I have been very encouraged by the positive response to our new "vision" for PCW since the announcement a few days ago. However, there were a couple of negative opinions posted on the Internet. It's not my nature to debate with anonymous idiots. But under these circumstances, I'll give one in particular the attention he so desperately craves. And Ernie Todd had a few comments as well. He's not anonymous, but he's still an idiot. I did not think taking shots at others was in-line with Ernie's dedication to the Indian Ten Commandments, Christianity or turning the other cheek, but I've been wrong before.
Myth: Andrew always claimed that what seperated PCW from the rest was that PCW, on Tom's dime (actually Andrew never admitted to that, but it is true), was that they ran every week. Can claim that now, can Andrew?
Truth: I have always claimed that what separates PCW from the rest is our talent and our vision. There have been other promotions in Manitoba that have run a lot of shows but not with our talent and our vision. Our talent speaks for itself. Our vision of big shows with big names that matter is unique to us in this market. And for the record, Tom is a great partner and sponsor but not one dime flows from Tom's pocket into the til from which the guys are paid out of at the end of the night. And if there is a shortfall, not one dime comes from Tom. It comes from me. Saying otherwise is like saying Wendy's runs the CFL.
Myth: It is a forced restructuring due to the money man saying enough is enough. Tom owns the ring, and the bar at which the shows are held. Guys have complained to him about not getting paid and in turn Andrew says that the door isn't allowing for everyone to get paid.
Truth: As I explained on The Squared Circle earlier today, the final decision on the schedule was mine. No crew member has ever complained to Tom about anything. That is actually quite laughable.
Myth: All this information coming from the poster formely known as "inside the lr"
Truth: How can one argue with a source like that?
Myth: had Danny not decided to stop running, and left town for a bit, he'd have been given the reigns of the Thursday night spot at the Lid.
Truth: I see we have now left Fantasyland and are crossing into bizzarro world. I doubt Danny would want to run a regular weekly promotion on his own dime when he has a budding career of his own, but even if he did, it wouldn't be PCW and it wouldn't be at the Lid. There is a better chance of the Flyers winning the Stanley Cup this year than anyone but me running wrestling at the LID. I don't think Danny and Tom have ever even met. And I don't think Danny chose to stop running shows. Wayne sold RCW to Ernie and Danny chose not to work for him.
Myth: I've (anonymous Internet wrestling expert) been back for 3 or 4 shows now, and had seen almost every show for 2 year prior to being away.
Truth: You've never been to a PCW show.
Myth: This is a major shock & blow to boys options for Wpg wrestling
Truth: I'm not sure what ET us talking about in that statement but I am sure I don't want to know.
Myth: Does this mean the "exclusive roster" (can't work for Ernie Todd) is no more?
Truth: No. The guys still won't work for Ernie Todd.
Myth: Lots of good shows are put on all over the country Andrew
Truth: That is true. There are also a lot of shitty shows being put on all over the country, Ernie.
Myth: No one can help it that your creativity has run the course years ago
Truth: I have more creativity in my left nut than you, Ernie. A corpse is more creative than you, Ernie. A rectal exam is more entertaining than one of your shows, Ernie (except the Dan Severn match - that was obviously the greatest idea in wrestling history).
Myth: You said for about half a year that you were considering dropping the weekly show for a monthly one.
Truth: You've been saying for three years that you were considering having a 10th anniversary show.
Myth: Too bad for the boys though, now they have to look for work elsewhere.
Truth: Don't get excited, Ernie. They won't be looking in your direction. None of my guys are under contract and you've asked them to work for you before. You'll get the same answer now.
Myth: Maybe I will look for a weekly venue. After all, I have two rings & it won't be hard to find a crew now in Wpg.
Truth: It shouldn't be hard to have a 10th anniversary show within three years of your 10th anniversary either, but you managed to screw that up. Haven't you learned that making public boasts that never come true hurts your credibility in the business? Never mind.
I will be happy to respond to questions posted here or in the PCWaction.com forums.
Look for the new website to launch very soon.
Monday, February 26, 2007
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Awesome, PCW's Website, the Future and More!
I was saddened to read of the death of Mike Awesome. I was always a big fan of his work and effort and remember fondly his run in ECW. Back when I began watching ECW PPV's, the programs that stick out most in my mind were RVD/Jerry Lynn and Mike Awesome/Masato Tanaka. Awesome was a terrific ECW World Champion and a great worker.
It was a shame that WCW dropped the ball with him and then WWE did the same. I was a bit bothered by WWE's announcement concerning Awesome's death and their dedication to him on this week's ECW show. It's nice they acknowledged him, but far too late. Awesome deserved a contract and WWE should have taken care of him. I hope they do more then dedicate a show to him now, and either sign a contract with his estate or create some Awesome merchandise so his family is taken care of.
It has long been my opinion that there is enough talent in Manitoba to support one really great promotion and a secondary promotion as well. If the two companies worked together to a certain extent, it would benefit the industry, the fans and the boys. One of the reasons that can't happen is, other promotions simply can't admit they aren't the top place in the province and others exist solely to give themselves and their friends a spot.
Speaking of which, I noticed that IWM announced that Mentallo was "let go" and "won't be back". It was a timely dismissal since Mentallo had quit the promotion (that's sarcasm, by the way). If you don't want the best worker in the province, then your promotion is bush league, plain and simple (especially when you job our your own title as an immature message to the guy leaving who likely doesn't give two shits about you and probably enjoyed the paid "night off").
