By ALEX MARVEZ, Scripps Howard News Service

When learning of his 2008 College Football Hall of Fame selection, Ron Simmons could have responded with his World Wrestling Entertainment catchphrase of "Damn!"Instead, he wanted to use some other spicy language. When first contacted last month by the National Football Foundation, a disbelieving Simmons almost hung up the telephone.

A fairy-tale pro-wrestling career is neatly summarized in Larry Zbyszko's new autobiography."Adventures in Larryland" ($19.95; ECW Press) focuses primarily on the feuds and story lines that have helped make Zbyszko one of grappling's most colorful personalities since 1980.

"Rugged" Ronnie Garvin's disdain of today's pro wrestling isn't surprising.

Being a die-hard pro wrestling fan isn't cheap.In fact, purchasing every pay-per-view grappling show would even leave "Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase strapped for cash.

Pro wrestling's beloved "desperado" still hasn't finished his ride into the sunset.Two years since his last high-profile appearance, Terry Funk is once again stepping inside the ring. He will be the guest referee for the Sabu-Homeless Jimmy vs. Raven-Johnny Webb match that headlines an Xtreme Pro Wrestling reunion show Saturday in Redondo Beach, Calif.

The main event between Randy Orton and Paul "Triple H" Levesque on Sunday's Judgment Day pay-per-view show should come off without a hitch.Unfortunately, that wasn't the case for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling's most recent headline offering.

"Honor" and "Jonny Fairplay" are words that fans of the TV show "Survivor'' don't use together.Fairplay, though, will be appearing on a Ring of Honor show Saturday at New York City's Hammerstein Ballroom. Fairplay's foray comes as he once again tries parlaying reality television infamy into a pro wrestling career.

Diamond Dallas Page's acclaimed yoga program is aimed for "regular guys."But even by pro wrestling's loose standards, "DDP" was anything but normal when breaking into the business 20 years ago.

Being called a sidekick doesn't sit well with Frankie Kazarian.Kazarian -- a/k/a Kaz -- is teaming with Eric Young in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling. The duo's greatest success has come when the cowardly Young transforms into "Super Eric" and plows through the competition like Hulk Hogan once did in the 1980s.

What a long, strange trip it's been for Bob Calhoun.Trying to promote his punk-rock band, Calhoun became involved with a San Francisco pro-wrestling troop that also booked live musical acts. But this wasn't just any grappling promotion.