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Talk Wrestling Online Community Newsletter 169 - Jun 3rd 07 - The UK Wrestling Scene

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Talk Wrestling Online Community Newsletter

Issue 169 – June 3rd 2007

==================================

 

 

http://img390.imageshack.us/img390/4822/nlgraphic1ow3.jpg

 

 

 

The Editorial

 

 

Ahoy mateys, welcome to another issue of the Talk Wrestling Online Community Newsletter, and what a fine specimen it be, arrrrr!

 

That be all, I must attend to some revision, arrrr!

 

FWL

 

FWL 13 is now accepting new entries - you have until Sunday 24th June to get your entries in! Remember you can change your picks anytime before the FWL starts...

 

:celb2: Fantasy Wrestling League :celb2:

 

For those that dont know what it is:

 

What is the FWL?

 

It is basically like fantasy football, but for the WWE. All you have to do is pick a team of 5 wrestlers who you think will do well over the next few months. The better they do (more wins), the more points you get. At the end of the time period whoever has the most points, wins a prize, and its FREE to enter!

 

Ray

Newsletter Editor

 

 

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Talk Wrestling Online Subscribers

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Thanks to all the Talk Wrestling Online Subscribers:

 

ahsatan, Anime_Otaku, BRM, Chris2K, Christof, Clarkey, Colin, Darkstar, Drake, Evil Gringo, Glitch, Gothic Angel, Inno, Kanenite, King, lafdugga, Moobs, MrFill, OMAR DAYS, Prototype, Proudy, Ravenmark, Ray, Sav, Saz, Sazzle, Slick, Slim Jim, Spiritchaser, SuperKick Kid, Telf, TGO, The Phenom Billz, The Rog, TheDefinition2, Tomblands, Twig, weberika, wyndorf and yoyobenoit!

 

Total Subscribers: 40

 

To find out how you can help support Talk Wrestling Online and become a subscriber see:

 

Talk Wrestling Online Subscriber Scheme

 

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Wrestling 101 Info Centre

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Latest Wrestling 101 Articles:

 

> Top Ten Favourite Wrestling Videogames - Readers Choice

 

> UFC 64: Unstoppable DVD Review

 

> UK Scene #255

 

> Pride 30: Fully Loaded DVD Review

 

> T3C: Back to the Drawing Board

 

Latest Wrestling 101 Blogs:

 

> CBlog IV- Cena, RVD and the WWE Draft

 

> FPU: UFC 71 Review

 

> SKK: SNME, Night of Champions, HBK Out

 

> ST: I am back!

 

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Talk Wrestling Online - Chatroom Information

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WWE One Night Stand PPV Quiz And Chat - Sunday 3rd June!

 

:vio8::vio8::vio8:

 

Join us on Sunday 3rd June from 9pm UK time for the WWE One Night Stand PPV Quiz and Chat in the TWO Chatroom.

 

PPV Quiz

 

The Quiz will take place from 9-10pm in the Quiz Room. The quiz league leaderboard has been updated:

 

http://www.talkwrestlingonline.com/wrestling-quiz.php

 

Quiz participants should pay particular attention to the history of One Night Stand (along with other past wrestling events which took place in June) in order to give themselves an advantage in the quiz.

 

Anyone can take part in the quiz, you do not need to register, just turn up in the Quiz Room at 9pm (UK Time).

 

PPV Chat

 

The PPV Chat will take place after the quiz, from 10pm to 1am (UK Time). Talk to fellow TWO users about the PPV, and give your thoughts on each match! Discuss it in the TWO Chatrooms!

 

So don't miss out on a night of fun, join us for the Talk Wrestling Online WWE One Night Stand Quiz and Chat! Don't forget, WWE One Night Stand takes place on Sunday 3rd June, and the evening's activities begin from 9pm, starting with the Quiz. We'll see you there, in the chatroom!

 

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Talk Wrestling Online Awards

Darkstar

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Member of the fortnight

 

OMAR DAYS

 

Omar is a very dependable poster, always aiming to be the best he can be. Even his jokes win first prize at 'World's Worst Jokes' contests. Kudos young man, you deserve this award.

 

Wrestling AND Non-Wrestling thread of the fortnight

 

Ghosts: Are They Real? Formally The Owen Hart Thread by BigDickJohnson

 

I love a good debate, dont you? Thsi has it all, people exchanging views and debating, some people insisting their views are the only right ones. And DraVen, being DraVen.

 

 

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Member Spotlight

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PERSONAL

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:wave

 

Forum Username: The Bisch

 

Age: 22

 

Sex: Male

 

Location: Nottingham

 

==========

WRESTLING

==========

 

How long have you been a wrestling fan? Since 1991.

 

How did you first come across it? Watching WCW on ITV. Then WWF when we got Sky in 1993 - the first WWF show I remember is Mania 9 and even at that age I knew it was crap.

 

What kept you coming back to watch more? I loved the Dangerous Alliance storyline that was running in WCW when I started watching it - I really did hate Rick Rude back then.

 

Who is your current favourite wrestler and why? Probably Shawn Michaels as he's still doing the business.

 

Who is your all-time favourite wrestler and why? Chris Jericho, he was capable of some fantastic in ring work, and his mic work was superb, particularly whilst he was in WCW. I don't think he recreated this form at any point during his WWF days.

 

What promotions do/did you watch (and enjoy)? WCW before 1999, WWF/WWE since 1997.

 

Which promotion is your favourite and why? WWE by default I suppose, it's the only one I really still follow.

 

RAW or SmackDown!? Raw.

 

How much wrestling (hours) do you watch on average per week? Nowadays only about 2.

 

Ever been to a live event? If so, which ones and where? Never.

