#WORLD CLASS CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTING

[sketchy--doodles]

ok, last of the reference sheets for now. Here are some of the student athletes at Rose beach High. Experimented with shape language here.

left to right:

Leopold Lez: he/him 18 straight toon leopard

Leopold is a repurposed character I made back in 2016. He is a friend to Forrester and the other guys within his friend circle. Leopold is the captain of the bowling team and constantly wears bowling shirts. He convinces Forrester, Charles, and Virgil to do bowling nights with him, which they usually do, even when they don't want to. Leopold is just a jolly dude and makes the whole room happy. Has a habit of not letting go of the bowling ball and rolling with it (toon logic hehe), but its allowed in the toon world, and it wins the school many championships so it's ok. Leopold is the boyfriend of Sandra. Often gets told that he's not good enough or too fat for Sandra, but easily ignores it. He kinda looks like a combo of a Beach Boy and Ken from Barbie

Sandra Speeders: she/her 18 straight toon cheetah

she's a runner she's a track star

jkjk

ok so Sandra is the track team captain. I mean, she's a cheetah, it's so obvious. I made her back in 2010 and she is one of my oldest characters ever in use. Sandra is very competitive, but can be very subtle about it. She tries hard to keep her track speed records, even when she is still the fastest toon in the school by far. Others find her kinda odd for wanting to practice all day, when there is little to no competition for the records. Sandra sees competition from Deidra. She knows that Deidra is sporty and is always very wary of and internally competes with her. Is dating Leopold Lez. Her friends think it is odd that an athletic girl like her would date a portly dude such as Leopold, but she doesn't care because he makes her feel happy. She is also very intelligent and has good grades because she also internally competes with classmates in other classes.

Deerslayer Roman: he/him 18 straight toon italian greyhound 

ok, so this guy I based on someone from my high school. I also thought that it would be funny if the captain of the wrestling team was some lanky greyhound. As for his name, I chose Deerslayer because I was looking through a list of common names given to dogs during the Roman Empire and it was the most striking one. And his last name is Roman because greyhounds were a very common dog during the Roman Empire. 

Deerslayer is a gym bro. He is constantly in the gym when he's not in class. Even when in class, he brings a jug of water that he uses in the gym around. Deerslay thinks that lifting and wresting would make him become an alpha male, but others think he tries way too hard and is often perceived as the opposite. There is a rumor at rose beach high saying that Deerslayer lifted weights too much, that it stunted his growth. Now, is that true, idk. He is actually a goos wrestler though. Usually, it is unexpected how good he is because the other teams can't imagine a lanky greyhound being so powerful. He tries to use his wrestling prowess to attract girls, but he comes across as creepy more.

PLEASE REBLOG! IT HELPS A LOT!

[novumtimes]

India wrestling star Vinesh Phogat disqualified before gold medal bout after failing to make weight

India women’s wrestler Vinesh Phogat has been disqualified from the 50-kilogram wrestling final at the Paris Olympics after failing to make weight Wednesday, creating a ripple effect on the medal matches and resulting in some forced adjustments by organizers. Phogat defeated Cuba’s Yusneylis Guzman Lopez in the semifinals Tuesday, but her disqualification pushed Guzman Lopez into the gold medal match Wednesday night. Phogat had gotten off to a great start at the Paris Games, stunning four-time world and defending Olympic champion Yui Susaki of Japan in her first match on Tuesday. She eventually won her first three matches to earn a spot in the 50-kilogram final. But that is not going to happen. Team India announced on social media Wednesday that Phogat is out. “It is with regret that the Indian contingent shares news of the disqualification of Vinesh Phogat from the Women’s Wrestling 50kg class. Despite the best efforts by the team through the night, she weighed in a few grams over 50kg this morning,” the announcement said. Vinesh Phogat of India gestures after winning the match against Yusneylis Guzman Lopez of Cuba on August 06, 2024 in the Women’s Freestyle 50kg Semifinal at the Paris Olympics. Kim Kyung-Hoon / REUTERS Phogat had been seemingly unbeatable on the mat. After beating top-seeded Susaki – who captured gold at the Tokyo Olympics without conceding a point – she then won her quarterfinal match against Ukraine’s Oksana Livach 7-5 and her semifinal against Guzman Lopez 5-0 to become the first Indian woman to reach an Olympic final. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to social media Wednesday to express his support for Phogat. calling her “a champion among champions.” “You are India’s pride and an inspiration for each and every Indian,” Modi wrote. “Today’s setback hurts. I wish words could express the sense of despair that I am experiencing. At the same time, I know that you epitomise resilience. It has always been your nature to take challenges head on. Come back stronger! We are all rooting for you.” Who will fight in the gold medal match? Phogat’s disqualification eliminates her from competition and moves Guzman Lopez into the final against American Sarah Hildebrandt, who defeated Mongolia’s Otgonjargal Dolgorjav 5-0 in the other semifinal. According to her Team USA bio, the 30-year-old Hildebrandt is a two-time Olympian who won a bronze medal at the Tokyo Games. What happens in the bronze medal match? There are two bronze medals awarded in each wresting weight classes. Phogat’s disqualification created a domino effect. Susaki, who lost to Phogat, had earned a spot in the repechage against Livach, with one needing to earn a spot in a bronze medal match. The Phogat-Livach match has been elevated to one of the two bronze medal matches. The other bronze match will match China’s Feng Ziqi and Dolgorjav – a pairing that was not impacted by Phogat’s disqualification. Has Phogat previously failed to make weight? It’s unclear if Phogat has ever been disqualified for not making weight. She had never placed higher than ninth at the Olympics or third at a world championship event before this impressive performance at the Paris Games. Why is Phogat so well known in India? In 2023, Phogat and other female wrestlers were detained by police in India’s capital city of New Delhi after they marched on parliament following allegations of sexual misconduct by people within the sport, including Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the president of the Wrestling Federation of India. Sanjay Kumar Singh later replaced him in the position. Source link via The Novum Times

[hall-of-fame-guy]

WWE Hall of Fame class of 1995

WWE Hall of Fame Class of 1995 was held on 24 June, 1995 and was part of KOTR 95 weekend. As the HOF class in the 90s has no headliner, Antonio Rocca is the first inductee for the class of 95.

Rocca started his wresting career in the US during the late 1940s in Texas and he was trained by wrestling legend, the late Stanislaus Zbyszko

Rocca wrestle for the late hall of famer, Toots Mondt in MSG on 1949. Rocca formed a tag team with the late Miguel Perez in 1957 and won the NWA World Tag Team Championship.

Rocca worked for the late wrestling promoter, Jack Pfefer in 1959 and 1960. He later team with Bruno Sammartino but they didn't sell out MSG and they spit up and feuded with each other, hoping to improve business in MSG but didn't.

Rocca was pushed down the card in the WWWF when Buddy Rogers became the first WWE Champion, he left and went to set up another wrestling promotion and was supported by Jim Crockett.

Apart from being a wrestler, he also worked as a referee in Japan during the late 1960s and early 1970s where he referees several matches in Japan Pro Wrestling Association ( JWA). Rocca followed Inoki to NJPW in 1972.

Rocca joined the World Wrestling Council ( WWC) in Puerto Rico on 1973. He later team up with Vince McMahon in commentary for WWWF weekly tv and WWF Championship Wrestling in the mid 70s.

Rocca left the WWF in 1976 and later won the WWC North American Tag Team Titles with his long time tag partner Miguel Perez on 11th Sept, 1976

Rocca died on 15th Mar, 1977 at the age of 55 and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as a posthumous inductees in 1995.

Accolade:

First ever NWA/WWWF International Heavyweight Championship

1x and final Northeastern NWA World Tag Team Championship

1x Ohio AWA World Heavyweight Championship

2x NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship

1x WWC North American Tag Team Championship

WWE Hall of Fame class of 1995

[a-dorin]

youth | the zabrak brothers

a/n: i recently got an anon asking about the zabrak brothers in high school and college! so i am going to be answering their question! sorry if i got carried away with the headcanons! enjoy :))

high school 

all three boys weren’t together in high school until maul & feral were freshman, while savage was a sophomore 

they attended an elite private school on dathomir, a costly institution that prepared students for higher education

it was run by the nightsisters, a religious group of women  

so, the boys all had to wear uniforms that consisted of:

grey or black slacks 

polished dress shoes

a black, navy, or burgundy blazer with the school’s logo stitched on the pocket 

a freshly pressed tie 

sometimes, there were “casual” days 

where the boys could wear khakis with a black, navy, or burgundy polo

maul was the one who broke dress code the most

he either refused to wear the tie, always left the top buttons undone, wore his silver chain (”no visible jewelry allowed”), and painted his nails black (”no nail polish allowed on boys”)

as predicted, the brothers got into trouble constantly 

whether it was arriving late to class, cursing, or brawling with one another, the brothers were sent to the dean’s office often 

one time, maul prepared a speech discussing the importance of “knotting in the male zabraki species” (this was a speech performed in chemistry class) and when the teacher suggested he go to the dean’s office, a devilish smirk painted his features

“perhaps you would like to see the knot yourself, mrs. zula?” (mrs. zula was a strict, older, batty nightsister) 

needless to say, maul was the troublemaker of the group, with his main talent consisting of his sharp tongue and quick wit 

savage was your typical athletic type: involved in more than one sport, it was his only extracurricular, he would weight lift in the morning before class started, then practice for hours after school 

savage’s favorite sport was wrestling, and he was quite good at it. he tried saber wielding, but the sport was too technical, too strategic. wrestling is similar, but savage excelled at it due to his perseverance and brute strength

feral was involved in a variety of athletic activities: student council, debate team, scholastic bowl, baking club, peer mentoring, as well as the theatre troupe. he was also an active participant in art club

on the other hand, the only activity maul tended to really enjoy was saber wielding, as he had started the sport at a young age

although all of the boys were involved in different activities, they all actively supported one another

even if savage was sweaty and exhausted from wrestling or track practice, he would swing by the school’s auditorium, making it just in time for the latest fall play or spring musical 

maul always saved a seat for savage 

and the boys always brought a bouquet of flowers for every performance, just for feral

at home wrestling meets, maul would buy a decently sized portion of the bake sale table (which always earned a wide, bright, grin from feral)

savage and feral had a tendency to be the loudest at saber competitions. feral typically brought a freshly painted/drawn sign with a cheesy slogan (maul is number one! or maul will make you bawl!) 

