Listen up! Class is in session.

It's the day after Thanksgiving, and this week's lecture is a quickie column on the five things for which your Professor is most thankful. I know it's National Shopping Day, so I'll get right to it so y'all can get to the mall.

Professor's Choice: The Best Wrestling Web Sites Pro Wrestling Torch Wrestling Observer The Road Warriors Inc. Total Nonstop Action Wrestling World Wrestling Entertainment

1. RAW And Smackdown!
Four hours of fresh programming a week. At times the shows are downright terrible, but for the most part WWE writers and performers do a good job of keeping it fresh. If it wasn't for these two shows and WWE in general, I wouldn't have much to write about. Yes, I know that TNA/NWA is out there and growing, but it still seems to be a AAA promotion, even though Hall and Nash are now on the scene. And yes, I know I don't give much time to independent promotions. For those of you who regard me as a WWE shill, I apologize. Truth be told, you're not too far off base. My New Years resolution: more diversity in the column.

2. Ric Flair
I'm not sure what it is about this guy that I like so much. Maybe it's the decades of time he's put into the business. Maybe it's the stellar work ethic he still exhibits to this day. On "Raw!" this past Monday, Flair was tremendous, playing the role of peacemaker between HHH and Batista. The whole thing was a ruse to get Hunter out of a cage match against Chris Benoit, but Flair was at his manic, screaming best. I've said it many times in the past: With time taking its toll, Flair should retire from the ring and concentrate on being a manager. Evolution, or a new version of the Four Horsemen, would be a great addition to my weekly TV addiction.

3. ProWrestlingTorch.com
Hands down, this is the best professional wrestling Web site on the planet. The hard-working wrestling savant Wade Keller devotes oodles of hours a week to this site, and it shows. Keller also publishes the greatest wrestling newsletter on Earth, the Pro Wrestling Torch. Keller and his trusty No. 2 man, Jason Powell, have been on top of their game for longer than I can remember. Some would call me crazy for pointing you to another source of wrestling news, but if nothing else, the Prof tries to be an honest man. Good is good, bad is bad ... and the Torch is great. Class, it's required reading.

4. Scripted Entertainment
As an overall sports fan (I live in Minnesota, so I'm a big Twins, Vikings and Timberwolves nut), I've often used pro wrestling to get my mind off sports which don't have a pre-determined ending. For example, in 1998, when the Vikes went 15-1 and lost to Atlanta in the NFC title game, I quietly cried myself to sleep. (It's a true story that can be verified by Mrs. Prof) You don't go 15-1 and miss the Super Bowl! Thankfully, wrestling was on the next night to help cure that Purple hangover. The past three seasons, the Twins have won the American League Central Division. The past three seasons, they have choked in the playoffs. Wrestling, featuring no emotional attachments -- only fun -- was there all three times to serve as a baseball pain reliever. And now they've signed a guy named Juan Castro to replace shortstop Cristian Guzman. Sigh. Anyway, real champs and real storylines are the ultimate when they emerge, but fake sports -- well acted and executed -- can make you feel fine.

5. Readers Of This Column
I'm not going to go on and on. Just a simple thanks for your support. I try to answer every letter, and I try to publish the really good ones when I put out a call for comments. In the eight months that this column has run, I've only been called an idiot a few times. Frankly, I thought it would be more than that. Again, thanks.

Now get out of here. Class dismissed!

(Professor Wrestling is a masked employee of Internet Broadcasting Systems. He's also thankful for his kids, Professor Junior and Professor Juniorette, and for his wife, Mrs. Professor -- who's irritated that she didn't make into the Top 5.)