 

What's your opinion on:

 

*Cruiserweights - Spectacular athletes. One reason I admire Bischoff so much is because he gave them the chance to shine, and they really were a important part of Nitro at the height of it's success.

 

* Women's wrestling - I only really know the WWE version of it - it serves a purpose I suppose.

 

* Vince's fascination with big men - It's a pity, a lot of really good smaller guys have been overlooked/ignored.

 

How far would you travel for a wrestling show? I'd probably go down to London if they ever did have a show at Wembley.

 

What is your favourite match of all time, and why? Austin v Rock from Mania 17. My heart still pumps like crazy during the closing moments even 6 years later.

 

Are you proud to be a wrestling fan? Sometimes - mind you not many of my friends know I am.

 

======

OTHER

======

 

What was the first thing you did this morning? Turned my TV off - I left it on all night.

 

Whats the last thing you ate? A bag of Marmite flavoured crisps.

 

Whats the first CD you bought? First one I remember buying was Oasis - Morning Glory.

 

What are you listening to right now? "Say it Right" by Nelly Futardo on the radio.

 

Who is the last person that called you? Someone called Sharon, but it was a wrong number.

 

What would you change about yourself? I'd be a bit bulkier - I'm like a stick insect at the moment.

 

Do you have any tattoos or piercings? None.

 

 

HAVE YOU EVER:

 

* Given anyone a bath? Yes - I'm not going any further.

 

* Smoked? Only the odd drag, and I've always hated it.

 

* Been drunk? Many times.

 

* Made yourself throw up? Yes - usually after being drunk.

 

* Skinny dipped? Nope.

 

* Made yourself cry to get out of trouble? No I just yell a lot.

 

* Cried when someone died? No.

 

* Lied Yes.

 

* Fallen for your best friend? No.

 

* Been rejected? Yes.

 

* Rejected someone? Yes - guess that served me right then.

 

* Done something you regret? Plenty of things - I threw up in someone's car last week for a start.

 

 

LAST PERSON:

 

* You touched? My Grandmother - just got back from visiting her - and it was only to help her get into her wheelchair.

 

* You IMed? Martin.

 

* You yelled at? Someone on our football team for not marking up.

 

 

WHO:

 

* Makes you smile? Susan, my mates sister.

 

* Gives you a funny feeling when you see him or her? See above :P

 

 

YOUR THOUGHTS:

 

* I am: insecure.

 

* I want: Right now, I want my dinner - I'm starving.

 

* I have: A postive outlook on life.

 

* I hear: Nelly Futardo still.

 

* I hate: Ignorance.

 

* I fear: Real commitment.

 

* I search for: Right now I'm searching for a flat to live in.

 

 

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Movie Mayhem

Draven Cage

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http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/234/moviemayhemqf2.jpg

 

Hello, and welcome to this, the latest edition of Movie Mayhem, brought to you once again by your favourite Scotsman, the man of the hour, to sweet to be sour, Draven Cage.

 

This time out, I thought I'd focus on one of the best movies ever made. And not only that, it stars to former Neighbours alumni, a washed-up (at the time) actress and a midget.

 

 

Release Date: 1997

Director: Curtis Hanson

Writer: James Elroy (novel), Brian Helgeland and Curtis Hanson (screenplay)

Starring: Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, Kim Basinger, Kevin Spacey, Danny DeVito and James Crowmell

Running Time: 138mins

Rating: 18 (UK)

 

L.A. Confidential was released ten years ago, with little fanfare or pre-release hype. Kim Basinger and Danny DeVito were the biggest names in the cast listing, but it would be Guy "I was Mike" Pearce and Russell "I played Kenny Larson" Crowe, the Australians (ok, Crowe was born in NZ, but lived in Oz) who would shine throughout the film. So good were their performances, it led them to perhaps their most famous roles, as both were cast in Memento and Gladiator respectively due to the way they commanded the screen in this movie.

 

Russell Crowe had been slumming it in movies like 'Virtuosity' (which also starred Denzel Washington before he went supernova) and 'The Quick and the Dead'. Pearce was best known for his role in 'The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert' where he cross-dressed alongside Hugo Weaving and Terrance Stamp in the cult feature. Kim Basinger's star had fallen, as had titchy Danny DeVito's, but this movie showed the world that they could all act their arses off when they had too.

 

Set in 1953, the story centres on corruption within the Los Angeles Police Department and the changes to law enforcement that came in during that era. The "City of Angels" was just starting to become the Hollywood that we know today, and with it came crime....and where there's crime, there's criminals....and where there's criminals, there's scandal to be sold.

 

Hush-Hush Magazine specialises in selling these stories, and reporter Sid Hudgens (DeVito) is the man when it comes to the gossip and scandal. Working in conjunction with LAPD Det. Sgt. Jack Vincennes (Kevin Spacey) in celebrity arrests, with Vincennes planting drugs (or removing it) when the arrests are made and "coincidentally" the photographer for Hush-Hush Magazine shows up unannounced, they give Jack some big pay-offs for the information. This makes Jack quite the celebrity and leads to his other role as a consultant on 'Badge of Honor', a Dragnet-like tv show, which appears to be his main focus in life. As he says himself, he's forgotten why he actually became a cop.

 

Bud White (Crowe) is a non-nonsense police officer. Not afraid to plant evidence on those he knows are guilty, has no qualms about beating out a confession if it gets the job done, and positively abhors violence against women. He is asked to give evidence against his partner, who is charged with brutality when some Mexican prisoners (a fictional account of the Bloody Christmas incident) are killed in a brawl involving around fifty officers beating down on the convicts. White refuses, but a young rookie cop looking to make a name for himself decides not to follow suit.

