The Wrestling Reporters: WRESTLING NEWS & REPORTS BY 'PROFESSOR' MATT BURNS

WRESTLING NEWS & REPORTS

This is 'Professor' Matt Burns with some professional wrestling news & reports to share with you.

Some sad news to share. Quentin Latrell Washington aka Latrell Smooth died on January 20, 2012 in Baltimore, MD after suffering a fatal injury during a training session at the wrestling training facility of former WWE wrestler Duane "Gillberg" Gill. According to sources Quentin Washington was a new trainee at the training academy. He apparently was in the middle of training when he fell and hit his head. Apparently it was a routine bump that resulted in his injury. Authorities said that there were no indications of foul play or any suspicious circumstances connected to this tragic accident. This is a reminder on just how dangerous wrestling can be and how the men and women who train and participate in this sport are taking their lives in their very hands to entertain wrestling fans all over the world....

If you watched the Royal Rumble this past Sunday there were a few surprises for you. The return of The Great Khali as well as Mick Foley, Hacksaw Jim Duggan, Jerry Lawler, 'Road Dogg" Jesse James, Booker T, Michael Cole and Kharma made the Royal Rumble main event interesting. Personally, I think WWE was trying to capture lightning in the bottle again after last years 40 man Royal Rumble saw the return of Kevin Nash and Booker T, who both got tremendous positive reaction when they returned to the WWE. The best match, in my opinion was Dolph Zigler/CM Punk with the triple threat cage match between Bryant/Big Show/Mark Henry as a close second. After that there is really not much more I can say, other than I am glad that I did not have to pay the PPV price to watch it [The Hooters near me showed the Royal Rumble and for the price of some delicious wings, beer and beautiful waitresses]. I have stopped trying to figure out why Vince McMahon and the brain trust at WWE do what they do. I am convinced that when they say "WWE Universe" they are truly in their own universe....

Speaking of WWE Monday RAW, of course everyone knew that the night after the Royal Rumble, the second to the last PPV before Wrestlemania, that The Undertaker and Triple H would begin the road to "Stop the Streak" with Triple H/Undertaker rematch from last year's Wrestlemania. To me it looked like The Undertaker was a bit off in his appearance and the way he stepped into the ring. He has been out of action since last year's Wrestlemania so there has to be an amount of ring rust. Personally, I think this will be Undertaker's last Wrestlemania and do not be surprised if the Streak remains unbroken. I find the personality change in Daniel Bryant interesting though I am not appreciating his apparent cowardice and opportunistic ways that he is maintaining his title. I am still enjoying Brodis Clay but the time will come when we will want to see more from the Funkasaurus. I think that people are watching WWE programming out of pure absolute habit. Very rarely does the WWE put on anything worth watching. But like a bad car accident or train wreck, I can't look away...

WWE NETWORK...is looking like a Fall 2012 launch. Is the world ready for WWE programming all day, all the time? What's next? WWE Radio? There is already WWE Films and WWE is teaming up with You Tube. I have said it before the WWE is 'boutique' wrestling for the elite and fashionable, for the celebrities and movie stars come to be seen and rub elbows with WWE superstars.

TNA/IMPACT WRESTLING has been across the big pond to merry ol' England. There are reports that Hulk Hogan was in action in England. TNA has been pushing this England trip all over Twitter and TNA President, Dixie Carter, seems very pleased with everything. Though I am still a fan of TNA's product [at least they aren't rated PG for TV] I would love and still long for the days of TNA before Hogan, before Bischoff. TNA does have some tremendous talent on it's roster and that talent should be showcased. It was great to see the return of Alex Shelley. I am intrigued by TNA's backing of Ring Ka King, which is an wrestling promotion in India. I have heard that the talent roster of Ring Ka King, which translates literally as King of the Ring, includes Chavo Guerrero jr, Sonjay Dutt, Scott Steiner, "Nunzio", "Trevor Murdoch" and Luke Gallows to name a few. I will say that TNA...sorry Impact Wrestling...is working hard on their overseas market...

Upcoming events for the month of February:

Pro Wrestling eXpress returns to The Wrestleplex on Saturday, February 4th with a 7:30pm belltime located at 2125 Beacon Street, McKeesport, PA 15132. Doors Open at 7pm!

OSCW's first show of 2012.......Mark your calendars!

"February Feud"
Sunday, February 26th
Hanahan Recreation Complex Gym
3100 Mabeline Rd. Hanahan SC
(behind Trident Tech off Rivers Ave. & next to Hanahan Elementary)
Bell Time 6pm (doors open 5pm)