AS I SEE IT 4/27: Doing good with wrestling...again

AS I SEE IT
Bob Magee
Pro Wrestling: Between the Sheets
PWBTS.com

Plug city this week. First, news on a benefit show benefitting a friend of mine, Ken Sikes, known in CZW circles as "The Bloodhound":

CZW and MBA to team up to honor the CZW "Bloodhound" as part of a May 9th Doubleheader

When a member of the CZW family is down, the Combat Zone has always been known to close ranks and help out whenever possible. On the afternoon of May 9th, prior to the evening's "Blood Pressure: Rising" event, CZW and the MBA will do just that as it presents a special benefit show to honor Kenneth Sikes, known to longtime CZW fans and those close to the Combat Zone as the "Bloodhound". Ken has long been a member of the CZW extended family, both as a contributor and as a fan, and is unfortunately suffering from a debilitating disease that has left him with mounting medical bills. Below is a letter from Ken to the CZW family, and fans:

"I just heard from John that you guys have decided to honor me with a benefit show on the Afternoon of the 9th, so I wanted to get in touch with you to let you know how thankful I am. God bless you, John and all my guys and girls down at CZW. You have brought tears to my eyes. I thought I would share some info about my situation so people can be aware of the disease I am suffering from.

I've been there since the beginning of CZW. I've Been with them since the warehouse in Sewell and watched these young guys grow to men. I wrote for the CZW program as The Bloodhound where I feuded with Ed-O-Mac and I also reviewed CZW online for a few different websites. Been there through the ups and downs.

A little about my run with this disease. What I have is called CIDP. CIDP (chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy) is a rare disorder of the peripheral nerves characterized by gradually increasing weakness of the legs and the arms. It is caused by damage to the covering of the nerves, called myelin. It can start at any age and in both genders. Weakness occurs over two or more months. Current theory holds that the body’s immune system which normally protects it, perceives myelin as foreign and attacks it.

Because of the attacks on my nerves, I have constant shooting pains like electrical shocks thruout my body and my legs have given out several times causing me to fall. I now walk with the assistance of a walker. The disease is incurable. It can be put into remission. I am currently undergoing treatments with High dose intravenous immune globulins (IVIG), protective blood proteins obtained from healthy volunteers. These will help reverse the process and put it into remission.

I go once a week for three months for a four and a half hour infusion through an IV. After this we'll start trying to spread out the treatments and see what happens. Treatments are not cheap: $5,000 a treatment. It is a rare disese: one to three people out of a million get it each year. They suspect it is caused by trauma or infection in the body. They believe mine was caused by a case of blood poisoning I got from a staph infection back in October of last year. One guy where I go for treatment developed his symptoms after a flu shot. Sometimes it comes on quickly and other times quit slow.

Most insidious of all is that to look at us, most times you have no idea of the pain we are going thru. I hate this disease and what it has done to me. I need assistance to do daily tasks. I need assistance to walk or climb steps. I need assistance to live. But, I'll make it. Thru the love, prayers and help of my family and friends and a lot of hard work on my part as well. Things like what you guys are doing convince me that it is worth the fight. I look forward to seeing everyone at the Arena...

Thanks,
Ken Sikes"

If you can't come to the show, but still wish to make a donation to benefit Ken Sikes and his family may now due so via CZW's online Paypal account. The account is in the name of CZW's Sabine, with payments on Paypal made via her email address:
beaners_13@yahoo.com.

Next, news on Deaf Wrestlefest, an annual wrestling benefit for Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf, in conjunction with International Wrestling Cartel:

Deaf Wrestlefest, a benefit for the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf will take place Sunday, May 3rd with a 6:00 PM belltime at the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf, located 300 East Swissvale Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA (Edgewood), It's the tenth anniversary show for this yearly fundraiding event

Limited Front Row $25/Advanced Tickets $15/Day of Show $20 For tickets, email Bob naw75lins@yahoo.com, or call (412) 678-3287

Matches announced so far:

Missy Hyatt appears...

JJ. Dillon comes out of retirement to wrestle...

