This came in from a "WAM82." "Hi, I'm a fan of the blog but rarely post. Liking the extra non wrestling content to supplement the wrestling stuff and wanted to suggest a QOTD for you.  What's the *most fun* thing you've ever done?  Was it a trip, party, one night stand, etc.?"   *edited from "funnest"

This interview runs for two hours and eleven minutes. Your host is Sean Oliver

http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/10158206/why-randy-orton-now-champion-need I'm sure this will engender some interesting discussion, if it hasn't  already in a threadjack somewhere. Personally, I think he's 100 percent correct. I've admittedly never been as down on Orton as some of you- never a big fan, either- but he's killing it in this role. I wrote shortly after his heel turn that he was the perfect avatar for the Authority in that storyline, but it's pretty obvious he's a lot more than that now.

Bad thoughts DO come to mind sometimes. Like, Daniel Bryan not wrestling in the main event of Wrestlemania but Hulk Hogan could be. Or some downright sadistic thoughts like HHH becoming the next CHAIRMAN of the WWE. All of that is still acceptable and nobody would die or anything... but... How painful would it be for you if Sami Zayn got called up onto the main roster and is given the Sin Cara gimmick ? Painfully awesome.  He'd rock the fuck out of it.  Bring it on.  

http://www.newsday.com/sports/pro-wrestling/jimmy-hart-hopes-wwe-dvd-releases-are-kickoff-to-network-1.6622565 We also added a new photo gallery chronicling some of WWE's history, with several photos provided to Newsday by WWE: http://www.newsday.com/sports/pro-wrestling/the-history-of-wwe-1.6614476#1 We also added several photos to our Women of professional wrestling gallery, also with photos provided to Newsday by WWE: http://www.newsday.com/sports/pro-wrestling/women-of-professional-wrestling-1.5018715#1 Thanks much! Josh

Apparently lost among the most important pieces of news over the last six months is that fact that the Wellness Policy changed in July, effectively reducing Randy Orton to one strike and thus explaining why they'd go ahead and push the shit out of him a month later.  Now guys with two strikes can go through the "Redemption Program" and work their way out of a strike over an 18-month period with drug counselling and other smoke/mirror bullshit that allows the people behind this ridiculous policy to justify themselves.  I assume they applied it retroactively to Randy as well so that he wouldn't have to wait until 2015 to be declared clean-living and a model citizen again.   Coincidentally, no one has been busted since July, when the policy changed.  So the program continues to be as effective and well thought out as anything else in the company.    

Hulk Hogan Update At this moment, Hulk Hogan has not signed but many are confident that he will. Also, he is not expected to wrestle as they company feels that they he will not be able to pass the medical tests required for him to perform. Credit Dave Meltzer, Wrestling Observer Newsletter Batista Making His Return at WrestleMania? In this week's Observer, Meltzer reports that Batista is talked about as "being in great shape and probably coming back." Credit Dave Meltzer, Wrestling Observer Newsletter Latest News on the Roman Reigns Push Here is what Dave Meltzer wrote regarding the Reigns push in this week's Observer: "It’s no great revelation that Reigns is being groomed down the line for one of the top spots on the babyface side with a big push at the Rumble. That said, if anything, the plans right now are even bigger than one would have thought." Credit Dave Meltzer, Wrestling Observer Newsletter WWE.com "Where Are They No...

We recorded an awesome episode with Kevin Kelly tonight. In addition to covering the first half of 2001, Kevin also went into depth on Final Battle, Chris Hero and of course Ring of Honor. http://placetobenation.com/place-to-be-podcast-episode-278-kevin-kelly-2001-part-one/ We also put together a Best of Kevin Kelly at Place to Be Nation piece to commemorate our 1,000th published article: http://placetobenation.com/the-best-of-kevin-kelly-at-place-to-be-nation/ Thanks for sharing with your readers!

The SmarK Rant for WWE NXT – 12.18.13 Taped from Orlando, FL Your hosts are Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton & Tensai. Are they literally drawing names from a hat for these combinations? COOHHH joins us to start, in celebration of the “200 th episode” of NXT. He recaps some of the people who graduated from the system and puts over the fans for making it all a success. So I guess he’s a babyface this week.

A slight delay due to a wrestling match with a bad cold. Still haven't missed a day of work in 2013. But I may have infected everyone else. First, where to find the show in your area: http://www.tcwwrestling.com/tvinfo.shtml Here's the full episode, in case you feel like playing along: From the Vicksburg City Auditorium, in Vicksburg, MS. In the ring are your hosts Matt Rhodes and Brian Thompson. They run down this week's show.

I wrote my first column for the site. It is a cool site that features talented writers. If you're one of those people who likes going to websites just to read columns, this is a good place for you.  In my next column, I'll be sure to plug this site as well, to start a cross-promotion sort of thing.