 

Edmund "Ed" Exley followed his father into the police force, hoping to excel beyond his legacy within the force. His dad was shot and killed in a botched purse-snatch, and the robber got away clean. Ed gave him the name Rollo Tamasi "to give him personality", and this is the reason he became a cop; so that the bad guy wouldn't get away clean. Using his political know-how, he manipulates the hearing for the aforementioned brutality case and is promoted from uniformed officer to plain-clothes detective. This doesn't sit too well with Bud (and others), creating an air of conflict whenever they share a room.

 

All of these people come together for the 'Nite Owl' murder case, where around a dozen people were shot and killed, dragged to the bathrooms and piled one on top of the other. Bud is personally involved in the case, as his recently fired partner is one of the victims. Ed is on the case only because he was the only one on duty in the incident room at the time.

 

Thinking that the case is solved, they arrest the people involved, but they escape and are shot dead by Exley when they resist a second arrest. The newly nicknamed "Shotgun Ed" now has respect from his peers, but something isn't right. This leads to the real investigation into corruption at the highest level of the police department (James Cromwell as Captain Dudley Smith), city officials and others. Ed wagers his career on catching his new Rollo Tamasi.

 

Side plots include Kim Basinger's character, a prostitute who has had surgery to look like Veronica Lake, which is big business in 1953 L.A. This situation leads to a funny scene later in the movie with Lana Turner.

 

The acting in this movie is top-notch, with no-one being wasted, not one scene seems superfluous and everything ticks along sweetly. Hanson manages to capture the feel of a city being born from nothing, and gets the best from every actor, regardless of the size of the role, on screen.

 

I cannot recommend this movie enough for those who enjoy good acting, a great crime-thriller mystery or seeing not one, but two movie stars being discovered. There was meant to be a TV series of the show being made with Keifer Sutherland as Jack Vincennes and Melissa George :wub as Lynn Bracken, but it never went ahead.

 

Rent or buy this movie, especially as you can pick it up for around a fiver these days, sometimes less.

 

A full-on ***** out of *****

 

 

Movie Quotability

L.A. Confidential

 

Captain Dudley Smith: (To Bud White) I admire you as a policeman, particularly your adherence to violence as a necessary adjunct to the job.

 

Captain Dudley Smith: (After Exley spoke up against his fellow officers) I wouldn't trade places with Edmund Exley right now for all the whisky in Ireland.

 

Captain Dudley Smith: You'll do as I say, and ask no questions. Do you follow my drift?

Bud White: In technicolor, sir.

 

Ed Exley: I'm talking about the gas chamber, and you haven't even asked me what this is about. You've got a big "Guilty" sign around your neck.

 

Jack Vincennes: (To Ed) Oh, great. You get the girl, I get the coroner.

 

Ed Exley: Do you make the three Negroes for the Nite Owl Killings?

Jack Vincennes: What?

Ed Exley: It's a simple question.

Jack Vincennes: Why in the world do you wanna go digging any deeper into the Nite Owl killings, Lieutenant?

Ed Exley: Rollo Tomasi.

Jack Vincennes: Is there more to that, or am I supposed to guess?

Ed Exley: Rollo was a purse snatcher. My father ran into him off duty, and he shot my father six times and got away clean. No one even knew who he was. I just made the name up to give him some personality.

Jack Vincennes: What's your point?

Ed Exley: Rollo Tomasi is the reason I became a cop. I wanted to catch the guys who thought they could get away with it. It's supposed to be about justice. Then somewhere along the way, I lost sight of that. Why'd you become a cop?

Jack Vincennes: (long pause) I don't remember.

(brief hesitation)

Jack Vincennes: What do you want, Exley?

Ed Exley: I just wanna solve this thing.

Jack Vincennes: The Nite Owl was solved.

Ed Exley: No, I wanna do it right.

Jack Vincennes: Even if it means paying the consequences?

(Exley nods his head, Vincennes stands up from his chair)

Jack Vincennes: All right, college boy, I'll help. But there's a case you boys in Homicide don't care about, you think it's just another Hollywood "homo"-cide. Well, I don't. You help me with mine; I'll help you with yours. Deal?

Ed Exley: Deal

 

Jack Vincennes: I'm the technical advisor. I teach Brett Chase how to walk and talk like a cop.

Jack's Dancing Partner: Brett Chase doesn't walk and talk like you.

Jack Vincennes: Well, that's 'cause he's the television version. America isn't ready for the real me.

 

Johnny Stompanato: You want an autograph? Write to MGM.

Ed Exley: Since when do two-bit hoods and hookers give out autographs?

Johnny Stompanato: What'd you say to me?

Ed Exley: LAPD. Sit down.

Lana Turner: Who in the hell do you think you are?

Jack Vincennes: Ed...

Ed Exley: Take a walk, honey, before I haul your ass downtown.

Johnny Stompanato: You are making a large mistake.

Lana Turner: Get away from our table.

Ed Exley: Shut up! A hooker cut to look like Lana Turner is still a hooker.

Johnny Stompanato: Hey!

Ed Exley: She just looks like Lana Turner.

Jack Vincennes: She is Lana Turner.

Ed Exley: What?

Jack Vincennes: She is Lana Turner.

(Lana throws a drink in Ed's face)

 

Ed Exley: All I ever wanted was to measure up to my father.

Bud White: Now's your chance. He died in the line of duty, didn't he?

 

Sid Hudgens: (voiceover) Come to Los Angeles! The sun shines bright, the beaches are wide and inviting, and the orange groves stretch as far as the eye can see. There are jobs aplenty, and land is cheap. Every working man can have his own house, and inside every house, a happy, all-American family. You can have all this, and who knows... you could even be discovered, become a movie star... or at least see one. Life is good in Los Angeles... it's paradise on Earth." Ha ha ha ha. That's what they tell you, anyway.

 

Captain Dudley Smith: Go back to Jersey, Sonny. This is the City of the Angels and you haven't got any wings.

