Cageside Seats, for Pro Wrestling and MMA fans

11 years ago today, Lou Thesz passed away. His legacy in professional wrestling was one that will never be matched.

CM Punk, mentally burnt out and injured, attended UFC's The Ultimate Fighter 17 Finale last weekend. Mark Coleman wanted to pick a fight with the WWE superstar over UFC management's decision to treat Punk as a bigger celebrity on their telecast.

This Week in NJPW: Shuffling the roster -- Tetsuya Naito talks his return; MVP, Shelton Benjamin, and Low-Ki removed from the roster page; Koji Kanemoto goes freelance; Hiromu Takahashi goes to the UK; Yuji Nagata gains weight

Cageside Guest Columnist John S. Nash brings us another feature edition of The Martial Chronicles. In this edition, we learn exactly why it is that MMA's in all actuality really nothing more than professional wrestling.

It was on this date in pro wrestling history that one of the most influential wrestlers in the history of the business made his debut.

Before Hulkamania was running wild in the WWF, Hulk Hogan was working technical matches in Japan. And on this date in New Japan Pro Wrestling history (June 2, 1983), he won the first ever International Wrestling Grand Prix tournament by defeating Antonio Inoki in the finals.

Though Brock Lesnar didn't take a dive against Alistair Overeem and won't make a shock return to WWE Raw in just two days time, the truth is close enough that a former colleague of Lesnar's like Chris Jericho who knows his MO can plausibly make those false accusations. Throughout his career, Lesnar has always looked for an exit strategy when things weren't going his way. Nothing has changed.

The Sin Cara Azul vs. Sin Cara Negro mask vs. mask match was not the only special treat for the local Mexican fans at WWE's Smackdown TV tapings in Mexico City two days ago. In a segment for the live audience alone there was a special ceremony for lucha libre legend Mil Mascaras, where Triple H announced that he would be inducted into the WWE Hall Of Fame next year.

On this date in NJPW history: Antonio Inoki makes his pro wrestling debut

Jim Ross in his blog gave his thoughts on UFC 118. Inside we give our take on what he had to say regarding the show.