Column of Honor: 08.27.11: Slammed

Welcome to the Column. Hope everyone is enjoying the last days of August, replete with earthquakes and hurricanes in the States…I think there may have even been a griffin! Hope everyone is as safe as sound as can be. Let’s get to it.

On Wednesday August 24th, National Geographic Channel aired “Slammed: Inside Indie Wrestling”, a one-hour documentary style presentation that focused on Ring of Honor and National Wrestling Superstars promotions, particularly the stories of veteran Danny Inferno and the youthful up-and-comer on verge of breakout in Shima Xion.

This was not the revelation of 1999’s “Beyond the Mat” but it wasn’t the chop-shop tabloid format of “The Unreal Story of Professional Wrestling”, also released that same year.

I was not looking forward to this special after watching several preview clips the week before the show, which featured the reinforcement of many of professional wrestling’s stereotypes for both its wrestlers and its fans. The clip included a sequence of shots at a NWS show which included fat men dressed up like Hulk Hogan, bratty children running amok, the stereotypical wrestling promoter gearing up for a show and being hassled by problems with wrestlers and men in horrifically amateurish wrestling gimmicks. There was someone dressed up as Doink the Clown (in 2011) and there was Luke Gallows, in full Straight Edge Society regalia, having just been released from WWE and wrestling on this show in one of those “what is he doing here?” kind of moments.

Side note: Inferno teamed up with Gallows on that show, also wearing Straight Edge Society costuming. Is the S.E.S. going to be the Doink the Clown of this generation, with different incarnations appearing on independent shows long after the act has been dropped by WWE?

Basically, the documentary began to shine the light directly on the uncomfortable and awkward truths about many independent wrestling promotions—and what that revealed was not pretty. The first ten minutes of the show did not relieve any of my discomfort and concerns about how the show would present independent wrestling. The opening scene was an extended portion of the preview segment, the one for which I had the most dislike. Fans were acting foolishly (perhaps overacting for the camera, but probably this was how they would have acted regardless) and the whole scene was a surreal carnival fit for an article in a Sociology digest…or a feature on Nat Geo, I guess.

However, the special began to turn around when focusing on wrestlers Danny Inferno (Danny Gimondo) and Shima Xion (a.k.a. Zema Ion, real name Michael Paris) and their paths towards a try-out with Ring of Honor after this past January’s HDNet tapings. It was when the show turned to these men to tell their story that “Slammed” began to demonstrate the true heart and soul of a professional wrestler behind the gaudy exteriors on display in the first quarter-hour of the program. Both men were on different ends of the career spectrum but at the same time both demonstrated a positive and professional attitude and were likable throughout the special. Their words and actions made a viewer want to root for them to succeed.

Danny Inferno had a WWE developmental contract in the mid-2000’s and he spent time working dark matches and being involved in Ohio Valley Wrestling until he was released by WWE. He turned to drinking and began the downward spiral that seems to be the bane and doom of many young wrestlers. However, this special showed him on the comeback path, or at least trying to make a concerted effort again. He was in decent shape and seemed to have a good head on him. The opening scene had his arriving late to the show due to improper travel directions (supposedly put up on the NWS website, which the booker didn’t even seem to know whether or not they were up there). By the end of the hour Inferno had demonstrated his good qualities-more specifically a firm understanding of his character and effective speaking abilities that led to very good wrestling promos.

Meanwhile, Shima Xion had been working on many North East independents these past few years, with a Filipino Male Super Model gimmick. I had seen a few of his matches for International Wrestling Cartel (IWC) a few years back. He was definitely young and had a lot to learn in the ring, but I was impressed with the fact that he already had a winner of a wrestling character and he had potential if he stuck it out for the long haul.

Shima Xion’s family history was very compelling television—his mother essentially came to America as a mail order bride to a husband who passed away when he was five years old. His mother was an undocumented non-citizen who had to provide and care for three children. It was an amazingly touching story that in addition to Xion’s cheerful optimism, bright smile and “must-do” mentality immediately made you want to root for the guy to make it.

Paris was signed recently to a TNA contract (going under the name Zema Ion but essentially playing the same character) and it begs the question as to if Ring of Honor missed the boat on him. Dave Lagana mentioned through Twitter that the timing was off on signing him to a contract as this was at the end of the HDNet era and four months before the sale to Sinclair Broadcast Group (by which time he had already been signed to TNA). However, it behooves me to counter that somewhat by suggesting that he could have been at least booked for some of the ROH shows in the late Winter and Spring and that such an opportunity could have then led to him being signed to the promotion at that point. Xion was taking bookings with Dragon Gate USA and EVOLVE at the time, so perhaps that also played its own part in his being used or not.