 

Captain Dudley Smith: Don't start tryin' to do the right thing, boy-o. You haven't the practice.

 

(White approaches Ellis Loew (District Attorney) in the bathroom, after he refused to answer Exley's questions)

Ellis Loew: Unless you came in here to wipe my ass, I believe we're through.

(White looks at him, silently)

Ellis Loew: Come on, don't try this "Good Cop-Bad Cop" crap on me. I practically invented it. So what if some homo actor is dead? Boys, girls, ten of them step off the bus to L.A. every day.

(White proceeds to smash Loew's head into the mirror and then sticking it into the toilet)

Ellis Loew: Pull him off me, Exley!

Ed Exley: I don't know how.

Bud White: Now, I know you think you're the A-number one hotshot. Well, here's the juice: if I take you out, there'll be ten more lawyers to take your place tomorrow. They just won't come on the bus, that's all!

(White drags Loew into his office and dangles him out of the window by his legs until he confesses)

Ed Exley: (To Loew) Was that how you used to run the "Good Cop-Bad Cop?"

 

Captain Dudley Smith: (after shooting Jack) Have you a valediction, boyo?

Jack Vincennes: (gasps) Rollo Tomasi.

 

Captain Dudley Smith: Edmund, you're a political animal. You have the eye for human weakness, but not the stomach.

Ed Exley:You're wrong, sir.

Captain Dudley Smith: Would you be willing to plant corroborative evidence on a suspect you knew to be guilty, in order to ensure an indictment?

Ed Exley: Dudley, we've been over this.

Captain Dudley Smith: Yes or no, Edmund?

Ed Exley: No!

Captain Dudley Smith: Would you be willing to beat a confession out of a suspect you knew to be guilty?

Ed Exley: No.

Captain Dudley Smith: Would you be willing to shoot a hardened criminal in the back, in order to offset the chance that some... lawyer...

Ed Exley: No.

Captain Dudley Smith: Then, for the love of God, don't be a detective. Stick to assignments where you don't have...

Ed Exley: Dudley, I know you mean well, but I don't need to do it the way you did. Or my father.

 

Captain Dudley Smith: Bud White is a valuable officer.

Ed Exley: White's a mindless thug.

Captain Dudley Smith: No, Edmund, he's just a man who can answer yes to those questions I've asked you from time to time.

 

Trivia

 

In the movie, it is the downfall of Mickey Cohen that kick-starts everything. Cohen was a real person, part of Bugsy Siegel's crime family that ran riot in L.A. during the 30s and 40s.

 

Many of the events in the movie were based upon real events according to the DVD Production Notes. These include the "Bloody Christmas" scene where drunken police officers brutally beat up Hispanic prisoners suspected of beating up two uniformed cops. The initial plotline of real-life gangster Mickey Cohen's arrest and its subsequent touching off of a gang war for control of the rackets. The idea of an LAPD "Goon Squad" which would kidnap out of town gangsters, beat them up, and threaten to kill them if they ever tried to come back to set up their operations. Lana Turner dating gangster Johnny Stompanato. In real life, Turner's daughter murdered Stompanato after catching him beating her mother.

 

L.A. Confidential is the third instalment in author James Ellroy's "L.A. Quartet" series.

 

To pitch the movie to backers (and, later, to explain his aesthetic ideas about it to various cast and crew members), director Curtis Hanson put together a group of 18 period images illustrating different aspects of what he was hoping to convey with the movie. These included the "Welcome to Los Angeles" postcard that is in the first shot of the movie; photos of tract housing and orange groves, and the glamour shot of Veronica Lake that is visible in the film framed on Lynn Bracken's wall. Hanson also chose studio photos of two lesser-known 1950s actors to show to Guy Pearce and Russell Crowe as models for their characters Ed Exley and Bud White, respectively. Exley's model was the young Guy Madison, while White's was Aldo Ray. This film takes its name from Confidential, a 1950s-era movie star tabloid, which is fictionally portrayed herein in as Hush-Hush.

 

The fictional TV show "Badge of Honor", of which Sgt. Jack Vincennes is the technical advisor, is based on "Dragnet" (1951). Throughout the film, you can hear fellow officers teasing Jack by saying "Just the facts!" which is Sgt. Joe Friday's famous line from the series.

 

In preparation, Curtis Hanson showed his cast and crew Kiss Me Deadly (1955), Bad Influence (1990), The Killing (1956), The Bad and the Beautiful (1952), In a Lonely Place (1950), Private Hell 36 (1954), and The Lineup (1958).

 

 

Thanks for reading, and I hope to see you all in two weeks time.

 

Draven Cage.

 

 

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KICK OFF

Omar Days

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http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/5180/omar1in2.jpg

 

I'm back again with a much better edition of KICK OFF. I've scrapped the "Season Review" idea and instead i'm looking at the flavour of the week...England! Tomblands is in the hot seat for a little Q&A and as always a picture of the highest order is at the end provided you read it all like a good boy or girl, whatever your feeling like today. With little left to say...

England, World class Potential?

 

This past Friday England took on Brazil. Brazil are ranked the second best team in the world, the question was asked, are England a world class potential team. The match was played under the “friendly” mocker meaning it had no real meaning other than selling out Wembley basically. England almost snatched a win from a John Terry header (set up from a Beckham free kick) but it was cancelled out in the dying seconds with a goal from Diego. But could England be a world class team?

 

Take a look at the Goalkeepers available for England. Spurs numbero uno Paul Robinson. What a fantastic goalie. His superb reaction saves have won Spurs many games and have aided England in the past to keep the lead. Robbo has great awareness in his box too. Yes that incident where the ball bounced over his foot was bad, but it isn’t like he is doing it every game in fact since this incident his game has gone from strength to strength. Robinson is one of the best goalkeepers in the Premiership and maybe even in the top 10 in all of Europe. Robinson is a fine choice for England’s one number shirt.

