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http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/wrestling/7883823.htm

Sunny nights with pro wrestling

BY JIM VARSALLONE
jvarsallone{at}herald.com

The Sunshine Network will be adding new wrestling programming to its
network starting Friday, Feb. 6 including a wrestling block on Friday
nights.

NWA/TNA's Xplosion is 10 p.m., followed by IWA Puerto Rico at 11 p.m.
and MLW Underground TV at midnight. Headed by Jeff and Jerry Jarrett,
NWA/TNA runs weekly pay-per-views Wednesdays.

MLW's Underground TV will return to midnight Mondays on March 26
following the college basketball season.

Florida independent MXPW -- D-Lo Brown, Shane Douglas, Konnan, Norman
Smiley, A.J. Styles, Blackhart Dave Johnson, Gangrel/Vampire Warrior,
Antonio Banks, Christopher Daniels, Julio Dinero, Lollipop -- will
debut a weekly Maximum Impact TV show on March 8. Women's Extreme
Wrestling and MMA promotion King of the Cage also air regularly on the
network.

• Territories can still work.

Ohio Valley Wrestling, the only official developmental program for
World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), will hold its second annual
tryout camp March 21-26 in Louisville, KY.

Its purpose is finding new wrestling talent for OVW, and potentially,
the WWE. Attendance will be limited to 50 participants whose
applications are accepted by OVW.

The objective is to find those with the talent, look and drive
necessary to succeed in professional wrestling. Those individuals will
be invited to join OVW's training program, where they can learn
alongside WWE developmental talent and be seen by WWE agents on a
regular basis.

The 2003 tryout camp was a success by OVW officials. Of the 50
participants, 11 were invited to continue training in OVW. Of those,
New Jersey's Tank Toland became an OVW Tag Team Champion and was
awarded a WWE developmental contract.

Canada's Standing Thunder became a successful OVW main eventer, and
Kentucky's Jillian Hall is the most popular of the OVW Women's
Division, recently facing WWE Women's Champion Molly Holly on an OVW
television bout.

OVW's homegrown talent also had a great 2003. OVW owner Danny Davis's
protιgι Nick Dinsmore remained the best technical wrestler in the WWE
developmental program, competed on WWE live events and formed a
stellar team with Chris Benoit at an OVW event.

Dinsmore's protιgι, Thrillseeker Johnny Jeter, wrestled Chris Jericho
at an OVW event and was awarded a WWE developmental contract, barely
12 months after his first lesson in OVW. OVW's Mark Magnus and Chris
Cage were recently awarded WWE developmental contracts as well.

Doug Basham and The Damaja (Danny Basham), two OVW originals, were
brought to the WWE full-time roster and gained the WWE Tag Team
Championship on SmackDown. OVW original Rob Conway joined La
Resistance. The World's Greatest Tag Team Shelton Benjamin and Charlie
Hass -- two more OVW alums.

The list continues: Brock Lesnar, John Cena, Mark Jindrak, Garrison
Cade, Victoria, Jazz, Gail Kim, Randy Orton, Rodney Mack, Mark Henry,
Rico, Jackie Gayda, Rene Dupree, Sylvain Grenier, Batista, John
Heidenrech, Matt Morgan, Chris Nowinski, Orlando Jordan, Nidia,
Shaniqua, The Basham Brothers and Sean O'Haire. Also, Big Show learned
plenty in OVW, helping him make a successful return to WWE.

Attendees will be interviewed, evaluated and run through drills by OVW
Head Instructor Davis, OVW Matchmaker Jim Cornette, OVW trainer Rip
Rogers, WWE talent scout Dr. Tom Prichard and the best WWE
developmental talent.

Cost of enrollment in the camp is $995. For this fee, those accepted
will attend the daily camp from Sunday, March 21 to Friday, March 26.
They will receive a single-occupancy hotel room from Saturday night,
March 20 to Friday night, March 26, and they will be provided with
transportation to and from the daily workouts.

Applicants are responsible for their own transportation to and from
Louisville for the camp and their individual meals and expenses.

Go to OVWrestling.com, fill out the application for the 2004 TRYOUT
CAMP and e-mail it. By postal mail, print out and complete the
application form and send it with a recent photo to: OVW TRYOUT CAMP,
4400 Shepherdsville Road, Louisville, KY 40218.

