So the controversy of the day is the Jerry Lawler angle last Monday night. For those who've read the column in the past, you know I usually hate that kind of thing.....but.....

Given the fact that I'd bet that it will prove out some day that Lawler either came up with the angle or contributed to it, I was uncomfortable with it at first, but Punk and Heyman's over-the-top delivery made it fun to watch in a strange sort of way...

Am I the only one who remembers the thing Punk asked Lawler shortly before he had the heart attack: "How ya feeling, Jerry?". Now I know on that night Punk was referring to the beatdown he'd given Lawler, but for some reason that line stuck in my head. After everything happened, and after it was clear Lawler was going to recover, my thought was this is getting used for an angle. I was wrong about that quote... but not about the angle.

Readers have to remember that Jerry Lawler is the man who allowed himself to be hit with a car by Eddie Gilbert to get over an angle back in Memphis. He allowed his OWN mother's death to be used in an angle not that long ago. So the angle really wasn't a surprise to me. It might have been nice had it been done a little later at least...even after a commercial break. But the week before a PPV, all bets are off.

As I write this column the Saturday before Survivor Series, the question will be whether or not last night's buyrate justified the angle, which is the reason it was done...to get heel stink on Punk ahead of Sunday night's title match. In wrestlethink, if it added some buys, or at least keep buys the same as last year it's a successful angle..an important consideration given the return of Georges St. Pierre to UFC against Carlos Condit scheduled for the day before.



November is nearly halfway through..and the Holiday season is only days away.

In keeping with the actual spirit of the season, the wrestling community will reach out to those in need. Independent promotions hold a wide variety of events to benefit various food pantries, shelters, Toys for Tots drives. Over the years, promotions ranging from the family-friendly United Wrestling Coalition to the hardcore themed Combat Zone Wrestling to indies of various sizes and types trough the United States and Canada. Even if you don't have one in your own area this Holiday season, please take time to contribute to or volunteer with such organizations.

Combat Zone Wrestling, for the eighth consecutive year, will be holding a Toys for Tots collection at Cage of Death 14 on December 8. The Cage of Death event, CZW's annual mega-show will again be part of a doubleheader" with EVOLVE hosting the matinee show...all taking place at the Flyers Skate Zone in Voorhees, NJ 601 Laurel Oak Road, Voorhees, NJ.

EVOLVE has also agreed to do a Toys for Tots collection at their matinee show with a 4:00 pm belltime.

As a note, the Flyers Skate Zone also takes part in the annual Toys for Tots effort sponsored by Comcast.

Matches already announced:

Cage of Death match (with glass panes):
DJ Hyde vs. Bulldozer Matt Tremont

In a battle for aerial supremacy...Rich Swann vs. Shane Strickland

In the rematch of the indy classic that was a hit through the Northeastern United States in 2012, Adam Cole returns to CZW, as he takes on Sami Callihan

To get tickets, go to the CZW Pro Shop. Tickets are GA Price: $25/second row $30/Front row sold out

More matches to come soon.....

Pure Wrestling Association/Ontario presents: "Spirit of the Season" on December 7th, at the Alpine Club, 464 Maple Avenue, Kitchener, Ontario. Doors Open at 7:00pm/Bell Time at 7:30pm

Tickets are $15.00 in Advance $10 in Advance for Youths and can be purchased at Combinations Sports – 306 King St W in Kitchener or by calling 519-998-8799. Tickets can be purchased at the door the day of the event for an extra $5

ALL PROCEEDS WILL BE DONATED TO THE TREE OF ANGELS!! HELPING KIDS IN OUR COMMUNITY

PURE WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIP
TURCAN CELIK VS. JOEY ALLEN -c- W/ LENNY LILAC

ELITE WOMENS CHAMPIONSHIP
GABRIELLA VANDERPOOL VS. JEWELLS MALONE -c-

TAGTEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
SCREAMING EGOS VS. THRILLBILLIES-c-

ONTARIO CHAMPIONSHIP
JOHNNY WAVE VS. ANTHONY FIASCO-c-

PURE VIOLENCE CHAMPIONSHIP
HARDKORE HICK VS. BUCK GUNDERSON-c-

JIMMY KING VS. SGT. DICKSON

REGGIE MARLEY VS. REX ATKINS

DEREK PLATINUM VS. JUAN ORTIZ


ECWA will be holding a Toys for Tots event at its December 1 show in Newark, DE.

ECWA UNIFIED HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE
"Heart Killer" Chris Wylde (c) vs. Josh Daniels w/ Joel Blackheart

ECWA MID-ATLANTIC TITLE MATCH
Mr. Ooh La La w/ Coach Jim Shorts (c) vs. Ricky "the Model" Martinez w/ Magnum & Gus Grand

RETURN GRUDGE MATCH
"Greek God" Papadon w/ Anthony Cicco vs. Tony Mamaluke

ECWA MID-ATLANTIC TITLE REMATCH
Mr. Ooh La La w/ Coach Jim Shorts (c) vs. Ricky "the Model" Martinez w/ Magnum & Gus Grand

PLUS...
ECWA UNIFIED TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS The Dream Team (Aden Chambers & Kekoa the Flyin' Hawaiian)

The BOSS'S CHAIR with Mike Tartaglia

and all the stars of the ECWA!


Illnois's AAW Pro Wrestling partners with US Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program for Windy City Classic VIII on November 24 at 115 Bourbon Street in Merrionette Park, IL. Fans purchasing General Admission will receive $3 off at the door on November 24 with approved donation to Toys for Toys.

Chicago Style Wrestling holds its annual Toys for Tots show on November 23 in Addison, IL at the Pyramid Club.

Des Moines's 3Xwrestling collects Toys for Tots donations as part of their annual November event in Des Moines on Black Friday, November 23 (the day after Thanksgiving).

Chaotic Wrestling will do a show benefitting Toys for Tots on Fan Appreciation night, which takes place December 14th in Lowell, MA.

California's Apex Pro Wrestling has announced "Tag for Toys"show schedule for December 8th. Admission is a new/unwrapped toy (valued $10) to be donated to Toys for Tots. Show is highlighted with a Tag Team tournement to crown new Apex Pro Tag champs
Competitors to be named soon



Incidentally, Toys for Tots collections have already begin in other parts of the United States. If you need information on the charity, go to Toys for Tots.com

Additionally, Brew City Wrestling will hold another event on December 9, when they return to their home base of Knights of Columbus, West Allis, WI. with a benefit for Food for Families of Greater Milwaukee

As a reminder promotions (or their fans) can send information on scheduled Holiday charitable-themed (fund-raisers for clothes, food pantries or Toys for Toys, etc.) wrestling or MMA events to bobmagee1@hotmail.com.

Until next time....

If you have comments or questions, or if you'd like to add the AS I SEE IT column to your website, I can be reached by e-mail at the address above.

If you'd like to add advertising on PWBTS.com (the flagship website of this column), banner ads are available for $400 for one year. These ads would appear on each newspage appearing on the newsboard.

Cube ads are available for $200 for one year, which would be placed on the main newsboard page.

_________________________________________________________