Now Shima Xion has at least an opportunity (if not a decent one) in the new TNA X-Division. That is one less ready-to-go young wrestler for an ROH roster in need of as much depth as possible on the undercard. The rest of the ROH try-out was slim pickings (or perhaps, made to be perceived that way by the documentary makers as to sell better the stories of its protagonists) and Xion was clearly the most “ROH-ready” of the bunch. He did receive a few dark-match efforts at the HDNet shows, but that’s obviously not the same as being featured on the main show.

As far as Inferno goes, I hate to write this, but his being brought into ROH at this time is probably not the right way for the promotion to go as far as filling out the talent roster. ROH needs younger wrestlers, but more importantly, wrestlers of this current generation which can grow up with the promotion and move up the ranks and up the card. In other words, more guys like The Bravados, Cole and O’Reilly and the like. ROH already has a veteran in Steve Corino on the roster. In addition, I fear that Inferno would get the same reaction from fan as Crowbar did in his appearances for ROH on the HDNet tapings last year. He had a sub-par effort with Christopher Daniels and the fans didn’t know how to react to him. I would speculate that the ROH fans would treat Inferno the same way (fairly or not), especially if he couldn’t go in the ring to the level that they expect and demand and also see in much of the other talent on the roster.

Don’t get me wrong. Inferno cut a hell of a promo on the show during the try-outs. Jim Cornette was all wide-eyed and agog for it. Although that reaction could also have been precipitated by Cornette’s previous relationship, with whom he worked with in OVW (though Cornette had mentioned he had last seen him two or three years ago, the specific connections was not more clearly established or acknowledged by either Cornette or the producers of the documentary). Still, Inferno wasn’t necessarily given any preferential treatment that one could see and he wasn’t brought into ROH for subsequent shows. I imagine Cornette would react that way to most things wrestling given he is such an appreciator of the sport, but I did find the lack of transparency of their previous connections somewhat troubling (although the decision of what to show or what to mention is ultimately up to the documentary maker).

There were definitely some surprises in store for the faithful Ring of Honor follower. They were treated to a rare look inside the complex that houses ROH headquarters and their training facility. There were several cameos from ROH roster including most notably Chris Hero (talking up Shima Xion), Claudio Castagnoli, Roderick Strong, Jay and Mark Briscoe as well as Cornette, Lagana, former owner Cary Silkin and even a cameo from Jerry Lynn and Brutal Bob Evans.

Roderick gave us the expected “wrestling isn’t fake” line (although saying it with a tone and ease that once again belies the more stilted work of actual promos from years previous), while Jay and Mark perhaps terrified the cameramen with their story of how Mark lost his teeth thanks to his brother (and no, not by doing a shooting star press on top of a bar during a fight, as Dave Prazak suggested on a few ROH DVDs back in the day). Hero was a definite star though, and his eager enthusiasm for Shima Xion getting his opportunity (which he mentioned he had helped to bring about) appeared genuine and earnest.

Perhaps the biggest surprise for ROH fans would be the kayfabebreaker of hearing current booker Delirious speak out of character and in English with his normal voice (though still wearing his mask) during the try-out session. That was not something I was expecting to see or hear, as Delirious has rarely if ever broken character in this or any other promotion. It probably wasn’t easy to come to terms with knowing this was going to be the moment where that pretense was dropped, but those few minutes were intriguing and interesting and certainly satisfying.

Ultimately, “Slammed” was not as terrible as I had feared as far as its exposure of the independent wrestling scene. Sure there was a lot of kayfabe and carny if one looked for it (especially during the scenes featuring NWS or Inferno’s comment that WWE totally dropped the ball with him), but it was mostly candid and generally dealt with its subjects fairly. There were no promises made for the promotions featured on the show or the talent shown at the ROH try-outs, just the knowledge that they would have to work onwards to the next gig ahead on the schedule, and the one after that, because that is life on the independent professional wrestling scene…and even in the “big-time” of TNA and WWE as well.