The application will be reviewed, and if accepted, OVW will notify
you. This process may take four weeks. Don't send payment with the
application. You must be accepted first. Registration must be complete
by Saturday, Feb. 28.

• Bam Bam Bigelow and Doink the Clown defeated Mana and Church during
WWSA's Showdown Saturday, Jan. 31 in Mt. Holly, NJ. Danny Doring beat
Patch for the WWSA Over The Top Heavyweight Title.

• CWF in North Carolina features NWA/TNA star Ron the Truth Killings,
formerly K-Kwik of WWE; The Barbarian, former one-half of the WCW and
WWE tag team champs Powers of Pain; The Stro, formerly WCW star The
Maestro along with wrestling diva Lady Amazon; and Chris Hamrick,
former ECW star.

Plus, Chris Halen, Chameleon, Marc Mandrake, Randy Walker, Greg Karma,
Glen Dillion, Dark Angel w/Aaron Devil and Steve Michaels, also known
as Extreme Heat, John Thundercloud, Mark Ash, Mack Trucker and Deacon.

The Cleveland County Fair Grounds, 1751 E. Marion St. in Shelby, NC at
7:45 p.m. Friday, Feb 6.

The Brookford Town Hall, 1700 S. Center St. in Hickory, NC at 3 p.m.
Sunday, Feb 8. Advanced tickets for adults are $10, kids 10-and-under
$5. Tickets at the door for adults are $12, kids 10-and-under $7.

• NCWA is 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7 at the Bill Ellis Convention
Center in Wilson, NC.

See former WCW/WWE star the Barbarian, the legendary Ivan Koloff and
Stro. Plus, Vax, Timber, Adrian Whisper, Vinnie Vain, John
Thundercloud, NOS, Bobby Austin, Damian Wayne, Kazi, Spank, Chris
Escobar, Brandon Day, Steffi, Natasha and more.

Tickets: general admission $8, ringside $10. For advance ticket
information, call 252-823-8298. E-mail NCWA at ncwacontact{at}yahoo.com.

• Southern Championship Wrestling (SCW) is 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7 at
the Stem Fire Hall, 100 Franklin St. in Stem, NC. The event features a
Battle Royale. Call 919-528-3930.

• World Wide Wrestling Alliance: 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb 7, Hamburg
Fields House, Hamburg, PA; 7:30 p.m. Feb 14, Zerns Farmers Market,
Gilbertsville, PA; 7:30 p.m. March 6, Zerns Farmers Markets,
Gilbertsville, PA; 8 p.m., March 20, Hamburg Field House, Hamburg, PA.

• Mason Dixon Wrestling is assisting in a benefit show 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 7 at school square in Shinnston, WV. All proceeds from
the show will go to a family who recently lost three children in a
fire. Any worker interested in donating time e-mail Mason Dixon
Wrestling at Venicus{at}aol.com.

• Steve Corino with J.J. Dillon defends the title against the
Franchise Shane Douglas as Major League Wrestling returns to its South
Florida home 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13 at the War Memorial Auditorium,
800 NE 8th Ave. in Fort Lauderdale.

Global Tag-Team Crown Title Match: The GTC Champion The Extreme
Horsemen CW Anderson and Simon Diamond managed by J.J. Dillon vs. GTC
Carnival Champions The Stampede Bulldogs T.J. Wilson and Harry Smith.

Dragon's Gate Six-Sided Ring: Hart Foundation 2.0 with captain Teddy
Hart, Jack Evans and newcomer Apocalypse vs. La Raza with captain
Juventud Guerrera and Los Maximos vs. The Kamikaze Playas with captain
Sonjay Dutt, the mysterious Dark Fuego and M-Dogg 20.

No DQ: Raven vs. Justin Credible. PJ Friedman vs. Black Magic Norman
Smiley. The Havana Pitbulls vs. Bobby Quance and Puma. Also scheduled:
Gary Hart presents Low Ki, Mike Modest, Ray Gordy, Chad Collyer, The
Samoan Island Tribe, Sabu, Rich Criado, Fabulous Texan, Chasyn Rance
and more.

Tickets are on sale at all Ticketmaster outlets and the War Memorial
Auditorium box office or charge-by-phone at 954-523-3309 or online.
General admission tickets are $10. Ringside reserved tickets are $30,
and general reserved seats $15.

