Let's Get Ramblin'!

It's been awhile so this might be one of those long ones you all enjoy so much!



First of all, the big news in Manitoba is that PCW has found a new home for our monthly live events. We didn't tease anything for countless months and play bait and switch with our fans. Once the decision was made to continue running the best shows in this province, we went out and made a deal with the venue that was at the top of our list - Dylan's On Pembina!



One of my "competitors" recently stated: I don't play the "high level negotiations" game because...well...you end up looking like an idiot when things don't happen. I agree. That's why we didn't play that game on our website for nearly a year. We talk about the things that ARE happening, not the things we wish WOULD happen.



Dylan's On Pembina is a beautiful venue in a great location with an enthusiastic staff and will be a wonderful facility for our events and our fans. I have not been as excited about a show in a long time as I am about the show on July 10th! PCW's Resurrection (the news of our demise was, apparently, premature!).



I am so looking forward to our Winnipeg relaunch. It's nice to be excited and passionate again and to have a group of guys on our roster who are just as excited to get back to what we do best. I think the show on July 10th will be very well received.


Speaking of the website, we have once again unveiled a new design. This is in keeping with our philosophy of not stagnating, of wanting to grow and evolve and expand. We have been blessed with an amazing webmaster and now director of business development. His efforts and expertise have been a fundamental reason for our continued success. The website is second to none in the industry and the graphics and logos are awesome.



We've released new PCW merchandise, including a classic logo shirt. As well, Vinko, Shane Madison and PCW Canadian Champion "Priceless" Chad Tatum have merch online at the PCW store. More merch is forthcoming.



Michael Arnott's The Squared Circle radio show has been rather interesting and entertaining the past couple of weeks. After RME CEO Angus told Mike he'd come on the show, he evidently changed his mind since he brushed Mike off and ignored his e-mails. At least someone involved in management at RME saw the benefit to discussing their business and engaging in a healthy debate as RME booker Justin Tyme ended up appearing on the show two weeks in a row.



I respect Tyme for having more balls than Angus for being willing to respond to questions and criticism. Unfortunately, many of the questions were such that Tyme didn't have the answers. I look forward to the day Angus fulfills his agreement to Mike to appear on the show. I am sure it would be a very interesting discussion.


The question of "why do you care"" came up recently. It's not politics or ego. The word "politics" is an over-used excuse to dismiss whatever it is the person using it doesn't agree with. If I don't want to book guys who work on every show, that's not politics. It's good business. If fans want to see certain wrestlers and have to buy a ticket to a PCW show to see them, that's not politics. It makes sense. Again I point out, what is good for the boys is not always good for the business, but what is good for the business is always good for the boys.

But it's not just that. Winnipeg boasts some truly talented workers. There are guys that work hard for the good of the local industry. If everyone was committed to doing what was best for the business as a whole, this city could be something really special. If I'm going to be involved and run shows, I have to know our team is working towards that goal. I hold out hope, however faint it might be, that the industry will come together for the same purpose. But until it does, I feel strongly that what we're doing is different and better than what everyone else is doing. We should all be on the same page working towards the same goals. Guys who pride themselves on their ability to work should feel the most strongly about that - if you think about PCW and what it has meant and what it has provided the past few years, leaving personal feelings and bullshit out of the equation, we created an environment where "workers" were pushed and appreciated and could develop their abilities.

Some of the things I hear really amuse me. People should simply contact me to clarify matters rather than walk around with an ignorant perception of reality. One thing that was said recently was that in PCW, it's the same few guys that get the push, get the names etc. I find that insulting because I pride myself on the opposite being true.

15 different guys have worked names 29 times. Think about that. That's remarkable. Before PCW, what was the count? Aside from PCW, what is the count? That is something to be proud of and something to be respected.



Too often guys get caught up in the bullshit, listening to lies from people who cant talk about their own accomplishments in the business because they have none. Or listening to guys who failed to live up their potential years ago and now offer hypocritical "advice" in a desperate effort to remain relevant. PCW stands on it's own. It's not about the three letters and it's not about me. It's about a vision shared by a group of guys who got together in 2001 and a vision put into motion in 2003 where guys who worked hard, were committed, talented and passionate would be given the stage and the opportunity to grow and develop. It's about recognizing a segment of the fanbase who weren't getting what they wanted and giving it to them and in return drawing a crowd that is loyal, intelligent and appreciative.