Speaking of IWM, they recently announced they were shutting down and then changed the announcement to be a hiatus until 2008. As I said on Mike Arnott's radio program this week, of all the promotions in Manitoba, IWM would not be my first choice of places that should shut down. They provided good shows and brought in names that the fans would otherwise not get to see in Winnipeg. More often than not, TJ Bratt and I did not see eye to eye, but he spent money and made an effort to better the industry and that is deserving of praise. When he and I sat down and discussed our working relationship, they were always positive and had we been able to see eye to eye, it would have been a huge positive for the local scene.
Something I was told by a reliable source but, obviously, cannot confirm - Greg Valentine's decision not to attend the RME and IWM events was due in large part to a suggestion by another WWE "legend" who told him not to bother coming. I sure hope that is not true.
As you are all aware, the PCWaction.com website is going to be-launched in the near future. We have hired a new webmaster for the task and he is young, creative, committed and will make many positive contributions to the local industry for as long as he chooses to be involved in the business. I am very excited that he is heading up our website and other Internet initiatives and I am confident the fanbase will approve of the new design.
In addition to a new look (already evident on our slick new forums), the plan is to make the website more user friendly with much more information, timely updates and video. TNA makes great use of YouTube to bring video to their fans and we will follow their lead. In addition to posting current vignettes, promos and highlights, my intent is to release some Blasts from the Past in the form of classic vignettes, promos and highlights that I am sure people will remember fondly and find amusing. Some are so good they're great and others are so bad they're good!
There has been talk of re-establishing an Internet-based TV show or Internet match of the week. I like the idea but also intend to finally develop our merchandise and DVD production areas. A regular Internet presence may be a great tool to assist with marketing our live events and DVD's to a wider audience and bring greater exposure to many of our terrific talents here in Manitoba.
The website will not be the only change coming to PCW in the near future. I've often talked about a "vision" of the business as others have as well. Those people that make a strong effort, even if you disagree with their direction, clearly have a vision, regardless of whether I personally believe it's the correct one or not. Our vision has slowly evolved over the past few years and I hope it becomes more clearly defined in the near future. Producing quality events and dealing with everything that comes with it takes a great deal of effort and commitment for very little return but those of us that buy into the team concept do it because we love it.
I have two visions. One is the "If someone dropped a quarter of a million dollars in my lap and insisted I use it to develop a renowned wrestling promotion" vision and the other is the "since I don't have a quarter of a million dollars but a lot of great talent and a desire to be the best, we'll do what we can with what we've got" vision. The second vision is what I hope will form over the next year or so. If it can't work or if the industry and fans reject it, then so be it. I'd be just as content to walk away from the business with positive memories and good friends.
In the past few months, PCW has received three offers to purchase the company, ranging from a casual conversation to a serious discussion of the viability of changing ownership and moving forward. I won't say if our current evolution has anything to do with those offers and discussions or not as the people involved wish to keep it that way.
I've been giving some serious thought to imports to bring in over the course of the next year and a few names have been suggested including old favourites like Chris Sabin and Steve Corino, bringing back great guys like Christopher Daniels, AJ Styles and Samoa Joe and new imports such as Jeff Jarrett or Christian Cage. Your input, as always, is appreciated.
And finally, I read with tremendous amusement some comments on the Internet from a couple of punks that simply "don't get it". Specifically, David Drako made a post that pretty much sums up why he likely never will get it either. According to him, it's the fault of the veterans of our local industry that Drako and his "friends" continue to make a mockery of our business because the vets won't help them succeed. Listen, kid, it's not the industry's job to make your shitty efforts succeed. Drako had two opportunities to train with PCW and take full advantage of the veteran talent we're lucky enough to have, but he chose to violate the agreements he made and quit. If you want to be trained and you want to be in the business, you operate under our terms. We don't operate under yours. And if you can't make it, then either choose a different career path in the business or go sit in the audience. There is no shame in being a paying customer. But do yourselves a favour and shut the fuck up. Jim Ross said in his blog this week that "rookies should be seen, not heard (unless asked)." Good advice from a guy no one can argue with.
Look for the new PCWaction.com website as well as some major announcements in the near future! And remember PCW presents Samoa Joe March 8th!
It was a shame that WCW dropped the ball with him and then WWE did the same. I was a bit bothered by WWE's announcement concerning Awesome's death and their dedication to him on this week's ECW show. It's nice they acknowledged him, but far too late. Awesome deserved a contract and WWE should have taken care of him. I hope they do more then dedicate a show to him now, and either sign a contract with his estate or create some Awesome merchandise so his family is taken care of.
It has long been my opinion that there is enough talent in Manitoba to support one really great promotion and a secondary promotion as well. If the two companies worked together to a certain extent, it would benefit the industry, the fans and the boys. One of the reasons that can't happen is, other promotions simply can't admit they aren't the top place in the province and others exist solely to give themselves and their friends a spot.
Speaking of which, I noticed that IWM announced that Mentallo was "let go" and "won't be back". It was a timely dismissal since Mentallo had quit the promotion (that's sarcasm, by the way). If you don't want the best worker in the province, then your promotion is bush league, plain and simple (especially when you job our your own title as an immature message to the guy leaving who likely doesn't give two shits about you and probably enjoyed the paid "night off").
