#The Global Wrestling Federation

[ringthedamnbell]

Wrestling With Sin: 481

Brian Damage This is the 481st installment of the ‘Wrestling with Sin‘ series. A group of stories that delves into the darker, underbelly of pro wrestling. Many of the stories involve such subjects as sex, drugs, greed and in some cases even murder! As with every single story in the Sin series, I do not condone or condemn the alleged participants. We simply retell their stories by researching…

[blogofblogofblogs]

Programs for IWA (Independent Wrestlers Association), a short-lived pro wrestling promotion based out of American Legion Post 296 just outside of Mineola, Texas in 1998. I attended most of their shows and believe they lasted from February to May of that year, perhaps just a few weeks further on either side. Audience was about 50-75 for the very first show. By the last show, I was the only person paying full ticket price - the other dozen or so people in the crowd for family members of some of the wrestlers.

The only "name" on the cards was "Hard Body" Calvin Knapp, who had been part of Global Wrestling Federation on the national level years prior when it aired on ESPN. I am fairly certain Mad Dog (aka Mad Dog Billy) was the promoter. No, that is not *THE* Sandman, not even a copycat, just a regular no-gimmick guy using the name. The can of dog food in the first program's main event stipulation was missing its label. They had no in-ring announcer - Mad Dog's wife sat at a table about 20 feet from the ring and did the announcing from there. She wouldn't do it every show, but sometimes would do that thing where she would commentate on the match in progress over the live mic. They had a woman referee for at least a few of their shows, a younger woman who could not stop corpsing during the matches.

If anyone familiar with East Texas-region wrestling recognizes any of the names on these cards beyond Knapp, I would love to find out more about their careers. (Scanned from my personal collection)

[littletroubledgrrrl]

[militarymenrbomb]

U.S. Army Warrior Fitness Team Member

Capt. Brian Harris

Capt. Brian Harris, was born in Edmond, Oklahoma and graduated from Edmond North High School in 2009. He was a member of the high school’s baseball and wrestling teams throughout high school. He enlisted in the Oklahoma Army National Guard in August of 2009 as a firefinder radar operator (13R) in field artillery. While serving in the Guard from 2009 to 2013, Harris attended the University of Oklahoma and actively participated in the Army ROTC program. During this time, he was introduced to functional fitness and began competing at a high level at various competitions around the country. In 2013, Harris commissioned into the Regular Army as a Medical Service Corps officer and that year was selected as one of twenty two medical service officers to attend flight training and be trained as an aeromedical evacuation officer (67J) / UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter pilot.

Harris’ assignment history includes Fort Rucker, Alabama where he attended Army flight school followed by Fort Carson, Colorado as a section leader, platoon leader and staff operations officer for the 2nd General Support Aviation Battalion, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade. During his time with 4th CAB, Harris participated in several full-scale training exercises and served one nine-month deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation’s Freedom Sentinel and Resolute Support providing aeromedical evacuation services across RC-East and RC-North. In 2016, he was named the 4th Infantry Division’s “Junior Officer of the Year” for his efforts both in combat and garrison. After his time in Colorado, Harris returned to Fort Rucker to serve as the operations officer for their Air Ambulance Detachment (110th Aviation Brigade) known as “Flatiron” providing 24/7 crash rescue support to the Aviation Center of Excellence, as well as, routine support to 6th Ranger Training Battalion at Eglin Air Force Base and support to the local civilian population in accordance with the Wiregrass Letter of Agreement.

Harris is a CrossFit Level 2 certified trainer and master fitness trainer (phase 1) and has accumulated more than 700 hours of one-on-one and group coaching time teaching functional fitness methodologies to servicemembers and civilians enabling them to reach their fitness and lifestyle goals. He has competed at the local, regional and national level in functional fitness competitions. Under the old CrossFit season format, Harris was a 2 time regional qualifier and recently represented the United States of America as a member of the national team at the International Federation of Functional Fitness World Championships in Malmo, Sweden (2018).

His awards and decorations include the Air Medal with “C” device, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal with 2 bronze oak leaf clusters, Army Achievement Medal with 3 bronze oak leaf clusters, Meritorious Unit Citation (2-4 GSAB, 4CAB), National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Action Badge, Basic Army Aviator’s Badge, Parachute Badge, and the Air Assault qualification badge.

[wakandamama]

You ain't raise the Federal minimum wage.

You ain't erase student debt

You didn't place rent or interest caps

You didn't protect affirmative action and positions of Diversity and Inclusion at a federal level

You didn't protect our rights as citizens to our personal bodily autonomy

You didn't protect People of Color

You didn't respect and act accordingly to tribal treaties with MULTIPLE Native American tribes.