In a trios tag match with local legends...Dominic DeNucci & Dr. Cody Michaels & Sheriff Steele vs J.J. Dillon, "Handsome" Frank Staletto, "Beef Stew" Lou Marconi

Brutus "the Barber" Beefcake vs King Kaluha

The Blanchard Express (Shawn Blanchard & Lou Martin with Frank Durso) vs Kris Kash and Anthony Alexander
Jessica Havok and Haily Hatred vs Angeldust and Brittany Force

The Wrong Crowd vs Gambinos

Crusher Hansen vs Dennis Gregory

Also, another plug for the Legends of the Arena show on June 27 and the ECW Arena...and a major new signing:

Over 30 "Legends Of The Arena" will participate in truly one nostalgic night for the ages at the world famous Arena in an event designed to benefit the American Cancer Society. Fournier is organizing this benefit show due to the fact that two members of her family recently died as the result of cancer.

From The Double Cross Ranch In Amarillo, Texas, to Philadelphia, PA....Terry Funk, has just been added to the Legends Of The Arena Line-up for Saturday June 27th, returning to that very same legendary arena.

Funk, a former NWA and ECW World Champion noted for putting ECW on the map, Funk elevated ECW by headlining ECW's very first Pay Per View Event on April 13th, 1997 at Barely Legal by winning the ECW World Heavyweight Championship by defeating Raven, also that evening he defeated The Sandman and Stevie Richards in a Triple Threat Ladder Match. Funk also participated in a Barbed Wire Match vs Sabu at "Born To Be Wired" deamed one of ECW's most violent matches, both men had to be cut out of Barbed Wire at the end of the match, Funk has also been featured in the movie Beyond The Mat, Funk is also an honorary ECW World Champion For Life and a true Wrestling Icon and legend, Terry Funk will be part of a line-up so far over 30 Legends that will be on hand for truly one "Nostalgic Night" of Legendary Action, Saturday June 27th, The Arena (Former ECW Arena And Viking Hall) Corner Of Swanson and Ritner Streets. Ticket Prices for the event are "Legends Gold Circle" $250 includes all day all everything Fan Access, $50 General Admission seating is limited. General Admission is first come first serve as it where back in the day. The event is set to be produced to truly taking you back to an era when things and life were simple, fun and just legendary.

On the card for Saturday June 27th are Arena legends: Terry Funk, "The Franchise" Shane Douglas, "The Queen Of Extreme" Francine, The Sandman, Sabu, "Manager of Champions" Bill Alfonso, Al Snow with Head, Blue World Order members The Blue Meanie and Super Nova, Full Blooded Italian members Little Guido and Tracy Smothers, "Chair Swingin Freak" Balls Mahoney, The artist formerly known as Spike Dudley, Justin Credible, "King Of Old School" Steve Corino, C.W. Anderson, Chris Hamrick, Tammy Lynn Sytch, Tod Gordon, "Original Pitbull #1" Gary Wolfe, Jack Victory, Big Sal E. Graziano, Axl Rotten,Angel and Tony Devito Of The Baldies, "Judge" Jeff Jones, referees John Finnegan and Mike Kehner

Legends Of The Arena pricing:

Super Tickets pricing $250, includes an all day Fan Fest starting at 1:00 pm, includes wrestling card, and the following items:

  • All Day All Access Passes (includes signing and matches)
  • Golden Circle Ringside Reserved Tickets Rows 1, 2, 3 and Commemorative Chair
  • 1 signed 8x10 photo of every legend on hand, ability to bring your own camera in and take photos with every legend on hand
  • Early access and admission, pre-show barbecue and tailgate party
  • Dunk Tank (dunk your favorite legends)
  • Q&A session with the legends of the Arena, Fan Participation guest ring announcer
  • A very special video tribute to the fallen legends of the Arena, legends induction to the Arena Hall Of Fame.

    General Admission seating pricing $50; includes:
  • Ticket to Legends Of The Arena wrestling card
  • Legends induction to the Arena Hall Of Fame
  • A very special video tribute to the fallen legends Of The Arena.

    Donations to benefit American Cancer Society.

    Tickets on sale now at this link For more information checkout the event website.

    Until next time...

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