Surprises and retirements

Were you shocked when Democratic candidate Barack Obama chose Joe Biden as his vice presidential running mate? Or when Republican candidate John McCain chose Sarah Palin as his vice presidential running mate?

Many people were, not just for the selections, but that the selections weren't leaked out days before they were revealed.

Think about what I've just said. If politics -- something most people in the world care about this time of year -- can keep those two secrets, then why can't wrestling shock its fans more often than it does?

Are the wrestling Internet experts better at their job than the television media covering politics? Maybe yes. Maybe no.

The point is, if two of the biggest things in the political race can be kept under wraps, how about a wrestling surprise at least every month? Something I'm not reading on the Internet days before, or even hours before, it happens.

WM XXV Retirement Match

Playing off my comments above, going for some shock value, I'm going to throw this match out there for next year's WrestleMania XXV in Texas.

Undertaker is banged up and has a 16-match winning streak going at WrestleMania. Shawn Michaels, while not showing any signs of slowing down, probably doesn't have much of a run left. And the event is in Texas, the home state of Stone Cold Steve Austin.

Why not have Undertaker and Michaels battle it out in a loser-must retire match, with Austin as referee. I would throw Austin into the mix, but I have strong doubts about him performing with guys like this. I would still strongly lean to what I suggested last week of Austin vs. Shane McMahon.

And my pick? It's a tough call. Undertaker could end his career with a perfect WM record, but Michaels definitely has the credentials to make history with the win over the Deadman. It's almost a case where it's so tough to call that this dream match on this big stage will never happen. Let's hope it does -- for the record, I see Michaels having his arm raised.

EMPLOYEES OR INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS

I saw a recent poll where more than 80 percent of those surveyed said wrestlers are employees.

I wholeheartedly agree. There's very little to deem them independent contractors, as those in WWE or TNA Wrestling are under contract -- as should those who are only used for one or a few appearances.

Simply put, wrestlers are employees for whatever company they are wrestling for on whatever night.

As for how this will play out in Raven's lawsuit vs. WWE, who knows. But with Raven and his group's lawsuit against WWE based on them being misclassified as independent contractors and missing out on some financial benefits that employees would have, I would think they would have a good case.

Think about it -- WWE told Raven and his group what to do in their matches and what characters to play. That's like your boss telling you, the employee, what to do at work.

But, we'll see how it plays out.

WWE UNFORGIVEN PPV -- SEPT. 7 -- PREDICTIONS

Three weeks to promote a PPV? That's insane. But WWE has put together an interesting card.

World Heavyweight Championship Scramble match with champion CM Punk and challengers Batista, Kane, JBL and Rey Mysterio replacing the injured John Cena. PICK: Interesting concept. Expect the belt to change hands three times, with JBL and Batista winning and Punk being the winner. Kane and Mysterio will be too busy dealing with each other.

WWE Championship Scramble with champion Triple H and challengers Shelton Benjamin, Jeff Hardy, MVP and The Brian Kendrick. PICK: I don't see the title changing at all here, so go with Triple H (who will retain until WM XXV where he could main event against the Undertaker).

ECW Scramble match with champion Mark Henry and challengers Matt Hardy, The Miz, Chavo Guerrero and Finlay. PICK: Henry will squash these four like a bug, although WWE will probably have Hardy win the title before losing it back to Henry.

Divas Championship match with champion Michelle McCool vs. Maryse. PICK: Maryse has a good "heel" persona, but McCool will remain champion for the time being.

Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Jericho. PICK: Some people are calling this the feud of the year. I expect this match to steal the show. With Michaels' injury not being too serious, it's key he wins here.

World Tag Team Champions Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase vs. challengers Cryme Tyme. PICK: It's laughable Cryme Tyme is on the card, but this is the tag-team feud WWE has been pushing. At least the tag teams are being utilized. Expect the champs to retain.

LATEST ON THE HOGANS

1. Brooke Hogan cries about Nick Hogan on this past Sunday's episode of "Brooke Knows Best." REACT: The reality show has avoided discussing Nick for most of the previous episodes. This seemed to serve as a reminder that Nick being in jail is still going on.

2. Jan. 9, 2009, Nick will have served his eight months and should be getting out of jail. REACT: He's halfway home early next week.

WALTER KILLER KOWALSKI DIES

Having only seen clips of Kowalski, 81, I can't comment much about him.

However, I will say the lineup of wrestlers he trained -- including Perry Saturn, Big John Studd, Chyna and Triple H -- is most impressive.

For that alone, he passed the torch along and will be missed.

WEEKLY HEADLINES AND MY REACTS

Ken Kennedy out four to six months. REACT: He hasn't been properly used much recently, anyway. Unfortunately.

Mick Foley to TNA Wrestling. REACT: A big deal if he wrestles.

More reported Kevin Nash-TNA Wrestling problems. REACT: WWE-bound? Stay tuned.

Eric Bischoff-led promotion. REACT: Haven't we heard this before? We'll see if the demand is there after Hogan's celebrity wrestling finishes airing.

Big Daddy V is making movies now. REACT: He obviously has the size and a unique look. He might do well.

When asked how he doesn't take painkillers, CM Punk said, "I take a lot of naps." REACT: Punk is a great example for youngsters who watch WWE. It'll be interesting to see how long he stays champion.

