By Brian Hoops, Torch nostalgia specialist

PWTorch VIP members have first-look access to all of Torch Nostalgia specialist Brian Hoops's latest blogs in the newly upgraded VIP Forum. His blogs are published first in the PWTorch VIP Forum, and Hoops interacts with other VIP members and Torch staff and contributors in the blog comments area afterward. Some of Hoops's blog entries will be exclusive to the VIP Forum.

--Very eventful week of wrestling and MMA the last seven days with lots of WWE releases, a suspicious injury to a major star, and some excellent MMA action.

--I may have been surprised to hear of Ken Kennedy's and Umaga's respective releases from WWE, but is anyone really surprised that Batista had yet another muscle tear? I don't think anyone is naive enough to believe that this wasn't inevitable?

--I didn't watch the Strikeforce show on Saturday night, but I have heard it was great. However, the WEC show from Sunday night reportedly blew the Strikeforce show away. I did watch WEC and it was awesome. The replay is on Versus Wednesday night at 7:00 pm ct.

--For fans of the UFC - the next UFC PPV, UFC 99 airs this Saturday night. I saw the Countdown show, which as always was very well done, and it really piqued my interest in this event. The replay is on Saturday; check it out if you missed it on Tuesday night.

--The St. Paul Pioneer Press is reporting former AWA performer and retired heavyweight boxer Scott LeDoux, 60, who is fighting Lou Gehrig's disease, can still drive his car but requires extra oxygen. He's about to get measured for a wheelchair.

--Alex Marvez has a story on John Tolos' death at Scripps News

--Believe it or not, there will be a Hulk Hogan Fan Appreciation Day on 7/10 in Bridgeview, IL outside of Chicago at Toyota Park. Hogan will be signing autographs from 2-6 p.m.

--Recently on his blog, Jim Ross commented the WWE will be doing two roundtable tapings for WWE Classics on Demand, "Giants" and "Wrestling with Patriotism." Ross will be joined on the roundtable discussion by Gene Okerlund, Michael Hayes, Pat Patterson and Sgt. Slaughter. I always look forward to these roundtable discussions as there are always some entertaining stories shared by the participants. The WWE released three of their most prominent roundtables as a DVD release last winter. I am surprised other companies who produce shoot type DVD's haven't gotten more involved in the concept of roundtable style DVD's.

--Speaking of shoot DVD's, my friends at kayfabecommentaries.com just sent me their latest releases. The Timeline History of the WWE, 1987 as told by the Honky Tonk Man and YouShoot with Sabu. I haven't had a chance to watch them yet, but can't wait to watch both of these DVD's. Sean Oliver also told me Jim Cornette will be doing a guest booker DVD for release in August. My article this week in the Torch newsletter reviews the Ringside with Vader DVD released by Kayfabe Commentaries. This was a great DVD, which I highly recommend.

---- Legends of the Arena, and ECW reunion show, runs on June 27th in Philly at the Arena. Scheduled to appear include Shane Douglas, who will be going into the Hardcore Hall of Fame. Line-up has: Sandman with Tod Gordon vs. Sabu w/Fonzie with special guest referee Terry Funk; The Franchise Shane Douglas vs. Al Snow w/Head; Chris Hamrick vs. Crowbar; BWO vs. FBI w/Big Sal; Raven vs. Justin Credible w/Jason and Chastity; Rhino vs. Spike Dudley; Balls and Axl vs. The Baldies (South Philly Street Fight); CW Anderson vs. 2 Cold Scorpio; Jack Victory vs. Jaime Dundee vs. Scotty Riggs (three-way dance); and more.

--Thanks for reading and be sure to check listen to the nostalgia audio podcast published today on the VIP site where I review the Vader DVD, talk about what happened this week in wrestling history, and much more.

We suggest these recent related articles...

10/5 WWE Raw Hits & Misses: Natalya vs. Paige, Owens vs. Cara, Stephanie McMahon, Sasha Banks, Xavier Woods

COLLECTIBLES COLUMN: The History of Foam Hands in Pro Wrestling

9/28 WWE Raw Hits & Misses: Kane's Split Personality, Divas Revolution, Heyman & Big Show, Reigns vs. Wyatt