamala

Ring the (Wedding) Bell

2007-02-08T15:09:00.000-08:00

I now pronounce you Mr and Mrs Wild Samoan...

heart BREAKING NEWS

2007-02-08T15:05:00.000-08:00

Sunday Night Steam is bringing Sexy back..YEAH!!

Another moment in the making

2007-02-08T14:59:00.000-08:00

52 days till Wrestlemania...

Show me the money...

2007-02-07T19:20:00.000-08:00

Take that Humperdink!?!?!??

A Man of Few Words

2007-02-07T11:43:00.000-08:00

Continuing our rehash of old school interviews from thecheappop.com, here's Kane from last year's ComicCon in NYC.

Raising Kane (and hell) in Hollywood

By Jon Chattman, for thecheappop.com February 2006
Photo/Rich Tarantino

He's buried his half-brother alive. He regularly sets four ringposts ablaze with his barehands. He's worn red leather and brushed elbows with Pete Rose, and was still respected by the end of the night. He's WWE Superstar Kane, and he's excelled at just about every level of the wrestling business. He's the current RAW Tag Team Champion (with The Big Show), and has held both the Heavyweight and Intercontinental Championship belts. This summer, The Big Red Machine will trade in chokeslamming opponents for haunting a hotel in the horror flick "See No Evil." We caught up with the Monster at NYC's Comic-Con on February 25, and discussed his film, in which he plays a serial killer (no stretch there, he admits), and where he sees WWE Films heading in the near future.

JC: Hey Kane, how long has this movie been in development?
Kane: We finished filming in December 2004 so I guess about a year-and-a-half ago. It's been in post production. [Overall] it's been in the works for about two years.

JC: Was the film actually written for you in particular?
Kane: Yes. It's flattering actually. It really is.

JC: Do you actually play Kane in the film or a similar character?
Kane: It's a similar character. You know I'm not Kane per se, but you maybe take it as an extension of Kane.. of course without the limitations of television so it's much more intense.

JC: Do you actually talk a lot in the movie? Any killer catchphrases?
Kane: You have to watch it.

JC: I saw the trailers. It looks cool. Now, is film the general direction you knew your career would take you?
Kane: It really was not something, you know, [I thought of] when I began my career. My ultimate goal was not to do movies or anything like that. When an opportunity like this arises, I mean you know it's just a great opportunity. In a lot of ways, it's an extension of what we do in the ring. WWE, it's not only a wrestling company, it's an entertainment company, and that's what we do. So I found this to be a natural extension of what I normally do.
JC: Where do you see WWE Films going? Do you think they'll come a point where it'll become known as its own entity like MTV Films, which started off slow but picked up steam with "Napolean Dynamite" and other hit movies?
Kane: Yes, I think the goal is to have a diversified company and you know from my knowledge, the films are definitely a part of that. and based on my film, and it's a quality film, I think we're going to be successful with that.

JC: With "Saw" and other horror flicks, the genre couldn't be any more popular now...
Kane: Yeah. I think this is a good start

JC: Lastly, how's RAW going?
Kane: Good, real good going into Wrestlemania.

JC: You must be psyched for 'mania 22... Do you know who you're facing yet?
Kane: Not yet, but I'm sure that will all come out in the next few weeks.

Don't call him K-Kwik

2007-02-07T11:27:00.000-08:00

Here's another vintage interview from thecheappop.com with...

The Whole 'Truth'

TNA wrestler opens up on the WWE, rapping, and Gump?
By Jon Chattman, for thecheappop.com October 2005