Speaking of IWM, they recently announced they were shutting down and then changed the announcement to be a hiatus until 2008. As I said on Mike Arnott's radio program this week, of all the promotions in Manitoba, IWM would not be my first choice of places that should shut down. They provided good shows and brought in names that the fans would otherwise not get to see in Winnipeg. More often than not, TJ Bratt and I did not see eye to eye, but he spent money and made an effort to better the industry and that is deserving of praise. When he and I sat down and discussed our working relationship, they were always positive and had we been able to see eye to eye, it would have been a huge positive for the local scene.
Something I was told by a reliable source but, obviously, cannot confirm - Greg Valentine's decision not to attend the RME and IWM events was due in large part to a suggestion by another WWE "legend" who told him not to bother coming. I sure hope that is not true.
As you are all aware, the PCWaction.com website is going to be-launched in the near future. We have hired a new webmaster for the task and he is young, creative, committed and will make many positive contributions to the local industry for as long as he chooses to be involved in the business. I am very excited that he is heading up our website and other Internet initiatives and I am confident the fanbase will approve of the new design.
In addition to a new look (already evident on our slick new forums), the plan is to make the website more user friendly with much more information, timely updates and video. TNA makes great use of YouTube to bring video to their fans and we will follow their lead. In addition to posting current vignettes, promos and highlights, my intent is to release some Blasts from the Past in the form of classic vignettes, promos and highlights that I am sure people will remember fondly and find amusing. Some are so good they're great and others are so bad they're good!
There has been talk of re-establishing an Internet-based TV show or Internet match of the week. I like the idea but also intend to finally develop our merchandise and DVD production areas. A regular Internet presence may be a great tool to assist with marketing our live events and DVD's to a wider audience and bring greater exposure to many of our terrific talents here in Manitoba.
The website will not be the only change coming to PCW in the near future. I've often talked about a "vision" of the business as others have as well. Those people that make a strong effort, even if you disagree with their direction, clearly have a vision, regardless of whether I personally believe it's the correct one or not. Our vision has slowly evolved over the past few years and I hope it becomes more clearly defined in the near future. Producing quality events and dealing with everything that comes with it takes a great deal of effort and commitment for very little return but those of us that buy into the team concept do it because we love it.
I have two visions. One is the "If someone dropped a quarter of a million dollars in my lap and insisted I use it to develop a renowned wrestling promotion" vision and the other is the "since I don't have a quarter of a million dollars but a lot of great talent and a desire to be the best, we'll do what we can with what we've got" vision. The second vision is what I hope will form over the next year or so. If it can't work or if the industry and fans reject it, then so be it. I'd be just as content to walk away from the business with positive memories and good friends.
In the past few months, PCW has received three offers to purchase the company, ranging from a casual conversation to a serious discussion of the viability of changing ownership and moving forward. I won't say if our current evolution has anything to do with those offers and discussions or not as the people involved wish to keep it that way.
I've been giving some serious thought to imports to bring in over the course of the next year and a few names have been suggested including old favourites like Chris Sabin and Steve Corino, bringing back great guys like Christopher Daniels, AJ Styles and Samoa Joe and new imports such as Jeff Jarrett or Christian Cage. Your input, as always, is appreciated.
And finally, I read with tremendous amusement some comments on the Internet from a couple of punks that simply "don't get it". Specifically, David Drako made a post that pretty much sums up why he likely never will get it either. According to him, it's the fault of the veterans of our local industry that Drako and his "friends" continue to make a mockery of our business because the vets won't help them succeed. Listen, kid, it's not the industry's job to make your shitty efforts succeed. Drako had two opportunities to train with PCW and take full advantage of the veteran talent we're lucky enough to have, but he chose to violate the agreements he made and quit. If you want to be trained and you want to be in the business, you operate under our terms. We don't operate under yours. And if you can't make it, then either choose a different career path in the business or go sit in the audience. There is no shame in being a paying customer. But do yourselves a favour and shut the fuck up. Jim Ross said in his blog this week that "rookies should be seen, not heard (unless asked)." Good advice from a guy no one can argue with.
Look for the new PCWaction.com website as well as some major announcements in the near future! And remember PCW presents Samoa Joe March 8th!
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
IWM and Another No-Show
This past Saturday night allowed for another black eye on the Manitoba indy scene as Greg Valentine no-showed the IWM event at Doubles Fun Club. Valentine double booked himself and opted to take the U.S. bookings rather than coming up here. His actions were certainly not worthy of a so-called Hall of Famer but does anyone really care about Greg Valentine anyway?
I attended the show but had to leave following the IWM Championship Triple Threat match so I cannot give a complete review of the show, but following are some of my thoughts.
Marty Gold was the host and announced Valentine's no-show at the start of the show. A few boo's from the 110 people in attendance, but not many. The crowd wasn't overly hot overall, but no one seemed too disappointed in the Valentine news.
AJ Sanchez vs Jon Cutler was a good match. Cutler is in the best shape I have ever seen him and Sanchez is always entertaining and effective. It would be nice to see Cutler work with top level talents like Sanchez on a more regular basis.
I thought the use of Gibby on this show was done very well. Moses Luke attacks him and squashes him (I thought for sure Mo would begin eating the chips that Gibby brought to the ring, but no such luck). Mo was accompanied by Dave Lavinski who cut a promo during the entire time it took for the Mo/Gibby match to take place.
IWM Champion Mentallo is out with Vinko who cut a terrific promo as usual. The fans were not really reacting much to this and part of the reason might be the fact Mentallo was positioned as a babyface on this show when he was a dastardly heel on the last one. The heel/face alignments were all over the place on this show and the fans even rejected them at one point.
