Listen up!

Class is in session.

First off, an invitation for everyone to listen to "Old School, New School" -- our weekly podcast. You can download EPISODE 32 right here.

Now, onto business.

If you don't generally buy or rent wrestling pay-per-views when they arrive on DVD, you should make an exception for "WrestleMania 23."

Why? Three words. Hall. Of. Fame. You see, when the HOF induction ceremony is presented on free TV before the PPV (USA in this case), you only see one hour of the presentation. When you buy this DVD, you get the whole extravaganza.

That's right, I'm saying buy/rent the "WrestleMania 23" DVD simply on the Hall Of Fame ceremony alone. It's that dang good.

Don't get me wrong. I really, really enjoyed the Money In The Bank ladder match. And I really thought the Undertaker-Batista battle for the World Heavyweight Championship was top notch for two big guys. And yes, on second viewing, the Trump/McMahon hair vs. hair match was even better! On top of that, threre's oodles of extras, including the "All Grown Up" vignettes of various wrestlers, and the wild Trump/McMahon news conference. But for your old Professor, I'm now to the point in my wrestling-viewing life where hearing from the legends eclipses watching the big show and all of its trappings. I know that sounds weird, but let me explain.

The reason I like wrestling so much is because there's much more going on than just what's on the screen. This fake sport has a very real, rich tradition that stretches back decades. Often times the foe you're facing in the ring is your best friend in the locker room. And the longer you stay around, the more stories you have to tell. Want raw emotion? Watch the Hall Of Fame ceremony.

Ric Flair, God love him, was in the front row of this year's extravaganza. When longtime ring "foe" Dusty Rhodes was giving his HOF acceptance speech, Flair was beaming. You could tell he was sincerely proud of the American Dream. And then there was the moment when Rhodes asked if he could be part of Flair's legendary Four Horsemen. Flair, at that point, had tears in his eyes. It's great stuff, and it just shows that no matter what happens on the air, behind the scenes, this is still a great brotherhood.

The HOF ceremony also includes the induction of the great AWA star, Nick Bockwinkel. His speech (as well as those of The Wild Samoans, The Original Sheik and Mr. Fuji) wasn't included in the USA show simply because of time considerations -- and the fact that today's young fans might not know who he is. He's been retired for a bit, but was a huge a star during the territory days. But the master is at his gracious, smooth, savvy best here, and it's a treat to see him get his due on a national stage. Nick Bockwinkel. Where did the time go?

Bottom line: say what you want about WWE. Sometimes their plotlines go nowhere. Sometimes there's simply too much sleaze. Sometimes the performers are stuck in one gear. It's easy to pick out stuff Vince McMahon's circus does wrong. But if there's one thing he does exceptionally right -- to the great benefit of longtime fans -- it's the annual Hall Of Fame induction ceremony.

If you're a new school fan, watch it and learn something. If you're an old school fan, just enjoy -- and try to keep a dry eye. It's not that easy.

Now scram!

Class is dismissed!

(Professor Wrestling is a masked employee of Internet Broadcasting. Got a question, comment, complaint? E-mail him right here. )