• MLW invades Tabu, 46 N. Orange Ave. in Orlando, FL at 7 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 14. The Extreme Horsemen Steve Corino, Justin Credible
and C.W. Anderson with J.J. Dillon vs. the Samoan Island Tribe and A
Dream Partner. Gary Hart with Mr. Woo presents Low Ki.

Juventud Guerrera vs. Teddy Hart. MLW World Junior Heavyweight champ
Sonjay Dutt vs. Professor of Pure Style Chad Collyer. Havana Pitbulls
vs. The Stampede Bulldogs. Jack Evans vs. The Shooting Star Bobby
Quance.

A Gauntlet Match. Also, Terry Funk, Dark Fuego, Apocalypse, Los
Maximos, Mike Modest, Ray Gordy, Rich Criado, Norman Smiley, The
Thinker Chasyn Rance and more.

Tickets are on sale at all Ticketmaster outlets or call 407-839-3900
or go online at TicketMaster. Tickets are $15 for age 18 and older
only.

• MLW Underground TV will begin airing throughout the United Kingdom
on a weekly basis on The Wrestling Channel at 9 p.m. when The
Wrestling Channel launches on SKY Digital in the UK on March 15.

MLW Underground TV can also be seen on the Sunshine Network midnight
Fridays. MLW returns to its regular Monday time slot (11 p.m. to
midnight) on March 29 with replays throughout the week.

MLW Underground TV can be seen weekly on Fox Sports Digital Net
Atlantic. Check local listings for day and time including the New York
City area.

For replays, check local listings in Florida and nationwide -- also
available on DirecTV and the Dish Network. Philadelphia midnight
Mondays on WGTW Ch. 48. Dayton, OH 10:30 p.m. Fridays on DATV Ch. 20.

• Memphis Wrestling is in full force with Jimmy Hart, Koko B. Ware,
Brian Christopher, Kamala, Moe, Mable, Jim Jamison of Survivor, some
young talent and the legendary Rocky Johnson. Future shows: Friday,
Feb. 13: Community Center, Selmer, TN. TBA: Senatobia, MS. TBA:
Covington, TN. The UPN affiliate in Memphis broadcasts the action.

• NWA East results from Saturday, Jan. 31 at the Sportatorium in
McKeesport, PA. Bigg and Kid Cupid defeated Quinn Magnum and Scottie
Gash to win the NWA East Tag Team Titles.

Ryan Spade and the Tri Chi Fraternity defeated Dash Bennett and White
Trash Hero in a 3-on-2 handicap match. Nikita Allanov and Mad Mike
fought to a double countout. Adam Cage pinned Jason Cage. Daron Smythe
pinned Scott Venom.

Justin Idol retained the NWA East Heavyweight Championship in a Steel
City Showdown Match against Lance Dayton and Chris Taylor by capturing
the most pinfalls in the 20-minute match.

Three Rivers Champion Devin Devine defeated Brandon K and Crusher
Hansen to retain the title.

NWA East returns to the Sportatorium at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13.
Tickets are $10 front row, $9 general admission and $6 kids. Call the
NWA East Infoline at 412-877-6953.

• Full Impact Pro runs shows in Florida. Upcoming shows: Friday, Feb.
13: Sports Zone in Port Richey. Tuesday, Feb. 24: Rainbow Skate 9185
Ulmerton Road in Largo. Saturday, March 6: Turner Argi Center 2250 NE
Roan St in Arcadia.

• USA PRO Wrestling 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14 at Sportime in Bethpage,
NY. Featured are The Franchise Shane Douglas, Balls Mahoney, Axl
Rotten, Chris Candido, Bam Bam Bigelow, Sabu, The Sandman, Deranged,
Rukkus and NWA Florida's Roderick Strong.

• The Pure Wrestling Championship Tournament on Saturday, Feb. 14 in
Quincy, MA includes A.J. Styles, John Walter, Matt Stryker, Jay and
Mark Briscoe, Jimmy Rave, Doug Williams from the UK and one more.

Plans for Bobby Heenan to debut in April during the promotion's swing
of Illinois and Minnesota. Heenan will manage a team against Jim
Cornette's Briscoe Brothers.

• The Eastern Wrestling Alliance show is 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20 at
the Knights of Columbus Hall in Southbridge MA.

