ZombieBloodFights.com wishes everyone a Happy Holiday!

To all the readers of the ZombieBloodFights blog, thank you.

We're going to go ahead and call it a year at the blog.  We've had so many exciting blog entries, and next year  is looking to be bigger and better.  More interviews, more zombies, more previews of upcoming ZombieBloodFights.com books, more zombies, more reviews of zombie books and movies, more blood, more zombies, more fight recaps of indy wrestling shows, and combat sport PPV's.  And of course,
MORE ZOMBIES!

If you've read a blog and you like the entry, leave a comment.  Even better, press the Facebook, Google+, or Tweet button and share it with your friends.  Follow the blog if you're a blogger as well.

Here's hoping everyone reading this has a happy holiday 2011.  Here's hoping your year was great, and here's to an even better year ahead.  I have a lot of fun writing the blogs, and hope you enjoy reading them.  I hope to get even better at it in 2012.

Did I mention there would be even more ZOMBIES?

And, as always, may your new year be filled with plenty of Zombies, Blood, and Fights!

Sincerely,

Bowie V. Ibarra

ZombieBloodFights.com

FIGHTS/BLOOD - ACW Delusions of our Childish Days, Dec. 2011

It was yet another wild night of wrestling to wrap up the year for Anarchy Championship Wrestling.  Delusions of our Childish Days started with a bang with several great opening matches featuring the stars of the organization.  As usual, it was great fun.

Before the main card began, there was a tribute to a fallen wrestler from Anarchy Championship Wrestling.  Spiro, one of ACW's biggest stars and best technical wrestlers, passed away only weeks before.  In a great show of respect, Jaykus Plyskin and Miss Maulie came to the ring and shared a few words with the respectful crowd before Spiro was given a 10-bell salute.

Then the show began.  Here are some of the highlights.

GRUDGE MATCH

KILLAH KA$H vs. SLIM SEXY

These two monsters of ACW have had bad blood brewing for a while.  The fun-loving Slim Sexy could not stand the bad attitude of Killah Ka$h.  Killah could not stand the the Sexy one.  A war of words was fought over Twitter before the big guys finally threw down.  Slim even brought soap to the ring to wash out Killah's mouth.  Ka$h didn't even make it to the ring when Sexy went on the attack.

"Living with a hernia..."

The fans knew the power game was going to be on display, and both competitors were not ashamed to show it off.  Here's Ka$h body slamming Slim in the seats of the infamous ACW Stage SuperFans.

With both wrestlers evenly matched in the power game, Slim turned to a technical game, unleashing some slick science on Killah to keep him grounded.

Slim wanted to take it to the skies with a dive from the top, but was stopped by Ka$h, who quickly took advantage.  In a tremendous throw, Killah Ka$h hit an amazing suplex on his foe to the delight and horror of the ACW crowd.

Ka$h took the win.

ACW FAMILY CHRISTMAS DEATHMATCH

It's not a Delusions of our Childish Days without a "Gift Wrapped Deathmatch".  Darin Childs and "The Springwood Slasher" Kris Wolfenstein threw down with the Children of Pain Sky DeLaCrimosa and Jason Silver.  DeLaCrimosa posted he was doing some 'Pain Exercises' on Twitter.  It might have came in handy as the fight began.  Here's some snaps from the fight.

Darin Childs throwing Jason Silver like a boss

Things got wild early and often as the teams threw down.

Slasher went after DeLaCrimosa, who quickly began to utilize the skills he worked on with his pain exercises. I just prayed for the safety of the man's beers.

Fishhook

The Springwood Slasher was kind enough to distribute forks to the fans.  Here he is asking for one of them to use on Sky.

Darin Childs took advantage of an early Christmas, and took a moment to open some gifts.  That would prove bad for him.

Here's a shot of Slasher and Sky outside the ring, and Childs applying direct pressure to a serious wound he suffered in the ring.

Did I mention metal spikes were also utilized?