savage and maul were exceptional athletes, earning championship titles

yes, their plaques and photos are still on the walls to this day 

since maul was a saber wielder, he was quite popular with girls. it is such a competitive and grueling sport, so many girls crushed on him 

however, he paid no mind, either just entertaining the flirting or paying no mind to it

which, savage often gave maul shit for 

“the ladies are practically drooling over you”

“i’m not interested in any of them. they just want me for my saber”

even though they were all apart of diverse friend groups, the brothers would always sit by one another at lunch, chatting about their days 

and no matter how horrible of a day they were having, the laughter and smiles couldn’t be contained at the lunch table

there were other little moments too

like all three piling into savage’s beat up honda civic to carpool, early in the morning 

feral and maul would snooze in the car while savage lifted weights before class

or helping one another get ready for homecoming and prom, straightening ties or smoothing out wrinkles in suits (cue feral frantically running around the house in his boxers the morning of prom, steamer in his hand)

the boys never really had girlfriends or boyfriends in high school, they had one another, and that was enough

at savage’s graduation, the twins were emotional, gazing at their older brother with nothing but adoration, eyes glossy with tears

savage was the class of 2005, on his way to mustafar central on a wresting scholarship 

their last summer together as a trio was bittersweet. 

even if maul and savage bickered, feral knew in his heart that it pained maul to see savage go 

when maul received his scholarship offer his senior year, feral engulfed him in a massive hug, while savage hollered on the phone 

at his signing, they were the proudest donning their “mustafar central” gear with pride (savage even came home from the midst of his freshman year to show his support)

feral brought a cookie cake, while savage brought the balloons

tears brimmed maul’s eyes when feral opened the admission letter, and savage was on the phone, eagerly anticipating the news

the whole house shook as yells of joy echoed through it 

even though feral believed that savage wouldn’t be able to make it to his last spring musical (it was beauty and a beast that year) savage was able to make it 

needless to say, feral was very surprised when he emerged from the dressing room, his older brother standing there with a bouquet of flowers

“what can i say? i couldn’t miss it.” 

at the twins’ graduation, savage sat in the bleachers, the camcorder shaky as he bawled (savage was a crybaby that day) 

maul and feral were apart of the class of 2006

 feral on his way to a culinary school in coruscant (his dream school!)

while maul had his scholarship with mustafar central, training to be a professional athlete with a major in exercise science 

college

college was a completely different ballgame for the brothers 

even though they were separated, they messaged one another constantly, whether it was texting (texting was starting to become extremely popular) or through myspace

mustafar central was not a large university, the enrollment about 6,500 students

meanwhile, feral was at a well-known culinary school in the heart of coruscant, where there were about 1,000 students at his college 

often, feral joked that maul and savage were the “country mice” while he was the “city mouse” 

from the beginning, maul was beyond elated by the sheer amount of freedom he was given

he was able to expand his style, go out and party, and the best of all, maul grew as a person

he socialized more, gaining a large social circle 

since savage was a wrestler and maul was a saber wielder, they had completely different schedules

yet, they carpooled together for target or walmart runs 

they ate together in the dining hall when they could 

however, there were mandatory dorm visits, where savage would help maul with the science classes he was struggling with, while maul helped savage with english and social science courses

“how are you a stem major yet cannot use grammar”

“before you go and chastise me, how about we discuss your organic chemistry grade?”

when he could, feral would travel to mustafar, surprising maul or savage at their meets 

maul and savage did the same, popping in at feral’s apartment unannounced, bringing pick-me-ups and other odds and ends

savage would have maul tag along to parties, as savage was actively involved in a frat 

maul had a knack for strategy, so he often was the champion of beer pong, calculating who would be his best partner, along with what angle would give him the best shot 

the best part of college for the brothers though, was the reunion during breaks 

they loved catching up with one another, sneaking in alcohol and sharing all of the stories that came to mind 

their favorite spot was on the rooftop, gazing at the stars 

life in college was good for the zabrak brothers

it was healthy for them, as they all got to explore their individuality even more, but give one another support and love while they found themselves

when feral came out to his brothers at the end of freshman year, maul and savage said nothing, but rather scooped him into their arms, in a massive cuddle pile 

his junior year, maul was gaining traction as a saber wielder, becoming well known across the galaxy 

he was undefeated, reigning victorious over not only obi-wan kenobi, an infamous saber wielder from university of corsucant, but countless others as well 

savage was winning world championships, beginning to train for the galaxy title 

feral was content at his college, earning all sorts of praise, his dream of a bakery becoming more and more of a reality 

although, one fateful evening, their lives were forever changed

*****

tagged:  @sapphicstars​  @maulieber @starflyer-104 @alwayshappysith​ @doobiwankenooku  @magicalkitkat12  @dartheldur  @princessayveke @multifandombtch  @spaghetti-666  @lis-ard  @swimmingsloths @sithmando  @mother-0f-monsters @bonniewinchester @bonesaldente @maidofsionis @bespectacled-bunny @arsonistvoyager @tinalbion @nottodaysatan-8866 @vei-saretti @maybe-your-left @isabewwwa @aki-iko @corrupt-fvcker @ranoutofideas71​

[beingallelite]

-- “Cracker Barrel Clash” Features Darby Allin vs. Joey Janela vs. Jimmy Havoc in Triple Threat Bout --

August 27, 2019 – All Elite Wresting (AEW) today announced that Cracker Barrel Old Country Store has been named Presenting Match Sponsor of the triple threat bout between Darby Allin,  Joey Janela and Jimmy Havoc at the upcoming ALL OUT event in Chicago on Saturday, Aug. 31.

Dubbed the “Cracker Barrel Clash,” the match was sanctioned after the disintegration of the partnership between the three wrestlers following their loss at FIGHT FOR THE FALLEN where the trio teamed up to face Shawn Spears, Sammy Guevara and MJF in a six-man man tag team match. After the bout, the three tag team partners had a disagreement that devolved into a wild backstage brawl until AEW officials intervened. Now, Allin, Havoc and Janela will settle their differences in the ring in the highly anticipated three way match at ALL OUT.

Cracker Barrel’s relationship with AEW spans years as EVP’s Matt and Nick Jackson are “super fans” of the brand. Cracker Barrel has partnered with the duo in the past to create the now iconic “Biscuit Party” caps, and has also sponsored three of their matches. With 660 locations in 45 states, Cracker Barrel frequently hosts AEW wrestlers and their families across the country.

The “Cracker Barrel Clash” marks the first official match sponsorship at an AEW event. The sponsorship includes cross-promotional activities with AEW talent, customized co-branded graphics, in-venue signage and social media activation.

ALL OUT will take place at the Sears Centre Arena on Saturday, Aug. 31. In addition to the “Cracker Barrel Clash,” other featured matches include Chris Jericho vs. Hangman Adam Page for the AEW World Championship, The Young Bucks vs. the Lucha Brothers in the “Escalera de la Muerte” Triple AAA World Tag Team championship, and Cody vs. Shawn Spears. ALL OUT will also feature a 21- woman Casino Battle Royale during the pre-show, with the winner earning a shot at the inaugural AEW Women’s World Championship title on Wednesday, Oct. 2, in Washington, D.C., on AEW’s first weekly show.

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. (Nasdaq: CBRL) shares warm welcomes and friendly service while offering guests quality homestyle food and unique shopping – all at a fair price. By creating a world filled with hospitality and charm through an experience that combines dining and shopping, guests are cared for like family. Established in 1969 in Lebanon, Tenn., Cracker Barrel and its affiliates operate over 660 company-owned Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® locations in 45 states and own the fast-casual Holler and Dash® restaurants. For more information about the company, visit crackerbarrel.com.

All Elite Wrestling AEW is a new professional wrestling promotion headlined by members of The Elite (Cody and Brandi Rhodes, The Young Bucks, Kenny Omega and Hangman Page) and Chris Jericho and Jon Moxley. For the first time in many years, AEW is offering an alternative to mainstream wrestling, with a growing roster of world-class male and female wrestlers who are poised to bring new spirit, freshness and energy to the industry. The inaugural event under the AEW banner was DOUBLE OR NOTHING on May 25 in Las Vegas, followed by FYTER FEST on June 29 in Daytona Beach, FIGHT FOR THE FALLEN on July 13 in Jacksonville, and ALL OUT on August 31 in Chicago. For more info, check out @AEWrestling (Twitter), @AllEliteWrestling (Instagram), /AllEliteWrestling (FB), AllEliteWrestling (YouTube), and additionally, AllEliteWrestling.com.

[angel0news]

Sanamacha Chanu – Indian weightlifter who is living proof of not giving up and achieving success

Sanamacha Chanu (born 1 February 1975) is an Indian weightlifter who competed in the women's 53 kg weight class at the 2004 Summer Olympics. The 46 year old Chanu, is one of the most successful woman weightlifters in the country. She is an Arjuna awardee of the year 2000. She is from Imphal in Manipur state.

Manipur also has a formidable legacy is weightlifting — lifters, especially women, from this tiny state make their presence felt with power-packed medal-winning performances. In Manipur, sports is considered a way of life and community service, not just a hobby, and begins from grassroots levels. Manipur is in the forefront in two decades of consistently churning out weightlifters that are among the best in the world.