I'm not sure what I enjoy more about this match. The action, which is terrific, the fact that Earl Hebner is the referee...or just the ridiculous heat that Ricky Morton can generate in a match. If he wasn't a total mess I'd believe he'd have a lot to offer to some of these guys in terms of ring generalship, timing comebacks and just learning how to perfect the underdog role....unfortunately I think he's a total mess. Still doesn't mean I can't enjoy his work from yesteryear. Ric Flair vs. Ricky Morton on NWA Pro in 1985. Enjoy.

Meant to put this up before. Good question with the holidays coming up. From Magoonie: With the Holidays (whatever it is you celebrate) coming up, what was the best gift you ever recieved? Worst gift? Best gift you've given? Maybe this QOTD will help in giving each other ideas.

Shawn Michaels Update According to his sources, Mike Johnson reports that there is an offer for Shawn to wrestle at WrestleMania 30. The belief is that if he does wrestle, it will be against Daniel Bryan and not against CM Punk. Credit Mike Johnson, PWInsider.com Top Match For WrestleMania Being Discussed As of right now, the plan for CM Punk at WrestleMania is to wrestle HHH Credit Mike Johnson, PWInsider.com Kayfabe Commentaries Announces Release Date for Next Installment of Their Timeline Series 1993 WCW as told by Vader will be released on February 4th http://kayfabecommentaries.com/ WWE Releases Developmental Talent Kevin Nikels, who wrestled in NXT as Knuckles Madsen, was released. He had been with the company for little over a year. Credit Mike Johnson, PWInsider.com

http://movies.yahoo.com/blogs/movie-news/paul-walker-fast-furious-stars-lead-forbes-top-180937252.html Thought you might be interested in seeing this. Local boy makes good! To be fair, Rock was piggybacking off the Fast and Furious franchise for that total, whereas Robert Downey is carrying the Iron Man movies on his back and is clearly the draw there.   Either way, that's why we're not getting Rock in his annual part time Wrestlemania match.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWVqJNIUgJ0&list=WL430F7777971FC23C Not my MOTY, but it's on my list. It is Alvarez' MOTY I believe, for those who care. I'm not saying people should watch the whole match (assuming people are busy and have jobs, families, etc.) Just watch the last 5 minutes of the video, just the last 5 minutes if you're busy. That crowd makes noises you can't pay for, you have to WORK for it.. And how about that announce team~?! That announce team LETS ME KNOW that this is the best thing ever. I bet Tanahashi wins Wrestler of the Year for the third straight time.  And can you bet against him this year?  Not me.  

Had a chilling thought. What if WWE ends up being right in the way they booked Daniel Bryan this past summer? Well, maybe it's more of a wrong that has turned into a right. I can't help but reflect on the overtly positive reaction Bryan has been getting from recent crowds. From the hijacking of the Ascension Ceremony to the fever pitch during last night's main event. The fans are just ravenous for Bryan to win that title. Yes, I know it's more in spite of the booking than anything else, but I remember reading a report that creative was satisfied with Bryan's title chase with Orton. That he's a main eventer now and he could go on and build up the Wyatts while Big Show feuded with Orton/HHH. Seemed like a demotion, a rug pulled out but that was the report as it read. But here we are an the fans are the thousands of elephants in the room, chanting for the guy they want to see win. Do I think they expected this much outpouring of Bryan suppor...

Hi Scott, Since you're the go-to for wrestling-related plugs, wondering if you'd help a longtime reader out.... Selling a portion of my wrestling tape collection on Ebay....nothing too esoteric, but it could be a fit for a beginning collector. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=221338921017&ssPageName=ADME:L:LCA:US:1123 Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Darryl

Monday Nitro #147 Date: July 27, 1998 Location: Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas Attendance: 19,109 Commentators: Larry Zbyszko, Tony Schiavone, Mike Tenay, Bobby Heenan Reviewed by Tommy Hall We're getting closer to Road Wild and nothing has been announced as of yet. It's clear that Jay Leno is going to be involved in some way, even if the fans don't seem that thrilled by the idea. Unfortunately that means we're probably going to see another NWO talk show because wasting ten minutes of their only major TV show of the week on a segment to set up a match with a talk show host is fine in WCW. It may have made money at Road Wild, but it's making for some very dull television. Let's get to it.

The SmarK RAW Rant – 12.16.13 My new article is up on WhatCulture: 10 Reasons Why The PG Era Isn’t The Problem. Share it on Facebook and Twitter and all the other stuff the kids are into these days! Not gonna beat around the bush here, these things are indirectly driving mad traffic to the blog and it’s thanks to the great support I’m getting from my readership. So thanks, guys! Live from somewhere below the threshold that warrants a mention. I think it’s Dallas, which makes it weirder. Your hosts are Michael Cole, JBL & Jerry Lawler