It was a wild time for the ACW SuperFans.  Here's a group pose from some of the fun bunch that showed up, doing it up ATX style.

Portia Perez also competed, and she had to pull a dude's punk card for patting her on the back during a match.  When she's wrestling, Portia's like a dog eating.  You just don't bother her or risk getting your hand bit.

This night also saw the frightening return of one of the most devestating stables in ACW.  The Takeover returned, trashing guido Jake LaMotta.

They also added a new member, Ken Carson.  There might be no free rides in ACW, but Carson just got put in a power position quick by faction leader Jaykus Plyskin.

On a controversial note, during the Davey Vega and Gerald "Gary Jay" James match, Scot Summers came to the ring to get a shot at Gary.  Unfortunately, he missed Gary and crushed Vega with a spear.  Needless to say, Vega was upset.  Here's hoping those two ACW stars can sort out their differences out of the ring.

MAIN EVENT

EL GENERICO vs. ROBERT EVANS

El Generico made it to the ring with his usual energy and fanfare.

It was great to have him back in ACW.

Evans tried to use his signature science to ground Generico.

And it was a fantastic all around match.  But then someone came out to the ring seeking revenge.  And that person was Portia Perez.

After attacking Evan's genitals, Portia vowed revenge on Evans.  Evans has cost her the Queen of Queens title, as well as another match just months before.  Now it seems Evans must face a reckoning with the wiley Canexican, Perez.

On a fun note, Slasher used a bit of pro-wrestling nostalgia by wielding a STOP sign once used by hardcore legends Madman Pondo and NecroButcher.  I would imagine it would be best to wear gloves and have sanitizer at ready when handling the sign.  The blood-bourne pathogens on that sign could destroy a small planet if allowed.

As ususal, it was another great night of wrestling.  To all the wrestlers I cheer and jeer, thank you.

==================

Bowie V. Ibarra is the author of the zombie horror series, "Down the Road" from Simon and Schuester and Permuted Press.  His most recent novel, "Big Cat", is a story of friendship in a hunt for a deadly beast.

Network with Bowie and read more about his books at ZombieBloodFights.com

ZOMBIES: Interview - Photographer & Lover of the Written Word, Louie Neira steps in the ZombieBloodFights Pit

"Watch out for each other. Love everyone and forgive everyone, including yourself. Forgive your anger. Forgive your guilt. Your shame. Your sadness. Embrace and open up your love, your joy, your truth, and most especially your heart.” ~Jim Henson

ZombieBloodFights:  It's great to have you visit the ZombieBloodFights Blog, Louie. Now you're very active with the news and growth of our hometown of Uvalde. What are some good things going on in town?

Louie Neira:  “The best thing I can see happening is that Uvalde is now moving forward. In the past, it was content to stay a sleepy border town, but with economics the way they are, the town is having to fight to stay alive. Many businesses have gone under, but the ones that are making it have learned a valuable lesson - change is inevitable. To grow is to survive.  The Uvalde HEB now has sushi, believe it or not, and the new Walgreens will give both HEB and Wal-Mart a run for their money. There is growth; it’s small, but it’s steady.”

ZBF:  Has the buzz been positive for the two new downtown venues, The Huddle and Urban Lounge? Is this something enough members of the community will embrace as a change of pace from the standard country and tejano fare?

LN: The Huddle’s novelty has worn off, but it’s still a good place to go. I go there for the darts and the oft raising of a pint of Guinness. It’ll also have to change if it wants to stay open. Unfortunately, Uvalde’s not quite ready for something “upscale.” Country and Tejano seem to have a death grip on the town and anything else (including mainstream rock) will have trouble getting a foothold. 

For whatever reason, people seem to find a required dress code offensive. Same with Urban Lounge. It’s a great place and I’ve been there several times, but it’s struggling to keep its head above water. It speaks to the impoverished mentality that think things should cater to the lowest common denominator. Good ‘ol Uvalde… some things never change.

ZBF:  You're the editor for La Voz de Uvalde County. What's it like running the newspaper? 