Sanamacha Chanu acknowledges that the sports culture of Manipur is one of the main reasons for this. The sport club culture has been a part of Manipur for centuries now. These clubs might not necessarily be dedicated to a single sport. These clubs aren’t associated with any state or national associations. They are only present because of the love of sport and an outlet of activity for young kids. For a Manipuri child, there is an option other than studying and that is to play.

In Manipur, children are afforded the opportunity to decide what sport to play and what sport to pick. By the time they reach their teens, they may not be specialists in a particular sport, but a consistent level of physical activity leads to a far easier transition than most young athletes when moving professionally into a discipline.

As has been the case from the start of this century, a steady stream of women in weightlifting, heading to the farthest corners of globe to compete in the best tournaments on offer, continues to fuel the desire for what is a casual aspect of life, to become the centre-point of their existence. This attitude of the Manipuri people had immensely helped Sanamacha Thingbaijam Chanu on her way to success.

In 2002, Sanamacha Chanu scooped up three gold medals in the women’s 53-kg at the Manchester Commonwealth Games, on par with the exploits of Kunjarani in that edition medal-wise. Sanamacha Thingbaijam Chanu also competed in the women's 53 kg category weightlifting competition on August 15, 2004 during the Athens 2004 Summer Olympic Games at Nikaia Olympic Weightlifting Hall in Athens, Greece. She had also been included in the national contingent for the Busan Asian Games, but could not participate because of an injury.

Sanamacha Chanu became a member of the Central Reserve Police Force in 1996. She set foot in the world wrestling championship after that. She had been a national champion for eleven times in her career. She has also set national records for five times and was also the best weightlifter of the country for three times. Chanu had also been All India Police Meet Champion for five times. She had also participated in the World Weightlifting Police Meet and World Power Lifting Police Meet in 1999. She has been bestowed with the Arjuna Award in 2000 for her contributions in weightlifting to the country.

 She became a champion in the world wrestling championship and set record in the 53-kilogram weight category. She also won three gold medals in the Commonwealth Games held in Tonga region. She retired from international games in 2007 and is working as the coach of central weight lifting team from then on.

A remarkable number of sporting champions have emerged from Manipur despite it being a tiny state. Among these success stories, Sanamacha Thingbaijam Chanu is one who played a key role in nurturing Manipur as a hub for women weightlifters. Through her power packed medal winning performances in the international weightlifting arena, she has inspired a generation of Indian sportswomen.

Manipur-based Sanamacha Chanu is one of the most decorated Indian weightlifters. After launching her career in 1992, Thingbaijam Chanu competed in the 53-kilogram weight categories. She became a champion in the world wrestling championship and set record in the 53-kilogram weight category. Being a CRPF member, Sanamacha Thingbaijam Chanu had also been All India Police Meet Champion for five times. She had also participated in the World Weightlifting Police Meet and World Power Lifting Police Meet in 1999.

Sanamacha Chanu became a member of the Central Reserve Police Force in 1996. She set foot in the world wrestling championship after that. She had been a national champion for eleven times in her career. She has also set national records for five times and was also the best weightlifter of the country for three times. She also won three gold medals in the Commonwealth Games held in Tonga region. She retired from international games in 2007. Currently she is working as the coach of central weight lifting team.

[theultimatefan]

Olympians Jordan Burroughs, Ben Askren To Battle For First Time May 6 At Beat the Streets ‘Grapple At The Garden’

Two of the most decorated and well-known recent Olympic wrestlers will square off for the first time as 2012 Gold Medalist Jordan Burroughs takes on 2008 Olympian Ben Askren as part of the 10th annual “Grapple at the Garden” Beat the Streets (BTS) benefit at Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden on May 6. Burroughs, who has competed at numerous past BTS events, will battle Askren, who has parlayed his wresting talents into a strong mixed martial arts career in the UFC and other promotions, at 74kg in the highly-anticipated matchup.

“Grapple at the Garden” supports Beat the Streets, the largest grassroots inner city wrestling program in the United States, serving as both a fundraiser for the organization and to celebrate its athletes as they compete on the biggest stage in the center of the world.

Burroughs, a four-time World freestyle champion (2011, 2014, 2015, 2017), has won eight consecutive BTS benefit matches, downing fellow Olympian Frank Chamizo last year in a thrilling, come-from-behind 8-5 verdict in the main event Supermatch. Burroughs was a three-time All-American at Nebraska, winning two NCAA titles. The Sicklerville, N.J., native also competed at the 2016 Olympics in Rio but did not medal.

Burroughs has the most World gold medals in USA history with four, tied with John Smith, Adeline Gray and Tricia Saunders. His five World and Olympic gold medals trails only Smith, who has six. He also has won two World bronze medals, giving him seven World and Olympic medals in his storied career.

Askren, who went 1-1 but didn’t medal in his lone Olympic appearance, was a four-time NCAA finalist at Missouri, winning the crowns in 2006 and 2007. His MMA career has included wins in  his first 19 matches, most recently at UFC 235 last month. He has fought for several other promotions, primarily One Championship and Bellator, in amassing his perfect record.

Both Burroughs and Askren competed at 74 kg at the Olympic Games. Combined, they represented the USA at this weight class for the last three Olympic Games.

“Jordan Burroughs is a great champion who has been a great supporter of Beat the Streets for years, and Ben Askren has made a name for himself with his outsize talent and personality to match,” said Beat the Streets Executive Director Brendan Buckley. “This is a match that many fans have been hoping for, and we couldn’t be more excited to bring them together in a way that will benefit our BTS kids on what is shaping up to be a huge night of wrestling at Hulu Theater.”

The news follows last week’s first announced main event bout, between New Jersey natives James Green (Willingboro) and Anthony Ashnault (South Plainfield). Additional matchups in the Team USA vs. NCAA Champions main events will be announced in the coming weeks. Those will be preceded by several youth matches, with one previously announced: a battle of local State Champions in Jo Jo Aragona (Pope John XXIII HS/New Jersey) vs. Adam Busiello (Eastport-South Manor HS/New York).

Tickets for the evening’s action are available now via TicketMaster, priced starting at $30 at https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/3B005668AA091B69. A variety of donation packages which include “Grapple in the Garden” tickets are also available at https://www.btsny.org/bts-events or by emailing molalde@btsny.org, beginning at $1000. Doors open on May 6 at 5:30 p.m., with the main event starting at 6 p.m.

For the fifth straight year, FloSports will provide live and on-demand coverage on FloWrestling.com.

Beat the Streets, Inc. will invite select members of the 2018 U.S. Men’s Freestyle World Team, which placed second in the 2018 World Championships and won seven World medals, as well as select top USA women’s wrestlers.

Beat the Streets Benefit competitions, which began in 2010, have since become a major showcase of the best of international wrestling. This unique and electrifying annual event has helped Beat the Streets raise millions of dollars to support local youth wrestling programs which empower young people in New York City.

[torentialtribute]

The incredible story of Lauda’s racing return days after fiery crash

On September 11, 1976, Niki Lauda raced at the Italian Grand Prix having been involved in a hideous fiery crash just 40 days earlier.

Lauda was permanently scarred by the smash at the Nurburgring, but his remarkable fighting spirit saw him return to Formula One, and later become world champion twice more.

The Daily Mail's Ian Wooldridge was at Monza to watch Lauda's return to the track. Following the great Austrian's death at the age of 70, here is how our writer described the extraordinary events …

Three time Formula One world champion Niki Lauda has died at the age of 70

Original publication date: September 11, 1976

Headline: COURAGE OR MERE MADNESS – Ian Wooldridge watching the incredible man back from the dead at Monza

The rain was smashing vertically into the Monza circuit as the third car out in practice threw up a fantasy of solid water, slewed sideways, spun twice and hit the fence.

Watching unblinkingly from the Ferrari pits not 100 yards distant was Niki Lauda. We expect him, as a world motor racing champion, to remain emotionally unmoved by a minor spill, but there was another reason for his gaunt, unblinking stare. He has virtually no eyelids. They were scorched off 40 days ago.

So was much of his left ear, the top layers of skin on his upper face and all the skin around the right wrist left unprotected by fireproof covering when his last car exploded in a sheet of flame on the sadistic German track at Nurburgring.

They got him out in 43 seconds. Had they been 20, even 15, seconds slower we would be requested to stand here tomorrow afternoon in the letter traditional tribute to a dead motor sports hero.

Instead, if his Formula One engine can match his nerveless ambition, we shall witness him gearing down from around 190 mph on the Monza straights to something like 85 on the most treacherous bends. He will once again be astride what amounts to an incendiary bomb, and changing gear between 1,300 and 1,500 times with a right hand which could easily have been amputated as recently as the same day that the Olympic Games ended in Montreal.

In September 1976, Niki Lauda raced at the Italian Grand Prix after suffering a hideous crash

Is it courage, or madness? Is it bravery, or obsession? Is it one man, aged 27, so unwilling to concede an earthly title that he is prepared to wager life against death when most men would be hiding their desperate injuries in a darkened room in a clinic? And, if so, what's the psychologist's definition for that?

Perhaps our own James Hunt, the driver closest to wresting the world title from Lauda, ​​comes nearest with the explanation. "Niki," he said, not permitting the close camaraderie or the Grand Prix circuit to cloud reality, "is a single-minded chap. If he found you lying on the ground, he would sooner walk over than round you '.

This is the man who will drive the Italian Grand Prix in a flame red Ferrari emitting a sound like a tearing calico. Someone once called him the Red Baron, equating him in outlook with Baron Manfred von Richthofen the First World War ace who refused to camouflage his starlet fighter, so that his mortal combat opponents should always know who they were up against.

The allusion was very perceptive. Lauda, ​​proud, abrupt, formal and scrupulously polite, strikes you as more Prussian than Austrian. Just to the point where he fixes your eyes with his, challenging you to allow your gaze to roam about the terrible facial geography left by first-degree burns and, at the moment, first-operation plastic surgery.

