You knew it was coming. First the reality show, then the book deal. Hulk Hogan will tell you everything you always wanted to know about him (but were afraid he’d punch you in the jaw if you did) through a tell-all entitled, My Life Outside the Ring.

He’ll reportedly discuss life growing up as Terry Bollea (his real name), his three-decades long pro-wrestling career, and all the goods about the last few years (with the reality show, the son’s car crash, the wife filing for divorce, and on and on and on…)

Apparently the book, which will be published by St. Martin’s Press, will be about “320 pages with a 16-page color photo insert.” And oh yeah, the Hulkster got six figures for the deal.

Image: INF

We’re nearly a month into a glorious 2008 summer and that means it is time for the b5media sports channel’s Summer Fun Theme Day. But first www.jabandgrapple.com has a question. What’s more summer than lounging by the pool eating a hot dog while watching fireworks and more fun than swooshing down the slip-n-slide with the sprinklers on?

You guessed it: WWE’s SummerSlam.

The 2008 SummerSlam will mark the PPV’s 20th year! Where have the years gone? The lineup for this year’s August extravaganza hasn’t been announced yet so instead we’re posting a youtube video of the very first SummerSlam Main Event.

It happened in 1988 and it was beautiful. That’s right it’s The Mega Powers vs. The Mega Bucks. Hulk Hogan and Macho Man Randy Savage vs. Andre the Giant and Ted DiBiase.

In The Mega Bucks’ corner was Bobby “The Brain” Heenan and special guest referee Jesse “Senatorial Candidate” Ventura. More importantly in the Mega Powers’ corner was the beautiful Miss Elizabeth.

Is this classic match ringing the old ringside bell? Four words: Miss Elizabeth Tearaway Mini-Skirt. Just press play and relive the memories.

I recently updated my b5 profile with the intention of explaining how www.jabandgrapple.com could cover both the scripted fun of pro wrestling entertainment and the unexpected life-threating tension of professional boxing. My answer wasn’t that they both take place in rings and involve some sort of combat.

No, my explanation was that they are bookends of the sporting world with everything else existing in between their emotional bounds. Friday night was evidence of this evocative breadth. WWE’s SmackDown and ESPN’s Friday Night Fights were broadcast simultaneously and my Motorola DVR only allowed me to watch one at a time while taping both. I was forced to delve into both without distraction.

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The Setup
There’s some big bad out-of-control bullying going on. For the third(!) week in a row RAW General Manager William Regal is angry about being disrespected. This time, instead of turning out the lights, he’s kicking out a random pair in the audience. Miraculously, he picks out Mickie James‘ brother and sister to toss. Evidently they’ve made the trek to Detroit from Richmond, Va. Gas prices be damned.

Mickie James doth protest the ejection. After she balks at her own Regal-dictated dismissal he angrily tells her “What part of get out of the ring don’t you understand?” (Nominee #1 for best line of the night) Who will help poor Mickie? Will her recently-earned title be stripped?

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