For lo tho ye walk in the valley of the shadow of death, thou shalt not fear it, for in it lies the miracle of Truth, that there is no life so rich and full that cannot be ripped asunder and no life so meager and wanting that cannot be built upon and improved. Ergo, listen ye well to this treasured advice found within The Book of Truth, for these words are worth their weight in gold. So sayeth The Truth, so sayeth The House:

In the land of Goshen there was none so feared for his power and might than the monster known as “The Unbreakable” Elgin. The Elgin was made from mud, sharpened by the one known as Emet (which is Hebrew for “Truth”) and hardened into brick. Emet fashioned The Elgin into a brick wall of muscle and bestowed upon him mystical and magical abilities. The Elgin was purported to possess one-hundred times the power and strength of a mere mortal man. The Elgin ravaged and terrorized the citizens of this desert land for years, under the command of this wizened but power-hungry Emet. Whatever Emet wanted, Elgin obtained. Whatever Emet wished to destroy was smote within an instant by the powerful juggernaut Elgin. One day, a young man named David Richards walked into the ravaged Israelite town. He saw the destruction and fell to his knees and wept. The townsfolk told him of the trouble caused by Emet and The Elgin. David grew angry and vowed to destroy The Elgin and put a stop to the so-called evil agenda of Emet. Though they hoped he would succeed, the townsfolk secretly scoffed at such a boast, considering the mighty power at hand and the fact that The Elgin was indeed unbreakable. No one who had dared transgressed against him could even chip away at his form. David pulled out his trusty slingshot and vowed to break the goliath Elgin. After walking many miles to the cave upon which The Elgin was supposed to have dwelled, David took his slingshot and fired it into the darkness. After several moments of silence, suddenly massive vibrations began to shake throughout the mountainous crag. Out of the pitch-black emerged The Elgin, with a throaty rage of anger in his voice. The Elgin raged onwards, towards the small but brave David who prepared himself for the assault. He pulled back the slingshot and let fly a small stone from the weapon. It flew in the air, gaining velocity with every second, until it hit The Elgin, whereupon it bounced completely off the beast, leaving it unharmed and unbroken. For The Elgin was truly mighty and truly superior over young David, who was promptly squashed under its foot, his guts turning to Jelly and his brain oozing out of his ears. For no man should be foolish enough to try to stop The Elgin…and no mortal is capable of stopping The Truth from reigning over all.

-From the story of David and The Elgin in The Book of Truth

-According to The Wrestling Observer, the plan for presenting the Sinclair TV show on the internet is to release it the Thursday after it airs on SBG-syndicated stations.

-Signed for Death Before Dishonor IX September 17th, 2011 on internet Pay Per View through GoFightLive.tv is a three-way elimination match featuring the return of The Young Bucks (Matt and Nick Jackson) to the promotion for their first show since the June 25th, 2011 Best in the World show. However, unlike that match, which was a DVD Bonus (due to their being signed to TNA at the time), this will be shown live on the show as it happens. The Bucks will face-off against the newly-minted Future Shock (Adam Cole & Kyle O’Reilly) and The Bravado Brothers. It should make for a good time, as back in June The Bucks and Future Shock blew the roof off with just an eight-minute rollercoaster match. Now they should be able to have more time and the ability to have cleaner finishes without the politics of dealing with the want and will of another promotion getting in the way. Hopefully The Bucks will follow The Code of Honor before the match as well, but you never do know…

-In other Death Before Dishonor IX news it appears that the “Ladder War” stipulation for The All-Night Express vs. Briscoes match is not official for the show. A stipulation is now “yet to be determined”, and both Kenny King and Rhett Titus have expressed through social media that the only way to finish the feud would be through the Ladder stipulation. Therefore ROH backing down from the match seems to be just a long way around to make that stipulation official, after fan and wrestler demand “necessitates” its usage. If they don’t go that route for this show inevitably the feud has to work its way back to that kind of match anyway, as I doubt ROH would tease the stipulation and then not deliver it at some point. That is not Ring of Honor’s modus operandi when dealing with higher-profile stipulation bouts.

-The Survival of the Fittest tournament is expected to take place sometime later in the year. The winner of the annual tournament earns a future ROH World Title shot. Last year Eddie Edwards won the tourney and used his shot to win the title against Roderick Strong at Manhattan Mayhem IV.