Mentallo says he'll defend the title against Mo right now. Dave says it will happen later. There was a quick intermission as the ring is cleaned.
Ozz vs Bobby Jay. Ozz is the arrogant heel and Bobby the face. After cutting a promo that could probably have been written by his teenage son, the fans weren't so sure about cheering for Bobby, but then he proceeded to ditch his usual cheap heat tactics and work a competitive match. I have to admit, I was marking out for Bobby working hard with Ozz. I knew he had it in him! Bobby victorious following a drop kick from the top turnbuckle. Yes, you read that correctly...the TOP turnbuckle.
Robby Royce vs Danny Duggan. The fans totally rejected the face/heel alignment in this one. Someone told me that the fans complained about this match, but I call bullshit on that "complaint". It was a good match and both guys worked hard to get over...and they were over, just not the way it was intended.
Wavell Starr vs Chevy. I zoned out a bit during this match. I know Wavell is hugely talented, but I thought the match was a little too "WWE new old school" style. It's a bar show afterall.
IWM title match. Somehow Zack Mercury got added to this to make it a three way elimination. This is where the show took a huge dump in my opinion. The most talented guy on the show got jobbed out in under five minutes which is totally nonsensical. If you want to job out the champion, that's your prerogative, but you're also jobbing out your title...which means you're doing nothing for the new champion.
I like Mo. I always have. And I like Merc too. But as a worker, Merc is horrific. If you want guys to bump and sell for you, try bumping and selling for them once in awhile. When you make your opponent look bad, it's only making you look weak for beating them. I didn't understand the point of putting the title back on Merc in the first place considering the circumstances behind why he lost it, but this match did nothing for anyone. The finish that was used to have Merc beat Mo would have been a bit lame in a regular match, but a title match on a big show??? Terrible. If the title means nothing to the promotion, then why should it mean anything to the fans?
I left after that.
I thought the show was fairly entertaining over all and a bit smoother than the last IWM show I saw. I think they benefited from using a higher level of talent for the most part and put on a good show in the wake of the Valentine no-show. My only criticism of how the no-show was handled was the fact the promotion did not announce it to the public ahead of time. I know it was on the Wrestling Observer website, but that means it could have been on the local sites as well. It's an unfortunate situation when a "name" screws the promotion and the fans, but it's also not right to avoid announcing that information in advance.
Until next time...
I attended the show but had to leave following the IWM Championship Triple Threat match so I cannot give a complete review of the show, but following are some of my thoughts.
Marty Gold was the host and announced Valentine's no-show at the start of the show. A few boo's from the 110 people in attendance, but not many. The crowd wasn't overly hot overall, but no one seemed too disappointed in the Valentine news.
AJ Sanchez vs Jon Cutler was a good match. Cutler is in the best shape I have ever seen him and Sanchez is always entertaining and effective. It would be nice to see Cutler work with top level talents like Sanchez on a more regular basis.
I thought the use of Gibby on this show was done very well. Moses Luke attacks him and squashes him (I thought for sure Mo would begin eating the chips that Gibby brought to the ring, but no such luck). Mo was accompanied by Dave Lavinski who cut a promo during the entire time it took for the Mo/Gibby match to take place.
IWM Champion Mentallo is out with Vinko who cut a terrific promo as usual. The fans were not really reacting much to this and part of the reason might be the fact Mentallo was positioned as a babyface on this show when he was a dastardly heel on the last one. The heel/face alignments were all over the place on this show and the fans even rejected them at one point.
Mentallo says he'll defend the title against Mo right now. Dave says it will happen later. There was a quick intermission as the ring is cleaned.
Ozz vs Bobby Jay. Ozz is the arrogant heel and Bobby the face. After cutting a promo that could probably have been written by his teenage son, the fans weren't so sure about cheering for Bobby, but then he proceeded to ditch his usual cheap heat tactics and work a competitive match. I have to admit, I was marking out for Bobby working hard with Ozz. I knew he had it in him! Bobby victorious following a drop kick from the top turnbuckle. Yes, you read that correctly...the TOP turnbuckle.
Robby Royce vs Danny Duggan. The fans totally rejected the face/heel alignment in this one. Someone told me that the fans complained about this match, but I call bullshit on that "complaint". It was a good match and both guys worked hard to get over...and they were over, just not the way it was intended.
Wavell Starr vs Chevy. I zoned out a bit during this match. I know Wavell is hugely talented, but I thought the match was a little too "WWE new old school" style. It's a bar show afterall.
IWM title match. Somehow Zack Mercury got added to this to make it a three way elimination. This is where the show took a huge dump in my opinion. The most talented guy on the show got jobbed out in under five minutes which is totally nonsensical. If you want to job out the champion, that's your prerogative, but you're also jobbing out your title...which means you're doing nothing for the new champion.
I like Mo. I always have. And I like Merc too. But as a worker, Merc is horrific. If you want guys to bump and sell for you, try bumping and selling for them once in awhile. When you make your opponent look bad, it's only making you look weak for beating them. I didn't understand the point of putting the title back on Merc in the first place considering the circumstances behind why he lost it, but this match did nothing for anyone. The finish that was used to have Merc beat Mo would have been a bit lame in a regular match, but a title match on a big show??? Terrible. If the title means nothing to the promotion, then why should it mean anything to the fans?
I left after that.