Many wrestlers often say they've "made it" when they reach World Wrestling Entertainment's (WWE) annual spectacle: "Wrestlemania." But, some grapplers slip through the cracks, and never make it big in the WWE. Ron "the Truth" Killings is one of them, and he couldn't be happier about it.
Killings, who never quite reached his potential with the then-World Wrestling Federation as K-Kwik, has reestablished himself in TNA. Whether the Charlotte, NC native's finishing off an opponent with an impressive Axe Kick or raising hell and (often hilarity) with his stable the 3Live Kru (with Konnan and BG James), Killings has really come into his own. And now that TNA has signed a lucrative contract with SpikeTV, every one will be able to see one of the best wrestlers in the ring today. We at the cheap pop recently caught up with the former NWA World Heavyweight and Tag Team Champion, on the heels of a huge Oct 23 Pay-Per-View dubbed "Bound for Glory." One thing's for sure, he's not afraid to spill the beans on what went wrong with the WWE, what's gone right for TNA, and oh yeah, how he's been entering the ring rapping long before John Cena through on a retro jersey, and called himself a gangsta. He was also nice enough to put up with our silly questions.
JC: Right off the bat, what went wrong with the WWF? Did they give up on you?
RK: I think basically they gave up They didn't know what to do.
JC: It looked, to me, that they kind of pigeonholed you with a rapper gimmick and it really didn't work.
RK: It would've worked. As a matter of fact, I produced some music I wrote that I could rap to.
I guess nobody put in for that. I started thinking about not getting writing credits. They wouldn’t give ideas. They just dropped the ball there. I was blackballed [at WWE]. It's like TNA is the quicker pick-me-upper.
JC: You and your fellow TNA wrestlers must be excited to be on SpikeTV...
RK: It's a lot of energy. It's like we're ready-to-go. I mean, man, like from day one - you know what I'm saying?
JC: Totally. I know you aren't head-to-head with WWE yet but signing Team 3D and Kevin Nash are huge. Plus, I'm sure there's a lot of free agents out there that TNA is trying to sign. Is it exciting for you when these guys drop in?
RK: I'm excited. I figure there's enough money to go around.
JC: Your stable, 3Live Cru, seems to be on to some big things, and already have built a fanbase.

RK: I relate to them. We actually have brotherly love and we hang together. That's what makes the group real.
JC: Speaking of real, your raps seem effortless. What do you think of a guy like John Cena in the WWE. He's running with the rapper gimmick now.
RK: I think that he wants to rap against me. TNA [probably] won't let me. He's not a real rapper. He has a smart [gimmick] but he's just a proxy.
JC: You think he's just a flash-in-the-pan?
RK: I think he'll work the gimmick for awhile.
JC: Who do you think had the worst gimmick in wrestling?
RK: [Laughs] There's a lot of them. I don't know. Doink the Clown? Because there were so many different motherf--kers [playing him].
JC: This has nothing to do with anything, but have you ever cried in a movie?
RK: [Laughs] That's a good one. I'll tell the truth. "Forrest Gump."
JC: Yes, I could see that, Moving on, since this is cheappop, have you ever been guilty of a cheap pop?
RK: Oh no man. I'm good to [the fans.] I don't do that.
JC: If given the opportunity, would you like to body slam Bette Midler?
RK: Who's Bette Midler?
JC: Oh, you know. Would you like to? Not to provide the opportunity.
RK: Yes, I would. Legdrops. Dropkicks...
JC: Ok, getting serious, what do you continue your best match to be?
RK: I've had so many great ones: Hardy. AJ Styles.
JC: What do you consider the most defining moment in your career?
RK: Unchained, TNA released me, gave me a mic and let me talk. That's probably the
time right there.
JC: Thanks, man. Now for the question on every fan's mind: What was your favorite bed-time story growing up?
RK: [Laughs] Was the ghetto man, no bedtime stories growing up - just sirens.
JC: Tough neighborhood, huh?
RK: Yeah. Tough life. I was right there.
JC: So basically if you told someone from the old neighborhood that you cried at "Forrest Gump" you'd get your ass kicked?
RK: I got a lot of respect there- they cry at movies, too.
JC: It takes a big man to admit he cries at movies.
RK: I'm human, man, a machine with a human heart.

Tenay redux

2007-02-07T11:22:00.000-08:00

To celebrate the relaunch of thecheappop.com - we'll be running several retro wrestling interviews that appeared on the site last year. First off, we give you the one... the only... Mike Tenay...