 

Scott Carson and Ben Foster. Both good young goal keepers. Both had loan spells from there respective clubs (Liverpool and Manchester United) Carson was at Charlton and Foster at Watford. Both had good spells and both look like becoming excellent goalkeepers. Carson played in the England B team match against Albania and had a solid game. Both men would do well as 2nd or 3rd choice keepers for the moment.

 

Robinson has more than creditable opposition for his number 1 jersey. Other keepers available for England are David James, who had a good season but his mistakes from previous games for England have really over shadowed his ability. Chris Kirkland who seems to have fallen from 2nd choice keeper to not even a 5th or 6th choice! The poor lads injuries seem to have ended his international career before it has really even started.

 

On the whole England look to have at least 1 or 2 good keepers for the next 10 years. England have always had a good goalkeepers and has been one of their strong points. In the past David Seaman kept the England shirt from an outstanding Nigel Matyn for over 10 years. By the time Seaman hanged up his boots Martyn was old, chubby, slow but still decent but there were far more better keepers available for England and Martyn gave up on a hope of a recall. Could this happen to Carson or Foster in the near future?

 

Defence

 

Let's break this down into three sections. Left, right and center. We’ll start with the right side first. Gary Neville seems to have kept his position on the right for well over 10 years. Main reason being? There isn’t anyone worthy enough to replace him. I personally hate Neville and the day he gets dropped will be a good day in my eyes. Carragher can play in that position well and the young Micah Richards seems to be a lock in for the position full time, anytime soon.

 

On the left Ashley Cole is number one. He has had his critics, for his poor form and the way he likes to use his phone. England do have some sort of depth in this position. Wayne Bridge and now Nicky Shorey look to be giving Cole some competition, but come crunch time no one steps up like Ashley Cole when needed, the 2002 World Cup and even the 2004 European Championships prove this.

 

In the center we have the following Rio Ferdinand, John Terry, Ledley King, Jamie Carrgaher, Michael Dawson, Wes Brown and Sol Campbell available (Sol has been dropped much like Beckham was so he could be back if needed!) Rio and Terry are the main choices for England, I still have doubts over Rio because he does make mistakes and how he dilly dallys on the ball way to much. Other than that he is usually solid. John Terry is one of the best defenders and captains in the world without a doubt. He's been playing well for Chelsea when he's been there and his really good in the air with headers which do win games. King and Carrgaher are two solid and dependable players which is great to have available. Michael Dawson is criminally underrated to the point were its sad to see. In a season were Berbatov has been king, Dawson was actually the main man for us. Having a poor defensive record hasn't helped but Dawson stood out like a sore thumb in a rather lacklustre defence with perfectly timed challenges and amazing long balls that had pin point accurately. Wes Brown is blah! England do have depth in another position which is great to see. Plus having 1 or 2 world class players isn’t bad either!

 

Midfield

 

Again I’m going to spilt this into three parts. Left, right and center. On the left England have the choice of either Stewart Downing, Joe Cole or sometimes Aaron Lennon. Who would you call England’s main left sided player based on the past year? Downing would have to taken by default really. Downing didn’t have a great season at Middlesbrough by any means and in a England shirt he has been ok. It is a shame that someone with the potential of a Stewart Downing is a big fish in a small pond up at Middelsbough, I do predict a summer move elsewhere. Joe Cole is fantastic on his day, at the World Cup he was brilliant and is such a handful, it was shame he got hurt and missed most of the season. He showed signs of his brilliants during the game against Brazil and let's hope it continues.

 

The right now has David Beckham back along with Shaun Wright-Phillips and Aaron Lennon. Firstly Shaun Wright-Phillips doesn’t get enough first team football its clear to see that a once future bright spark at Man City is just another bench warmer for Chelsea. When he does play and he’s bothered he is great, but his crossing leaves a lot to be desired. Aaron Lennon is one of the fastest and most skilful players in the Premiership. Sadly he was struck down with a injury and missed the Brazil game. Lennon needs a great season with Spurs next season to really impress everyone and to try and contest Beckham in the fight for the right! Beckham = Awesomeness. I didn’t like the idea of no Beckham in a England shirt in the first place and I’m glad he’s back.

 

Ah, the epic Center debate. “Gerrard and Lampard can’t play together” ,“England needs Hargreaves” “Lampard is fat LOLZ”. Gerrard is well known as a one man team for Liverpool, but for England he does sometimes go into his shell and holds back. Fair due to him as England have some great players he can play off, but full on GERRARD MODE in a England shirt? Hell yeah. Is Lampard the reason he doesn’t go GERRARD MODE? Maybe? Maybe not? Lampard is the same sort of player but he doesn’t really go full ass every match for Chelsea because he knows that someone else can do the running on the wings so he’ll get into a better position for a rebound or something like that. Gerrard can’t play like that, he needs to go fully into GERRARD MODE! They haven’t been too bad of late especially since the World Cup anyway. Hargreaves is a solid player who won over the nation during the World Cup which has awarded him a place at Man Utd. Carrick is just there really for England, he puts in a solid performance but doesn’t blow the world away.

 

The midfield for England isn’t all bad, the formation of a Diamond didn’t work and the tradition formation seems to work better.

 

Strikers

 

Rooney, Owen, Crouch, Defoe, Bent and Nugent. There you have the 6 main men for 2 spots. Wayne Rooney is always in the first 11 when fit or not suspended even if he is playing poor. This is the case too for Micheal Owen. Personally I don’t see a single problem with that. Defoe hasn’t been great for a good 2 years now, Bent isn’t England material in my eyes, Nugent is still a young lad and hasn’t played at a top level, Crouch is…well he is just lucky dammit!