I thought the show was fairly entertaining over all and a bit smoother than the last IWM show I saw. I think they benefited from using a higher level of talent for the most part and put on a good show in the wake of the Valentine no-show. My only criticism of how the no-show was handled was the fact the promotion did not announce it to the public ahead of time. I know it was on the Wrestling Observer website, but that means it could have been on the local sites as well. It's an unfortunate situation when a "name" screws the promotion and the fans, but it's also not right to avoid announcing that information in advance.
Until next time...
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Allow Me To Retort - A Response To ET
Another highly entertaining but idiotic public statement by CWF owner (And AWA Canada President) Ernie Todd:
It is always a risk when booking a name, which is why I don't bother anymore. TNA's system does not pay you for damages or losses when their name they book through their agents (who get paid to book TNA guys) do not show up or in Woodys case, lie to customs then get refused entry. In fact this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to TNA & in this case Behrens, as days before I suggested to woody to "make sure" & he found out how Behrens operates.
I take great offense to this post and I hope any non-Manitobans reading it doesn't categorize all of us local promoters in the same idiotic group as ET.
"How Behrens operates". ET is talking about Bill Behrens, a guy who has worked for the NWA, TNA and WWE. How he operates is with fairness, respect and professionalism. I have never met him but I have done business with him multiple times and have never had a problem. I prefer dealing with Bill to book TNA talent because of how easy it is and have happily passed on his contact information to other promoters looking to book talent.
I also take exception to ET saying he advised Woody to "make sure" days prior to the show. Make sure of what? Abyss was booked. Abyss showed up in Winnipeg (and that was without his deposit having been sent in as required). Custom's knew about the show because they were either "stooged off" by someone or (as I was told), were actually friends with the promoter of note and knew all about the show. If the "names" lied trying to cross the border, that's not cool, but it's the promoter's responsibility to prepare them for what they may encounter. To avoid that, always have "names" clear customs in a major centre (like Toronto, Montreal or Vancouver) and in advance, which is what I have always tried to do and am doing with Samoa Joe.
ET still complains about the time Sabu no-showed for him when he triple-booked himself. It was an unprofessional act on behalf of the talent and out of ET's control. ET says this is why he doesn't book "names" any more. However, since the Sabu no-show, he booked Steve Corino twice and Dan Severn once.
If not informing the public about a no-show in advance is bad business, then so too is advertising names such as Dusty Rhodes, AJ Styles, Steve Corino and others on your website only to never actually book them. It makes you look like a name-dropping mark and paints the entire local industry with that brush.
I understand ET may not like Behrens or anyone associated with the NWA because they kicked him out of that organization, but petty insults on message boards directed at a guy who has had more success in the business than ET ever will comes across pretty lame. It's also pretty nearly slanderous to imply he "operates" in a less than "above-board" manner, which is absolutely and completely false.
And just for the record, I totally sympathise with Woody. I understand why he would be upset and want to recoup some of his expenses. I would feel the exact same way but TNA lived up to their obligations by ensuring Abyss was in Winnipeg when he was supposed to be. If the plane crashed or a massive blizzard shut down the airport, TNA would not be responsible. It's unfortunate that he paid out two airfares for guys that were unable to make it to the show, but that's a risk we all take in promoting events of this magnitude. It's also unfortunate for Abyss who travelled to Winnipeg, didn't get to work and never got paid for his time.
When Milano Collection AT injured himself only days before the Premier Cup 2006, I had to eat his airfare as well. It's an unfortunate reality.
It's bad for all of us when situations like this occur which is why I never wish it upon any of my competitors nor do I take any pleasure whatsoever when it does happen. And why, unlike some people, I would never, ever attempt to cause problems for "names" coming to Winnipeg.
I just wish ET would stop making public statements about the business because he rarely knows what he's talking about.
Good luck to TJ Bratt and the entire IWM roster on tonight's event at Doubles. I am hoping to check out part of the show and am sure it will be well worth the effort.
It is always a risk when booking a name, which is why I don't bother anymore. TNA's system does not pay you for damages or losses when their name they book through their agents (who get paid to book TNA guys) do not show up or in Woodys case, lie to customs then get refused entry. In fact this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to TNA & in this case Behrens, as days before I suggested to woody to "make sure" & he found out how Behrens operates.
I take great offense to this post and I hope any non-Manitobans reading it doesn't categorize all of us local promoters in the same idiotic group as ET.
"How Behrens operates". ET is talking about Bill Behrens, a guy who has worked for the NWA, TNA and WWE. How he operates is with fairness, respect and professionalism. I have never met him but I have done business with him multiple times and have never had a problem. I prefer dealing with Bill to book TNA talent because of how easy it is and have happily passed on his contact information to other promoters looking to book talent.
I also take exception to ET saying he advised Woody to "make sure" days prior to the show. Make sure of what? Abyss was booked. Abyss showed up in Winnipeg (and that was without his deposit having been sent in as required). Custom's knew about the show because they were either "stooged off" by someone or (as I was told), were actually friends with the promoter of note and knew all about the show. If the "names" lied trying to cross the border, that's not cool, but it's the promoter's responsibility to prepare them for what they may encounter. To avoid that, always have "names" clear customs in a major centre (like Toronto, Montreal or Vancouver) and in advance, which is what I have always tried to do and am doing with Samoa Joe.
ET still complains about the time Sabu no-showed for him when he triple-booked himself. It was an unprofessional act on behalf of the talent and out of ET's control. ET says this is why he doesn't book "names" any more. However, since the Sabu no-show, he booked Steve Corino twice and Dan Severn once.