You allowed the 90% complete erasure of the separation of Church and State violating MILLIONS of citizens religious and cultural freedom rights

You allowed, as defined by both domestic and global law, cruel acts of inhumanity against immigrants, refugees, and minority citizens of this country. At federal, state, and local levels

You allowed those immigrants interment camps to remain

You allowed further millions of Americans to die from a public health crisis

You allowed further degradation of our already fragile and corrupt systems of regulations for the things we need to have in order to survive and provide for our familes

You allowed the continued progress of militarized police brutality and the devaluing of justice

You allowed the economy to turn to absolute shit for anyone not a fucking millionare

You are ACTIVELY FUNDING AND BACK MULTIPLE GENOCIDE THAT AMERICAN PEOPLE DO NOT FUCKING WANT TO DO!!!

You are ACTIVELY ALLOWING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF DOMESTIC MILITARIZED FASCISM AGAINST AMERICAN CITIZENS

You are ACTIVELY ALLOWING THE POWER OF VOTING TO BE RENDERED NEAR NULL AND VOID BY IGNORING AND NOT FEDERAL BANNING ACTS OF GERRYMANDERING

You are ACTIVELY AVOIDING THE REASONABLE MEASURES THAT NEED TO HAPPEN AT A NATIONAL LEVEL TO PREVENT OUR PLANT FROM BEING UNHABITABLE IN 40 YEARS

Every campaign promise you declared, has failed. Spectacularly and Exponentially, fallen on your face, failed to accomplish. To the point you have grossly lied and coved up most of atrocities and violations of citizens rights, then have the nerve to gaslight the nation as evidence is live streamed to us.

This statement covers more than either of those two old white privilege fucks about to thumb wrestle over whose turn is it to helm the final stage of America's fascism. This about all the politicians in Congress, in State Houses, in Mayors Office, who fill their pockets, lie, and sell out the citizens that trusted them to do the right thing. To actually want to improve our nation and communities for the longevity of our nation.

And for any blue or red coated muthafucka wearing the white glazed goggles of white supremacy wants to argue me bout "lesser of two evil" as the Black ass and Indigenous ass daughter of a man who march in the Million Man March and has been protesting since shes was 11 please fuck all the way off.

[cloobert]

The Steroid Olympics

There's been some talk floating around online lately about The Enhanced Games, including an episode of the Trashfuture podcast I'd certainly recommend.

I've become fascinated--not because I'm a right-wing tech-and-immortality fetishist, but rather because of the specific and insidious way the project uses progressive language to hide its true nature. It's evil in a fascinating and specific way that leans on progressive language to do its dirty deeds.

First, I should explain the project. "What if the Olympics let every athlete do as many steroids as they want?" is the basic pitch. Going deeper, it's part of a certain subset of global capital's fascination with what's called here Human Enhancement: the search for immortality and transcendent physical power. It's also, importantly, a project trying to justify itself and in doing so get rid of the stigma around steroid use in sports (notably not the stigma around steroid use in, you know, HRT.) Also it's a for-profit project co-founded by a pharmaceutical CEO whose companies specialize in Human Enhancement fare.

Look at the tiles on the website:

Pay the athletes. Science is real. Enhanced inclusive language. We'll absolutely look deeper, but there's already a very present sense of what a good friend of mind called crypsis.

There's an almost convincing facsimile of progressive language here. But the tiger is lurking in the grass.

Let's enter some of these tiles. See how a camouflaged predator works.

This is immediately insidious. There's a rhetorical conflation between antivaxxers and anyone who opposes to doping here. And remember, this organization is selling the fantasy of "what if athletes juice so hard they were superhuman."

And then we get into the sloppy propaganda-history. It's a lineage more wrenched into place than discovered, and that makes no distinction between war, bloodsport, and sport in a more modern sense.

Bufotenin (not bufotein) is the DMT-anolouge you get from licking toads. Perhaps not the same, conceptually, as anabolic steroid use.

Moving on from the bad history, we have this:

Cherry picking science, in addition to simple lies. Remember, this is The Steroid Olympics. "When used properly" is mutually exclusive with "this is a sports body that gives prizes for every world record you set", right? No matter how much this talks about safety, the basic structure is unsafe for players. And to be clear, steroid abuse of the sort these games are about is *extremely* bad for you. Ringmaster: Vince McMahon and the Unmaking of America by Abraham Josephine Riesman, the excellent history of Vince McMahon and the Word Wrestling Federation, spends many a word on the awful ramifications of widespread steroid use in the WWF. Use of the kind that's necessary to become "superhuman" in the way this site sells is tremendously dangerous, and the site cherry picks research to hide this.