 

If there was one position that needed a real good depth it has to be this. Every World Class country needs a depth of strikers, because Strikers = Goals and Goals = Wins!

 

So after going through the players available for England why do they play boring football and don’t get results? Injuries and mistakes is probably 75% of the problem that McClaren has faced but that 25% is what really hammers home what’s wrong. McClaren is a fool simply put. He didn’t change the way were playing which at the time wasn’t good and its now just horrible and generic to watch. He tried to get over with the press by dropping Beckham but in turn made himself look a fool bringing him back a year later after we're playing poorly. The game on Wednesday night has to be classed as 'Make or Break for McClaren'. England need a win, not a draw but a win. Be it during a good performance or a bad performance a win is needed.

 

 

Q & A With... Tomblands

 

Club You Support: Birmingham City.

 

Most Hated Club(s): There's only one really, Aston Villa. I've been taught ever since I was born to hate the club with a passion.

 

Most Hated Player: There isn't really one player that I truly hate. Can I just pick the current Aston Villa squad? :D

 

Favourite Player at the moment: Cristiano Ronaldo, he's an absolute joy to watch at the moment. You'd be hard-pushed to find a better player in the world right now.

 

Favourite Player of all time: Christophe Dugarry. To be honest, my club had absolutley no right to sign a player like Dugarry at the time, but he joined us and was simply amazing. The best player that I've ever seen in a Birmingham City jersey.

 

Favourite Game of all time: Aston Villa 2 Birmingham City, 2003/04. We defeated the Vilers many times during our run in the Premiership but this draw is still my favourite. They hadn't beaten us since we returned to the top flight, it was on their own patch, I was there, and they thought they had finally beaten us. That was until Stern John popped up in the 94th minute to snatch an equaliser. I will forever love that man, for that. :)

 

If you could make one transfer what would it be?: Steven Gerrard. He hasn't had the most impressive of season but the guy is the "complete player", in my opinion. I just wish those pair of numptys Rafael Benitez and Steve McClaren would stop wasting him on the right side of midfield!

 

How would you improve the Beautiful game?: I'm not a fan of introducing video technology, so I'll go with an instant red card for diving.

 

 

I hope that will do. :)

 

So you made it huh, well you deserve it. Frank Lampard aged 10:

 

 

http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-images/Football/Pix/gallery/2004/09/01/lampardandrewsilcox.jpg

 

 

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My Top Ten Favourite Horror Movies

lafdugga

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Here is a list of my top ten horror movies, with extracts taken from Amazon, and IMDB. Also helped by Clive Baker, one of my favourite authors. He wrote Hellraiser, Cube and Candyman. Special mentions should also go to films which did not quite make the list like The Exorcist, Rosemary’s Baby, Candyman 2 and The Wickerman. I Hope you enjoy the list.

 

1. IT

 

The movie "IT" is one of the movies that has really kept me scared for a prolonged time, it may be because of the fact that I saw it when I was about 7 years old. This movie is about a clown, yes a clown, but not just any old clown, this clown can change shapes, and also read your mind. What's worse is that adults can't see IT, it's all based on the imaginations of children in a small town called Dairy. The clown lives off of children, he eats and kills them, bodies of missing children start turning up, but nobody knows what happened, except for a group of children.

 

2. Hellraiser

 

A man finds he is given more than he bargains for when he solves the puzzle of the Lament Configuration - a doorway to hell. But his ex-lover has found a way of bringing him back, and his niece, Kirsty Lawrence, finds herself bargaining with the Cenobites, angels to some, demons to others, whose greatest pleasure is the greatest pain. This has to be one of if not the scariest movies I have ever seen.

 

3. Candyman

 

This movie does an excellent job at creating an original supernatural menace, while grounding it so firmly in the context of urban legends that you'd be convinced the character has been spoken of in whispers for years. This movie has a quiet, low-budget look and feel to it that actually helps to enhance the unsettling mood it creates. Candyman, Candyman, Candyman. I'm willing to bet that nobody would be able to say that into a mirror after watching this movie, well I couldn't! The movie is about a woman that finds out that she is the descendant of a black man, and that he was brutally tortured to death and had his arm cut off. Well her ancestor is back, and he goes about killing numerous people. The music from this movie is probably the scariest aspect.

 

4. Blair Witch Project

 

Yeah, okay, this movie received a lot of hype. How effective you find the film may depend on how likely your imagination is to work against you; if you're like me, you'll find that this movie lodges itself in your brain and ruins your sleep for days. I was absorbed by a story that at first, I thought to be entirely true, so when it got to the ending, I was left sitting in my chair, frozen by the last scene of the movie. For me, this was a huge hit, and I was very glad that I had taken the time to give it a chance. It’s not quite a documentary, but a film shot with a small budget, in which horror is depicted in a straight-forward, imaginative process. The movie is all about a group of 3 friends who search out the Blair Witch, and shown as a documentary as they go about the search. It is interesting in premise, and the idea was such an original for an independent film, that it will always achieve high marks from me.

 

5. Cube

 

Damn. I made the mistake of seeing this movie alone when I saw it for the first time, and I couldn't sleep afterwards claustrophobic and terrifying, this movie keeps setting up your expectations and knocking them down. The movie centres on a handful of strangers who wake up inside a bizarre maze, having been spirited there during the night. They quickly learn that they have to navigate their way through a series of chambers if they have any hope of escape but the problem is that there are lethal traps awaiting if they choose their route unwisely.