If not informing the public about a no-show in advance is bad business, then so too is advertising names such as Dusty Rhodes, AJ Styles, Steve Corino and others on your website only to never actually book them. It makes you look like a name-dropping mark and paints the entire local industry with that brush.
I understand ET may not like Behrens or anyone associated with the NWA because they kicked him out of that organization, but petty insults on message boards directed at a guy who has had more success in the business than ET ever will comes across pretty lame. It's also pretty nearly slanderous to imply he "operates" in a less than "above-board" manner, which is absolutely and completely false.
And just for the record, I totally sympathise with Woody. I understand why he would be upset and want to recoup some of his expenses. I would feel the exact same way but TNA lived up to their obligations by ensuring Abyss was in Winnipeg when he was supposed to be. If the plane crashed or a massive blizzard shut down the airport, TNA would not be responsible. It's unfortunate that he paid out two airfares for guys that were unable to make it to the show, but that's a risk we all take in promoting events of this magnitude. It's also unfortunate for Abyss who travelled to Winnipeg, didn't get to work and never got paid for his time.
When Milano Collection AT injured himself only days before the Premier Cup 2006, I had to eat his airfare as well. It's an unfortunate reality.
It's bad for all of us when situations like this occur which is why I never wish it upon any of my competitors nor do I take any pleasure whatsoever when it does happen. And why, unlike some people, I would never, ever attempt to cause problems for "names" coming to Winnipeg.
I just wish ET would stop making public statements about the business because he rarely knows what he's talking about.
Good luck to TJ Bratt and the entire IWM roster on tonight's event at Doubles. I am hoping to check out part of the show and am sure it will be well worth the effort.
Monday, February 5, 2007
Are We Safer Since the Study? A Response to Marty Gold!
If you haven't visited this site in a few days, I posted a new blog yesterday giving one answer to the question "What is wrong with the business". So go check it out. But I wanted to post a follow-up in response to something I read online.
Marty Goldstein defended the backyard boys and their "trainer" Gene Swan. He does this because he is friends with Gene. In another thread, Marty is questioned about the Manitoba Safety Study of 2003 that investigated whether the industry needed regulation by a commission. An anonymous poster correctly pointed out that the end result of the study, conducted by Marty, was that the industry was able to self-regulate. The poster was of the belief that the industry was less safe now then in 2003.
Marty replied:
The effects of the study were found in at least three respects -
* the rings generally got safer,
* minors pretty much stopped getting booked onto shows, and
* insurance became more readily available as promoters began modeling their applications to address the concerns of the underwriters.
Come around Canada Day and say hi. If we can book Kerry Brown you can tell him he's a drunk too.
I consider Marty a friend and I certainly respect him, but I have to disagree whole heartedly with his statement.
Firstly, I disagree that all rings got safer. Of the promotions that were running at the time and continue to do so today, I would suspect they are all in similar shape with maybe some extra wear & tear in that time. It's true that there are two new Highspots rings floating around the city which were purchased after the study was concluded.
Secondly, minors mostly stopped getting booked because they grew up and became adults. I believe minors continued working shows as they and the promoter saw fit and the study did not impact this at all. How could it? It had no teeth as it was simply a study with a list of recommendations.
Thirdly, I am not an expert on insurance, but the difficulty in getting liability insurance in 2003 was directly related to the 9/11 attacks and was felt across multiple industries, not just wrestling. While it has become easier to get insurance for wrestling shows since that time, it is also easier to get insurance for other industries as well.
Finally, is the fact Kerry Brown is an experienced veteran a suitable excuse for him to work drunk? I guarantee if Wayne Stanton or Ernie Todd had a wrestler work drunk on their show in 2003, the Study would have been all over them for it. I'm not naive enough to believe no one drinks at the shows, but should Marty or anyone else be publicly defending that fact?
The bottom line (and the point the original poster was trying to make) is that the local wrestling industry is much less safe now than it was in 2003 because of the influx of untrained or undertrained "wrestlers" and the proliferation of "promotions" willing to use them.
It is certain that the studies findings swayed the government to allowing wrestling to continue unregulated and that is most certainly a good thing, but I wonder if the study was simply rhetoric designed to maintain the status quo or if the writers truly believed the business would "self-regulate". It hasn't and the business is worse off now than it was in 2003 as a result.
Marty Goldstein defended the backyard boys and their "trainer" Gene Swan. He does this because he is friends with Gene. In another thread, Marty is questioned about the Manitoba Safety Study of 2003 that investigated whether the industry needed regulation by a commission. An anonymous poster correctly pointed out that the end result of the study, conducted by Marty, was that the industry was able to self-regulate. The poster was of the belief that the industry was less safe now then in 2003.
Marty replied:
The effects of the study were found in at least three respects -
* the rings generally got safer,
* minors pretty much stopped getting booked onto shows, and
* insurance became more readily available as promoters began modeling their applications to address the concerns of the underwriters.
Come around Canada Day and say hi. If we can book Kerry Brown you can tell him he's a drunk too.
I consider Marty a friend and I certainly respect him, but I have to disagree whole heartedly with his statement.
Firstly, I disagree that all rings got safer. Of the promotions that were running at the time and continue to do so today, I would suspect they are all in similar shape with maybe some extra wear & tear in that time. It's true that there are two new Highspots rings floating around the city which were purchased after the study was concluded.
Secondly, minors mostly stopped getting booked because they grew up and became adults. I believe minors continued working shows as they and the promoter saw fit and the study did not impact this at all. How could it? It had no teeth as it was simply a study with a list of recommendations.