However, this part isn't the most egregious.

The crypsis, the hiding in the grass, becomes central in the Enhanced Inclusive Language portion.

This is the kind of thing that would go viral on here maybe 10 years ago. A single deprecated theory on etymology being sold as the primary one to create a specific narrative. The word "dope" does, in fact, come from the Dutch. However, per the Wall Street Journal:

Notice also the "black athletes are disproportionately accused of doping." This is, by all accounts, true. But the issue there is pretty clearly not that doping is illegal. It's racism. And racism that would not be addressed by changing the language around doping.

This will continue in the next post:

[earth-93]

BRIGADE FILES: UNUS THE UNTOUCHABLE

Stars & Stripes Hotline [Version 1.13]

C: \login\BuddyHolly

C:\Users\mini\BrigadeFiles\Xmen

Directory of C: \BrigadeFiles\Xmen

04/27/2006 10:19 AM Total Files Listed: 15 File(s) 168,248 bytes

Directory of C:\BrigadeFiles\Xmen\UNUSCIONE_ANGELO.txt

[file data =

Main Alias/Moniker: Unus the Untouchable

Legal Name: Angelo Unuscione

Other Aliases: Gunther Bain

Date of Birth: November 8th, 1968 (Age: 36)

Status: Alive

Species: Mutant

Sex: Male

Gender: Cisgender

Height/Weight: 6′1″ (1.85 m) / 220 lbs (99.79 kg)

Hair/Eye Color: Black / Blue

Timeline (1968 - 1987): Angelo was born in Milan, but primarily grew up in Caracas. His family fled the political violence in Italy at the time of Angelo's birth and resumed their careers as artists in Venezuela. Angelo was apparently not as deft with a pencil or paintbrush as his parents or siblings, which made him the black sheep of the family. He instead sought to continue the family tradition of the arts through an acting career, and through those pursuits took up bodybuilding and wrestling.

The Unusciones lived comfortably across Angelo's childhood, but were among those affected Venezuela's economic collapse in the 1980's. This is most likely when Angelo's fixation on material wealth in his youth first came about, as did his mutant abilities. It stands to reason that Angelo did not understand himself to be a mutant at the time, but even back then superhumans still permeated the global zeitgeist enough that he was able to reconcile suddenly having the ability to generate force fields.

Whatever the case, Angelo most certainly was quick to capitalize on his newfound powers. With his acting talents, formidable physicality and the ability to render himself untouchable, Angelo reasoned that American wrestling was the best venue to showcase his talents and earn the wealth and fame he desired. With Venezuela's situation only worsening through the decade, Angelo had little inclination to stay. With money likely stolen from his parents, he acquired a fake identity and immigration papers forged and fled to the US.

Timeline (1987 - 1992): After stints in various promotions under his fake alias of Gunther Bain, Angelo enlisted in the Midwest-based Ultra Class Wrestling Federation (Now known as the Unlimited Class Wrestling Federation). Through Hank's diligent investigations, we now know that the UCWF (As well as, most presciently, its holding company the Brand Corporation) scouted and pursued performers with observable superhuman traits for high-spectacle matches and tournaments. It was under his contract with the UCWF that Angelo first gained his title of "Unus the Untouchable."

Though he finally gained fame and fortune, he also found an organization eager to exploit him. After numerous arguments with the UCWF'S promotion over his matches, Angelo sought to walk out and bring his celebrity into a different promotion. Curtiss Jackson, the UCWF's owner, overbooked him without his awareness, and his string of no-shows effectively blacklisted him with any other promoter or territory. With both this and the threat to expose his falsified documents, Angelo was consigned to Jackson's whim, and spent the next few years strung along various international matches—which is most certainly where Angelo first caught word of Magneto and the Brotherhood.

Timeline (1992 - 2003): It's unclear how and when Angelo was officially approached by agents of the Brotherhood, but it's safe to say when his recruitment finally occurred Angelo was more than amenable to their agenda. Angelo has heavily credited the Brotherhood and Magneto's revolutionary rhetoric that made him into a better person. Having not only been personally exploited by the UCWF but witnessing many others caught within the same exploitation, Angelo claims to have become disillusioned with his younger drives towards material wealth and found a more noble cause to live his life by. His unique cultural background made him especially attuned to the Brotherhood's anti-nationalist views. Today, Angelo identifies more of a mutant that he does a Venezuelan or Italian.