-El Generico lost the TV Title at the ROH tapings two weeks ago. Last weekend, at Pro Wrestling Guerrilla’s Battle of Los Angeles 2011, not only did Generico win three matches, but he wrestled against Kevin Steen in a singles match for the first time since ROH Final Battle 2010 and he won the entire BoLA tournament. Just saying.

-ROH will be having talks shortly with TJ Perkins for future bookings. That’s a good move in my opinion and in fact I had included a note in this week’s feature story before the newswire item was mentioned about how TJ Perkins is still out there and I was not sure why he hadn’t been signed up after doing well in several appearances this year for ROH. It seems to me he could be a valuable asset for the promotion in a similar mold as Shima Xion.

-Fun fact as brought up by 411Mania’s Mike Campbell, Mike “Papa” Briscoe actually first appeared on a Ring of Honor DVD all the way back at A Night of Appreciation in April 2002. This was back when Mark Briscoe couldn’t wrestle yet and he was taking pointed jabs at Jay when he would lose singles matches. That would lead to their first-ever singles match in ROH at Honor Takes Boston. In this case, Papa (and presumably Mama) was in the back staircase of The Murphy Rec where he congratulated Jay on winning a match against Tony Mamaluke.

-One more item from the “blast from the past” department: this past week on WWE Smackdown Daniel Bryan wrestled Christian in a singles match. This would be an unspoken follow-up to Christian’s first appearance in Ring of Honor at the How We Roll event that took place in May 2007 in Long Island, New York. Christian (billed as Christian Cage) teamed up with Colt Cabana to wrestle Daniel Bryan (wrestling under his real name of Bryan Danielson) and “The Fallen Angel” Christopher Daniels. Danielson was in the heel position and Daniels his reluctant partner (he was promised a future title shot if their team won). The verbal encounter between Danielson and Christian notably included Christian labeling him “John Cena with AIDS”.

-File under “Rules of Wrestling Physics”: If you’re in a tag team match and you body slam your partner onto your opponent, your partner is actually doing a senton. If you powerbomb your partner onto your opponent, your partner is still actually doing a senton, just with more downward force. In Wrestling Physics, Sentons dominate all.

– ROH Supercard of Honor VI thoughts:

This show took place on May 21st, 2011 in Chicago Ridge, Illinois. Past Supercard shows have been treated as “All-Star” show with international guest-stars appearing and huge dream matches signed, but Ring of Honor went in a different direction this year. The focus was on the homegrown talent, with several re-matches mixed-in throughout the card-some high profile and important, others redundant but still good in quality. The two brand-new, never-been-done-before matches delivered, but there was plenty of déjà-vu to be found throughout the card.

Though some might be upset that the show does not feature guest-stars or huge dream matches, the one thing that lifts this show up in esteem over Supercard of Honor V last year is the absence of screwy finishes (such as the run-in disqualification call of Motor City Machine Guns vs. The Kings of Wrestling) save for one match, which is then reversed and put right. Yes, there is cheating and there are a few run-ins, but the latter generally occurs after the closing bell. That’s far more acceptable to me than the mish-mosh run-ins and cheating found in last year’s event.

This was the show where the sale to Sinclair Broadcast Group was officially announced and Kevin Kelly mentioned it throughout the DVD, including getting in the requisite Todd Sinclair joke. Kelly does commentary once again with Eric Santamaria, who is ever-so-slightly improved on this DVD, but still not idea for who should be on the commentary team (Dave Prazak is back for Best in the World, Tag Team Turmoil and No Escape, the June and July DVDs). Santamaria takes a more heel route in his choice of statements, but it’s subtle and actually helps add some depth to the choices being made by the wrestlers in the match.

Homicide and Elgin kick things off in a decent opener, which ‘Cide surprisingly wins with an Ace Crusher. I just haven’t liked that move as a finisher for Homicide on this run, as it’s almost too swift, looks too light (when Diamond Dallas Page used the Diamond Cutter, it was with strength and power) and he doesn’t connect it to the lariat (in his first ROH run, that was a sellable one-two combination that made sense could put down an opponent when slung together in combination). Elgin losing is a shock due to him being pushed strongly at Revolution: Canada.

Adam Cole & Kyle O’Reilly once again face-off against their under card nemeses Lance and Harlem Bravado, but as is the case with most of their matches, this one is definitely worth the watch. It is clear that some viewers still think “ROH student” when the Bravados’ names are mentioned, but they really have come a long way in the past year both in character and in the ring to attempt to dispel that notion. They were able to keep pace with Cole and O’Reilly here and played their roles very well. Of course, nothing compares when Cole and O’Reilly turn up their boosters and throw down their rapid-fire tag combinations. They really get the crowd going with their big-move sequences. They just about kill The Bravados with kicks to the head for the pinfall, leading to the brothers still having a grudge against them that would be followed-up on future shows.