LN:  It has its share of challenges. The newspaper, like Uvalde, is a living entity that changes and grows according to the needs of the people. When I was working at the Leader-News, I saw nothing but the same stories repeated over and over every year – only the names changed. With La Voz, we’ve tried to make it something that gives solid information readers can use to decide in making educated choices.

ZBF:  What are your thoughts on electronic media and the rise of e-readers in regards to the future of print?

LN:  Newspapers aren’t going away, but they’re not what they used to be. I see laptops being phased out, being replaced by Smartphones, tablets and readers. Free Wi-Fi is already everywhere, especially in larger cities (Uvalde, not so much). The main reason my newspaper isn’t available online –except of Facebook – is because we would lose almost $300 a month in newsstand sales.

ZBF:  It's clear you enjoy the written word.  Who are some of your favorite writers?

LN:  Stephen King, JK Rowling, & Philip K. Dick

ZBF:  Have you been keeping up with "The Walking Dead" and the big zombie wave that has consumed the world, so to speak?

LN:  My nephew Jerry is a bigger fan than I am, but I watch it as well. As you know, I’m more of a Doctor Who fan. As for the zombie craze, I see it as a metaphor for today’s society. Too many people seem to be mindless pieces of flesh just trying to stay alive and in doing so, consuming those who stand in their way. It’s a dangerous time to be alive that I compare to living in the 1950s. Everyone was afraid of the bomb and the Reds, trying to live nondescript lives and imagine we existed in a perfect world where technology would make things better.

ZBF:  What are some things you look for in a zombie story, whether it be in print or film?

LN:  As in everything, I look for the human element. It doesn’t matter what disease or element is ravaging the planet, the main idea is for the protagonist(s) seek their inner truth and find strength in it, regardless of the outcome. No matter if it’s “28 Days Later” or “Shaun of the Dead,” the character has to find redemption through a triumph of the spirit, even though all is lost.

ZBF:  Lets hear it. Zombies, Blood, or Fights?

LN:  Zombies, of course. a race of fiends and freaks after my own heart (literally).

ZBF:  Any last words for the ZombieBloodFighters?

LN:  Don’t just watch, READ. The printed word combined with imagination is so much stronger than experiencing it vicariously through someone else’s images and interpretation. Even if the only books on your shelves are zombie masterpieces, don’t cheat yourself out of what can come out of your mind.

=============

Bowie Ibarra is the author of the zombie horror series, "Down the Road" from Simon and Schuester and Permuted Press.  His latest book, "Big Cat", follows two friends as they are thrust into a search for a deadly beast who attacked a girl they both liked.

You can network with Bowie at his website, http://www.zombiebloodfights.com

FIGHTS: RECAP - Mayhem lets America down in TUF 14 Finale

By Bowie Ibarra

Well, Mayhem let America down.

You couldn't go on Twitter and Facebook or any site where people could rant about Season 14 of The Ultimate Fighter where people were hoping, praying, lighting candles, killing cats, what have you, to see Mayhem trash the British hooligan, Bisping.  It didn't quite work out that way.

DODSON VS. DILLISHAW:  BANTAMWEIGHT TITLE

But before we get to that, ZombieBloodFights.com salutes the athletic John Dodson in his stunning and emphatic victory over TJ Dillishaw.  The fight moved fast, as both guys were quick with their moves.  And it was that kind of speed that Dodson unleashed on Dillishaw, who had his hands down after an exchange.  Dodson knocked him down with a strike and didn't look back.  After the ref stopped the fight, he tumbled off the cage like a demented Mega Man, flying and rolling like a video game character.

BRANDAO VS. BERMUDEZ:  FEATHERWEIGHT TITLE

This fight was great, but frustrating, as Bermudez took it to Brandao early.  Bermudez showed great aggression and precision with strikes and knocked Brandao down.  He had the chance to finish, but that goddamn Brazillian fighter came back with a great technical armbar, locking Bermudez out and winning the fight.