Angelo was so committed to the Brotherhood that he maintained his celebrity and contract for the UCWF for several more years, acting as a scout and recruiter for other mutants across his travels. Fred Dukes was among those recruits, and Hank was of course was another attempt. Following our intervention of Santo Marco, Angelo finally went off the grid. Our first direct confrontation with him was a few months later when he, Dukes and Toad pretended to be X-Men, terrorizing people and causing property damage to sully our reputation.

That instance in itself ties back into Angelo's inconsistent code of honor. He believes in the cause of the Brotherhood wholeheartedly, and thus views the X-Men as an obstruction to their goals. However, unlike some members Angelo claims to wish no ill will against us, perceiving us more as misguided than betrayers or frauds. Even as the brief leader of the "Factor Three," Angelo repeatedly professed to us he wasn't anything personal.

This "no hard feelings" act was far more credible later that year, when he saved Jean and Hank's life. When they were abducted by the Brotherhood, even Angelo could see how the trial arranged for their crimes against mutantkind were unfairly rigged, and aided Jean and Hank in evading their death sentence and making their getaway. At time of writing, Angelo remains at large, though reports indicate he is among the loyalists of Magneto who have found sanctuary within the island nation of Genosha.

/file data]

[wrestlinghistorywithkay]

22 years ago today , the World Wrestling Federation was changed to World Wrestling Entertainment. It was named the World Wide Wrestling Federation ( WWWF ) after being known as the Capitol Wrestling Corporation ( CWC). This was the name of the promotion in 1953. However , it was renamed the World Wide Wrestling Federation in 1963. Thus, being renamed to the World Wrestling Federation in 1979. The promotion was originally owned by Vincent ‘ Vince ’ J. McMahon , the father of former WWE owner , Vincent ‘ Vince ’ K. McMahon Jr. In 1982 , Vince bought the WWWF from his father and built it into a worldwide entertainment phenomenon.

McMahon’s idea of the WWF being a global phenomenon, Wrestlemania was introduced in 1985. This Pay-Per-View was a cross between professional wrestling and the entertainment industry. This became known as the ‘ Rock & Wrestling Connection’. Celebrities such as Mr.T , Liberace, Muhammad Ali, and Cyndi Lauper all took part in the show.

McMahon had a much bigger challenge in the 1990s. He had a fierce rivalry going with Ted Turner ‘s promotion, World Championship Wrestling ( WCW). This era became known as ‘ The Monday Night Wars ’. McMahon had a strategy to get edgier content out to boost the ratings to defeat WCW ‘s ‘ Monday Nitro ’. This period of WWE was known as ‘ The Attitude Era ’.

In 2002, the WWF was rebranded to WWE after McMahon was sued by the World Wildlife Fund over naming rights. McMahon kept creating ways to keep making WWE the world’s top wrestling promotion.

Nevertheless in 2019, a new wrestling promotion was launched to compete with McMahon’s WWE. This promotion is known as All Elite Wrestling ( AEW). The promotion was started by the owners of the NFL football team, Jacksonville Jaguars , Shahid and Tony Khan along with wrestlers, Matthew and Nicholas Jackson ( The Young Bucks) , Kenny Omega, Cody Rhodes , who would return to WWE in 2022. McMahon’s Son In Law , Paul ‘ Triple H ’ Levesque , and daughter Stephanie , would run WWE alongside him in order to help get ratings up against AEW.

In 2023 , WWE would be taken over by the Endeavor/TKO group. This company also owns the Ultimate Fighting Championship ( UFC). Owner Ari Emmanuel placed Levesque in charge of WWE creative , removing McMahon from the company.

My Final Thoughts:

I know that Vince McMahon has done some terrible things , but, he shaped professional wrestling as we all know it. The history of the sport and company I love and am passionate about is one of the most interesting things to learn about. I hope you all learned a lot from this post. Love you all my dear readers.

- Kay

[blowflyfag]

Pro Wrestling Illustrated : APRIL 1996

close-up: THE KID

Part 2

Transcript Below!!!