Tenay wants to reignite

the "Monday Night Wars"
By Jon Chattman, for thecheappop.com 2006
TNA Impact! Wrestling Announcer Mike Tenay is called the "professor." Now, he may not be able to solve mathematical proofs, lead seminars on Archimedes, or lecture on the importance of fossil fuel, but when it comes to the world of pro-wrestling, he's an expert. The Las Vegas native has been in the biz for five decades - getting his start in the mid-to-late 1960s by starting his own wrestling newsletter and penning stories for various magazines. By 1991, he started up The Wrestling Insiders, a national wrestling radio show, and soon thereafter, became the voice of the World Championship Wrestling's (WCW) 900 hotline. A Lucha-Libre Pay-Per-View later, Tenay joined WCW television as a commentator, and by 1996, became a full-time wrestling personality.
When WCW went the way of the buffalo, Tenay found a new home with TNA Wrestling some three-and-a-half years ago. In recent months, TNA seems to be growing like a prepubescent boy, and in time, Tenay recently told thecheappop, he expects the company to compete against that other wrestling organization in Stamford.

JC. You've been with TNA since the beginning. You must be ecstatic on landing that Spike TV deal.

MT. It's a tremendous opportunity. There's that core group that have been with TNA from the start for the three-and-a-half years - when we were just on Pay-Per-View, and made the advancement to Fox Sports, and kind of had a rough time slot on Friday afternoons. Now, it's sort of the culmination of all that hard work that has really paid off.

JC: TNA's ratings have been doing very well thus far, but it seems people are still waiting for the company to land that one big star to give you guys a boost. Does that bother you?

MT: No, not in the least. I think what we have right now is a really good mix of recognizable talent along with the best group, without question, of young talented [wrestlers who] really have not been discovered by the mainstream media or the main stream wrestling fans at this point. The better that TNA gets recognized, the more established we get, the opportunities will be there for us to be in the running for negotiations with the top stars. Certainly, the recent negotiations that we had with Mick Foley - you know we actually had the agreement with Mick Foley before he resigned with WWE - is sort of an indicator that it's just a question of time. I think we've already done it. The signing of Team 3D was huge for us, and I just think many more windows are going to be open for us.

JC: Foley would've been huge...

MT: It would've been big without question, but if you got a chance to watch Taboo Tuesday, and saw Mick Foley, you might say, 'hmm, I wonder if Mick Foley made the right decision.' It was, to me, disappointing to see how Mick Foley was used in his first match in a year and a half at Taboo Tuesday. We found out probably two-plus months ago that he wasn't coming, and there was certainly one day in the office where everybody went 'damn, that would've been great to have Mick Foley on our first show.' After that one day, it's been full steam ahead. He isn't the be all, and he isn't the end all to any wrestling promotion. I don't think there's really that one quick fix where all of sudden your ratings are equivalent to WWE. I think the number of people that could have that kind of impact on ratings is very small. [There's] probably just a handful or less of people that are the household names.

JC: Like a Hulk Hogan, for example, landing in WCW...

MT: I don't think that really is going to be the scenario. What I see is acquisition of top levels names without question, and when people see the recognizable faces we have- the Jeff Jarretts, the Team 3Ds - the people they are familiar with through the years in watching, they then are exposed with the other younger talent we have like an AJ Styles, Samoa Joe and Christopher Daniels. That's when your overall product really becomes something that catches on with the public. I think back to those days in WCW, and to me, when WCW was really at its peak, and really going great guns, we had a lineup top to bottom that something for everybody. We had that dream match on top involving a Hulk Hogan and a Randy Savage. We had that next bubble match with Kevin Nash and Scott Hall. We had a tag title match with the Steiner Brothers involved, and then underneath that, we had Chris Benoit fighting maybe for the US Title, and had a tremendous group fighting for the Cruiserweight Title with Eddie Guererro, and Juvetud Guerrera, and Rey Mysterio and that bunch. Then, we had people like the Luchadors, where you could start off the show with a six-man Lucha Libre tag. To me, overall, I think I'm more concerned with great depth on the roster to give people a great product. I think that one huge acquisition, it certainly can help, but you don't have to that.