 

6. A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

 

Directed by Wes Craven, this was one of the films that anchored him as a force in the horror genre. The tagline itself helped show just how scary the film was going to be: "If Nancy Doesn't Wake Up Screaming She Won't Wake Up At All." That says it all right there, as we have a serial killer that strikes while you are asleep, rather than coming after you during the day. Wes Craven got the idea for A Nightmare on Elm Street while reading a newspaper, he managed to create one of the creepiest monsters that I've seen so far, Freddy Krueger. Freddy was burned to death in his own home, he was a murderer, a child murderer, and after a technicality saves Freddy from prison time, parents from the neighbourhood killed him. That wasn't the end of Freddy though, years later teens from that particular neighbourhood are all having dreams about the same person, a man with burn marks all over his face and a nice little glove on his right hand that features razor sharp knives. That wasn't all that freaked me out in this film though, that blasted nursery rhyme about Freddy gave me the chills the first time I heard it and every time since.

 

7. Ringu (1998)

 

This is the Japanese version of "The Ring" that hit American theatres a few years later, but was far better than its copy. The basic stories are the same, which involves a videotape, which if watched, limits a person to 7 more days of life before they meet a mysterious demise. Anyone who watches it has been given a death sentence, and the main characters of the film must find a way to save themselves before their own time runs out. The videotape itself can be seen as scary, but the results of someone watching it are flat out morbid. Mixing in horrific imagery with a lot of black and white shots, you get a video that is scary to watch in itself.

 

8. Halloween

 

This original slasher movie, directed by John Carpenter, started a trend in movies which went on to produce so many others in the same vain…How many kids will be murdered in the two hours the movie runs?? Thrilling scares took precedence over extreme gore. Halloween just wouldn’t be Halloween for me without hearing that famous soundtrack.

 

9. The Omen

 

666...Those numbers can mean many things to many people but since this movie they have an everlasting image of being related to Satan. When Director Richard Donner was able to convince high profile actors such as Gregory Peck and Lee Remick to play the parents of “Damien”, the son of Satan, the success of this movie was almost assured…As the story unfolds the chills are endless as the knowledge of Damien’s background is uncovered.

 

10. Friday the 13th

 

The movie tells the story of a mother who is seeking revenge for the drowning of her son. She sneaks around the camp where her son died, and she kills teens that work at the camp. The movie has an interesting twist at the end, it scared me to death! Is there anyone that hasn't seen this movie? This is a classic!

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk // http://www.imdb.com // http://www.best-horror-movies.com

 

 

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The Main Event

Stephen Ashfield

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Welcome to another Main Event. This week I want to take another look at wrestling in the UK. The past few weeks I’ve been to more shows than I have for ages watching promotions such as RQW, NCW, PTW,IPW:UK, Premier Promotions, CWC and on Sunday June 3rd, SAS Wrestling. Have I been impressed with what I’ve seen?

 

Thankfully the answer is a resounding yes, the majority of the shows have been really entertaining and any that weren’t were simply down to organisation that could have been a bit better achieved. So the big question is why the hell does Powerslam have such a downer on British wrestling?

 

In this month’s edition they review WWE’s recent Raw taping in the UK and in particular an appearance by British veteran Robbie Brookside and came out with this gem of a comment: “Shane McMahon introduced "Great Britain's greatest wrestler" Robbie Brookside. With his bad hair, bad tights and bad physique, Brookside looked like a British wrestler all right.” So what’s that all about then? Is a British wrestler someone who has a crap body, cheap tights and a dodgy hairstyle? That’s not my view of British wrestling and I doubt there’s that many of you reading this who think the same.

 

When someone watches WWE a great deal it’s not always that easy to then go and see a British show. You’re used to seeing the pyro’s which are great if you love fireworks but I’ve never seen any do a decent wrestling move yet. They’re used to the great entrance music and the big ring and of course the massive arenas. So when they venture into the local leisure centre to see a show it is a bit different but that doesn’t mean they’re going to see a poor show.

 

There’s plenty of talent around the UK, I see it mostly in the south but reading reports of shows in the midlands, north and in Scotland and Wales, it’s obvious that the tradition of British wrestlers being talented is carrying on to a new generation. Why else would WWE be signing up so many UK wrestlers at the moment?

 

It’s great to see so many shows being held at the moment, well apart from when I have to compile the results for Piledriver, that takes an age believe me. It’s also good to see a lot of companies relying on British talent for their shows. Of course there’s companies like 1PW, RQW and VPW who bring over wrestlers from overseas and there’s the recent trend of Japanese wrestlers coming over here which is welcomed. To put on a good show though you don’t necessarily need to bring over imports.

 

Of course getting the crowds in isn’t easy either. For most cities/towns I think any card that has a few well known names on it, and not necessarily imports, will get a decent crowd. It’s when you want to move to the next level and attract thousands of people that the problems begin. There are few, if any, companies in the UK that can do that consistently and not worry when their bank statement comes through the letter box. All-Star Wrestling get high attendances all over England but seem unwilling to ever put on a supershow. I guess they’re doing well enough at the moment not to want to take such a risk.

 

Sure there are negative points about British wrestling. There perhaps isn’t the strength in depth around the country for so many shows to be held and for all of them to be successful. There’s the lack of television coverage and a return to terrestrial television still looks as far away as ever. But British wrestling doesn’t deserve to be slagged off the way it has been this week. What do you think?

 

Well, miracle of miracles I have a pc that works properly and this and next week there’ll be editions of Piledriver online at http://www.piledriver-online.co.uk. Interviews include Mick Foley, Jezebel, Lance Storm and special features on wrestlers in movies (including the views of The Rock and Steve Austin) and what it’s like to be a wrestling promoter. Go on give it a go!

 

 

---------------------------------------------------------------

Shopping Navigator

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Shopping online in the UK? Check out Shopping Navigator!

 

With over 100 online UK stores listed and forums with special offers and discount voucher codes, don’t shop without visiting here first!