WWE Magazine makes fun of Damian Demento. REACT: He's been done with WWE for 16 years. Isn't there anything better to write about?

Ezekiel Jackson reading "The Cat in the Hat" and not "The Art of War" in a backstage Smackdown segment. REACT: I smell an Ernest "The Cat" Miller angle.

Vince McMahon upset with R-Truth's debut. REACT: Lack of communication.

Smackdown's Carlito and DH Smith and Raw's Deuce and Chuck Palumbo have yet to debut on their new brands. REACT: Two of the four had decent angles going on their old brands. Hello, writers?

Rumor of WWE's own TV channel. REACT: About time.

JBL says he has lost 63 pounds since his retirement. REACT: I believe him.

Brock Lesnar vs. Randy Couture, Nov. 11 in Las Vegas. REACT: My heart tells me Lesnar will win, but I'm going with Couture.

LATEST ON TERRI RUNNELS

Terri Runnels has extended her house contest date to Oct. 5. For more info, visit theterrirunnels.com/mediaroom/august52008.html

mywwesearch.com

Has anyone tried this WWE Web site deal? It has me intrigued.

ORLANDO WM 24 NOTE

With Smackdown going to MyNetworkTV, that channel will have a special WM XXIV broadcast Oct. 2. Hello, Orlando!

OTHER REMINDERS

Memorial funds:

The Nancy and Daniel Benoit Foundation for Battered Women and Abused Children; c/o Decker, Hallman, Barber and Briggs; 260 Peachtree St. Suite 1700; Atlanta, Ga., 30303.

Sports Legacy Institute. Attn: Benoit Family Fund for Brain Injury Research; 230 Third Avenue; Waltham, MA. 02451-7528.

Brian Adams Memorial and Family Fund; Bank of America; 4918 Anniston Circle; Tampa, Fl., 33647.

Lex Luger fundraiser; GT Agency, 1901-B E. Atlantic Blvd., Pompano Beach, Fl., 33060 or 954-675-0552.

Dory Funking Conservatory information: In Ocala, 353-895-4658.

Ultimate Championship Wrestling opens school in Tampa on June 24. Call 813-323-7272 for more information.

Randy Savage and WWE Hall of Fame petition. Visit petitiononline.com/randy08/petition.html

Ric Flair contact: Elaine Gillespie of The Gillespie Agency, Inc. at [email protected]

MATANZAS EVENT CANCELED

The September 20 event -- APWF Pro Wrestling's "Rise Up" -- at Matanzas High School in Palm Coast has been canceled. JAWBreaker sends condolences to the family and friends of APWF Promoter Chris Lash, whose father died. There's no word on the show being rescheduled. For more info, visit south.apwfwrestling.com or call 724-840-9906.

Now open: WZ, The Wrestling Zone is at 819 North A1A in Flagler Beach. In addition to more than 20,000 comics and other collectibles, around a professional wrestling ring, there are action figures and autograph signings with TNA wrestlers and other professional wrestlers.

STATE EVENTS

Schedule is subject to change. For more information on local federations, google their Web sites. This list is compiled from various federation web sites and e-mails to JAWBreaker.

September 4: Meet FCW superstars and D'Lo Brown, FCW Arena in Tampa, 7:30 p.m.

September 6-7: Dory Funk's dojo in Ocala (Osamu Nishimura).

September 6: Great American Wrestling Federation, Hosford (Buff Bagwell vs. Todd Zane).

September 10: World Extreme Cagefighting, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood.

September 16: TNA Wrestling, Universal Studios in Orlando.

September 17: TNA Wrestling, Universal Studios in Orlando.

September 20: World X-Treme Wrestling, Minneola (Afa's wrestlers).

September 26-27: Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup independent tournament, Port Richey (Sept. 26) and Brooksville (Sept. 27).

September 27: Pro Wrestling Riot, Port Richey.

September 27: TNA Wrestling, BankUnited Center, Miami.

September 28: TNA Wrestling, The Lakeland Center.

September 29: TNA Wrestling, Universal Studios in Orlando.

September 29: Southern Championship Wrestling, Sanford (Matt Morgan).

September 30: TNA Wrestling, Universal Studios in Orlando.

October 4: Wesley Chapel Nisssan, Kelly Kelly (noon-2 p.m.)

October 4: CBS special, Sunrise.

October 10: Ring of Honor, Coral Springs.

October 11: ROH, Orlando.

October 14: TNA Wrestling, Universal Studios in Orlando.

October 25: D1PW, second anniversary show.

October 27: TNA Wrestling, Universal Studios in Orlando.

October 28: TNA Wrestling, Universal Studios in Orlando.

November 10: TNA Wrestling, Universal Studios in Orlando.

November 11: TNA Wrestling, Universal Studios in Orlando.

November 15: Florida Championship Wrestling, Lee County Civic Center, Fort Myers.

November 24: TNA Wrestling, Universal Studios in Orlando.

November 25: TNA Wrestling, Universal Studios in Orlando.

December 19: WWE Raw, Bank Atlantic Center in Fort Lauderdale.

December 20: WWE Smackdown/ECW, Leon County Civic Center in Tallahassee.

Jeff Wilen is an assistant sports editor. The JAWBreaker columnist can be reached at [email protected]