JC: Still, there are a lot of free agents there...
MT: There are free agents, but are they free agents that you really want to commit to [that's] the question. Some yes. Some no. Some have contracts that are currently viable, [some] are just waiting for their contracts to expire and others whose contracts have expired and they're waiting for that 90-day non-compete window to expire. [There are] a lot options for TNA right now. The more established we are, the higher ratings that we get, the more viable of an alternative we become to the WWE for the talent that's out there.

JC: And, the more viable TNA becomes, the quality of wrestling gets better because of the competition...
MT: I think anyone who's followed wrestling for more than a couple years knows that when the Monday Night Wars were at their peak, you had not only the best possible wrestling on television because of the competitive spirit and competitive drive between the two companies to put on a better product, but also by far you had the largest viewing audience. It really is to the absolute betterment of the industry. I think the WWE product has become very stale. It's become very repetitive, and I've been a wrestling fan since 1962, so some of the time I was a kid watching wrestling, you always anticipated new faces coming into a territory. When wrestling went national, you were always looking for that guy to jump from the WWE to WCW or vice versa to freshen up the overall product to give people matches and rivalries that they hadn't up until that point been able to see.

JC: So, you watch the other product?
MT: Oh, are you kidding? Absolutely. Every minute that they put out, I watch. I watch every TV program... all Japan pro-wrestling... every WWE show ... in terms of Mexico, I watch two hours a week... every UFC program. If you're involved in the wrestling business, you have to watch the competition. If you're not, then you're not paying attention, and you're going to get passed by.

JC: When you're watching the other products, do you envision some of the talent in TNA?
MT: Absolutely. In addition to being a fan, that's the main reason that I'm watching all those other shows: to see the talent. Every time a TV wrestling show comes on it's, in essence, a scouting mission.

JC: WWE's Christian just quit... what's your feeling on TNA signing him or other available guys?

MT: I was at a Casino earlier today and immediately a person walked up to me and said 'have you signed Christian?' They didn't say 'hi, Mike.' They didn't say 'last night's two-hour special was great.' I kid you not. In terms of specific names, I can't talk about them, because legally, they still have that binding and have that contract with the WWE or other companies. But, I can tell you every time there's a free agent, we take a vote and decide.

JC: That sounds like a good process- something WCW didn't have. What in your mind was the downfall of WCW?

MT: It's difficult to say one thing led to the death of WCW. There were a number of negatives to the company. Poor management was definitely one of them but not the only one... Incredibly poor booking in the Vince Russo regime without question was another thing that drove people away by the millions. And, In certain instances, certain talent were given too much power and creative control...Without question, you'd have to be blind not to see the end of WCW was coming.

JC: Lastly, would you say the goal for TNA is to be on Monday nights where WCW once thrived?

MT: Wherever Spike TV decides to put us, I think we'll be thrilled to death. I think the ratings have already proven that we're an unqualified success on Saturday night at 11. I think you'll see many more specials coming. If we prove ourselves, if ratings are there, then I think they're going to move us into a position like that. In eventuality, I think Monday night head to head would be just great. Let's renew those Monday Night Wars. If you asked me even maybe a year and a half or two years ago, I probably would've said '[not] in my lifetime,' but you know what, I've changed my mind on that. I think we will see it. I don't know exactly when, but I think TNA's going to be up to the challenge and I think we'll provide real stiff competition for them.

Sudden death

Mike Tenay also took time out to answer some very silly questions.
JC: If youre the professor, who's Gilligan?
MT: Don West

JC: Does TNA really stand for Tenay Non-Stop Action?

MT: I have heard that a lot. I've seen that on signs. My favorite all-time wrestling sign was "La Parka is Mike Tenay."

JC: Have you ever stood at a urinal with La Parka?

MT: Boy, oh boy. Through the years - probably. I can't remember specifically but probably everybody else on the roster... if you knew how many times I was backstage in the dingiest arena or locker room...