At 6’2” and 212 pounds, The Kid hardly looks like the typical professional wrestler … But he isn’t typical: the six year veteran is a high-flying, high-risk, aerial artist who has scored several shocking upsets simply because he’s willing to take chances … Spent most of his early years competing for Minneapolis-based Pro Wrestling America … As The Lightning Kid, he won the PWA light heavyweight title in both 1990 and 1991 … He also held the PWA tag team title (with Jerry Lynn) and the PWA TV title … Moved to texas and won the Global Wrestling Federation junior heavyweight title twice in the second half of ‘91 … Later accepted an offer to wrestle in Japan and battled such superstars as Jushin Liger, El Samurai, Ultimo Dragon, and The Great Muta … Lost most of those matches, but gained valuable experience … arrived in the WWF in April 1993 hardly made a splash … Lost his debut match to Louie Spicolli … Also lost to mid-carders such as Doink the Clown and Mr. Hughes, The Kid scored one of the biggest WWF upsets ever by pinning Razor Ramon on May 17 WWF Monday Night Raw … Kid seemed as shocked as everyone in the building … From that point on, fans called him the 1-2-3 Kid … Also pinned Terry Taylor and Ted DiBiase on several occasions … Just as impressive were two victories over former AWA World Champion Rick Martel … Jerry Lawler started poking fun at him on segments of “King’s Court” … Moved up as high as fourth in the WWF ratings in 1993 … Was pinned by Irwin R. Schyster at SummerSlam ‘93 … Lost by countout to Marty Jannetty in a thrilling match on August 31, 1993, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Kid was injured when he misfired on a daring dive and hit a steel railing. Jannetty helped him back to the dressing room … Went in a slump after suffering a series of embarrassing losses to Doink … Also lost to Bastion Booger because of interference by Johnny Polo … Polo pushed Kid off the top rope, leading to the pin … Helped protect Ramon from an attack by Schyster, Diesel, Adam Bomb, and Martel after Ramon won his first Intercontinental title, on September 17, 1993 … At the 93’ Survivor Series, he teamed with Jannetty, Ramon, and Randy Savage to defeat IRS, Diesel, Martel, and Bomb … Wrestled well, but made one mistake too many and lost a crucial RAW against Shawn Michaels … Michaels twice power-bombed Kid before Ramon came to his rescue … Won his first major title on January 10, 1994, when he and Jannetty teamed to beat The Quebecers for the WWF World tag team title; Kid pinned Jacques following a flying bodypress from the top rope … Lost the belts back to The Quebecers one week later … Kid stunned Jeff Jarrett in the quater-finals of the 1994 King of the Ring tournament, but was piledrived by “Double-J” three times afterward … There was no doubt as to whether Kid would be ready for the semifinals later that evening, but after a bried delay, he came out and lost a tough match to Owen Hart … Owen went on to win King of the Ring … Had a thrilling match with WWF World champion Bret Hart on July 1, 1994. Kid kicked out of several pin attempts, shocked Bret with a spinning savate kick, but erred by trying a dropkick from the top rope. Bret moved out of the way and Kid landed on his back. Bret won by submission to the “sharpshooter” … In a battle of aerial artists on August 15, 1994, Kid won by disqualification over Owen Hart after Jim Neidhart interfered. Owen then locked Kid in a “sharpshooter” for several minutes … Teamed with Ramon, Fatu, Davey Boy Smith, and Sionne to beat Jarrett, Diesel, Neidhart, Owen Hart, and Michaels at the 94’ Survivor Series. The Kid, however, was one of the first wrestlers eliminated … Teamed with newcomer “Man O’ War” Aldo Montoya in matches against The Heavenly Bodies and others … Teamed with Bob “Spark Plugg” Holly to beat Bam Bam Bigekow and Tatanka in a tournament final for the vacant WWF World tag team title at the 95’ Royal Rumble … But glory didn’t last long. One night later in Palmetto, Florida,The Smokin’ Gunns beat The Kid and Holly for the belts …

[christoplack]