The card features reigning EWA Heavyweight Champion and New England
Invitational Tournament winner Maverick Wild, EWA New England Champion
Chi Chi Cruz, EWA Commissioner Johnny Heartbreaker, Dr. Heresy, Kid
Krazy, Adam Booker, Mikey Batts, NWA Florida's Roderick Strong and
more.

• Southern Championship Wrestling returns to the DeBary Civic Center,
38 South Shell Rd. in DeBary, FL at 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21 in
Central Florida.

In the main event, former RollerJam competitor Brian ''The Blade''
Gamble will defend the Southern Heavyweight Championship against the
three-time NWA World Tag Team Champion ''Classy'' Chris Nelson.

Jason Hexx will square off against Python in a battle of former
Southern Heavyweight Champions. The 6-foot-10 Korean giant Ryze will
face the powerful Axis.

Dagon Briggs versus Untouchable Leon Scott. Florida Heavyweight
Champion Thump Dupree will defend his title against the Rebel Rocker
Towns Ellis.

The Independent Sensation Chasyn Rance and Mister Saint Laurent will
also be on the card. Also, Rico Casanova makes his SCW return against
Asian Superstar Organization member Kahagas.

Tickets are $10 at the door. Tickets can also be purchased in advance
at DeBary Furniture.

• Former NWA Florida X Champion Roderick Strong and rookie sensation
Straight Up Mikey Batts debut for 3PW on Saturday, Feb. 21 at the
former ECW Arena in Philadelphia. Strong will be accompanied by
manager the Hardcore Giant Ron Niemi. Other stars appearing are Raven,
Joey Matthews, Ruckus, Rob Eckos, Jerry Lynn, Sabu and more.

• Lucha Xtreme Wrestling and NWA Florida bring the best international
superstars together Saturday, Feb. 28 at The Arena, 4251 34th St. N.
in St Petersburg, FL. LXWs Xtreme Luchadores will step into the ring
against the best NWA Florida has to offer.

Top Mexican Lucha Libre sensation Shocker faces NWA Florida champ
Steve Madison. Damien 666, Halloween and American Wild Child, also
known as La Familia de Tijuana battle NWA Florida tag team champs The
Shane Twins along with their partner/manager Hardcore Giant Ron Niemi.

• LXW's The Mark of the Mask is Sunday, Feb. 29 at the Radisson Mart
Plaza Hotel Convention Center, 711 NW 72 Ave. in Miami.

This is LXW's first venture away from New York since the company's
inception in 2003. On Feb. 29, LXW will crown its first heavyweight
champ.

Lucha Xtreme Wrestling created a buzz by bringing its unique blend of
styles, production and talent to wrestling fans of New York. LXW
delivers traditional, Mexican Lucha Libre style wrestling with an
American flare.

The roster includes: Shocker, Ultimo Guerrero, Halloween and Damien666
also known as Mexico's Most Wanted, Scorpio Jr., Super Dragon, Rising
Son, Angel, Phoenix Star, Zokre, Scorpio Sky and Quicksilver, Supreme,
Vic Grimes, Los Lunatics, and All Money I$ Legal.

Tickets are $30 ringside, $20 general admission. VIP packages are
available. Tickets can be purchased at www.lxwrestling.com or
www.ticketweb.com. There will be a meet and greet before the event
with all the LXW stars posing for photos and signing autographs at an
additional fee.

• Jersey All Pro Wrestling 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28 at the Woodbridge
National Guard Armory in Woodbridge, NJ. NWA Florida's Roderick Strong
returns to battle MLW sensation Sonjay Dutt.

• Bruno Sassi, Dan and Tillie of Phi Delta Slam opened a wrestling
school in (South Florida) Davie with Bodyslam University.

Sassi, who has a very good reputation in the business, wrestled
extensively on the indie circuit and received a few tryout matches
with WWE.

Bodyslam also conducts its inaugural show on Saturday, March 20 at the
Coral Springs Gymnasium. Bodyslam University is located at 2040 SW
70th Ave., Suite D-6 in Davie. Call 954-474-4621.

• The WWA in conjunction with WWE's Dr. Tom Prichard conducts a
four-hour training camp on Saturday, Feb. 28 at The Ware Armory in
Ware, MA. The camp runs noon to 4 p.m. The event includes a live show
with Pritchard organizing the show and evaluating the talent. The cost
is $100 per person.


--- Internet Rex 2.29