Steve Corino’s “recovery” promos are always fantastic, but a funny though creeped into my head that whenever Corino admits to being an evil guy, he gets more cheers for that than his redemptive path. Santamaria correctly points out that a majority of the ROH fans are enablers (they cheer for the thumbs up the butt spot) and I have to agree. I hope that the ROH fans realize they need to support Steve in this time of need, not condition him to accept that doing the wrong thing is fine by them. That’s just warped. Mike Bennett comes out to try to push Corino over the edge again, or bore him to death, either one. He says no one is here to help Corino.

Anyway, Corino revealed here that his support system and sponsor is none other than Jimmy Jacobs, who is dressed up all dapper. He receives a hell of a welcome from the Chicago crowd and proceeds to cut a hell of a speech (he always was a great promo) about his dark past, how he walked out of ROH and everyone was happy about it and how he knew he had to turn his life around. ROH officials eventually cut him off and escort him out of the building, allowing Mike Bennett to sneak up from behind. Their match is actually not as good as the one in New York City (the one where half the crowd sat on its hands—and it wasn’t because of Corino—and Bennett had to hit his Side-Effect-like finisher three times and it still couldn’t earn him the victory). Bennett eventually wins this one too. It’s really amazing how Bennett gets no reaction entering the ring (and I don’t just mean applause, I mean no boos as well) and no reaction when he wins and leaves. Yet he is continued to be pushed down the throats of ROH fans as someone meaningful.

Chris Hero and El Generico have wrestled each other several times on Ring of Honor shows throughout the years and they once again proceed to tear it up with fast-pace and great back-and-forth exchanges. The funniest bit comes when Generico presents Hero with Thor’s hammer Mjolnir (the movie was in theaters at this time). Hero tries to hit Generico with it, but it’s a harmless kids toy, so Generico no-sells it and counter-attacks. When it’s time to get serious, both get down to it. Hero’s Tornado Boot continues to be mark-out central—it looks absolutely ferocious. That should normally be enough to obtain the win, but Hero has to go and use the ropes for leverage to gain the three. Sinclair notices after the fact and restarts the match—a GOOD referee call by Sinclair that actually nets him cheers instead of the usual unwarranted boos, so good for him! Generico quickly wins the re-start with the Ole Kick and a three-quarter half-nelson German Suplex where Hero lands violently—a realistic finisher for the match in any context. Essentially both men wind up even-up and this didn’t lead to anything much in the following months, but it was a very good undercard and worth the investment of time to watch these two go at it. Should have just done an impromptu two-out-of-three falls match at that point though, just to be fair to Flair Hero.

Next up are two first-time matches in ROH, Davey Richards vs. Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin vs. Claudio Castagnoli. Both are very much worthy of a look and feature well the athleticism and wrestling ability of those wrestlers. Haas and Richards have at it in an amateur wrestling / chain-sequence in the first part of their match and it is absolutely thrilling catch-as-catch-can style. They do lose some momentum by hanging around too long in the German Suplex exchanges and I worry sometimes that Haas is becoming too much “Kurt Angle Tribute Special” and not enough of his own man, what with the use of the Angle Slam and psyching himself up in much the same way as his former Team Angle leader. Meanwhile, Benjamin goes air in order to counter the strength and power of Claudio. There is a late-match angle involving Hero walking down to support his fellow King of Wrestling, and so Haas responds in kind. A very impressive moment comes when Benjamin catches Castagnoli in a triangle choke. Claudio powers out of the hold with a powerbomb. The Pop-up Belly-to-Belly Superplex is enough to win the match.

Colt Cabana redeems a previous loss to Christopher Daniels (though the moments where Daniels had scouted and blocked or reversed out of Cabana’s offense were most enjoyable). Steve Corino is out to stop a further House of Truth attack, but Cabana, who had feuded with both Corino and Kevin Steen for all of 2010 wants nothing to do with any of his help.