JC: What'd you have for dinner last night?

MT: Not, very exciting. I was flying back from Nashville to Las Vegas, so I was forced to take a ham sandwich on the flight back, but I had a Fosters to go along with it...or two.

JC: What's the craziest thing to ever happen at a Nitro party?

MT: I was never at a Nitro party because I was always doing Nitro shows. Craziest? Probably something involving Bobby Heenan and it was probably something X-rated I cant get into.

JC: Did you cry when David Arquette was named WCW champ?

MT: I didn't care for it. I was definitely in the meeting when that was suggested by Tony Schiavone. So, you can blame Tony Schiavone to a certain extent for making the suggestion, but the person you have to blame for the decision is Vince Russo.

JC: Are you secretly a cruiserweight?
MT: I think I probably qualify.

JC: Did you ever frog splash Nicole Bass?
MT: I met her on several occasions. Frog splash her? [It's] never been on the top of my list?

JC: Did you ever stand next to her at urinal?
MT: I wouldn't want to be put in that situation.

The Rejected Face Push of the Week

2007-02-06T05:06:00.001-08:00

Broke-Hart Mountain

Sadly, I remember eating these unusual looking ice-cream confections, and always being upset that I never got Hogan. But according to this blatantly homo-erotic ad, Jimmy Hart loved to lick them all.

- the sports jew

Borat might say...

2007-02-05T20:40:00.001-08:00

Brock Lesner with chocolate face.

Today's Forecast...

2007-02-05T20:39:00.000-08:00

Bring back the Hurricane.

Peyton Manning

2007-02-04T20:10:00.000-08:00

Chicago Bears, Don't feel too bad, there's still time to represent at Wrestlemania again.

And then there were two Humperdink blogs

2007-02-04T20:09:00.000-08:00

In this case, it's two "number ones" making a real "number two."

Pork Chop sideburns

2007-02-04T20:07:00.000-08:00

Not for nothing, but Ken Patera looks like the poor man's James Caan in this pic.

The Poor Man's Ric Flair and Terry Funk...

2007-02-04T20:06:00.000-08:00

well in this picture anyway....

Hands down

2007-02-04T20:03:00.000-08:00

The best there was, and the best there ever will be.

What would you like to drink?

2007-02-04T20:02:00.000-08:00

I'll have a White Russian please.

Rubber Moolah

2007-02-04T20:01:00.000-08:00

Who said they never made a rubber wrestling figure of the Fabulous Moolah?

If you can dig up Tatanka...

2007-02-04T20:00:00.000-08:00

You can book Ricky in a match.

Clarification

2007-02-04T19:57:00.000-08:00

The Dudley Boys "got" the tables.
Sam Houston brought nothing to the table.

Fuzzy math

2007-02-04T19:56:00.000-08:00

Best mustache in the history of professional wrestling. No ifs, ands or Burts.

Early Valentine's Day request

2007-02-04T19:46:00.000-08:00

Be Mine.

So you kept Eugene but...

2007-02-04T19:45:00.000-08:00

Best heel you guys had in years... bring his Italian wanna-be Iraqi ass back to the WWE!

Number one...

2007-02-04T19:44:00.000-08:00

But seriously we didn't understand one thing you said, sir.

At least Hacksaw turned Canadian...

2007-02-04T19:39:00.000-08:00

We didn't see you at Sadaam's funeral.

On the rise...

2007-02-03T07:07:00.000-08:00

Price of gas just went up...

And in this corner...

2007-02-02T13:19:00.000-08:00

Celine Dion's husband... grrrrrr!

And in this corner....

2007-02-02T07:57:00.000-08:00

UMAGA!

THUMP!

2007-02-01T22:49:00.000-08:00

We would watch wrestling cartoons for hours every Saturday morning just to see an animated Junkyard Dog grab someone's cakes

Rest In Peace

2007-02-01T22:47:00.000-08:00

Honestly is The Undertaker's winning streak at Wrestlemania really that impressive if you think about it..

