wwf

For the most part, TV Squad doesn't cover professional wrestling, despite pro-wrestling and television being synonymous since the 1950's. It could be because wrestling is a world unto itself and there are certainly enough blogs out there that cover the subject. In this instance, an exception has been made since wrestling and TV icon Captain Lou Albano has passed away. He was 76.

He was known mostly for his work with the WWF (now the WWE) in the '8's and his participation in the first WrestleMania as well as several thereafter. Hell, he was instrumental in creating that event by participating in Cyndi Lauper's "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" music video which led to "The War to Settle the Score" on MTV which led to ... well, you know.

Bob and Harvey Weinstein, formerly of Miramax fame, have just signed a deal with the World Wrestling Entertainment to distribute all of the WWE's home video library, which includes past, current, and future releases. Plus, the deal opens up the possibility of theatrically releasing WWE videos, and provides them with a ring full of star material. Bob Weinstein told Variety, "Some of these guys are natural-born talents."

That's about when my head exploded. Have Bob and Harvey lost it? Or are they pure and total geniuses? Their Weinstein Company owns a majority stake Genius Products, who signed the WWE deal, which pushes me into the "lost it" camp. Don't call your company "I'm Smarter Than You Are Productions, Inc." unless you are itching for a smackdown. And here I swore I'd get through this post without saying "smackdown," dammit.

Oh yea brother, after a mere 13 year hiatus, the WWF WWE returns to NBC's Saturday night to wreak havoc. Throughout the '80s and early '90s, in wrestling's hey-day, NBC carried the WWF's Saturday Night Main Event on an almost weekly basis, showcasing the top talent at the time-- Jake "The Snake" Roberts, Andre the Giant, and the immortal Hulk Hogan. While none of them are "scheduled" to return tonight (9/8c), you can always count on Vince McMahon and company to put on an entertaining show and pull off a couple of surprises. Tonight will see the likes of John Cena, Triple H and a bevy of WWE Divas take the ring. I'm an unabashed wrestling fan, and the Saturday Night Main Event is one of the crystal clear memories I have of my grandfather, who was also a wrestling nut, so to say that I'm excited about this is an understatement. Although this is only scheduled to be a one-time event, wrestling's popularity (which is always like a roller coaster) has been on the upswing of late, and if the ratings are well enough to warrant it, I'm sure we'll see a return appearence. Say your prayers and eat your vitamins, because tonight, the WWE is going to go wild on you!