News On RAW, SD!, WWE/OVW Seperation, UFC, More

February 22, 2008

By Ryan Clark

From greenbaypressgazette.com: College fave Ben Folds is bringing his piano to the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh for an April 17 concert at the Kolf Sports Center. Tickets go on sale March 3, but prices have not been announced yet. The Kolf also will play host to WWE’s Road to Wrestlemania March 8, the day before it plays the Resch Center in Ashwaubenon. The lineups for the two events (“RAW” at the Resch and “Smackdown” at the Kolf) are completely different. The Oshkosh card includes Rey Mysterio, Batista, Kane, Edge, Zach Ryder and Curt Hawkins (keith note: wow.). Tickets are $40 to $20 at www.ticketstaronline.com and (920) 494-3401.

Prior to WWE dropping Ohio Valley Wrestling as a developmental territory, WWE encouraged OVW boss Danny Davis to take out a long-term lease at the Davis Arena without hinting they intended to cut ties with the Louisville based promotion.

New Japan today held a press conference to unveil the design for thefourth generation IWGP Heavyweight Title belt. After Nakamura defeated Angle to both defend his second generation title and win Angle’s third generation title, New Japan was left with the problem of what to use. Well, the answer is none: they will introduce a new design as pictured above. Production began on February 19th and it will be presented toNakamura at the March 9th tour opener in Aichi. Nakamura can then showoff the new belt throughout the tour, leading into his next defenseagainst the New Japan Cup winner at the end of March. Nakamura believes aspects of all three previous designs have been put into the new belt, creating a sort of hybrid. He said it is a pleasure to seeh istory so respected in the new design. President Sugabayashi explained simply that the reason for a new belt is to start a new time. “Hashimoto’s title”, the second generation, was sealed after his death, and the third generation title was marred by the Brock Lesnar problem, though it has been recaptured from the man who defeated Lesnar. (puroresufan.com)

A professional mixed martial arts fighter who pleaded guilty to felony assault for choking and punching a man outside a North Park fight club had the offense reduced to a misdemeanor Thursday and was placed on three years probation. Jon Koppenhaver, 26, who is known as “War Machine” on the Spike TV series “The Ultimate Fighter,” pleaded guilty Dec. 13 to felony assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury. Judge Frank Brown said the crime was not one he would normally reduce to a misdemeanor, but he felt Koppenhaver was worth giving a second chance to.