Percy Pringle (Paul Bearer) shares a story of how just days before Christmas in 1990, his car was repossessed, and he was on the verge of bankruptcy until a call to Rick Rude changed his fate: "It was four days before Christmas, in Dallas, Texas. World Class Championship Wrestling had closed down a couple of years before, and The USWA was ready to move back to Tennessee to make room for the new Global Wrestling Federation at The Sportatorium. I found myself without a job, and on the verge of bankruptcy. My car had been repossessed, and we didn’t have the money for a Christmas tree, much less presents to put under one. It became painfully hard to look into the eyes of my ten-year old and three-year old sons. I knew in my heart that my wrestling career was over, and it was time to make a drastic change. I called my friend “Ravishing” Rick Rude, who was working for The WWF at the time. I told Rick exactly what was going on in my life, and that I planned on moving back home to Alabama and go back to work in the funeral industry. He was very sympathetic, and asked me not to make any quick decisions. In fact, Rick told me that he would call me back before the end of the day. When we talked again a couple of hours later, he said “Vince wants you to call him at home.” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “Now, let me know what he has to say.” Rick concluded. I immediately fell back onto the sofa, dropping Vince McMahon’s telephone number to the floor. After about twenty minutes, I finally realized that it wasn’t a dream, and gathered the strength to dial Mr. McMahon’s private home number.“Where have you been all these years?” I remember Vince asking me, and after some small talk he told me that he would certainly like to meet with me after the holidays. The conversation still didn’t solve my Christmas problems, but I did have a sleepless night thinking that I may finally make it to “The Fed”. Early the next morning, my phone rang, and it was Mr. McMahon’s right hand man, Pat Patterson. Pat wanted to know if I could catch an early afternoon flight to New York, because Vince wanted to see me sooner than expected. Of course, my answer was positive, and he provided the flight information I needed. Things were happening so quickly, I could hardly digest them. Darkness was falling over the New York skyline as my American Airlines jet made it’s way into John F. Kennedy Airport. As I walked down the jet way, I spotted a well-dressed gentleman holding a card with my name written across it. I identified myself; he took my bag and told me to follow him to my limousine. “Limousine! Hell, I don’t even own a car.” I thought to myself. I actually felt like I was one of the Beverly Hillbillies as the limo driver took me through New York City and into Connecticut. Finally, we arrived at a majestic five-star hotel in Stamford, where I was whisked away to my penthouse suite. I wasn’t in the room five-minutes before my phone rang, and it was Pat Patterson. “Percy, Vince want to see you at 10 o’clock in the morning.” Pat told me, “I’ll pick you up at 9:45. In the meantime, you can eat, drink, and do anything you want to do. Just sign your name, it’s all courtesy of Titan Sports." To say that I was nervous is an understatement. I was scared to death, as I entered Vince McMahon’s office the next morning. Which, by the way, was my wedding anniversary, December 22, 1990. We talked about everything under the sun. It didn’t take long for Vince to make me feel right at home. As he looked over my resume, he began to laugh. I didn’t have a clue what was going on. “You have a degree in Mortuary Science?” Mr. McMahon questioned me, “This is just too much.” Little did I know that they were looking for a manger for The Undertaker, and Vince wasn’t aware that I had a background in Funeral Service, as well as being a wrestling manager. It was a match made in heaven, and when I left Titan Towers, I had a WWF contract in hand. We made it through the holidays; the WWF contract was a suitable anniversary gift for Dianna and myself. I went on the road in January 1991, as The WWF character known as Paul Bearer, managing The Undertaker."

[sports-culture]

Why Football is Not Famous in India

India is a country known for its diverse culture, traditions, and a deep-rooted passion for sports. However, when it comes to football, a sport that enjoys immense global popularity, it hasn’t reached the same level of fame and recognition in India. Several factors contribute to the limited popularity of football in the country.

Cricket Dominance: Cricket has long been the dominant sport in India. The country’s obsession with cricket, driven by historical successes and an unending stream of cricketing idols, has left little room for other sports to flourish. The Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Indian national cricket team’s successes have only cemented cricket’s dominance in the sports landscape.

Lack of Infrastructure: Football requires significant investment in infrastructure, including stadiums, training facilities, and coaching academies. While cricket enjoys a well-developed infrastructure, football in India has struggled with inadequate facilities and poorly-maintained pitches, making it challenging for talent to thrive.

Limited Funding: In comparison to cricket, football in India receives limited funding. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is one of the wealthiest sports bodies globally, while the All India Football Federation (AIFF) faces financial constraints, which affects the development and promotion of the sport.

Scarcity of Role Models: Cricket in India boasts a plethora of iconic figures who serve as role models for aspiring athletes. Football, on the other hand, lacks such figures, which makes it harder for young talent to envision a successful career in the sport.

International Performance: The Indian national football team has struggled on the international stage, which has had a dampening effect on the sport’s popularity. Unlike cricket, where India has excelled in both the One Day and Test formats, football hasn’t experienced similar success, leading to a lack of public interest and investment.

Regional Differences: India’s vast regional diversity plays a role in the varying levels of popularity of football. While some regions, like West Bengal, Kerala, and Goa, have a strong football culture, other parts of the country remain relatively indifferent to the sport.

Lack of Grassroots Development: Grassroots development is crucial for nurturing young talent. Unfortunately, football in India has struggled to establish an effective grassroots system that can identify and develop promising players from a young age.

Lack of Marketing and Promotion: While the Indian Premier League (IPL) has set the gold standard for marketing and promotion, football leagues in India have not been as successful in this regard. A lack of effective promotion has hindered the growth of football as a spectator sport.

