WWE and its muscled-up mayhem

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Since the Afghanistan and Iraq wars began nearly nine years ago, Lowcountry pro wrestling fans always got a bonus Christmas present.

For a number of years, World Wrestling Entertainment would come to the North Charleston Coliseum every December to tape either "Monday Night Raw" or "Smackdown!" the two most popular television shows.

After the TV tapings, the WWE Superstars would then head to the Charleston Air Force Base where our military would fly them to either Afghanistan or Iraq to tape the company's annual "Tribute to the Troops" TV specials, bringing our soldiers overseas a slice of Americana during the holiday season.

But 2009 was the first time in many years that WWE did not use the CAFB to head to the Middle East, leaving many fans wondering when there might be another TV taping in Charleston, shows that typically offer more pyrotechnics and storyline-drama than nontelevised events.

That question was answered with satisfaction last week when the WWE returned to the North Charleston Coliseum to tape "Smackdown!"

Those who didn't go can see what kind of mayhem went down in our own backyard when the programs airs 8-10 p.m. Friday on WMMP-TV.

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As for other beatings going down in the Lowcountry, I used to really love going to see professional boxing once a month at the now defunct "The Plex" in North Charleston.

Seeing professional bouts in what was really just one giant bar, was always a real hoot, where enjoying a cocktail or a cigar was the perfect way to enjoy a fight.

With The Plex gone, I believe boxing promoters have held a number of successful shows at the Omar Shriners Temple at Patriot's Point.

To my knowledge, however, monthly bouts are not held on the regular basis they used to be. For this writer, anything that involves fighting is always entertaining -- wrestling, hockey, mixed martial arts -- all three of which can be seen in the Lowcountry on a regular basis, with MMA really just now coming into its own, both nationally and locally.

Now, we just need more boxing.