PLAYBOY

WrestlingObserver.com reported early this morning that former WWF and Portland Wrestling star Playboy Buddy Rose (Paul Perschmann) was found dead by his wife on Tuesday afternoon. Rose, who was extremely heavy the last time I saw him in 2005, had been dealing with diabetic issues in recent years. Rose originally broke into the business in the old Verne Gagne AWA, having been trained by Gagne and famed shooter Billy Robinson. He went on to become a true star heel for Don Owens' Portland Wrestling. In his 2002 autobiography, Roddy Piper credited Rose for helping put him on the map in the Portland area, providing him a forum to hone his interview skills and become a true main eventer. Piper noted in the book that Rose invited him to come work the territory. Piper initially turned him down as he had been working regularly in Los Angeles, then reconsidered and took the job, setting him off to stardom. Rose worked for the WWF at different points in his career. He was pushed as a top heel at one point in the late 1970s, including a series of matches against then-WWF champion Bob Backlund. Rose also wrestled on the first Wrestlemania event as the masked Executioner, losing to Tito Santana in the opening contest, becoming the answer to an immediate trivia question. Rose's final run with WWF was as an undercard comedy heel who was out of shape, setting the stage for the infamous "Blowaway Diet" vignettes. During that run, he mostly worked comedic opening matches on house show, playing off his weight by doing jumping jacks and other exercises while on offense. The vignettes were so silly they ended up becoming memorable among fans. Rose, who was considered a good talker and great bumper, also held the AWA World Tag Team championships with Doug Somers in 1986, defeating Scott Hall and the late Curt Hennig. They later dropped the belts to the then-Midnight Rockers, Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty. What is believed to be Rose's last match took place at the first WrestleReunion convention event in Tampa, Florida in January 2005. Rose, long-time close friend Col. DeBeers (Ed Wiskoski) and Bob Orton lost to Jimmy Valiant, Roddy Piper and Jimmy Snuka in what was billed as Valiant's retirement match. This was billed as Jimmy Valiant's retirement match.

Hogan's hero O.J.?

Linda Hogan walked out on her husband last year, filed for divorce, forced him out of his $18 million mansion, allegedly started spending the couple's money at the rate of $40,000 a month and is dating "some shaggy-haired pool boy 30 years her junior." Hogan told Rolling Stone, "I could have turned everything into a crime scene, like OJ, cutting everybody's throat. You live half a mile from the 20,000-square-foot home you can't go to anymore, you're driving through downtown Clearwater and see a 19-year-old boy driving your Escalade, and you know that a 19-year-old boy is sleeping in your bed, with your wife . . . I totally understand OJ. I get it."

"I could have turned everything into a crime scene, like O.J., cutting everybody's throat," Hogan said. "You live half a mile from the 20,000-square-foot home you can't go to anymore, you're driving through downtown Clearwater and see a 19-year-old boy driving your Escalade, and you know that a 19-year-old boy is sleeping in your bed, with your wife..."I totally understand O.J. I get it."Hogan has since backtracked on the statement as his P.R. rep, Elizabeth Rosenthal, told E! News that he "in no way condones the O.J. situation.""As part of a larger conversation, he referred to it to exemplify his frustration with his own situation," Rosenthal said in a statement released to E! News.Linda's rep, Gary Smith, issued a statement on her behalf, reacting to Hogan. "Hulk's serial cheating destroyed our marriage, our family and our future," Linda said in a statement released today. "Sadly, his recent comments remind us that his definition of fair is much different than what the law dictates.""We have always maintained that the fear that Linda has had to live with comes from the rage and instability much too often associated with pro wrestlers," Smith added."We have always maintained that the fear that Linda has had to live with comes from the rage and instability much too
often associated with pro wrestlers," Smith said. "Linda and her family are taking these recent homicidal comments seriously. Linda's attorney Ray Rafool is weighting all options necessary to protect his client."Additionally, tonight's episode of Showbiz Tonight on CNN Headline News will feature a segment on the story

Linda Hogan's representative Gary Smith sent the following to Wrestling News World: Linda Hogan Comments On Hulk's Death Threats“Hulk thinks he can do whatever he wants, to whomever he wants, whenever he wants. He is your classic narcissist who demands total control and will go to ANY extent necessary to get it. His violent and scary mood swings have been my nightmare for too many years. I hope for the sake of our kids that he gets the psychological help for himself and the safety of others. “states Linda Hogan.“For those who buy his claim the comment was taken out of context, read the rest of Rolling Stone and determine for yourself if his suicidal tendencies coupled with the use of drugs and alcohol make him a danger. His actions in the past years have been very disturbing. Linda wants all of this to be over so she can move on with her life,” states Linda’s rep Gary Smith.Gary Smith on behalf of Linda Bollea

Wrestlemania 25

This past Sunday over 70,000 fans packed the arena in Houston Texas to witness Wrestlemania 25! However Wrestlemania is a weekend event and it kicked off Saturday night with the annual Hall of Fame ceremony. This year's inductions included "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat, Terry & Dory Funk, Bill Watts, Howard Finkell, Koko B. Ware, and The Von Erich family represented by the only surviving member Kevin Von Erich.
Then the event contained celebraties like Kid Rock, The Pussy Cat Dolls, and Mickey Rourke.
The main event this year was for the WWE title where HHH was able to hold off the #1 contender Randy Orton. So, to update last week's blog the WWE heavyweight title has changed hands in 14 of 25 Wrestlemania's.