Competition from Other Sports: In addition to cricket, India has a thriving kabaddi league and a burgeoning interest in badminton and wrestling, which further reduces football’s share of the sporting audience.

Despite these challenges, there has been some growth in football’s popularity in India in recent years. The Indian Super League (ISL) has brought attention to the sport, and with continued investment, grassroots development, and a growing interest in European leagues, football may eventually see a rise in fame in India. However, it will likely take time and sustained effort to overcome the formidable dominance of cricket and other sporting interests in the country.

Find out a detailed case study on why football is not popular in India by clicking on the link.

[astralbondpro]

Most of my favorite wrestling is before the year 2000. With ECW, and 2000 - 2005 independents being an exception. All Japan Pro Wrestling (1992 - 1999) Extreme Championship Wrestling (1993 - 2001) Joint Promotions / World of Sport (1975 - 1980 something) World Wrestling Federation (1997) (Sans the racism and homophobia)

Those are my favorites, but of course there is so much more to love. So many old territories, so many early 00s independents. Everywhere you looked, you could find something that felt different. Back in the 80s, all most no territory was like the other. In the early 00s, indies tended to have their own crew and a specific booking style, bringing in the BIG INDIE NAMES in only a couple here and there. Unfortunately for me, I now feel like professional wrestling has been too globalized. In a lot of ways, Lucha remains the only true alternative style in the world, to my eyes. Everything now feels so American indie, even Japan. Only they tend to do it so much better. Everything seems overproduced. Televised wrestling all looks the same, and it all feels very... fake to me. I know wrestling is fake, but I want to get lost in it. Then on an indie level, I feel like everyone is overexposed. I see the same people everywhere, and no one seems special. I remember watching IWA Mid-South and getting so excited Christopher Daniels was coming in a couple month. Or Samoa Joe is going to be on a big show, or whatever. Now? Kind of just see anyone good, on any show that can get them. Great for the talent, but bad for my the view. Personally. It all feel exactly the same. Most of all though, no one gives me close to booking that I want. It makes me really sad, but what can you do? Most things you fall in love with will either outgrow you, or you will outgrow it. With wrestling, I feel like it has just evolved into something I can’t get into much, and that’s fine. As long as the business keeps surviving. I got over thirty-five years of fandom out of it, I can’t really complain too badly.

[littletroubledgrrrl]

[blackpeoplekeep]

Presenting The Black Unicorn

In 1965, Broadside Press’s founder, Dudley Randall (1914-2000), with twelve dollars from his paycheck as a librarian in Detroit, established a new company.  The poet, librarian, publisher and editor strove “to bring poetry to the people,” because “poetry is the most effective form of writing.”  Broadside Press also existed to help in creating African-American literature, “ and pride in black literature, therefore, pride in” black people. (1).  

As a Poet

Randall’s poetry, reflecting on love and the black aesthetic, is an inspiration to contemporary readers, in poems such as the “Ballad of Birmingham,” and “Booker T. and W.E.B.,” among many others.

As a Librarian

Randall devoted over twenty-five years of his professional life to working in American libraries at the college and community levels. He served as a librarian at two HBCUs: at Lincoln University during 1952 to 1954; and from 1954 to 1956 at Morgan State University.  He founded the Broadside Press in 1965 while employed with the Wayne County Federated Library System (between 1956 and 1969); and served further at the University of Detroit from 1969 to 1976 as reference librarian and poet-in-residence. 

As a Literary Scholar

In the wake of the Civil Rights Movement, Broadside Press emerged with a range of depth and merit to buttress the flowering renaissance, the Black Arts literary movement. In many unique ways, the press published a complex array of perspectives and various identifications with black culture and black struggle.

Owning his own press permitted Dudley to publish across various literary formats. The namesake product, The Broadside Series poetry, were visually striking and explicitly political; the broadside format combined an accessible literary genre with traditional poems by well recognized and lesser knowns. As such, Broadside was also able to serve as a press in transition:

“[When] Black Arts poetry was contained by an urban linguistic landscape that was dominated by the black male perspective, the emerging literary demands engaged the challenges of the Women’s Movement and connected with global, human struggles with the context of world literature.” (2)  In the creative works of the 1970s, Audre Lorde, a Broadside poet, in particular, claimed this hybrid literary space and infused it with notions challenging Black Arts poetics. “Lorde’s poetry complicated the political and social perspectives of race and gender and disrupted the popular values of nationalist aesthetics; she quickly became a critical and consulted source on black feminist issues and lesbian concerns.” (3)

Over the years, Broadside has printed over 500,000 books: 101 books, 94 broadsides, 5 posters, and 27 tapes and albums of poetry and many of those that he nurtured received the attention and recognition of persons, Nikki Giovanni, Sonia Sanchez and Gwendolyn Brooks, for example, whose productions define and emerged during the Black Aesthetic ‘60s and BAM (1965-1975).

