Thursday, March 31, 2005

MORE ON EXTREME CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING

For those who read my column today and are interested in ECW, I have an additional column about ECW today at www.hardcorehomecoming.com. The site is to promote an ECW reunion-type show that will happen at the old ECW Arena on June 10. The column also appears below.

"Viking Hall Memories"
by David Jakielo

Viking Hall, the most famous Bingo Hall in the world, is a cherished venue that is for many people to wrestling what Yankee Stadium is to baseball. The history of professional wrestling is rich in tradition at sites like Madison Square Garden and the Tokyo Dome, at the corner of Swanson and Ritner streets in Philadelphia, PA, Viking Hall carries a similar legacy.

The first time I saw a professional wrestling from the Viking Hall was on television the summer of 1996 at 2 a.m. The participants were Chris Jericho and Pitbull #2 with the Television Title on the line.

At the time, I had read much on the Internet and in magazines about the wrestling that was regularly packing Viking Hall with a cult-like following of rabid fans. As a lifetime professional wrestling fan, once I learned that the show received clearance in a late-night timeslot in Pittsburgh, I had to stay up and see what all the noise was about.

What came across my television screen was a stripped down version of what other wrestling promotions presented on Monday evenings. No fancy lights or fireworks here. It reminded me of a volatile atmosphere one would associate with a bar fight. Viking Hall was down and dirty, with raucous fans and those who wrestled there had an amazing “hardcore” work ethic that combined athleticism with violence and emotion.

Viking Hall is the epitome of the old saying: don’t judge a book by its cover. While the venue is shoddy in appearance, inside there was genuine passion, where superstars were created and careers rejuvenated.

I will never forget that match between Chris Jericho and Pitbull #2. It honestly changed my life. I knew while watching the contest that someday I would watch a wrestling show from Viking Hall.

Years later my opportunity finally came as an employee. Just by entering the building, a Bingo Hall, a person is still overcome with a sense that this is a historic arena. I remember standing in the silent, empty arena the afternoon of the show and looking around the building.

There as the balcony in the corner of the building, known as the Eagle’s Nest, I thought about the history that had occurred there. One instance that sprung to mind was when Brian Lee choke-slammed Tommy Dreamer off the Nest through a stack of tables down to the concrete floor.

Many memories also transpired at the top level announcing position. It was there where the Public Enemy, the Pitbulls and countless others smashed opponents through tables. Lucha Libre contests would often make their way to that section of the building where wrestlers would jump off a platform to execute hurrancunrannas and other death-defying maneuvers.

But the majority of the memories occurred in the middle of all the action, inside the ring. Many attendees will never forget:

• “The Night The Line Was Crossed” and Shane Douglas, Sabu and Terry Funk wrestled for 60-minutes.

• Dancing with the Public Enemy.

• The echo of Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” while the Sandman drank beer, smoked cigarettes, swung his Singapore Cane and was part of some of the most emotional storylines in wrestling history.

• Mikey Whipwreck, the underdog who won the Triple Crown.

• Barbed wire.

• Sabu’s insane dives into the crowd and the night Chris Benoit broke his neck.

• The Raven – Tommy Dreamer feud.

• When Brian Lee fell off the scaffold.

• Grown men crying during Eddy Guerrero and Dean Malenko’s final night wrestling in the building.

• The night the arena fans erupted and flooded the ring with steel chairs.

• And the countless other memories…

Fans across the country, for four years now, have wished that an event would be organized to recapture the mystique of the glory days of Viking Hall wrestling. The wait is over. On Friday, June 10th, at 8 p.m. wrestling will return to Viking Hall in the form of “Hardcore Homecoming.” Old friends will reunite, feuds will be reborn and new memories will be created.

Continue to check back here at www.hardcorehomecoming.com as news on this very special evening becomes available.

David Jakielo is a weekly humor columnist for Duquesne University’s newspaper, The Duquesne Duke, in Pittsburgh, PA. Nearly 100 columns can be read at www.readdave.com. The topic of his latest column was it was like to work in professional wrestling. Feedback can be sent to DavidFJ@aol.com.

• posted by Dave at 4:42 PM
•

CONTINUING DEVELOPMENTS ON DUQUESNE BEACH

I finally saw today a guy who was walking around on campus with the classic, backwards hat and wifebeater look. It wouldn't be Duquesne Beach without that but I'd much rather expel people who dress like that and replace them with more girls in bikinis.

