May 1, 2006

Wrestling's Reality

Former World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) superstar D'Lo Brown (real name: A.C. Connor) believes that black wrestlers are "under-utilized" in the professional wrestling business. "I wish more opportunities were given. I will never ever say the racist word [in regard to wrestling] but just by sure numbers there are not enough of us getting into the industry. Of the small amount that actually gets in, only a few are ever given the opportunity to shine," Brown told BV Buzz, from his home in West Palm Beach, Fla. Does he believe things will ever get better for blacks in wrestling? "That's hard to say. It's a hard question to answer," he pondered.

A protégé of former wrestling champion Ron Simmons, Brown was the first person ever to hold both the WWE's Intercontinental and European Championship belts simultaneously before leaving that organization to wrestle for Japan's All Japan Pro Wrestling organization. "They have been completely receptive to me," he said of the Japanese fans. "Let me tell you how cool it is, they don't have the letter "L" in their alphabet, but the people can now say D'Lo. And they chant D'Lo to me while I'm in the ring! Normally they would go: 'D'Ro, D'Ro!' But they realized that was not my name and learned how to say 'D'Lo."

Brown travels to Japan every three weeks for two weeks at a time. He's racked up so many frequent flier airline miles with his commute that he recently donated some to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. He also spent some time in the U.K. last year as a part of a reality series on ITV Network called 'Celebrity Wrestling.' Though the series sounds like it would be the answer to 'Dancing with Celebrities' or 'Celebrity Skating,' Brown admitted the U.K. reality show left much to be desired.

"It was a reality show that was based on teaching celebrities how to do wrestling-rated games. It was a flawed concept from the beginning because it had no wrestling in it. It tried to cater to one crowd, but when it came on it was a different show than what we filmed. The live action stuff was incredible, and if they would have just shot that it would have been great. But they tried to make it more like 'American Gladiators,' and it fell flat on its face," he confessed.

We asked Brown, a former accountant who says he got into wrestling "totally by accident," to give us his thoughts on some of wrestling's most notorious personalities.

WWE owner Vince McMahon: "The greatest boss I've ever worked for in any profession or job anywhere. He's better than any head coach and better than any teacher. He commanded that you give 10,000-percent because he was willing to go do the same thing."

On Hulk Hogan: "The greatest of all time. You can't argue that. Look at what he's done and look at his body of work. Another cool guy who remembers everyone."

The 'American Dream' Dusty Rhodes: "Who didn't think Dusty Rhodes was black growing up? Dusty Rhodes was blacker than anybody I knew. I swore he was black! One of the guys I wanted to be like. Growing up I wanted to be the son of a plumber. It was good to experience being in the ring with him."

On his former partner Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson: "Seeing his transformation was, for a lack of a better term, amazing. He and I would ride on the road and we'd be in the car and he would practice different interviews and test different things. It was almost like he was tuning a radio in until he found that perfect channel. When he found it, that's when he took off. To watch him grow, grow, grow and then expand larger than the wrestling business and crossover into Hollywood, it was pretty cool to be witness to that."

Hangin' Tough

Comedian Mark Curry ('Hangin' with Mr. Cooper') underwent surgery last week after a freak accident at his home. According to friends of the funnyman, Curry was burned severely after accidentally dropping an aerosol can near a water heater, which caused a bomb-like explosion. The blast burned the majority of his body and a small portion of his face.

At press time Curry was being treated in a burn center in Oakland, Calif., where he also underwent surgery. Despite the severity of the accident, Curry's spirits were apparently high. On his voicemail, the comic sang a medley of songs including "Fire" by The Ohio Players, "Hot In Herre" by Nelly, "Disco Inferno" by The Trammps, and the party chant "The Roof is on Fire" by Rock Master Scott and The Dynamic Three. He also asked that no one send flowers, because they're not allowed at a burn center, but asked callers to send up prayers for him and consider sending a cashmere sweater once he gets out.

Most recently, Curry appeared on the Game Show Network's 'Poker Royale: Comedians vs. Pros' and guest-starred on Kirstie Alley's Showtime series 'Fat Actress.'