WHAT A RUSH!

2007-02-01T22:32:00.000-08:00

Hey Look! It's The Legion of Dumb!

super-super-superfly!

2007-02-01T21:53:00.000-08:00

yeah that's about right...

Boys...

2007-01-31T20:36:00.000-08:00

Never leave home without your rubbers...

If you ask us...

2007-01-31T20:30:00.000-08:00

what a bitch...

Today's main eventers are tomorrow's jobbers

2007-01-31T20:28:00.000-08:00

The way it was.
The way it should be.

Roll of quarters in your pocket

2007-01-31T20:27:00.000-08:00

We got next.

Breaking news...

2007-01-31T20:25:00.000-08:00

We've just received reports that this man is cool, cocky, and indeed bad. Please be advised.

For what it's worth...

2007-01-31T20:20:00.000-08:00

Okay so the movie's bad, but is it just us or does Hulk Hogan look like he's hungry for some cake here instead of looking like a bad ass in this movie poster? I mean seriously, he looks like Mr. Stay Puft.

Too cool?

2007-01-31T20:16:00.000-08:00

Yeah, seriously. We can't take any more.

99 Problems but a bitch ain't one

2007-01-30T20:41:00.000-08:00

Ring ring.

Hi Sharmelle, it's Kwee Wee

Who?

Kwee Wee remember you used to manage me in WCW under the
name Paisley?

[Click]

Hello?

Sensitive Ponytail Man

2007-01-30T20:39:00.000-08:00

It's unclear if the Bears will win this Sunday, however, it's very clear that Steve "Mongo" McMichael brought nothing to the table as a member of the Four Horseman. Okay - we take that back, he wore one hell of a pair of nuthuggers.

Ode to Ole

2007-01-30T20:38:00.001-08:00

And another thing, Ole couldn't even keep his eyes open during a picture nevermind cutting a promo! Who are you pointing at anyway?

Double A

2007-01-30T20:35:00.000-08:00

Not for nothing, but this guy's been milking Ric Flair's tit since 1993. Seriously, what has he done?

Who's Next!?!? Who Cares!??!

2007-01-30T20:29:00.000-08:00

What has no mic skills?? no wrestling ability?? and was last seen teaming with a Stormtrooper from Graceland!??!

Hey, look on the bright side...

2007-01-30T20:28:00.000-08:00

Vince screwed all of us after he bought WCW...

1994 called...

2007-01-30T20:26:00.000-08:00

...they want their gimmick and Brandon Lee's dignity back

Big Red Machine

2007-01-30T20:22:00.000-08:00

Hey Kid! goodluck "doing it" with someone from the opposite sex!

Mental Music Video, Vol. 2

2007-01-30T20:20:00.000-08:00

Beautiful - lyrics by James Blunt
My life is brilliant.
My love is pure.
I saw an angel.
Of that I'm sure.
She smiled at me on the subway.
She was with another man.
But I won't lose no sleep on that,
'Cause I've got a plan.

You're beautiful. You're beautiful.
You're beautiful, it's true.
I saw you face in a crowded place,
And I don't know what to do,
'Cause I'll never be with you.

Yeah, she caught my eye,
As we walked on by.
She could see from my face that I was,
Fucking high,
And I don't think that I'll see her again,
But we shared a moment that will last till the end.

You're beautiful. You're beautiful.
You're beautiful, it's true.
I saw you face in a crowded place,
And I don't know what to do,
'Cause I'll never be with you.
You're beautiful. You're beautiful.
You're beautiful, it's true.
There must be an angel with a smile on her face,
When she thought up that I should be with you.
But it's time to face the truth,
I will never be with you.

Tonight's forecast

2007-01-30T20:18:00.000-08:00

Partly cloudy with a chance of Lance Storm

We liked you better...

2007-01-30T20:17:00.000-08:00

When you were called Lex Luger

Countdown Begins.

2007-01-30T20:15:00.000-08:00

61 Days till WRESTLEMANIA!