• posted by Dave at 4:37 PM
•

DUQUESNE BEACH

Today's high is a predicted 66 degrees for Pittsburgh. If we were in Florida or California, many people would be wearing jackets. Not here! This is Duquesne University and 66 degrees = the Duquesne Beach! I am positive that today on campus there will be girls wearing mini-skirts and tank tops. I honestly wouldn't even be surprised if girls were laying across campus in their bathing suits sun-tanning.

It really is a wonderful thing.

Update: Duquesne Beach exceeded my expectations today. If it's nice tomorrow I'm definitely going to wear my bikini to campus.

• posted by Dave at 12:18 PM
•

PREDICTION: INCREASED ENROLLMENT FOR CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY CHICO

Also, a strong Fall pledge class for the University's Phi Kappa Tau chapter.

• posted by Dave at 10:06 PM
•

TOUCHING EASTER 2005 PHOTO



Here is a photo of my cousin Tyler and I from yesterday. As you can see, Tyler's right arm is in a cast after a freak incident last week when he fell off a computer chair (aw).

He's doing much better now and was feeling good enough to bite my nose immediately after this picture was taken.

• posted by Dave at 4:20 PM
•

THERE IS A SPECIAL SOME(THING) OUT THERE FOR ALL OF US

Do you take this pot?

• posted by Dave at 1:26 AM
•

HAPPY EASTER

Everyone have a safe, happy holiday.

• posted by Dave at 12:50 PM
•

BREAKTHROUGH IN UNDERWEAR MAKING

The Baseball-Shaped Bra.

• posted by Dave at 10:14 PM
•

EASTER BUNNY ATTACK

"[The Easter Bunny] kept his cool during the attack, deeming it inappropriate for the Easter Bunny to fight back."

Full story.

• posted by Dave at 10:11 PM
•

BREAKING NEWS FROM SPRING BREAK

I got a haircut last night.

• posted by Dave at 4:19 PM
•

SPRING BREAK 2005: WILD AND CRAZY!

You might remember from this column that I spent my Spring Break last year in Cancun. It was definitely one of the best weeks of my life, but it does not even come close to the level of excitement I have experienced this year.

To say the least, A LOT has been going on.

I not only watched Garden State (lesson learned: Thank God my family is normal) and Dodgeball (what this movie says about our culture: a law should be passed that makes all large corporate mergers be decided by a game of Dodgeball, but the one team must have a hot girl) but also Anchorman (funny quotes: "I don't know how to put this but I'm kind of a big deal"; "I'm in a glass case of emotion!"; "You're watching Channel 4 News with five-time Emmy award-winning anchor Ron Burgundy and Tits McGee"; add your favorite quotes by clicking on the 'Comment' link).

I am spending my break in BEAUTIFUL Pittsburgh, PA -- often drinking at NEW! and EXCITING! locations such as the bars around my apartment.

Yesterday I had to take a Dreamweaver website class in order to get certified (nerd-alert). The beginners class lasted from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.! Since I'm pretty decent at HTML scripting, being there all day was equivalent to a college student taking a class in Word and the most complex part of the training was how to double space. It was really exciting and the time just flew by!

Speaking of webdesign, I have also been spending break redesigning this Website. I hope to finish the design and have it running online by the end of the week but this might not happen in the event that I would get a girlfriend and actually have something to occupy my time.

So, you can see things are pretty insane around here. Keep checking back for updates because I have no idea what ridiculous event will transpire next. For example, any minute now I might enter the kitchen to get a bottle of water! Hopefully life is a little more tame on your end.

• posted by Dave at 3:05 PM
•

I wanted to post in this space an extremely well-written piece by Anne Chengery, published in the March 17, 2005 edition of The Duquesne Duke.

In memory of Meredith
By Anne Chengery
The Duquesne Duke

Chords of anxiety and curiosity are struck in each of us when someone who we know dies. When someone dies who we do not know, a small ripple runs through our spirit, mostly in empathy for those who were closest to that person.

My soul is rippling tonight.

After filing down the stairs from the choir loft at the conclusion of the memorial mass celebrated in honor of Meredith Kenneff, my friends and I waited outside of the entrance to the chapel while an unending stream of students followed behind us. Waiting in an eerie silence, I watched as students met with tears and sobs, comforting each other with hugs and half-hearted smiles. I did not know Meredith, but I was affected deeply while standing there, imagining what it would be like if this had happened to someone close to me.

As two of Meredith’s sorority sisters consoled each other, one voice muffled into her sister’s shoulder, “This sucks. It really sucks.” Minutes later, with a line of mascara trailing from her lashes, she turned around and whispered “wow” at the sight of a crowd of students stretching almost to the entrance of Canevin Hall. I don’t know if anyone knew what we were waiting for, but we didn’t move. I was watching for a star to shoot from the sky or a dove to fly overhead, but neither miracle had to happen.