40 days earlier, Lauda had engulfed in a fireball following a smash at the Nurburgring

Lauda was left with permanent scars to his face, but determinedly returned to racing

God willing, Dr. Rudolf Zellner, Germany's leading cosmetic surgeon, will rebuild the featu res about which, at the moment, he has only had time either to lay pink, shiny skin removed from Lauda's left thigh or cover with a skull cap specially constructed to avoid pressure on what remains of the left ear.

Lauda's attitude to his disfigurement is to ignore it. It is his friends in the close knit Ferrari team who are left to protect him from his own apparent indifference.

He flew into Milan by private plane on Thursday, checked into a hotel with good food but no glamor 25 miles from the city and, presumably, expected some peace. In fact, his temporary face stared back at him from the front page of the many Italian newspapers scattered around the bars and restaurants, and his dinner was transformed into a grotesque public peep show.

Word of his presence had spread and they came, in twos and then tens, to gaze for minutes on one man back from the dead. At 9pm, declaring himself utterly relaxed but in a condition for which the modern parlance is extremely uptight, Niki Lauda went to bed.

Lauda raced in the pouring rain at Monza, qualifying fifth and finishing the race in fourth

The Austrian went on to win two further world championship titles following his crash "class =" blkBorder img-share "/>

The Austrian went on to win two further world championship titles following his crash

Yesterday it rained so hard across the Plain of Lombardy that Monza practice was suspen ded. It was still pouring when proceedings resumed three hours later, and Lauda lay in his car, pulled the oxygen feed in his helmet, steered left out of the pits, sad gingerly round one lap, and then rammed the accelerator to the floor.

He drove two laps extremely fast, stepped out of the Ferrari and announced to a large audience that he was totally fit and not returning to the track a moment too soon. To an Ealing ratepayer with a mortgage and three kids, and a mild ambition to minimally see 50 if at all possible, it confirmed that such people, if not actually dangerous, are certainly different.

Lauda's obsession with speed started ten years ago when, at 17, he informed his wealthy grandmother that he had crashed a friend's car and would be great trouble if he didn't replace it. This was not strictly true, but it put him on wheels and set him on the course that brings him to Monza this weekend through the very portals of the next world.

Once the doctors pronounced him capable of driving, there was no one to stop him. Marlene, Lauda's wife of four months had no chance.

The Daily Mail's Ian Wooldridge was at Lauda's return to the track

"She doesn't drive the car," Lauda said. 'I do. And we're both fine. " There is no room for argument. "I don't live like other people," Lauda said. 'While I can walk and drive, why lie in a clinic? This is my world.

'I remember nothing about the crash at Nurburgring except the impact. I knew nothing for four days after that, but what I did know when I recovered consciousness was that I had to get better every day, and never slip back. "

Niki Lauda crashed at 180 mph, and just one of the consequences is that for at least the next year he will spend more time under an anesthetic than he will behind the steering wheel of a Grand Prix car.

Several of his closest friends did not share his luck. The fatality statistics of his sport are such that there are others with whom he will not share old age. More than 100,000 Italians will occupy precariously safe positions around this track tomorrow to see him ride again, and what is in their minds me almost as much, as now, as what is passing through his.

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[hall-of-fame-guy]

WWE Hall Of Fame class of 1994

"Classy" Freddie Blassie started his wrestling career in 1935 and served the army during World War 2 before resuming his wrestling career after war where he was billed as "Sailor" Fred Blassie due to his military background. Blassie working for wrestling promoter, Jack Pfefer and later went to wrestle for Jess Mcmahon, the father of the later Vince Mcmahon Sr and grandfather to Vince Mcmahon Jr.

Blassie went to the Los Angeles territory in 1952 before going to the Georgia territory in 1953. After a 7 year run in Georgia Championship Wresting, Blassie returned to Los Angeles territory where he wrestle and became a big star in Worldwide Wrestling Associate ( WWA)

In 1961, Blassie defeats the late wrestling legend Edouard Carpentier for his first WWA World title. He lost the title to the late hall of famer, Rikidozan in 1962 and toured Japan and returned in 1965 and 1968

During that time, he became friends with the late Regis Philbin where he would attend Philbin show.

Blassie would later regain the WWA World title 3 more time in 1962 and 1963 before leaving for the WWWF in 1964.

In the WWWF, he feuded with late hall of famers, Bruno Sammartino over the WWWF Championship and Bobo Brazil.

Blassie would return to WWA in 1968 and by 1970, he turned babyface and returned to the WWF in 1971, once again challenging for the WWF championship with then champion, the late hall of famer, Pedro Morales.

Blassie retired from wrestling in 1974 due to state commission prohibited wrestler wrestling over the age of 55, coupled with his injuries sustained and started becoming a manager.

He managed legends and hall of famer like the late Iron Sheik, Nikolai Volkoff, "High Chief" Peter Maivia, Ray "The Crippler" Stevens, Jesse" The Body" Ventura and many more. Blassie alongside "Captain' Lou Albano and The Grand Wizard was known as the "Three Wise Man of the East"

Blassie famous moment as manager came in 1983 where he managed the late hall of famer Iron Sheik to defeat hall of famer Bob Backlund for the WWF title on Dec 26th, 1983. Blassie was on hand for Wrestlemania 1 where he managed both Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff to win the World Tag Team title from US Express.

Blassie retired from full time managing in 1986 and after his retirement, he still appears on TV from time to time, working on commentary in 1986, 1987, 1989 and 1990. Due to Blassie close relationship with Vince Sr, he was in WWF payroll until he passed away.

Blassie was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 1994 by Regis Philbin and continue to made TV appearance after his induction in 1999, 2000 2001. Blassie made his final WWE TV appearance on May 12th, 2003 where he had the Dudley to get the table when they and Stone Cold came saving him from a beatdown attempt by 3 minute warning. His book was release a day later.

Freddie Blassie passed away on June 2nd, 2003 at the age of 85 with Jim Ross acknowledging his passing on that Raw.

Accolades:

4x WWA World Heavyweight Champion

4x Americas Heavyweight Champion

1x NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion

1x NWA Georgia Heavyweight Champion

WWE Hall of Fame class of 1994

WWE Slammy Award for life time achievement in 1996

NWA Hall of Fame class of 2011

[ultrasfcb-blog]

Champions Cup: Leinster face challenge from Racing & Saracens for 2019 title

Champions Cup: Leinster face challenge from Racing & Saracens for 2019 title

Champions Cup: Leinster face challenge from Racing & Saracens for 2019 title

Leinster’s 2018 triumph followed successes in 2009, 2011 and 2012

After finishing bottom of their pool two seasons previously, Leinster completed a remarkable turnaround by lifting the Champions Cup for a record-equalling fourth time in Bilbao in May.

Their defence starts on Friday as they entertain Wasps in this season’s tournament opener.

English champions Saracens, who won the Champions Cup in 2016 and 2017, clearly have the pedigree to challenge for European rugby’s biggest prize again.

Racing 92, defeated finalists last year, now have British and Irish Lions Finn Russell and Simon Zebo among their ranks.

And Exeter and big-spending Montpellier also have big aspirations.

But do any of them have what it takes to wrest the title away from the Pro14 champions?

Jamie Heaslip, who called time on a hugely successful career as Leinster and Ireland number eight in February, joined former Lions, England and Harlequins wing Ugo Monye and BBC rugby union reporter Chris Jones to run the rule over the champions, challengers and ones to watch in this season’s competition.

Who is going to win?

Former England coach Stuart Lancaster has proved a huge hit working under Leo Cullen at Leinster

Jamie: Leinster – The way senior coach Stuart Lancaster has the team playing is a way ahead of some of their rivals. They go up against some teams that are a lot bigger than them physically but move the ball so quickly from the point of contact that the big teams are not able to set their defensive line.

They play and train at such a fast pace, I don’t know if anyone else is doing that. It will be tough but the guys are quite used to that and they will relish it. They will not get cocky or arrogant, they are a really good group with an even better culture.

Ugo: Leinster – They will win their pool and, with a home quarter-final, they are only a couple of games away from being back in the final.

It is a slightly different experience this year with everyone chasing them, but they have too much experience and strength in depth, especially with so many of their players peaking to fight for a place in the Ireland World Cup squad.

Chris: Exeter – Rob Baxter’s men have a tricky pool, but I think they will win it and march on from there. Do they have the firepower and class to conquer Europe for the first time?

Who else are contenders for the title?

A reported wage of £700,000-a-year was part of the package to lure Russell to Racing from Glasgow

Jamie: I am scared of Racing 92. The additions they have made in the summer are strong and they also have Jordan Joseph, who is just 18 and was a monster number eight in France’s World Under-20 Championship win. What they are developing there is exciting.

Ugo: The big question around Saracens is are they able to juggle the Premiership and Champions Cup? After doing the double in 2016, something has given on either the continental or domestic front in each of their last two campaigns.

They have an incredible squad, though, and they’ve made history at the start of the season, becoming the first team to start a Premiership campaign with five straight bonus-point wins.

Racing 92 have started the season well, chalking up some big wins against Castres, Stade Francais and Toulon in the Top 14, and have added to an already decent squad. Simon Zebo is enjoying life in Paris and has scored six tries already.

And Montpellier, with the backing of their owner Mohed Altrad, will be zeroing in on the one trophy they really want. They have always got a chance with Fijian Nemani Nadolo on the wing. They have consistently threatened and, after disappointing pool-stage exits in each of the last two seasons, you feel they might have extra focus this season.

Nadolo finished top of the statistics for metres made (553), defenders beaten (38) and clean breaks (16) in last year’s competition. He and Ospreys’ Dan Evans topped the try-scoring charts with six each

Chris: Given the depth of their squad and their winning experience, Leinster should be clear favourites to repeat last year’s success. Same can be said of Saracens. Both have a high-class playing and coaching staff and will surely progress into the latter stages.