As a result, Randall’s service as a librarian, and creative efforts as a critic, essayist and editor make him the dominant personality in the production and dissemination of Black Arts Movement poetry in the US and beyond.

1.   Randall, Dudley. “Broadside Press: A Personal Chronicle.” The Black Seventies, edited by Floyd B. Barbour, P. Sargent, Boston, 1970, pp. 139–148. An Extending Horizon Book.

2.  Boyd, Melba. Wrestling With The Muse. New York, Columbia University Press, 2003, p. 251.

3.  Ibid, p. 248.

                                   Presenting The Black Unicorn

[latestfeed]

Brief About WWF Championships & Fanbase 

World Wrestling Federation Championships command a varied global fan base, with millions of avid groups tuning in from every corner of the world. From the iconic WWE Championship to the Universal Championship, these titles fascinate audiences with exciting matchups and larger-than-life personas. With a rich history spanning aeras, the WWF Championships continue to unite professional wrestling fans, transcending cultural boundaries and charming audiences with their sight and excitement.

Global Fan Base of WWF Championships

Championship Global Fan Base

WWE Championship - Widely followed with a large fan base

across many regions

Universal Championship - Draws significant viewership,

especially in North America and Europe

Intercontinental Championship - Popular among fans in both

domestic and international markets

United States Championship - Primarily followed by fans in the

United States

Women's Championships (Raw & SmackDown) - Growing fan base

globally, particularly among women's wrestling enthusiasts

Tag Team Championships (Raw & SmackDown) - Attracts fans

interested in tag team wrestling across various regions

What are WWF Championship Belts

WWF Championship belts are prestigious titles awarded to professional wrestlers within the organization. These belts include the WWE Championship, Universal Championship, Intercontinental Championship, United States Championship, Women's Championships (Raw & SmackDown), and Tag Team Championships (Raw & SmackDown). Each belt represents a pinnacle of achievement in professional wrestling, symbolizing excellence and dominance in the ring.

Features of WWF Championship Belts

Prestigious Titles: These titles represent the pinnacle of achievement in professional wrestling within the WWF (World Wrestling Federation) organization.

Unique Designs: Each championship belt features a distinct design, incorporating intricate detailing and symbols relevant to its respective title.

Symbol of Excellence: Awarded to wrestlers who demonstrate exceptional skill, charisma, and dedication to their craft.

Rich History: Each championship belt's lineage traces back decades, with numerous legendary wrestlers holding the title throughout the years.

Coveted by Wrestlers: Aspired to by aspiring wrestlers worldwide, winning a WWF Championship belt is a career-defining achievement.

Main Event Status: Matches for these titles often headline major wrestling events, attracting large audiences and media attention.

Championship Reigns: Wrestlers who hold these titles are known as champions, defending their belts against challengers in high-stakes matches.

Fan Recognition: The WWF Championship belts are instantly recognizable to wrestling fans worldwide, symbolizing the excitement and drama of professional wrestling.

Fans Review About WWF Championship Belts

Sarah M. - Wrestling Enthusiast: "The WWF Championship belts are the ultimate symbols of wrestling excellence. Each belt tells a story, from the epic battles fought over the WWE Championship to the trailblazing moments in the Women's Division. As a fan, owning a replica belt is like holding a piece of wrestling history."

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FAQs

What are WWF Championship belts?

WWF Championship belts are prestigious titles awarded to professional wrestlers within the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) organization. They represent the highest achievement in the sport.

How many types of WWF Championship belts are there?

There are several types of WWF Championship belts, including the WWE Championship, Universal Championship, Intercontinental Championship, United States Championship, Women's Championships (Raw & SmackDown), and Tag Team Championships (Raw & SmackDown).

What do the WWF Championship belts symbolize?

These belts symbolize excellence, achievement, and dominance in professional wrestling. Wrestlers and fans alike coveted them as symbols of prestige and accomplishment.

Can fans purchase replica WWF Championship belts?

Yes, fans can purchase replica WWF Championship belts, officially licensed by the WWE. These replicas allow fans to own a piece of wrestling history and display their passion for the sport.

How often do wrestlers compete for WWF Championship belts?

Wrestlers regularly compete for WWF Championship belts, with title matches often headlining major wrestling events. The frequency of title matches varies depending on storylines and booking decisions by the promotion.