Answering Your Short Questions With Long Winded Answers!

To those of you who check out this blog on occasion, my appreciation for your patience. Between being exceptionally busy and not having a whole lot to say, the blog has been neglected. But 200+ comments is enough and I have decided to make an effort to bang out a new, most likely boring, post.

Some of you may have heard, my trusty cell phone "disappeared" a few weeks ago. In the two days I was without it, I realised how much I used it. I quickly replaced it, taking the opportunity to upgrade to an HTC Diamond. It's sort of a smaller iPhone. Very cool, though it has taken a long time to get use to the touch interface. So, if you are someone who's number I used to have, I probably dont have it anymore. Send it to me. Thanks.

Almost bought a Jeep last week, but cooler heads prevailed. There are some great deals to be had but I think I've decided to see how the economy unfolds before making such a large purchase.

Speaking of the economy, does anyone else get the impression that if the media wasn't sounding the death knell so loudly, that the recession would not be as bad? I think it's a vicious circle - economy falters a bit, media goes ape shit, public gets scared, economy sinks even worse. And every business on the planet is using it as an excuse to cut costs and staff. Except MPIC which, if I heard correctly, is happily investing yours and my money into real estate. Awesome.

Did anyone come here for wrestling news?

Premier Championship Wrestling presents the Seventh Anniversary Spectacular, Wednesday March 11th only at Dylans On Pembina at 9PM. Yes, a very special "New Day! New Time!" I talked about this on the PCW forum (http://www.premierchampionshipwrestling.com/) so I wont go into more details here. I will simply say that the pros of moving to Wednesday were sufficient enough to give it a shot. Worse case scenario, the option of returning to Thursdays is there, plus we have had some weekend dates offered as possibilities as well.

This event comes on the heels of what was a fantastic last show. What an awesome crowd, large and hot throughout the night. I think something that escaped us a bit when we "re-started" at Dylans was that it really was a "re-start". I think going into that first show last year, we (or I) looked at it as simply a continuation of where we left off at the LID, except we really closed the book on the LID last March with Culmination of Cool. After a couple of less than stellar shows at Dylans, we took a step back, looked at what the problems were and took concrete steps to address them. Starting with the "free show", I think we have been firing mostly on all cylinders and I am excited to see where we go.

I will gladly take some criticism for lack of a huge push on the last show for this one being our Anniversary. We actually had an opportunity to bring in some exceptional "name" talent. It was a very short window to make it work and would have been later in March. At it turns out, the window was shorter than we thought and we couldn't pull it together in time. Had it worked out, we would have celebrated our anniversary later in the Month. Regardless, we will be looking to pull the trigger on those plans as soon as possible, as well, I have spoken to a terrific "name" talent about coming in as well, in the very near future. Hopefully, it all works out.

Our official website is undergoing a revamping as it does from time to time. I don't think there is a more appropriate time to do so than when we are about to celebrate our anniversary. Look for that ASAP and then we will have a lot of information on the site in the next week regarding the big show. Obviously, with the TLC match and the "big" Knight/Dixon match, the show is already shaping up to a strong one. In addition, ROH Superstar and Three-Country Champion Kenny Omega will make his return and I anticipate the return of PCW Canadian Champion Chad Tatum as well. Tatum suffered an injury in January, but more info on that will be on our website in the next little while.

In addition, we are hoping to launch a new web-based project. The target date was early March, so that may be imminent. I don't want to over-hype it as I do believe with projects like this, we are likely to start small and grow moving forward as we attract contributors. I'll talk more about it once we launch, but the idea is for a one-stop site for all your Professional Wrestling news, rumours and info with a focus on Independent wrestling and the local Manitoba industry (hopefully expanding to be a strong destination for fans looking for info on any and all Canadian wrestling). The intent is for this to shine a positive light on the local business. We have commitments from people to contribute information regarding indy wrestling, Japan and Mexico as well so it could be a really unique endeavour and I hope all promoters will get onside with it and utilize the project to enhance their business as well.

Premier Wrestling Radio was in "repeat" mode last week. My apologies as I had an engagement that I was unable to get out of. Fortunately, Mike Arnott has provided us with a large archive from his days with The Squared Circle. Already some changes occurring with Winnipeg's Only Wrestling Radio Show as my co-host Wayne Stanton has gone MIA. As much as I respect, admire and personally like Wayne, he hung me out to dry in a rather unprofessional move. I had held out hope up until just a few days ago that Wayne would continue with the program (especially as I have requested a 60 minute slot - it's being "considered"). Unfortunately, it appears Wayne does not wish to continue, which is unfortunate and hurts the show, in my humble opinion.

However, it has left more time for the incomparable Mike Arnott, who has returned as a regular contributor to the program. In addition, we are kicking around the idea of expanding PWR by way of an Internet-only edition which would allow us (mostly Mike), to be less constrained by the rules and regulations of community radio. Perhaps an uncensored, no holds barred edition of PWR...

I often receive emails from fans, some I know, some I don't, asking questions about the radio show, PCW or other wrestling-related topics. When questions arise in the comments section of this blog, I try to response right away in return. One fan asked specific questions by way of a comment and requested that I answer said questions in a new blog posting. I said I would try, so here it is. I generally try not to be political or inflammatory so I will do my best to be honest and forthright without causing needless heat.