Last year’s beaten finalists Racing 92 will head the French challenge, with previous giants such as Toulon struggling and Clermont not even qualified. Elsewhere, Vern Cotter’s Montpellier have the tools to go all the way.

Ugo’s prediction

Chris’ prediction

Five players to watch

James Lowe (Leinster)

Lowe has played for Maori All Blacks on five occasions, scoring six tries

Jamie: Lowe had a long season after making the switch from the southern hemisphere, but he is coming in fresh and firing this campaign. He will thrive in the free-flowing environment that coach Lancaster is encouraging. He is a big man who can finish. Give him a metre of space and he is going to run straight over you, but he also has the skill to go round you or get the offload away instead.

Leone Nakarawa (Racing 92)

Leone Nakarawa played for Glasgow before making the switch to Racing

Ugo: Nakarawa was named third in a rundown of the world’s 100 best players by Rugby World magazine in February and it was fully deserved. The Fiji lock does things that no other second row on earth can do, improvising basketball-style offloads out of the tackle to keep the defence guessing. He clocked up 22 offloads in last season’s competition, nearly double what anyone else managed. He is an all-round athlete as well, as proved by his gold medal in the Olympic sevens in Rio.

Dan Leavy (Leinster)

Leavy was voted both the fans’ and players’ player of the year for Leinster last season

Chris: Leinster’s relentless accuracy in contact and at the breakdown was central to their success domestically and in Europe last season, with the likes of Leavy and James Ryan leading the way despite their inexperience. Even though they have numerous options in the back row, Leavy will play a huge part in the defence of Leinster’s title.

Romain Ntamack (Toulouse)

Ntamack’s father Emile scored 26 tries in 46 Tests for France

Chris: The 19-year-old Toulouse fly-half is the son of former France star Emile and is part of a crop of insanely talented French youngsters who powered past England on the way to winning the World Under-20 Championship in the summer.

Hadleigh Parkes (Scarlets)

Parkes made his Wales debut in December, scoring two tries in a 24-22 win over South Africa

Chris: Fresh from a breakthrough year, uber-reliable centre Parkes is critical to the Scarlets’ chances of repeating last season’s success, when they reached the semi-finals.

New season, new fans?

Eventual champions New Zealand played Tonga at St James’ Park in the 2015 World Cup

Ugo: The decision to take the final to St James’ Park is brilliant. It was an experiment to go to Bilbao for last year’s and that worked really well.

St James’ Park hosted three games during the Rugby World Cup with more than 50,000 at each, the Falcons played Northampton there in March in front of more than 30,000 and England are heading up there to play Italy in September 2019 as well.

It is an iconic stadium in England and the ticket sales speak volumes, with more than 30,000 already sold. It is great to see rugby broadening its horizons and going to new territories.

Chris: Channel 4’s move into the rugby market means a handful of Champions Cup matches will be broadcast on free-to-air TV this season. This is highly significant given how long the European Cup has been subscription only. The aim is to force the club game – so often in international rugby’s shadow – into the sporting mainstream.

BBC Sport – Rugby Union ultras_FC_Barcelona

ultras FC Barcelona - https://ultrasfcb.com/rugby-union/12706/

#Barcelona

[placetobenation]

As many of you are aware, WWE Network is pretty packed with all sorts of content. And as you may also know, we here at Place to Be Nation love long term, in depth projects. So, as part of this initiative, members of the PTBN Staff are choosing programs at random and after watching each program, they will share their thoughts, notes and recommendations with our readers. So, settle in and enjoy this epic ride through wrestling history!

Clash Of The Champions I Run Time: 114 Minutes

Why Dave  Why???: As I was growing up down here in Australia, the only wrestling I was exposed to was the WWF. Then in 1988, I discovered “Pro Wrestling Illustrated”. The first issues I ever saw were the WrestleMania IV recaps, but the magazine was gushing all over the NWA Clash of Champions card. It was my first exposure to non-WWF wrestling. They said this was an amazing card that stomped all over the action at WrestleMania IV. When I finally got access to the WWE network, it was one of the first cards I sat and watched. The reason this was chosen for the adventure this week was that I was interested to how it held up after all these years, especially as the Place to Be Podcast is in the middle of reviewing 1988 WWF.

Best Segment

So I did some bad things…

Brian Bayless: This show was all about the matches as opposed to the “segments” but if I had to choose I guess the interaction between Jim Cornette and Ken Osmond (Eddie Haskell). It wasn’t great, but better than the interviews that took place on the show and Osmond was a good sport.

Jacob Williams: The chaos that ensued after the Midnight Express match was only rivaled by the match itself.

Calum McDougall: My segment of the night is everything that involved the Midnight Express vs. the Fantastics. You got the sense that these four men hated each other and James E. even got a good amount of licks in I felt the same as the crowd in the arena who were hot throughout, I loved it.

Dave Hall: Jim Cornette whipping the Fantastics. After a great match, we were treated to a post-match brawl, and Cornette whipping Bobby Fulton with a belt. It generated great heat, and added fuel to the fire of this feud after the “Dusty” Finish. Cornette played the part of the furious and crazed manager, while Eaton and Lane kept Rogers at bay. Simple but effective.

Best Match

Really? Us?

Brian Bayless: The Fantastics vs. Midnight Express for the U.S. Tag Team Titles packed an incredible amount of action in a little under ten minutes. The match started off with a wild brawl and the heat was maintained throughout. The finish was weak (somewhat of a theme tonight) but I guess that was how they wanted to keep this feud going.

Jacob Williams: As epic and important as Flair/Sting was, I have to give it to Midnight Express vs The Fantastics by a hair. It was just ten minutes of (total) nonstop action with insane crowd heat. Every single person involved, including Cornette, went full bore.

Calum McDougall: Will I honor one of my correct answers in the recent PTB500 Trivia Contest and pick Rotundo vs Garvin? In a word…no! Sting vs Flair is the best match on a fantastic show. Probably the most famous match of these their rivalry, it was a 45 minute draw that felt less than half that time. What can I say that hasn’t been said before? It was a star making performance that began Sting’s ascent into becoming the franchise of WCW. All the stars!

Dave Hall: With several strong contenders for match of the night, I went with the Midnights vs. the Fantastics. This match was non-stop action from the moment the teams got in the ring. It was fast-paced, great double team moves, outside the ring action, and a strong post-match angle. The “Dusty Finish” was not necessary, but it did not detract from the match.

Most Cringeworthy Moment

Cookookatchoo!

Brian Bayless: “Dr. Death” Steve Williams’ return interview from Japan was horrendous. He tripped all over his words while talking about challenging Ric Flair! Later on in the show when I saw Al Perez’s interview (Perez was not good on the stick and lacked charisma) with Gary Hart as his manager, it was clear that Hart should have been managing Williams and they should have made Williams heel.

Jacob Williams: Dr. Death stumbled through his promo. He kept pausing and skipping like he was malfunctioning.

Calum McDougall: Dr. Death’s interview with Bob Caudle was the most cringeworthy moment on this show – it was painful to watch and listen to. He said a lot of words but didn’t say anything of substance at all! Is he Dusty’s friend? Is he his enemy? I think he challenged Ric Flair but I’m not entirely sure. Why don’t you just use this time to reintroduce him by killing a jobber? You know, what he’s good at!

Dave Hall: After an amazing main event where Flair and Sting tore the house down, we were subjected to a “judges’ decision” in which non-wresting celebrities were used, and one of the “wrestling legends” voted for a draw. You have a judge there to make a decision when one is not achieved in the match. I thought this was really stupid and a waste of time.

Funniest Line/Moment

Any Questions?

Brian Bayless: “Get high on sports, not drugs.” – Bob Caudle’s deadpan delivery while reading off of the poster Nikita Koloff held up during his promo about teaming with Dusty Rhodes for the Crockett Cup.

Jacob Williams: In an incredible heel move, Cornette just blasts the ref with his racket on his way backstage.

Calum McDougall: With two play-by-play guys like Tony and Ross I was hard pressed to find anything that stood out, and I totally switched off when it came to the interviews by Caudle, so my quote of the night is one that I imagine that happened backstage. “I got a great idea baby! Tonight, the American Dream is tag teaming with the Road Warriors. So tonight, daddy, Dusty Rhodes will put on some face paint! For one night only, Dusty Rhodes will be Road Warrior Dream baby!”

Dave Hall: For me the funniest moment of the night was when, early in the event, the commentators were talking about the crowd at this NWA event, and the camera panned to a young fan cheering wildly. Clearly wearing a Jake “The Snake” Roberts t-shirt.

Highlights

The most important mustaches in the history of our sport.

Brian Bayless: The other Tag Team Title match was also a blast with Lex Luger & Barry Windham winning the titles. he main event of Ric Flair vs. Sting for the NWA World Heavyweight Title started off slow but built up well and ended up being a damn good match.

Jacob Williams: I loved the construction of the show. Aside from the lame opener, the show really built well and flowed into the huge main event. The two marquee tag matches were amazing. The crowd was nuclear and made nearly every match seem huge. There were a few slow spots in the main event, but the best moments are what wrestling is all about.

Calum McDougall: Straight out the traps in this show with Tony Schiavone’s majestic mustache, then we move straight to Randy Anderson’s permed mullet – if you meshed the two together you’d get Ross Gellar in a flashback episode of Friends. The post match of the TV Title match is outstanding too, with Precious being my MVP, she was absolutely fantastic. And finally, Dusty Rhodes’ face paint – I like when guys try to blend in with their partners, like Ahmed Johnson at WrestleMania 13 and Kurt Angle at TLC ’17.