The things that I complain about, blog about, bitch about - it's all those things that bother me, that bring the business down, that deny our local industry it's rightful and deserved position in the business. I see, hear and read what others say, taking shots at me or our team while being committed to average-at-best bullshit that is forgotten three seconds after it happens.

Just this week I was told of an e-mail sent to the radio show from Dick Walker, wanting to be on the air. He mentioned "someone who doesnt know anything about the business", presumably talking about me and insinuated I don't love the business like him. Are you fucking kidding me? if I was Dick Walker and I loved the business, I'd quit. Perhaps that's not fair. I don't know Dick Walker and I have defended him and his partner Bugsy (who's claim to fame is being carried to a good match by Robby Royce about 20 years ago). But fuck you if you question my love or my "knowledge". If guys like Dick Walker, Angus and RME as a whole were able to recognize their position in the business and were able to have a reasonable conversation, we'd get a lot further.

I hope Dick and his partner come on the show. I'd love to hear about this "love" they have and be astounded by their "knowledge". If the line-up for Canada Day I saw is the one they go with, Bugsy's "knowledge" isn't something to be overly proud of. Good talent. Not a great line-up. You'll see what I mean if nothing changes between now and then.

As it stands, RME has existed for years and done nothing of note in that time. They evidently listen to the radio show and certainly took seriously my suggestion that fans go to their Canada Day show and then our Dylan's show and compare the two. They have benched most of their long time loyal roster in favour of booking every guy they could who had previously worked for PCW. Good for them. It's about time. But I wouldn't feel very good about that if I had been any of the guys that stood by RME over the years and are now being thrown aside after waiting for months and months for a show. And why? Because even though they state the opposite, the management in RME know that their roster isn't good enough and they have been trying to replace them for a long time.

To that end, there is a better way. Think about it. Grow up. Put the business first. There is a better way.

Enough about that which doesnt really matter. PCW returns after an excruciating eight month hiatus...oh wait, it's only been three months, with Blaze of Glory this Saturday in Morden! I know many fan are making the drive from Winnipeg to the event and I much appreciate the support. Having a fanbase like that is critical and makes what we do worth all the hassles along the way. It will also create a great atmosphere as having fans who are familiar with us will energize the new viewers.

It's unfortunate that Steve Corino was injured an unable to attend the event. Steve is an awesome guy and I feel terrible for him. We certainly wish him a speedy recovery and will endeavour to bring him in at some point in the future. An odd stat - the three issues we had with getting names to Winnipeg (Milano, Sabin & Corino) were all events scheduled in June. So you can be sure we will never book a name in June again.

In the absence of Steve, we will have a one night tournament to determine a new number one contender to the PCW Championship. That person will challenge Kenny Omega in the main event of PCW's Resurrection at Dylans On Pembina on July 10th. The only released match up thus far is Adam Knight vs Jon Cutler. Others scheduled to appear include Antonio Scorpio Jr, Nate Hardy, Chad Tatum, Mike Angels and more! You'll have to be there to find out!

If everything goes according to plan, Morden could be a regular stop for us. And perhaps will lead to a more regular out of town touring schedule.

It was revealed last week that Kenny Omega will be appearing for Ring of Honor this summer. Kenny and ROH are a perfect fit and it's very exciting. Kenny is rapidly becoming one of the most well known and sought after indy talents in North America. He's a fantastic ambassador of the business and of the Winnipeg industry and remains committed to doing whatever it takes to make PCW a success. We've been blessed to have him as long as we have. Who knows how long that might be, so come out and see him in Winnipeg while you can.

In my humble opinion, Kenny, Mentallo, Rawskillz and Robby Royce blazed a trail for the "workers" in this city. I wonder, though, who will step up and take their position when they've all moved on?

We will continue to do what we do, but the time is ripe for the bullshit and egos to be put aside and for the industry to do something special, to do what is best for the business. I won't hold my breath.

A