Thirdly, I am not an expert on insurance, but the difficulty in getting liability insurance in 2003 was directly related to the 9/11 attacks and was felt across multiple industries, not just wrestling. While it has become easier to get insurance for wrestling shows since that time, it is also easier to get insurance for other industries as well.
Finally, is the fact Kerry Brown is an experienced veteran a suitable excuse for him to work drunk? I guarantee if Wayne Stanton or Ernie Todd had a wrestler work drunk on their show in 2003, the Study would have been all over them for it. I'm not naive enough to believe no one drinks at the shows, but should Marty or anyone else be publicly defending that fact?
The bottom line (and the point the original poster was trying to make) is that the local wrestling industry is much less safe now than it was in 2003 because of the influx of untrained or undertrained "wrestlers" and the proliferation of "promotions" willing to use them.
It is certain that the studies findings swayed the government to allowing wrestling to continue unregulated and that is most certainly a good thing, but I wonder if the study was simply rhetoric designed to maintain the status quo or if the writers truly believed the business would "self-regulate". It hasn't and the business is worse off now than it was in 2003 as a result.
Sunday, February 4, 2007
What's Wrong With the Business? Here's One Answer!
A few people have asked me about our troubles with other imports and I still intend to get to that shortly. There were some amusing and aggravating situations over the years, especially when Steve Corino, a Canadian citizen, was almost denied entry to Canada because someone "stooged off" and tried to cause him problems at the border (and if I tell that story in detail, the heat will be off the charts).
But today, I wanted to weigh in on the "backyard" problem in wrestling, specifically here in Manitoba. I don't know if other markets have the same problem we do, but it seems Winnipeg has some of the hottest young talent in North America, but also has some of the worst pieces of garbage passing themselves off as wrestlers.
I recently saw Kenny Omega and TJ Bratt make public comments and I felt "damn. It's about time." So as they take the lead, I'll follow up with some thoughts of my own.
When I say "backyard", I'm not talking about kids play wrestling with their friends. Although that practice is dangerous, I think many of us play wrestled when we were young. But there is a growing trend locally where these "kids" become adults, buy a ring and continue to play wrestle, this time in front of audiences as they pass themselves off as professionals.
One local group claims they are spreading the word of God. I call bullshit. A bunch of under-trained, disrespectful, lazy punks excusing their behaviour as "the work of God" is as hypocritical as Ernie Todd imploring the world to follow the Indian Ten Commandments while taking the crown as wrestling's biggest asshole day in and day out.
One of these kids calls himself Drako. In 2004, I had the misfortune of utilizing Drako for a short time in PCW. He claimed he wanted to learn the "right way" and would work with our trainer Mentallo. Drako had a big book of excuses whenever it came time to set up or tear down the ring. He felt he was above that. When I booked him to put over Darren Dalton, he pulled me aside to complain that it "didn't make sense" for his character. After that, he disappeared.
Last year, Drako came to me again and said his life was in order and he really wanted to learn the business the "right way". I was not convinced, but I also felt that if a young guy was really committed to learning the business, then I would help him. I said he absolutely had to train with Mentallo on a regular basis. If he did not do it, he was out. I believe he attended two training classes, threw up after one class and left before the end of another before finally quitting for good. During that time, I became aware that he was also training with Gene Swan. I objected to him training with two different guys from two different promotions (and obviously, Gene's class was a lot easier than Mentallo's). Drako claimed that he just wanted to learn a few things from Gene and then "move up" to Mentallo. Once he stopped attending Mentallo's training, I told him that he was no longer going to be used.
It was then that I realised what was really going on. Drako was taking what he learned in PCW and showing his buddies, whom he called his "crew". He told me they had bought a ring but had nowhere to use it because no one would give his "crew" a chance. I explained that he didn't have a "crew" and that a bunch of kids can't just get together and start running shows and expect established, professional promotions to work with them. I told him if his "crew" wanted to be wrestlers they should train with a reputable trainer and come up the right way. I not only told Drako that to his face, I explained it again in several e-mails. After several conversations, it became very clear that these guys were not interested in anything that didn't include them being accepted as professional wrestlers right now.
I pointed out to him that every respected veteran wrestler in Winnipeg, whether it be Mentallo, Robby Royce, Adam Knight, Kenny Omega, Shane Madison, Brian Jewel (and the list goes on) trained, did ring duty, shut their mouths and did whatever was asked of them until they got their chance. And they are considered professionals because of it.
Well, you're not professional wrestlers. You're kids play wrestling. The only difference between you and a bunch of 12 year olds pretending to be John Cena on a playground at recess is your playground is a highspots ring and you think hanging out with Gene Swan and P-Lo gives you credibility. (And don't even get me started on P-lo as a trainer...).
Whether the damage you do to wrestling can be concretely measured is beside the point. You're insulting a business myself and many others take great pride in. While you "play" in front of your friends, others work their ass off to make it in the business and you slap them in the face by calling yourself a professional. But sadly, I don't think we can even blame these idiots. The blame lies with the people who allow them to do it.
Gene Swan sold his legacy and respect for a few training dollars and an entourage of rejects looking up to him. When you surround yourself with shit, you begin to smell. And Gene reeks right now.
And I am putting blame squarely on promoters that use these punks on "credible" shows. Until they stop what they are doing and seek real training and show they have the drive and commitment and respect to join the business, they should never step foot in a ring on a show with established wrestlers in established promotions.