Dave Hall: This was a strong card, with several really good matches. The NWA really put on a solid event to counter WrestleMania IV. The Main Event was a coming of age party for Sting, and Flair was at his in-ring best. The Tully/Arn vs Windham/Luger match was very good as well, with a good finish that really popped the crowd. As mentioned the Midnights vs Fantastics was an awesome fast-paced match. I even enjoyed the “unique rules” of the Garvin vs Rotunda match. While it was not a blow-away match, the one count rule made for interesting psychology, which both wrestlers and the commentators played up, and the “round” idea was different. I don’t know that I would want to see such a match again, but I enjoyed the unique way it was done.

Lowlights

Fuck this guy.

Brian Bayless:  Not much to complain about on this show but selling the main event as having judges make a decision in case of a draw then not even having two of the judges give a score while the tie-breaking judge scores it a draw makes you think why even have them to begin with?

Jacob Williams: The opener was very flat, especially compared to the energy of everything else on the show. Really the only lowlight, as I thought the barbed wire match was at least an interesting novelty that didn’t overstay its welcome.

Calum McDougall: Every. Single. Interview. They were all so dull, and I completely zoned out when they came on. The Barbed Wire six man was pretty bad too, whole lot of nothing. And Nikita Koloff with hair, that was a striking visual that I wasn’t expecting, some guys just should stay bald.

Dave Hall: For me the only in-ring lowlight was the Road Warriors/Dusty Rhodes match vs Powers of Pain/Ivan Koloff match. With all six in the ring at once, it looked more like a battle royal, and how can you have a barbed wire match and not use the wire? It looked like all six men were trying to avoid the edge of the ring, and finish as quick as they can. Total waste of time. The other lowlight was the use of “judges in the main event”, three of whom had no business “judging” a wrestling match. And then they could not even make a decision. This should never have been included. I would have just rather we end the match as they did, and then go off the air.

Wild Card BABY!!!

Wildcard!

Best Tidbit #1: At the time there were rumors of Jim Crockett Promotions taking over World Class Championship Wrestling and having Kevin & Kerry Von Erich debut on this show. – BB

Most Monotone: The personality vacuum that is Frances Crockett. Never has someone been on television that seemed less enthused about anything ever. – CM

PSA of the Night: Get high on sports, not drugs! Thanks, Nikita Koloff! – JW

Most Redundant: Jason Hervey and Ken Osmond who were brought in to be judges in the main event… and their opinions were never asked for nor taken into account when deciding the victor of the match. – CM

Who Edited This??: How can you have an interview with Jim Cornette hyping him and the Midnight Express AFTER their match is completed. This interview should have been before the match. This just seemed so out of place. – DH

Best Tidbit #2: According to the Warlord, Dusty Rhodes put him together with the Barbarian and Animal of the Road Warriors came up with the Powers of Pain name. – BB

Final Thoughts

Brian Bayless: After the WWF screwed with Crockett earlier in the year by running the Royal Rumble free on USA opposite of the Bunkhouse Stampede PPV, Crockett returned the favor and ran this opposite of WrestleMania IV. This show was so much better than the PPV and might have been the best free TV special in wrestling history. A show that breezed by and the crowd was pumped the entire night. An awesome offering that all fans should seek out. RATING: 9/10

Jacob Williams: If this had just a little bit more to offer in the early going (like a good opener) this might be 10/10. As it stands, it is still an amazing show with an incredible amount of greatness crammed into two hours that encapsulates why people still hold 80s NWA wrestling so near and dear. RATING: 9/10

Calum McDougall: This show is legendary for a reason. Three out of the five matches were outstanding and the other two could’ve been good had they not been hamstrung a bit by the gimmick. But this show is head and shoulders above WrestleMania IV and the 90 matches it went head to head with. It’s easy to say that this is a one match show, given how memorable Flair vs Sting is, but there’s much more to it than the time limit draw. I cant recommend this enough. RATING: 8/10

Dave Hall: A really good event, which still holds up today. Of the five matches, only one was not any good. Three of the other four matches were outstanding, and the Garvin vs Rotunda match was enjoyable. I can see why it got such praise back in 1988, and I think it still deserves lots of praise today. It could have used a couple of strong interviews to hype some of the matches for people who would have been tuning into NWA for the first time (especially from Flair and Sting), which drops the score a point in my opinion. RATING: 9/10

And we are out! Where will the Network Adventure travel to? Which Coliseum will be conquered next? Which of these assholes will quit the project in an indignant rage??? Find out in TWO WEEKS!

[festpop]

Synergy Global Entertainment and Brew Ha Ha Productions announced the expansion of the acclaimed Sabroso Craft Beer, Taco & Music Festival powered by Gringo Bandito. Additional dates will hit cities such as Sacramento, Denver, Tucson and a few more. The festival is set to take place in April and May 2018 in Southern California. It will return to the astonishing Doheny State Beach starting on Saturday, April 7. Each date of the 5th annual taco and craft beer celebration features a world class music lineup including headliners, The Offspring, Vandals, Street Dogs and many more. Music lineups will vary on select dates throughout in adventure across the west coast. For full music lineup details click here!

Synergy Global Entertainment and Brew Ha Ha Productions

California’s most successful and respected craft beer festival producer, Brew Ha Ha Productions and premier music festival production company Synergy Global Entertainment, produces Sabroso. Most dates will feature craft beer tastings from some of the best breweries in the country. Not only will there be craft beer, the region’s top chefs and restaurants will serve delicious tacos while enjoying Lucha Libre style wrestling, lawn games, contests and more. Due to local alcohol laws and restrictions, the beer tastings will vary by city.

Dexter Holland of The Offspring said, “Tacos and craft beer are two of The Offspring’s favorite things! We’re excited to be bringing Sabroso to new cities in 2018! See you at the shows!”

“Sabroso offers craft beer from some of the best, top-awarded breweries in the nation and pairs them with some of the tastiest tacos in the region. It’s truly an experience unlike anything seen before,” Sabroso co-producer Cameron Collins of Brew Ha Ha Productions said. “The festival will offer everything from savory carne asada and carnitas to delicious fresh fish tacos, and of course, craft beer favorites like IPAs, pale ales, stouts, lagers and more!”

VIP Tastings

VIP early entry tastings will take place from noon – 4:00 P.M. and general admission tastings will start at 1:00 P.M. and end at 4:00 P.M. Those 21+ can sample over 100 craft beers from the finest breweries in the nation. Tastings will feature some of the best local favorites including Avery Brewing, Three Weavers, Seismic Brewing Co., Oskar Blues and many more!

Events

At each festival date, the taco creations will compete for the coveted Sabroso “Best Of Show,” awarded by a panel of highly acclaimed and pre-selected food judges.

Guests are also invited to sample all flavors of Gringo Bandito – Dexter Holland of The Offspring’s top rated hot sauce during the event.

To continue the festivities, Lucha Libre style wrestling stars from across the globe will take the ring fighting for the title of Sabroso Champion. There will be multiple qualifying wresting matches throughout each festival day and one final championship at each show.

Festival Information

Sabroso Craft Beer, Taco & Music Festival powered by Gringo Bandito will run from 1:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M with VIP Entry at Noon. Tickets for all dates go on sale tomorrow, Friday, January 26 at 10:00 A.M. Tickets start at $29.00 in some markets and $39.50 in others. For each ticket purchased, $0.50 will be donated to a charity in the local festival market. Purchase tickets here.

The VIP Lounge and Early Entry Ticket includes festival admission ticket with craft beer tastings, music festival access, and VIP entry lane with one-hour early entry for craft beer tastings. Additionally, there will be a VIP lounge with access to exclusive beer tastings an special taco vendors, VIP bathrooms and VIP commemorative laminate.

*The festival producers encourage attendees to drink responsibly.

Dates

The 2018 Sabroso Craft Beer, Taco & Music Festival powered by Gringo Bandito dates are as follows:

Saturday, April 7 – Dana Point, CA – Doheny State Beach

Sunday, April 8 – Sacramento, CA – Papa Murphy’s Park at Cal Expo

Saturday, April 28 – Denver, CO – Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre

Sunday, April 29 – Albuquerque, NM – Isleta Amphitheater

Saturday, May 5 – Tucson, AZ – Rillito Park Racetrack

Saturday, May 12 – Auburn, WA – White River Amphitheater

Sunday, May 13 – Portland, OR – Portland Meadows

* The Offspring and Pennywise perform at every show. Support lineups vary by city.*

Sponsors

Sponsors for the festival include Gringo Bandito, Avery Brewing, Rockstar Energy Drink, Chronic Tacos, Milagro Tequila, Cosmic Fog and many more.

At last year’s sold out Sabroso Craft Beer, Taco & Music Festival, 8,500 attendees gathered under the California sunshine for an afternoon of complimentary craft beer tasting with over 40 of the best breweries from Southern California, tacos and much more.  Lucha Libre style wrestlers competed throughout the day at the beachside ring, and professional eaters, including world champion Takeru Kobayashi, took to the stage before The Offspring’s performance for the 7th Annual Gringo Bandito Chronic Tacos Challenge. While runner-up Molly Schuyller, European champion Jesse Pynnönen, and others devoured tacos at an astonishing pace. Kobayashi stole the show by downing 159 tacos in 10 minutes; beating his own 2015 record of 144 tacos.

For more on Sabroso Craft Beer, Taco & Music Festival powered by Gringo Bandito visit:

Official Site

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____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

FestPop Staff Writer, Katy Loesch

Sabroso Craft Beer, Taco & Music Festival Is Returning This Spring Synergy Global Entertainment and Brew Ha Ha Productions announced the expansion of the acclaimed Sabroso Craft Beer, Taco & Music Festival powered by Gringo Bandito.

