World stage at Kiwi wrestler's feet

Quiet and unassuming outside the ring, Jade "Powerhouse" Drane vows to "take no prisoners" when he gets his shot at professional wrestling fame.

The 97-kilogram powerhouse is one of six Wellington athletes who will get a shot next week at joining the big boys of world wrestling.

The United States-based World Wrestling Entertainment organisation, which has shows in Auckland and Christchurch this month, is looking at Kiwi talent.

The wrestlers, as well as a "manager" and "diva", will be put through their paces by its scouts. They will be judged on ring skills, charisma, drive and grit.

If they make the cut they will travel to a training camp in Florida to be groomed for a spot in the WWE. Eventually they could fight legends such as The Undertaker, Stone Cold and Triple H during the shows that screen in 91 countries attracting millions of viewers.

It has been almost 20 years since New Zealand tag team The Bushwhackers carried the flag in America, but Drane, skilled in the art of sleeper holds, full nelsons and piledrivers, hopes to end the drought.

"I have always loved wrestling and have wanted to be a wrestler my whole life. This trial is my big chance to fulfil my dream."

He has been wrestling for only a year, but seasoned professionals have been impressed with his natural ability. Bob Miller - one half of the Bushwhackers - told the 20-year-old he had the potential to make his mark on the world stage.

Drane, who trains nine times a week, said he perfected many of his wrestling moves, including the torture rack, while watching his heroes on television.

The quietly spoken wrestler admitted he would have to improve his "trash talk" if he was to be taken more seriously in the industry. "The more experience I get, the better it will be. It can be quite intimidating, but I'll get it sorted."

Wannabe manager Terry Tziakis - the Golden Greek - is excited about strutting his stuff in front of the talent scouts and takes his wrestling role seriously.

"I don't take crap from nobody. I demand respect and I get it."

Diva Hollie Weir has recently completed a bachelor of performing arts and enjoys using her acting skills during the wrestling events.

Her role is to distract wrestlers fighting her "man", whether by laying in a boot outside the ring or yelling at the referee.

 





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No Fighting For Sex and the City Stars

Kristin Davis has put an end to constant rumors that there was infighting between the leading ladies in 'Sex and the City', saying they are "four of the luckiest, overpaid women in the world."Since the hit television series began, reports have circulated the about supposed on-going battles between the cast, from pay disputes to fighting over wardrobe.As 'Sex and the City: The Movie' gears up for it's international release, the rumor-mill is still running hot with stories of cat-fights between its stars, however, Davis has attempted to stop the gossip.Appearing on British TV show 'This Morning', the actress reveals, "If we were fighting over shoes, if we actually got into a physical altercation over shoes - we would have to be in the nut house. She continues, "We don't fight over shoes, we don't really fight. We are four of the luckiest, overpaid women in the world - with the best job in the world. We have been together for 10 years, working together for 18 hours a day. We would never have got through this if we weren't close. We love each other." Photo courtesy of New Line. 

Celine Dion used over 6.5 million gallons of water

Washington (ANI): Canadian singer Celine Dion has been put to shame by the water authorities in Florida after she used over 6.5 million gallons of water at her home in the state. The singer was further named for the over excessive usage of water, which mounted to 29.5 million liters - the highest figure for a residential property in the US, Contactmusic reported. The figure was taken from her utility bill records for last year (07) for her Marin County, Florida home, and it was discovered that the water used was enough to fill a large bathtub every four minutes. The usage showed quite a vast difference from other family homes in the area, which use just 120,000 gallons (550,000 liters) over a year.

50 Cent - 50 Cent Awaiting Investigation On House Fire

LATEST: Rapper 50 CENT is "eager" to discover the authorities' findings surrounding the fire that engulfed his New York home, endangering his son and ex-girlfriend.

The Long Island estate - owned by 50 Cent and occupied by his former lover Shaniqua Tompkins and their 10-year-old son Marquise - was set ablaze in what New York cops have called a "highly suspicious" inferno that raged at 5am (EST) on Friday (30May08).

The home has been at the centre of a bitter dispute between the hip-hop star - real name Curtis Jackson - and Tompkins since last month's (Apr08) ruling that she and Marquise must leave the rapper's mansion by the end of 2008.

The star's spokesperson says, "Informed this morning while filming a new motion picture on location in Louisiana, Curtis Jackson expressed deep concern over this fire at his property. He is extremely thankful that everyone including his son, Marquise, escaped the burning house safely.

"He is confident that authorities will be conducting a thorough investigation of the incident and is eager to review their findings."

And Tompkins - who split from the rapper in 2003 - has fuelled reports a vengeful party is to blame after revealing she heard "someone" come into the house at 4am, an hour prior to the incident.

Police have sent sniffer dogs to search the rubble for a substance that may have been used as an igniter.

However, the In Da Club hitmaker is not being treated as a suspect, reports TMZ.com.

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