Every Tuesday and Friday we give you the scoop on what's happening in and out of the wrestling ring.

Fred Flintstone is evil.

Chairshots
7-2-02

Smackdown Thoughts
I don't actually have any Smackdown thoughts as of yet because I had to tape it. I was so busy trying to blow my fingers off with illegal fireworks that I didn't have time to watch it.

Everything I've heard about the show has been positive, so way to go, WWE. Smackdown continues to be the stronger of the two big WWE shows. Some feel it's the deeper talent roster or the more logical storylines, but I personally think it's the lighting. Blue is just so much more cozy than red.

Vader Joins the Dark Side
Former WCW Champion and WWF wrestler Vader (a.k.a Leon White) was arrested at his Colorado home on Monday night on suspicion of spitting and threatening officers with rocks, resisting arrest, drinking and driving, careless driving, and leaving the scene of an accident. The night started when police responded to a call about a vehicle that had driven into a bush. A witness claimed that the driver left the scene of the accident and drove to a nearby house.

Officers went to the house and found a severely intoxicated Vader. When the police started asking questions, Vader responded, "I will and can kick all of your asses! Let's fight"

When officers brought out their dogs for protection, White stared them down and threatened to kill the animals.

The officers were eventually able to calm White down and he was handcuffed without further incident. Vader has two previous arrests for drinking. In some ways this story is sad, but if you reread it and pretend it's Darth Vader, it's pretty funny. I picture the Lord of the Sith driving his white Ford Bronco into some shrubbery, fleeing the scene to his throne room, swaying back and forth as he talks to officers and then trying to mentally choke the life out of police dogs, but failing.

PTC Says "My Bad"
About two years ago the Parents Television Council was all over the wrestling news scene. They had launched a hardcore campaign to shut down the WWE because of the amount of sex and violence they felt the WWE marketed to kids. The PTC contacted many WWE sponsors and told them they would boycott their organizations if they did not withdraw their sponsorship. Many sponsors folded under the pressure. The PTC issued many press releases about these campaign victories in their war against the WWE. Also, when a child in Florida was killed by what the defense attorneys called "wrestling moves," the PTC jumped all over it and ripped the WWE a new one.

In response, the then-WWF filed a lawsuit against the PTC and also created the Right to Censor, a heel stable consisting of Stevie Richards, Val Venis, Ivory, The Good Father and Bull Buchanan.

Well, this week the PTC lost that lawsuit and issued an apology to the WWE. Here are some juicy excerpts. President Brent Bozell writes, "We based our statements on media reports and source information. We now believe, based on extensive investigation and facts which have come to light since making those statements, that it was wrong for MRC, PTC, their spokespersons and myself to have said anything that could be construed as blaming WWE or any of its programs for the deaths of the children. Simply put, it was premature to reach that conclusion when we did, and there is now ample evidence to show that conclusion was incorrect. I now believe that professional wrestling played no role in the murder of Tiffany Eunick, which was a part of our "Clean Up TV Now!" campaign, and am equally convinced that it was incorrect and wrong to have blamed WWE or any of its programs for the deaths of the other children."

Bozell goes on to explain that statements the PTC had learned from those close to the Lionel Tate case, such as Tate using a "Stone Cold Stunner" to murder Tiffany Eunick, and that Tate was watching wrestling prior to the murder were incorrect. Tate was actually watching "The Flintstones," according to Bozell's statement.

"I regret this happening, it wasn't fair to WWE. And I say this emphatically: Please disregard what others and we have said in the past about the Florida "wrestling" death. Neither "wrestling" in general, nor WWE specifically, had anything to do with it. Of that I am certain."

"I want to be clear that WWE was correct in pointing out that various statements made by MRC, PTC and me were inaccurate concerning the identity and number of WWE Smackdown! advertisers who withdrew support from the program. Many of the companies we stated had "withdrawn" or pulled their support had never, in fact, advertised on Smackdown! nor had any plan to advertise on Smackdown! Again, we regret this error and retract any such misleading statements."

The PTC and the WWE have reached a settlement in the WWE's lawsuit. The PTC must pay 3.5 million dollars to the WWE for libel and slander and must keep their apology on their website for the next six months. Also, the lawyer that made the claims that the Florida girl was killed with wrestling moves must apologize.

Bozell says that the PTC still has issues with the WWE's product, but he claims they have "reduced significantly over the past years as a reflection of WWE's changed standards."

I'm glad to see the PTC finally eat some crow. I really hate television watchdog groups but then again I don't have a child. Maybe my views will change someday but for now they can all stay the hell out of my life and leave my TV as violent and sex filled as I want it to be.

The Rock on SNL
The Rock's most recent Saturday Night Live appearance is being rerun this weekend. You can skip it because it isn't that funny.

Not much other news this week what with the holiday and all. I'll keep it nice and short today and let you enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Michael Goodson