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Champions Cup: Leinster face problem from Racing & Saracens for 2019 title

Champions Cup: Leinster face problem from Racing & Saracens for 2019 title

Champions Cup: Leinster face problem from Racing & Saracens for 2019 title

Leinster’s 2018 triumph adopted successes in 2009, 2011 and 2012

After ending backside of their pool two seasons beforehand, Leinster accomplished a outstanding turnaround by lifting the Champions Cup for a record-equalling fourth time in Bilbao in May.

Their defence begins on Friday as they entertain Wasps on this season’s match opener.

English champions Saracens, who received the Champions Cup in 2016 and 2017, clearly have the pedigree to problem for European rugby’s greatest prize once more.

Racing 92, defeated finalists final 12 months, now have British and Irish Lions Finn Russell and Simon Zebo amongst their ranks.

And Exeter and big-spending Montpellier even have huge aspirations.

However do any of them have what it takes to wrest the title away from the Professional14 champions?

Jamie Heaslip, who called time on a vastly profitable profession as Leinster and Eire quantity eight in February, joined former Lions, England and Harlequins wing Ugo Monye and BBC rugby union reporter Chris Jones to run the rule over the champions, challengers and ones to observe on this season’s competitors.

Who’s going to win?

Former England coach Stuart Lancaster has proved an enormous hit working beneath Leo Cullen at Leinster

Jamie: Leinster – The best way senior coach Stuart Lancaster has the staff enjoying is a method forward of a few of their rivals. They go up in opposition to some groups which can be lots larger than them bodily however transfer the ball so shortly from the purpose of contact that the large groups are usually not capable of set their line of defense.

They play and practice at such a quick tempo, I do not know if anybody else is doing that. It will likely be robust however the guys are fairly used to that and they’re going to relish it. They won’t get cocky or conceited, they’re a extremely good group with a fair higher tradition.

Ugo: Leinster – They’ll win their pool and, with a house quarter-final, they’re solely a few video games away from being again within the last.

It’s a barely completely different expertise this 12 months with everybody chasing them, however they’ve an excessive amount of expertise and power in depth, particularly with so a lot of their gamers peaking to struggle for a spot within the Eire World Cup squad.

Chris: Exeter – Rob Baxter’s males have a difficult pool, however I feel they may win it and march on from there. Have they got the firepower and sophistication to beat Europe for the primary time?

Who else are contenders for the title?

A reported wage of £700,000-a-year was a part of the package deal to lure Russell to Racing from Glasgow

Jamie: I’m afraid of Racing 92. The additions they’ve made in the summertime are robust and so they even have Jordan Joseph, who’s simply 18 and was a monster quantity eight in France’s World Underneath-20 Championship win. What they’re creating there may be thrilling.

Ugo: The massive query round Saracens is are they capable of juggle the Premiership and Champions Cup? After doing the double in 2016, one thing has given on both the continental or home entrance in every of their final two campaigns.

They’ve an unimaginable squad, although, and so they’ve made historical past at the beginning of the season, changing into the primary staff to begin a Premiership campaign with five straight bonus-point wins.

Racing 92 have began the season properly, chalking up some huge wins in opposition to Castres, Stade Francais and Toulon within the Prime 14, and have added to an already first rate squad. Simon Zebo is having fun with life in Paris and has scored six tries already.

And Montpellier, with the backing of their proprietor Mohed Altrad, will probably be zeroing in on the one trophy they actually need. They’ve all the time acquired an opportunity with Fijian Nemani Nadolo on the wing. They’ve persistently threatened and, after disappointing pool-stage exits in every of the final two seasons, you’re feeling they could have additional focus this season.

Nadolo completed prime of the statistics for metres made (553), defenders crushed (38) and clear breaks (16) in final 12 months’s competitors. He and Ospreys’ Dan Evans topped the try-scoring charts with six every

Chris: Given the depth of their squad and their profitable expertise, Leinster ought to be clear favourites to repeat final 12 months’s success. Identical will be mentioned of Saracens. Each have a high-class enjoying and training employees and can absolutely progress into the latter levels.

Final 12 months’s crushed finalists Racing 92 will head the French problem, with earlier giants resembling Toulon struggling and Clermont not even certified. Elsewhere, Vern Cotter’s Montpellier have the instruments to go all the way in which.

Ugo’s prediction

Chris’ prediction

5 gamers to observe

James Lowe (Leinster)

Lowe has performed for Maori All Blacks on 5 events, scoring six tries

Jamie: Lowe had a protracted season after making the swap from the southern hemisphere, however he’s coming in contemporary and firing this marketing campaign. He’ll thrive within the free-flowing atmosphere that coach Lancaster is encouraging. He’s a giant man who can end. Give him a metre of area and he’s going to run straight over you, however he additionally has the talent to go spherical you or get the offload away as a substitute.

Leone Nakarawa (Racing 92)

Leone Nakarawa performed for Glasgow earlier than making the swap to Racing

Ugo: Nakarawa was named third in a rundown of the world’s 100 best players by Rugby World journal in February and it was totally deserved. The Fiji lock does issues that no different second row on earth can do, improvising basketball-style offloads out of the sort out to maintain the defence guessing. He clocked up 22 offloads in final season’s competitors, almost double what anybody else managed. He’s an all-round athlete as properly, as proved by his gold medal within the Olympic sevens in Rio.

Dan Leavy (Leinster)

Leavy was voted each the followers’ and gamers’ participant of the 12 months for Leinster final season

Chris: Leinster’s relentless accuracy involved and on the breakdown was central to their success domestically and in Europe final season, with the likes of Leavy and James Ryan main the way in which regardless of their inexperience. Though they’ve quite a few choices within the again row, Leavy will play an enormous half within the defence of Leinster’s title.

Romain Ntamack (Toulouse)

Ntamack’s father Emile scored 26 tries in 46 Checks for France

Chris: The 19-year-old Toulouse fly-half is the son of former France star Emile and is a part of a crop of insanely proficient French kids who powered previous England on the way in which to profitable the World Underneath-20 Championship in the summertime.

Hadleigh Parkes (Scarlets)

Parkes made his Wales debut in December, scoring two tries in a 24-22 win over South Africa

Chris: Recent from a breakthrough 12 months, uber-reliable centre Parkes is crucial to the Scarlets’ probabilities of repeating final season’s success, once they reached the semi-finals.

New season, new followers?

Eventual champions New Zealand performed Tonga at St James’ Park within the 2015 World Cup

Ugo: The choice to take the ultimate to St James’ Park is sensible. It was an experiment to go to Bilbao for final 12 months’s and that labored very well.

St James’ Park hosted three video games in the course of the Rugby World Cup with greater than 50,000 at every, the Falcons played Northampton there in March in entrance of greater than 30,000 and England are heading up there to play Italy in September 2019 as properly.

It’s an iconic stadium in England and the ticket gross sales communicate volumes, with greater than 30,000 already offered. It’s nice to see rugby broadening its horizons and going to new territories.

Chris: Channel 4’s transfer into the rugby market means a handful of Champions Cup matches will be broadcast on free-to-air TV this season. That is extremely vital given how lengthy the European Cup has been subscription solely. The goal is to pressure the membership recreation – so usually in worldwide rugby’s shadow – into the sporting mainstream.

BBC Sport – Rugby Union ultras_FC_Barcelona

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New Post has been published on Superbike News

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SRC Kawasaki on pole at Le Mans 24 Heures Motos

Team SRC Kawasaki will start from pole position tomorrow (Saturday) at the 24 Heures Motos, ahead of YART Yamaha and BMW-mounted team NRT48. Yamaha Viltaïs Experiences holds on to the lead in the Superstock class, ahead of Team 33 Accessoires Louit Moto and Moto Ain.

Team SRC Kawasaki has picked up pole position at the 41st edition of the 24 Heures Motos, to be flagged off at 3pm tomorrow (Saturday) on the Bugatti circuit in Le Mans. After topping qualifying yesterday, the factory-backed Kawasaki team further improved its performance at the second qualifying session. Julien Da Costa and Freddy Foray were quicker than Randy de Puniet yesterday, but this morning de Puniet wrested back control, clocking the fastest overall qualifying lap (1’36.446). His teammates Mathieu Gines and Jérémy Guarnoni also improved on their best times, even though Guarnoni took two spills towards the tail end of the session.

YART Yamaha picked up 2nd place on the grid. Following a lacklustre first qualifying, the Austrian factory team made a substantial improvement today. Broc Parkes and Marvin Fritz were the only two riders apart from Randy de Puniet to come in under the 1’37 mark. YART Yamaha’s young new Japanese rider Takuya Fujita also shaved nearly 1.5s off his best lap as compared to yesterday.

As a result, YART Yamaha beat factory BMW team NRT48 – which offers fresh proof of its potential each time its riders take to the track – to second spot on the grid. Kenny Foray, Peter Hickman and Lucy Glöckner were all within the same second on their lap. They are definitely serious contenders for the win – and if they did win it would go down in the annals of the championship, as a BMW has never won the 24 Heures Motos.

Other BMWs giving chase Reigning world champion GMT94 Yamaha is 4th on the grid, just ahead of Suzuki Endurance Racing Team and two CBR1000RR-mounted teams: F.C.C. TSR Honda France and Honda Endurance Racing. But another three BMWs are among the Top 10 on the grid and poised to give chase. Team Tecmas BMW placed ahead of Wepol Racing by Penz13 and Mercury Racing. All three squads are made up of fast, experienced riders who will be targeting the podium, like Wepol Racing by Penz13 at the Bol d’Or last September.

Superstock battle in the offing Yamaha Viltaïs Experiences, the winner of last season’s Superstock World Cup, leads the category on the starting grid, ahead of Team 33 Accessoires Louit Moto and Moto Ain. The three teams confirmed their status as favourites but will nevertheless have to reckon with 3ART Moto Team 95, Tati Team Beaujolais Racing and Junior Team Le Mans Sud Suzuki.