And that goes for several other pieces of garbage who have been let into the business simply because some bored promoter needed a free "crew" to run shows because the real talent wouldn't work for him. When I see guys I respect being a part of some of these glorified backyard shows, it makes me sick. I've seen Dalton, Shane Madison, Danny Duggan and JC Derksen among others take part in shows that would be laughable if they weren't so pathetic. Take some pride. It's not funny to be on a shitty show and laugh at how useless the "crew" is. It's a slap in the face to the guys that work hard and you're not "making the show better" by being on it - those shows are "making you worse". And maybe you don't care, but some of us do.
So, what's wrong with the business? Too many pieces of shit and not enough pride. And to think this is an industry that recently begged the government not to bring back a commission because we could "self-regulate". Well start self-regulating assholes.
But today, I wanted to weigh in on the "backyard" problem in wrestling, specifically here in Manitoba. I don't know if other markets have the same problem we do, but it seems Winnipeg has some of the hottest young talent in North America, but also has some of the worst pieces of garbage passing themselves off as wrestlers.
I recently saw Kenny Omega and TJ Bratt make public comments and I felt "damn. It's about time." So as they take the lead, I'll follow up with some thoughts of my own.
When I say "backyard", I'm not talking about kids play wrestling with their friends. Although that practice is dangerous, I think many of us play wrestled when we were young. But there is a growing trend locally where these "kids" become adults, buy a ring and continue to play wrestle, this time in front of audiences as they pass themselves off as professionals.
One local group claims they are spreading the word of God. I call bullshit. A bunch of under-trained, disrespectful, lazy punks excusing their behaviour as "the work of God" is as hypocritical as Ernie Todd imploring the world to follow the Indian Ten Commandments while taking the crown as wrestling's biggest asshole day in and day out.
One of these kids calls himself Drako. In 2004, I had the misfortune of utilizing Drako for a short time in PCW. He claimed he wanted to learn the "right way" and would work with our trainer Mentallo. Drako had a big book of excuses whenever it came time to set up or tear down the ring. He felt he was above that. When I booked him to put over Darren Dalton, he pulled me aside to complain that it "didn't make sense" for his character. After that, he disappeared.
Last year, Drako came to me again and said his life was in order and he really wanted to learn the business the "right way". I was not convinced, but I also felt that if a young guy was really committed to learning the business, then I would help him. I said he absolutely had to train with Mentallo on a regular basis. If he did not do it, he was out. I believe he attended two training classes, threw up after one class and left before the end of another before finally quitting for good. During that time, I became aware that he was also training with Gene Swan. I objected to him training with two different guys from two different promotions (and obviously, Gene's class was a lot easier than Mentallo's). Drako claimed that he just wanted to learn a few things from Gene and then "move up" to Mentallo. Once he stopped attending Mentallo's training, I told him that he was no longer going to be used.
It was then that I realised what was really going on. Drako was taking what he learned in PCW and showing his buddies, whom he called his "crew". He told me they had bought a ring but had nowhere to use it because no one would give his "crew" a chance. I explained that he didn't have a "crew" and that a bunch of kids can't just get together and start running shows and expect established, professional promotions to work with them. I told him if his "crew" wanted to be wrestlers they should train with a reputable trainer and come up the right way. I not only told Drako that to his face, I explained it again in several e-mails. After several conversations, it became very clear that these guys were not interested in anything that didn't include them being accepted as professional wrestlers right now.
I pointed out to him that every respected veteran wrestler in Winnipeg, whether it be Mentallo, Robby Royce, Adam Knight, Kenny Omega, Shane Madison, Brian Jewel (and the list goes on) trained, did ring duty, shut their mouths and did whatever was asked of them until they got their chance. And they are considered professionals because of it.
Well, you're not professional wrestlers. You're kids play wrestling. The only difference between you and a bunch of 12 year olds pretending to be John Cena on a playground at recess is your playground is a highspots ring and you think hanging out with Gene Swan and P-Lo gives you credibility. (And don't even get me started on P-lo as a trainer...).
Whether the damage you do to wrestling can be concretely measured is beside the point. You're insulting a business myself and many others take great pride in. While you "play" in front of your friends, others work their ass off to make it in the business and you slap them in the face by calling yourself a professional. But sadly, I don't think we can even blame these idiots. The blame lies with the people who allow them to do it.
Gene Swan sold his legacy and respect for a few training dollars and an entourage of rejects looking up to him. When you surround yourself with shit, you begin to smell. And Gene reeks right now.
And I am putting blame squarely on promoters that use these punks on "credible" shows. Until they stop what they are doing and seek real training and show they have the drive and commitment and respect to join the business, they should never step foot in a ring on a show with established wrestlers in established promotions.
And that goes for several other pieces of garbage who have been let into the business simply because some bored promoter needed a free "crew" to run shows because the real talent wouldn't work for him. When I see guys I respect being a part of some of these glorified backyard shows, it makes me sick. I've seen Dalton, Shane Madison, Danny Duggan and JC Derksen among others take part in shows that would be laughable if they weren't so pathetic. Take some pride. It's not funny to be on a shitty show and laugh at how useless the "crew" is. It's a slap in the face to the guys that work hard and you're not "making the show better" by being on it - those shows are "making you worse". And maybe you don't care, but some of us do.
So, what's wrong with the business? Too many pieces of shit and not enough pride. And to think this is an industry that recently begged the government not to bring back a commission because we could "self-regulate". Well start self-regulating assholes.
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