I know this is is not WWE related but as I don't participate on MySpace and Facebook, I consider this my online outlet to discuss anything I want including religion. This Sunday, while at church I was shocked upon being told that the State of Connecticut is trying to oversee the finances of Catholic Church. Personally, I don't want religion overseeing our state or federal government and vice versa.

To make a long story short, this is an unlawful and bigoted law that my beloved home state is attempting to pass. Propsed Bill #1098 would allow the finances of local parishes to be run by lay councils and would essentially remove power from Catholic pastors, who would only be allowed serve in an advisory role. The bill is clearly unconstitutional and would violate the First Amendment regarding the right to freedom of religion.Furthermore, no other religion has been targeted.

Attorney Philip A. Lacovara, a Catholic and constitutional law expert, who served as deputy solicitor general of the United States and has taught the subject at Columbia University and Georgetown, was counsel to the Watergate special prosecutor and has argued 18 cases before the U.S. Supreme Court said the bill is deeply flawed.

"In more than forty years as a constitutional law teacher and practitioner, I cannot recall a single piece of proposed legislation at any level of government that more patently runs afoul of the Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment than does this bill.''

Myself and thousands of Connecticut Catholics will be attending a public hearing this Wednesday night in Hartford, CT. In the meantime, It would not break my heart if any of you, Catholic or not, who believe in the separation of Church and State would reach out to the lawmakers responsible for this unconstitutional abomination:

Senator Andrew McDonald:
Capitol phone: (800) 842-1420; Home phone: (203) 348-7439
E-mail: McDonald@senatedems.ct.go...

Representative Michael Lawlor:
Capitol phone: (800) 842-8267; Home phone: (203) 469-9725
E-mail: MLawlor99@juno.com

Thanks.

Joey Styles

Tommy Dreamer and I traveling together in the same vehicle for three hours in each direction? Sounds like a pasta powered blast to the past for a couple of guys who enjoy barbed wire as much as linguini.

Rather than accept personal appearances on Saturdays, I have instead chosen to reserve my cherished days off to spend time with my beloved Mrs. Styles and five year-old Joey Styles, Jr. (He is not allowed to scream "Oh My God" for those of you wondering. He may however say politely "Oh My Gosh!").

However, my wonderful wife of over 11 years who traveled with me throughought my tenure with the Original ECW insisted that I accept this invitation for a Hardcore Road Trip.

On Saturday March 28, Tommy, his wife Beulah and I will be among over 20 ECW Originals including "The Franchise" Shane Douglas, "The Queen of Extreme" Francine, The Sandman, Raven and the Blue World Order appearing together at:

WrestlingMarx.com's HARDCORE REUNION

Merchants Square Outlet Mall

1901 South 12th Street

Allentown, PA

In its 16-year history, the WWE Hall of Fame has welcomed ring pioneers of all types. But on April 4, 2009, for the first time ever, the Hall will be taken to the extreme with the induction of former ECW Champion Terry Funk -- the first ECW Champion to be inducted into the Hall.

WWE.com recently asked Original ECW commentator Joey Styles for comment on Funk's induction:

"ECW gave me an audition when WCW and the other wrestling company, which was located around the corner from my home in Stamford, CT, which shall remain nameless, would not.

After earning my “spot” my Paul Heyman. I found myself getting an all night tutorial from Terry Funk regarding what the shortcomings of other wrestling announcers at the time were.

Basically, Terry told me that he could see I had passion and that I should never hold back that passion when calling matches. Terry also legimately strangled me on ECW TV and then told me he did so that because once he “broke me into the business”, I would be considered initiated to the locker room.

Once word gets around that you graduated from “Funk U” and that Terry Funk cared enough to teach you respect for “the business”, a youngster in a locker room is usually afforded a pass on future unintentional mistakes.

Seeing Terry Funk inducted is going to be my favorite WWE Hall of Fame induction to date. I doubt it will air on TV live."

I really enjoyed last Sunday's Royal Rumble. While I don't miss calling matches, I very much miss my ringside seat for WWE pay-per-views. I thought Randy Orton's Royal Rumble Match strategy of using Legacy teammates Ted DiBiase and Cody Rhodes was masterful and obviously, fruitful. However, after punting our Chairman, Mr. McMahon in the skull, it seems Orton finds himself pitted against the most powerful family in the history of profession wrestling. Good luck Randy.

Matt Hardy revealed his true feelings for his brother, former WWE Champion, Jeff and I for one, think Matt had good reason for his shocking actions. I don't want to speak for Matt but you can hear Matt's explanation in his own heartfelt words tonight on SmackDown.

Congratulations to Edge for now being a seven time World and WWE Champion. Depending on how long Edge decides to compete in WWE, I think Edge has the ability and cunning to eclipse Triple H's 12 championship reigns and Hall of Famer Ric Flair's record 16 reigns. Edge is that good and gets better with every match.

JBL's investment in the services of Shawn Michaels failed to wrest the World Championship from John Cena at the Royal Rumble. The very next evening on RAW, Michael's failure to follow his employer JBL's instructions cost JBL a coveted spot in the World Championship Elimination Chamber at No Way Out. Is it possible that JBL bought a lemon no longer capable of producing lemonade? That question may get me superkicked this Monday in St. Louis.

Speaking of JBL, he and ECW Commentator, Matt Striker as well as former WWE Diva, Jackie Haas will al be making a special appearance tomorrow at fellow WWE Superstar, Charlie Haas' grand opening of Custom Muscle from 11AM to 2PM Central Time.

Custom Muscle is located at 12388 FM 423 Suite 400 Frisco, TX 75034. Great supplements and great prices such as Layfield's Energy Plus No Pain can also be purchased online at www.Custom-Muscle.com

While I would never take it upon myself to overule the opinions of the WWE.com editorial staff, I do reserve the right to humbly disagree.

That being said, I found what I feel are glaring mistakes in their list of Top 25 Managers of all time (specifically the absence of Paul E. Dangerously/Paul Heyman and Jim Cornette).

That being said, from 1 to 25, here is my list of who I feel are the Top 25 Managers in Pro Wrestling history:

Bobby Heenan

Jimmy Hart

Paul E. Dangerously / Paul Heyman

James J. Dillon

Jim Cornette

Gary Hart

Paul Ellering

Lou Albano

Freddie Blassie

Paul Bearer

Skandor Akbar

Tammy Sytch / Sunny

Grand Wizard

Arnold Skaaland

Mr. Fuji

Sherri Martel

Elizabeth

Johnny Valiant

Oliver Humperdink

Francine

Bill Alfonso

Marlena / Terri Runnels

Slick

Dawn Marie

Harvey Wippleman

Feel free to send me feedback right here on my WWE Universe page.

Joey Styles