Buzzworthy

Victoria's Secret has released its first 'What is Sexy?' list. The lingerie company lists Hollywood personalities, musicians and travel destinations among its 'Sexy' roster. Halle Berry was named 'Sexiest Actor' on the list; 'Access Hollywood' host Shaun Robinson was named 'Sexiest TV Personality;' singer Seal and supermodel Heidi Klum were Victoria's Secret's 'Sexiest Couple;' and Los Angeles was named 'Sexiest U.S. City.'

Prophetess Juanita Bynum, pastor of the Global Destiny International Center in Atlanta, has signed a deal with BET to host a new talk show. Details about the show are sketchy, however those who attended her The Threshing Floor conference said that Bynum said her show would be like "Oprah Winfrey's show, but with the Holy Ghost." Bynum was previously a show host on the Christian channel TBN. No word on when her talk show will premiere on BET, but in the meantime you can catch her singing alongside 'American Idol' winner Ruben Studdard and jazz great Jonathan Butler at the UBA Carousel of the Arts recording 'Gospel Goes Classical.' The live music concert, with Dr. Henry Panion, III and the GGC Symphony Orchestra and Choir, will take place on Sun., May 7 at the Alys Stephens Center in Birmingham, Ala.

Many readers have emailed inquiring about the male model that was kissing recently-booted 'America's Next Top Model' contestant Nnenna during a photo shoot on the Tyra Banks reality series. His name is Vaughn Lowery, who most remember for doing his "Boxer Boogie" in the Joe Boxer commercial campaign. Lowery, who is represented by Next Models, has also appeared in campaigns for Old Navy, Fila, Dasani and Sketchers. In addition to viewing his portfolio, you can check out his artwork and t-shirt line at www.vaughnlowery.com.

Promoter Al Wash's ALW Entertainment is extending the 'Hero Tour' with Kirk Franklin for five additional weeks. Mary Mary's last date on the 'Hero Tour' was last Friday in Fort Wayne, Ind. Replacing them on the bill when the tour resumes will be Myron Butler & Levi and an as-yet-unnamed act. For details visit www.alwe.com.

Congratulations are in order for Sean Patrick Thomas ('Save the Last Dance') and Aonika Laurent ('Fantastic Four'). The two actors wed during a ceremony in Laurent's hometown of New Orleans more than a week ago, after postponing their originals nuptials because of Hurricane Katrina. This is the first marriage for the happy couple, who met at a party thrown by 'Barbershop' director Tim Story.

Can't Say Names…

Sources say that a newly-popular reality show star has not only broken up one relationship, but she has also been quietly having an affair with a married NBA hoops star. Sources tell me that said TV talent has been secretly sleeping with a NBA baller in between partying and making appearances with a her new rapper-boyfriend. Let's hope this love triangle doesn't cause these two pint-sized men to come to blows.

BV Scene

Lil' Mo, Tanya Blount, Virtue member Ebony Holland, Heaven 1580-AM personality Marsha Summers and producer Warryn Campbell among those checking out the 'Hero Tour' with Kirk Franklin and Mary Mary at Washington, D.C.'s Constitution Hall. Lil' Mo was also spotted at the Baltimore stop of the 'Hero Tour' with R&B singer Raheem DeVaughn… According to Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune gossip C.J., 'Today' weatherman Al Roker was dining at a Minneapolis restaurant called FIVE, and he was mistaken for 'American Idol' judge Randy Jackson… Rev. Jesse Jackson surprised some Katrina evacuees who returned home to New Orleans to bury a loved one who died during the storm. Raynard Simon and family were inspired by the unannounced appearance of Jackson and his entourage at their home. Before leaving, Jackson encouraged the family to make sure they vote in the next election… R&B trio Boyz II Men and hoops stars Tracy McGrady and Dikembe Mutombo of the Houston Rockets at the nightclub GhostBar at the Palms Casino in Las Vegas… Producer-director Jerry Bruckheimer dining at Arnaud's in New Orleans. The Hollywood bigwig is in the Big Easy filming the Denzel Washington film 'Deja Vu.'