EDWARDS VS. FERGUSON

In an undercard match, UFC vet Yves Edwards took on super douche Tony Ferguson.  Ferguson took it to Edwards in round one with some great aggression and almost knocking out the vet.  But Edwards kept it very competitive in the 2nd and 3rd, looking like he would take the fight.

But the judges gave a unanimous decision (WTF?) to Ferguson.  I imagine, as usual, when going to the judges, the takedown that Fergie scored was enough to put him over the top for the win.  I think Edwards got hosed, but that's what happens when you leave it to the judges.

GRUDGE MATCH: BISPING VS. MILLER

Mayhem Miller showed up with great enthusiasm, but garbage conditioning and a bush-league striking attack to the British brawler Bisping.  Bisping picked Mayhem apart with science, landing clean strikes compared to Miller's unorthodox strategy of just putting his head down and throwing wild strikes.  

As the match wen forward, you could see Miller's gas tank running low as Bisping finished the fight with a cruel set of knees, punches, elbows, and kicks.

It was a good night of fights, and we'll see what the future holds for these stars.

=============

Bowie Ibarra is the author of the "Down the Road" zombie horror series from Simon and Schuester and Permuted Press.  His upcoming books, "Pit Fighters: Baptism by Fire" and "Pit Fighters: Double Cross" feature adventures of a fight stable in the world of combat sports.

You can network with Bowie at his website:  http://www.zombiebloodfights.com

FIGHTS: A (San) Uvalde for the 21st Century

by Bowie Ibarra

There was a time when my mother and father were not allowed in to one of the drug stores that used to be near the downtown plaza of Uvalde, Texas.  They could spend their money for an ice cream from the sidewalk, but they couldn't go inside the store.

That was then.  This is now.

Downtown Uvalde dried up when I was young, and remained that way for many years.

Today, many of the people from my generation and from the past are trying to revitalize downtown.  For me, it was all words until a recent visit.  New business, specifically a restaurant bar called "The Huddle" and a lounge called "Ultra" are bringing a little big city flash to the 'ghost of Uvalde past' that was downtown.  I have to admit, it was a bit of a shock to see this happening.

But inroads have been made by city councilmen who were from my generation, and their enthusiasm and resources have made some of them make a run downtown and do their part for the city.

I sincerely hope this growth continues.  After visiting such south Texas towns as Carrizo Springs and Crystal City, I don't want to see the skeletons of dead downtowns visit our fair city.

To my Uvalde, this hijo salutes you.  I pray that you won't let the old ways and politics interfere with the new life the other  hijos of our fair city are trying to provide with their heart, resources, and love of our town.  May it continue forward with blessings and positive vibes.

=============

Bowie Ibarra is a proud hijo de Ugalde.  He is a published author of zombie horror from Simon and Schuester and Permuted Press.  His upcoming book, "Big Cat", is a horror story about an beast roaming the south Texas countryside near the Nueces River, and the two friends who are thrust into a hunt for the beast.

You can network with this proud hijo at his website:  http://www.zombiebloodfights.com

ZombieBloodFights.com offers condolences to the family and friends of 'Spiro'

Followers of the ZBF blog are well aware of the fun I have at Texas pro-wrestling shows.  Specifically, the fun I have at Anarchy Championship Wrestling shows.

The Texas Indy scene lost one of its best wrestlers yesterday.  Cameron "Spiro" Bates passed away, and Texas lost one of its best mat technicians.

I met Spiro many years ago when I had the opportunity to announce an Austin pro-wrestling show.  I later found him wrestling for ACW, where the fans loved to hate him.  He carried himself with a professional strength that was evident to all around him.  He wrestled all around south Texas.

The man was an amazing grappler.  I'll never forget a match he had with Jaykus Plisken in San Antonio that was a scientific extravaganza.

To all the family and friends of Spiro, I offer my condolences.

To Spiro, thank you.  Thank you for reminding people of the glory of great scientific wrestling.

RIP