The Briscoes and The All-Night Express hook it up in a Chicago Street Fight, which ended up almost as violent and bloody as their previous all-out battle back at Honor Takes Center Stage Chapter Two. The rhythm of the match is simple but effective-Kenny and Rhett take out Mark Briscoe almost immediately from the match and through a table. That leaves ANX two-on-one, until Mark comes back and does the same to ANX. The ANX come across as serious in taking the battle to Jay and Mark and as a result they are to be taken more seriously. Titus certainly has mastered the table spot and he gets driven through another one. King uses his athleticism to move his way around the ring, but he doesn’t hesitate in using weapons against Jay and Mark at this point. Jay barely is able to cover Titus after a flurry of big moves leaves everyone down and Jay the last to fall, but on top of Titus’ body (nothing sexual mind you) and that’s just enough for the three.

The main event is Roderick Strong’s rematch from Manhattan Mayhem IV against Eddie Edwards (in his third defense of the new title). This match, believe it or not, is as good as or perhaps even better than the title win. The story kicks off right away as Strong offers a handshake to follow the Code of Honor but then immediately jumps Edwards, striking him with a jumping knee to the jaw and almost gaining the three-count right there. Strong dominates almost the rest of the entire match and Edwards is playing catch-up, a role he delivers on big-time. Strong is so dangerous during this match that within ten minutes he has Edwards caught in the Stronghold submission. Edwards manages to hold on, hitting trademark moves like the jawbreaker where he can. He once again wins the battle of the chops. The last portion of the match has each man using the other’s finishers to gain the advantage, and Edwards starts to build up momentum by constantly returning to the leg area with his Achilles Lock or using the Stronghold against its usual master. However Strong viciously throws down Edwards with two Gibson Drivers onto the floor and Edwards I definitely in danger at this point. Finally, Edwards is able to convert back to the Achilles Lock and uses the KILLER STOMPS TO THE HEAD OF DEATH for a sudden tap-out.

The House of Truth once again converges on Edwards, but his now on-and-off again tag team partner Davey Richards runs out with chair in hand to chase them off. Edwards is once again not happy with his fellow Wolf inserting himself into these situations. He is sure that he can take care of himself. Richards, for his part, plays the emotions of concern and then incredulity quite well here. Edwards has to know if he’s better than Richards in a one-on-one situation. He states that he will not wrestle another match in ROH and will quit the company if Davey doesn’t agree to wrestle him for the ROH World Title. It’s not about hurting each other, but about proving who the better man and the better wrestler. Richards can no longer refuse and tells Edwards that he is on, which of course led to their ROH World Title match at Best in the World 2011 this past June. This was a well-played angle between the members of The American Wolves tag team to close the show, with Edwards giving Richards an ultimatum and there being no other choice but to accept the fight.

All-in-all there was an awesome in-ring effort and excellent psychology throughout the main-event match plus solid and consistent effort in the undercard and the entertaining singles efforts from Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin results in a winner of a show for sure and a recommendation for purchase of Supercard of Honor VI on DVD.

At the beginning of the year, “The Prodigy” Mike Bennett vowed that within one year that he would become the Ring of Honor World Champion. So let’s see how he’s done so far, eh?

Twitter me at: http://twitter.com/AriBerenstein.

Kevin Ford was not so impressed with either Supercard of Honor VI or the main-event to Best in the World 2011. You can read his reviews of both shows and judge for yourself if he’s too harsh or just right.

However, I do have a rebuttal to Ford’s comments about Richards vs. Edwards and his thoughts on Richards’ comments about his appreciation for MMA, which are available through Pro Wrestling Ponderings’ Podcast. I am joined by Matt Waters and Chris Gee Soon Tong to discuss those matters and the ROH TV tapings, including our thoughts about the Lethal / Generico title match and Mike Bennett going over Jimmy Jacobs. This is a mammoth-sized show, at over two hours in length and I promise you plenty of interesting debate and some comments from me that may surprise you. The first hour is a defense of ROH and Richards-Edwards, but that second hour is almost all hold-nothing-back criticism about the topics mentioned above. Hope you check it out.

Last week’s 411Mania Buy or Sell covers the ROH TV tapings and PWG Battle of Los Angeles 2011.

Your moment of QI (Quite Interesting) this week features a guest spot by none other than Harry Potter himself and covers a subject near and dear to my heart: grammar!

That’s it for The Column for this week. Thanks for reading and for the feedback.

BROOKLYN!
DAH EM BAH SEE FOR-EVAH!
–Ari–