Listening to Meredith’s roommate talk about why she was so special struck me, and I began thinking of what the past few days must have been like for her. Suppose Meredith’s bed was unmade or clothes that she wore last week were still on the floor. I wonder if they’re still there, serving as a reminder of the life once within them. I don’t suspect that Meredith’s roommate has slept in her own bed since Saturday night. Or maybe she has.

At a time in our lives when highs come in the form of Friday nights and semester breaks and lows in the form of exams that wait for us when we get back from those breaks; the death of a peer sends a wave of finality and uncertainty through us. It is an ambiguous combination, finality and uncertainty, but it leaves us holding even more tightly to those that we love and most regrettably take for granted. Times like this remind us that it’s not enough to live only for ourselves, and that true happiness is found in our relationships with others.

As the last students trickled from the chapel, we continued waiting, unable to feel the brisk March wind that swept across the bluff. We were waiting for some direction or permission to leave, unwilling to be the first to say good night. Father Bill finally came outside and gave us reason to disperse, charging us to “walk as one; go as one; live as one.”

Heading back to the Union I was filled with the spirit of Duquesne as I witnessed a parade of students holding each other, grieving over the loss of one of our own.

I never saw Academic Walk look so bright.

• posted by Dave at 5:58 AM
•

SAD WEEK AT DUQUESNE

http://www.lancasteronline.com/pages/news/local/4/12761

• posted by Dave at 10:35 PM
•

ATHEIST?

We have the religion for YOU!

Bob Saget is God.

• posted by Dave at 6:01 PM
•

CARNIVAL 2005 THIS WEEKEND

This weekend I will be performing with Gamma Phi and Delta Zeta at Duquesne University's Carnival in The Bubble. If you are looking for something to do this weekend, check it out.

Here is the schedule for my show...

Thursday at 8:00 p.m.
Friday at 10:00 p.m.
Saturday at 3:45 p.m.

To read a column I wrote last year about Carnival check out,
Carnival's downward spiral.

• posted by Dave at 5:03 AM
•

5-YEAR-OLD THINKS SHE'S FAT

I say we reverse this terrible trend by going out for pizza.

• posted by Dave at 12:37 AM
•

MOVIE REVIEW: WIN A DATE WITH TAD HAMILTON!

Today I watched this movie and this is what I learned...

If you ever love a girl all your life, make sure she wins a contest to date a movie star, so that you can drink alone at the bar, have the bartender convince you to tell her how you feel and then spontaneously kiss her the girl Of Your Dreams. Eventually you will re-enact a romance scene that the actor was in by the end of the movie and live happily ever after.

Key quotes:

[Pete gives Rosalee some parting advice before her big date]
Pete: Guard your carnal treasure.
***
Tad: Give me a break, I just lost my wife and my goat.

• posted by Dave at 3:47 PM
•

HELP MY ROOMMATES BAND, PROCESSION CAME OPPOSITE

From the office of Mike Fennen...

We Need Your Help!!!

Please take a moment and vote for our band in Ernie Ball Battle Contest (the winner gets to play at the 2005 Vans Warped Tour). We would really appreciate your help. All you have to do is press play and listen to our audio clip.

- Thanks again

Click here.

• posted by Dave at 3:26 AM
•

GREAT COLUMN ON HOW THE DUQUESNE UNIVERSITY BASKETBALL PROGRAM IS A MESS

From the Tribune-Review's Joe Starkey, read it.

• posted by Dave at 4:24 PM
•

THERE'S NOTHING LIKE THE SMELL OF...

Dirty Iranian in the morning.

• posted by Dave at 12:35 PM
•

BEHIND CARNIVAL 2005: GAMMA PHI & DELTA ZETA



Here is a photo of Chad, Eli and I practicing a very dramatic scene (where my mother calls to ask if I can come home to pick up laundry) Tuesday night at a super secret, undisclosed location (College Hall) in preparation for Duquesne University's Carnival 2005.

We are paired up with the Delta Zetas and us Gammas hope to repeat our win from last year. If not, we will just get smashed together, unless an important Duquesne University Catholic or Greek Life administrator is reading this, in which case we will attend mass.

Thanks to Jess Peterson for the photo.

• posted by Dave at 2:37 AM
•

IMPORTANT SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH COMPLETE

What a breakthrough! A study about Instant messenger.

• posted by Dave at 3:14 PM
•