 

:biggringi

 

--------------------------------------------------------------

Final Thoughts

--------------------------------------------------------------

 

 

Sorry for the lack of Inno, Naitch, and me this time around. Me and Naitch are doing schooly / Uni type stuff, and as we all know Inno is a very busy lately too.

 

Look out for the next edition, we're skipping the 17th and going straight for the BIRTHDAY EDITION! If you'd like to be involved, drop me a PM!

 

Ray

Newsletter Editor

 

 

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Contributors

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Thanks to everybody who contributed to this issue of the TWO Newsletter:

NEXT EDITION: Out on Sunday 25th June!!!!

 

http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/5487/nlhogandh4.jpg

========================================

Edited by Red05
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Guest Popsi

Guest Popsi

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I still think the book is better than the film. Which says a lot as LA Confidential is an awesome film, just brilliant.
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Guest Miss T

Guest Miss T

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I saw boobs on my skip through which was nice and also some nonsense about Draven being Draven = good thing. :lol
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Guest Twig

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LA COnfidentiaql huh? It always looked kinda genaric cop movie to me, never ever know it was set in the 50's I think I'll check it out. Thanks DC.
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Guest Twig

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I liked The Omen, Halloween, and I've even seen Cube before it wasn't so bad. Other than that I didn't really like most of those other movies.
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Red05 Grand Master

Red05 343

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Glad you think this one is good dpdd, hopefully you'll think the next one is EVEN BETTER! There's a few goodies already put together. :)

 

If anyone would like to contribute to the birthday edition, send me a message...

 

Also, is there anything you guys DON'T like? PM me about it also. Don't insult Inno in public. Oops. ;)

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Guest Thirteen

Guest Thirteen

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Pretty decent newsletter. Agreed with Mr Bisch about his opinion of the WCW Jericho. Liked the LA Confidential bit too. Although I have to say the amount of quotes that DC typed up could be considered just a tad over-indulgent.:lol
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Guest ahsatan

Guest ahsatan

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I hope this doesn't come across too personal, because it's not an attack on anyone, just some opinions. Please bear that in mind as you read this.

 

My interest in the newsletter is slowly dwindling away to nothingness. Firstly, seeing as this is a wrestling forum, I feel there is not enough wrestling in the newsletter.

Secondly, I don't read any of the columns. It doesn't help that I have absolutely zero interest in football, so Omar's column is instantly a no go for me.

I can't face reading Draven Cage's column. It's just too much. I don't mean that I can't read that much, (:P) it's just too much on one subject that if that particular movie doesn't interest you, there's no way you're going to read all that. There were so many quotes, too many.

Lafdugga's article meant that this fortnight's issue was just film overkill. I have a huge interest in the horror genre, but I found it odd to read a column based on someones favourites outside of a thread. Maybe that's just me. Again, I remind you that this is supposed to be constructive criticism.

A lot of what I enjoy was noticably absent, maybe that's why I have noticed things I may not have done a couple of months ago, but these are, as I stated, just my opinion.

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Nimf Grand Master

Nimf 324

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I agree with pretty much everything Tash has put there-the Movie part is way too daunting to read, I skim it and don't read it much at all (sorry, DC!). I prefer the smaller tid-bit parts of the newsletter, the thread of the weeks, Inno's question, etc. The non-brain aching parts! It would be nice to see more articles, but smaller ones, if that makes sense? More wrestling, perhaps some idiot proof stuff (yes, I am calling myself an idiot here). I did like that a non-columnist was in this fortnights though, it''d maybe be nice to have random members submit something each time, not just wrestling related, maybe something they have an interest in?
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Red05 Grand Master

Red05 343

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I hope this doesn't come across too personal, because it's not an attack on anyone, just some opinions. Please bear that in mind as you read this.

 

My interest in the newsletter is slowly dwindling away to nothingness. Firstly, seeing as this is a wrestling forum, I feel there is not enough wrestling in the newsletter.

Secondly, I don't read any of the columns. It doesn't help that I have absolutely zero interest in football, so Omar's column is instantly a no go for me.

I can't face reading Draven Cage's column. It's just too much. I don't mean that I can't read that much, (:P) it's just too much on one subject that if that particular movie doesn't interest you, there's no way you're going to read all that. There were so many quotes, too many.

Lafdugga's article meant that this fortnight's issue was just film overkill. I have a huge interest in the horror genre, but I found it odd to read a column based on someones favourites outside of a thread. Maybe that's just me.

 

Firstly, not too personal at all, I welcome feedback. Onto the answers...

 

In regards to the lack of wrestling, usually we would have Naitch, but of late university has kept him busy. I know this dissapoints a lot of people who love to read his stuff, but unfortunately it can't be helped. However, he is coming back.

 

I believe that as it is a community newsletter, we should try to have all areas of the community. For instance there are people who read mainly the entertainment sector, so for them we DC's column. And for the sports, we have Omar's. So that's why we have them, just so people know. :P

 

The points you've raised will be taken into consideration, as will Nimf's. If anyone else has feedback, please add to this thread. :)

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DC Grand Master

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In regards to the "more wrestling" idea......one of the main criticism of the newsletter in days gone by was that there was too much wrestling, that it was a community newsletter and not a wrestling one.
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Guest Twig

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I always liked seeing the short lived TWOstars e-fed recap. I knew everything that was in it, but TWOstars virtually consumes my life, so I didn't care. If I wrote em, Ray, would you stick them in?
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Red05 Grand Master

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The only problem with those was that only those involved in TWOStars really read then, and it was a fairly decent sized piece (from the immortal Telf :xyx), so i'm honestly not sure.

 

The next edition is, as i've said millions of times to people, THE BIRTHDAY EDITION WOOYAY, so I'll be happy to put one in for that. Let everyone know what's going on, plug the fed, might get some new people. :)

 

So for this coming edition, yes, after that, we'll have to see.

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