Tyres could determine the outcome The tyre manufacturers too are locked in battle. The Top 3 on the grid features two Pirelli-shod teams (SRC Kawasaki and NRT48) and one using Bridgestone tyres (YART Yamaha), ahead of a Dunlop-shod group comprising GMT94 Yamaha, Suzuki Endurance Racing Team and Honda Endurance Racing. Once again, the tyres will be a significant factor in determining who gets the win.

The 60 teams competing in the 2nd round of the FIM EWC will be on the track at 10.25am tomorrow (Saturday) for the warm-up. The 24 Heures Motos will be flagged off at 3pm.

Follow the 24 Heures Motos on the website fimewc.com, via the live timing www.fimewc.com/live-timing, on Facebook, Twitter and the new FIM EWC iOS and Android smartphone app.

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GMT94 Yamaha wins epic victory at the Bol d’Or

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Reigning champion GMT94 Yamaha has won the Bol d’Or for the first time since 2007. The French factory-backed team clinched the victory ahead of Wepol BMW Motorrad Team by Penz13 and Honda Endurance Racing. The latter two teams staged a historic finish, with a duel between Sébastien Gimbert and female rider Lucy Glöckner of Völpker NRT48 Schubert Motors by ERC.

The 81st Bol d’Or will go down in history as the only EWC race in which a female rider waged an unstinting battle for a podium spot with a factory-backed rider. Lucy Glöckner, 27, a familiar face on the IDM (German Superbike championship) circuit, went all out to stop Honda Endurance Racing getting on the podium at the Bol d’Or. 673 laps into the race, Sébastien Gimbert wrested the third place after a suspenseful duel a few minutes from the finish, passing the chequered flag less than a second ahead of Lucy Glöckner.

GMT94 Yamaha gets all the spoils The other headline event of the opening round of the FIM EWC was that the reigning FIM EWC champion started the new season by sweeping to victory. GMT94 Yamaha combined the bonus points awarded at the 8-hour and 16-mark (20 points in all) with the 40 points allocated to the race winner, zooming to the top of the 2017-2018 FIM EWC standings. GMT94 Yamaha’s riders David Checa, Niccolò Canepa and Mike Di Meglio were in the lead practically throughout, and finished 9 laps ahead of the competition despite running out of fuel at one point.

Wepol BMW Motorrad Team by Penz13 got on the second step of the podium after an epic race. Having dropped to the bottom of the standings after a problematic refuelling stop, Markus Reiterberger, Alessandro Polita and Danny Webb climbed back up at speed to ease into the Top 5.

Edge-of-seat fight for the 3rd third step of the podium So Honda Endurance Racing had to fight hard to score third spot on the podium at the tail end of the race. Electronic issues and a faulty alternator had slowed down Grégory Leblanc, Sébastien Gimbert and Yonny Hernández. Völpker NRT48 Schubert Motors by ERC, the team comprising Lucy Glockner, Stefan Kerschbaumer and Jan Bühn, finished 4th, missing the podium by a hair’s breadth. Another S1000RR was in 5th place: IV Racing BMW CSEU’s bike, with riders Karel Hanika, Fabrizio Lai and Julian Mayer.

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F.C.C. TSR Honda France and SERT make a fine showing F.C.C. TSR Honda France started from 3rd position on the grid and wrested the lead from GMT Yamaha on Sunday morning. But at around 11am, a crash dashed the hopes of victory of the Japanese team backed by Bridgestone (and, as of this weekend, by Honda France). Josh Hook, Alan Techer and Freddy Foray finished 6th.

Suzuki Endurance Racing Team was back in top form on the new GSX-R 1000. However, this being the machine’s debut run in a 24-hour race, several mechanical and electronic issues cropped up. Suzuki Endurance Racing Team finished 7th.

A Superstock in 8th place The fastest Superstock squad, Tati Team Beaujolais Racing, picked up a superb 8th place, with riders Julien Enjolras, Julien Pilot and Kevin Denis running a flawless race. 9th past the finish line (2nd in the Superstock class), Team 33 Accessoires Louit Moto (Kawasaki) was three laps behind Tati Team Beaujolais Racing. After a smooth climb back up into the Top 10, Junior Team Le Mans Sud Suzuki was the 3rd Superstock team at the race finish.

29 machines at the finish This edition of the Bol d’Or proved particularly gruelling for both the riders and the machines. Only 29 of the 59 competing teams made it past the chequered flag. More than one team in the lead was forced to withdraw early on in the race. After taking the lead for Kawasaki SRC, Randy de Puniet rode long enough to post the fastest lap of the race (a 1’58.386) before returning to the pits with a broken engine on the ZX 10R #11.

Other favourites too were forced to throw in the towel. YART Yamaha withdrew around 9pm after sliding down to the tail end of the standings following Kohta Nozane’s crash. Team Tecmas BMW featured in the leading pack for quite some time, then had to abandon the track during the night with a broken engine. Team 18 Sapeurs Pompiers was the first to withdraw, 10 laps into the race, with a broken engine. Maco Racing also gave up after the first quarter of the race, followed by multiple withdrawals as the night wore on. Yamaha Viltaïs Experiences, Moto Ain CRT and RAC41 Honda crashed out; Ecurie Chrono Sport, WSB Endurance and Atomic Motosport had engine breakdowns, and Team April Moto Motors Events had electrical and electronic issues.

68,000 spectators watched the 81st edition of the Bol d’Or on the Castellet circuit: a 5% increase over last year.

Opening World Endurance round – Bol d’Or

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Opening World Endurance round - Bol d’Or

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A new FIM EWC season gets underway on 16 and 17 September, with the Bol d’Or on the Paul Ricard circuit in the South of France. This opening round is a crucial one. It is one of the two 24-hour races on the 2017-2018 calendar, offering the winning team a hefty 60 points. It will also be the first battle involving all 59 teams selected from a record 75 applications to compete, with new rider trios harbouring new ambitions.

This year’s edition of the Bol d’Or – the 81st – is set to be an edge-of-seat race. An early round of tests on the Paul Ricard circuit at the end of August offered a glimpse of the new rivalries likely to emerge in the course of both the FIM EWC world championship and the Superstock World Cup. All eyes will be on GMT94 Yamaha. The reigning world champion, which scooped three wins at last season’s five races, will be locked in close-knit competition with rival squads. David Checa, Niccolò Canepa and Mike Di Meglio have to outdo themselves to hold on to the title.

A new machine Suzuki Endurance Racing Team, winner of 15 world titles, will finally be taking to the track with a GSX-R 1000 2017 that is evidently performing beautifully, entrusted to riders Vincent Philippe, Etienne Masson and Gregg Black – the new ace up SERT’s sleeve in their bid to wrest back the FIM EWC title in 2017-2018. They will be one of the cornerstones of this new FIM EWC championship featuring a number of other changes. GMT94 Yamaha will be engaged, like last season, in a fratricidal battle with YART Yamaha, the official factory-backed Austrian team comprising Broc Parkes, Marvin Fritz and Kohta Nozane on the R1. And F.C.C. TSR Honda has made no secret of its ambitions. After placing fourth in the 2016-2017 championship, the Japanese team has signed up for the entire season with an eye on the title, and will be fielding Australian rider Josh Hook together with Frenchmen Alan Techer and Freddy Foray (previously with Honda Endurance Racing).

New riders British official team Honda Endurance Racing has revamped its rider line-up. Endurance specialist Gregory Leblanc will be Sébastien Gimbert’s teammate this season, alongside a first-timer straight from MotoGP and Moto2: Colombian rider Yonny Hernández.

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Veteran EWC squad Bolliger Team Switzerland has also made several changes. The Swiss private team will once again be hot on the heels of the factory teams with riders Roman Stamm, David Perret and Robin Mulhauser. Another team to watch out for is Maco Racing, which placed 6th in the 2016-2017 FIM EWC. Riders Greg Junod, Anthony Dos Santos and Louis Bulle will take to the track at the Bol d’Or on the Slovakian team’s Yamaha.

Just for the win Though they’ll only be competing in two of this season’s races — the Bol d’Or 2017 and the 24 Heures Motos 2018 – two teams will be launching themselves into the fray for the Bol d’Or win. Team SRC Kawasaki is among the favourites, with a rider line-up comprising Mathieu Gines, Randy de Puniet and Fabien Foret, while Team Tecmas BMW is gearing up to do battle at the front end of the race with riders Kenny Foray, Julien Da Costa and Camille Hedelin.

A Superstock clash in the offing A closely-fought Superstock battle is also on the cards. The 2016-2017 World Cup winner Yamaha Viltaïs Experiences will only be racing the Bol d’Or in the Superstock category, after which the team is giving itself all winter to prepare a high-performance EWC machine for the 24 Heures Motos. So the Yamaha #333 will be a serious contender for the Superstock win one last time with riders Axel Maurin, Bastien Mackels and Florian Alt.

The seasoned squads in this class include Tati Team Beaujolais Racing’s French line-up (Julien Enjolras, Julien Pilot and Kevin Denis) and German team Völpker NRT48 (Stefan Kerschbaumer, Jan Bühn and Lucy Glockner). But AM Moto Racing Compétition could well snaffle a surprise victory, not to mention Moto Ain CRT, WSB Endurance and newcomers to the entire season, like Swiss squad Zuff Racing Team, French teams JMA Racing Action Bike and RAC41 Honda, Italy’s No Limits Motor Team and Polish squad Wojcik Racing Team.

In any case, one of the most keenly watched Superstock teams at the Bol d’Or will be the Kawasaki-mounted Ecurie Chrono Sport, with its all-new line-up comprising Louis Rossi, Alexis Masbou and Italian Superbike and Moto3 rider Matteo Ferrari.

The first official tests of the 81st Bol d’Or, the opening round of the 2017-2018 FIM EWC, will start at 9.30am on Thursday 14 September.

Takumi Takahashi to race with the Red Bull Honda World Superbike team at Portimao and Jerez

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