How about filling us in on how you feel about:

- CWE bringing in ROH talent-

Anytime a promotion brings in quality wrestling talent, I am elated. When I took over PCW in August 2003 when it had essentially failed under the prior vision, I was very cognizant of the importance of a quality promotion running regularly and consistently. If we had gambled and lost, it would have hurt the local industry very badly. We had a multi-point plan and set out to achieve it. Since that time, we have brought in twelve different names (seventeen times total), in addition to the six names prior to August 2003. That represents a huge amount of superstar talent that local fans got to see and an exceptional opportunity for local talent to work with guys that could offer advice, valuable contacts etc.

So in that regard, anyone looking at our vision and realising, despite some "experts" who had predicted our talent decisions would "never draw" or result in our folding, that we were onto something and could make it economically feasible and choosing to go down a similar path, I am very happy about that. If it's good the boys, the fans and the business, then I can't complain. Which is not to say that I fully endorse the business practices or methodology of CWE or our other competitors because there is a definite disconnect between doing whats best for your promotion and the business and doing what's worst for the competition. Successfully achieving the balance between a positive endeavour for the promotion and raising the standards of the local industry should be the ultimate goal and I hold out hope that in the end, we'll all do the right thing.


- The apparent firing of Mike Davidson

In all honesty I don't care. When someone pointed that out to me, my first thought was actually one of confusion since CWE had maintained the position that Mr. Davidson had nothing to do with their promotion. But "firing" a member of the roster or management is an oft-used wrestling angle. I wish them luck with it.


-Who would be your choice to face Petey Williams

There are several options. From my roster, depending on where we were going angle-wise, any one of Kenny Omega, Robby Royce, Adam Knight, Mentallo, Antonio Scorpio Jr, ATM, Mike Angels, Chad Tatum and a couple of others could reasonably be assigned that task and make it a good one. Obviously, Williams/Omega III would be a good match and marketable. Petey defeated Kenny in a TNA World X Division Match on a CWF show several years ago, while Kenny beat Petey at the 2007 Premier Cup Tournament to capture the trophy. But I'd be more likely, with Kenny's blessing no doubt, to tap someone who could benefit more from the experience, such as Scorpio, ATM, Tatum or Angels.

From CWE's roster, given their current angles as best I know them (from being a paying customer), I'd suggest AJ Sanchez. Since he is officially in line for a singles match against Nigel, it would be a way to clearly establish him as a legitimate threat. Plus, taking into account history and Sanchez' match with Chris Sabin, adds something to the match. If the plan is to build Danny up as the top foil for Sanchez, then he'd be another likely candidate. If I was their booker, I'd go with Mentallo. It would likely guarantee the best match and cement his CWE status as "bigger than the rest" insofar as having "name" value himself and would set up "money" matches in the future with Danny and Sanchez. I am sure whatever CWE decides, it will be a very good match. Petey is an awesome guy.


-Who in CWE/SPW/RME would you want in PCW

It would probably be easier to ask me who I wouldn't want because realistically, unless someone is really, truly offensive in the ring, if they want to come in and make the effort to contribute, then I would be glad to have them. But since one can't have a regular 50 person roster, I'd say obviously, if I had my way, from CWE, I'd be happy to have Sanchez and Danny on my shows as they would contribute in a very positive way. Rick Matthews, Don Douglas, Shane Madison and others have all been positive contributors to PCW in the past as well.

From SPW, I always liked Jean Marious. He was very over doing the Twenty Dollar Man gimmick. Aside from Danny and Sanchez who work for SPW, I cannot even think of too many guys on the their roster, let alone guys that really jump off the page at me as far as being able to concretely raise the standards of a PCW show by their mere presence. Which is not to say there aren't quality guys there, so no heat...

From RME, I have always like Moses Luke and he was actually scheduled to return to PCW for the next show but has opted to go in a different direction. In addition, I think the Dogs are a terrific tag team and would get a ton of heat on a PCW event.


-How is the March PCW show looking. Just gives us something as things have gotten quite stale.

Show looks good. It WILL be a good show. More info forthcoming in the next week or so on our official website.

- I'd also like to know what Andrew thinks of Mike Davidson telling everyone he's about to announce he's starting up again at bars.

Winnipeg most certainly doesn't need yet another promotion. And the group of talent that primarily is appearing on three or four other promotions (the non-PCW roster) really doesn't need another promotion booking them as I believe it would hurt the ability to draw and produce quality events for the other guys. But I don't really care either way, though given Mr. Davidson's past penchant for derogatory and offensive remarks about promoters who run bars and performers who appear on shows run at bars, he'd have to be a pretty significant hypocrite to actually do so himself. In other words, it's probably likely. But since it doesn't effect PCW, I don't care whatsoever. I wish him luck in all his endeavours and truly hope he finds the happiness he desires.

Please feel free to keep the questions coming.

In regards to the 2008 Year End Awards, I believe we will announce the Wrestler of the Year winner at the next show, and then probably announce the other winners on the website. If anyone has a different suggestion, I am all ears. Perhaps announcing one winner a day leading up to the Anniversary show...?

Many of the catagories were very, very close last time I checked so if you haven't voted yet or know people who have not voted yet then please do so...I'll see if I can get the direct link and post it here for y'all.

In the meantime and in between time that's it, another edition of The Deep End. Bye Now.

A