This was a very special weekend for me- I celebrated two very important days, and had a huge amount of fun in doing so.
My oldest son, Jeffrey, turned 17 on friday, officially making me 1 year closer to him being able to legally tell me to go "f**K myself " and sue me for smacking him in the face immediately after.
For those of you who dont know, Jeff is an up and coming pro wrestling referee, having officiated approximately 50 bouts since his debut,which was in a television commercial he did with me when i worked for a different local dealership.
He has been my longtime road companion and has been witness to some of my best successes and worst failures out on the the roads we have traveled together since he was 8 years old.
Hope you had a great birthday, amigo!
Championship Pro Wrestling also celebrated its 12th anniversary this weekend, drawing an almost sold out crowd of 125 to witness the biggest CPW event of 2009.
CPW began due to, in my opinion, my unfair exile from my position as head instructor for a local wrestling school, and my steadfast and stubborn refusal to let my wrestling days end in the spring of 1997.
Many people involved or around the local wrestling scene encouraged me to not run the event, citing that the group that just cut me loose had decided to schedule their own event, on the same day, exactly 20 minutes away from my venue. Most of the talent I had scheduled to appear on my event worked for the other group, and, after a threat to never use them again, all canceled on me to work for the "established" group.
I wasnt totally caught off guard by this turn of events, so I started booking other wrestlers that I knew from the other various events I had performed, and our card started to take a new exciting shape.
I also knew that I had a far superior main event, and a local radio station backing me up. Even still, the night before the event, I couldnt sleep at all. If this thing didnt fly, I very well may be done in wrestling, or so I thought.
So on a still chilly spring night, April 19,1997 to be exact ( which is today) CPW ran its first ever event at the Berkeley County Fairgrounds in Martinsburg,Wv. We drew, according to my "records", 255 people. Special guests included future WWE Hall of Famers Greg "The Hammer" Valentine & Tito Santana, future ECW/TNA standout Julio Dinero, & a full cast of top talent from a 250 mile radius.
But the main focus of CPW also came that night, and have stayed throughout the years- Gino, Bobby Keller, Spike Callahan ...and others who stayed for the formative years,and in some cases, beyond.... Switchblade,Mohammad Kane, Major Mayhem, & Doc Hollywood..and those who came later and decided this was "the place to be" at the local level of wrestling...Buddah, Richie, Damage, Leatherman, Jackpot,Deuce,Griffen, Hyjinx, & Jake Davis. And everyone in between! I want to thank you all for helping this thing stay alive, and thrive, JUST like it did last night in Keyser.
I'd also like to thank my father, Bob, who backed me financially for the first year, while I learned how to manage it on my own. You didnt need to do that, Dad, and I have never forgotten that you did, on top of all the other things you have done.
What a weekend- glad you guys could share it with me, at least right here!
To close, I'd like to remind Everyone to Please, please, PLEASE get your animals spade and neutered. Without Bobby Barker on tv every day to remind us, it has gotten out of hand; Just the other day, three P*ssies showed up in my yard...luckily, I only owed one of them child support!
thank you and goodnight!
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
The Bird & Other Things
What a terrible week it has been for Major League Baseball- in addition to the horrible Adenhart tragedy ( triple murder rap for the driver-GREAT! Fry his ass!) another phenom from another time was found dead yesterday,and a legendary announcer fell dead.
For those of you too young to remember ( and I'm barely old enough to remember) baseball would have certainly been a much different place in 1976, when 22 year Mark Fidrych took the mound for the Detroit Tigers.
Fidrych was truly a cultural phenomenon in '76, putting up 19 wins and starting the All Star Game. He spoke to the ball before and after throwing, covered up bad patches near the pitchers mound, and shook hands with his defenders after making great plays.
By 1977, shoulder issues set in, and the promising youngster only 10 more games in 7 years. But for those who lived thru it, he will never be forgotten.
Legendary Philadelphia Phillies announcer Harry Kalas died yesterday at age 73 from a massive heart attack while preparing to call the Phillies v Nationals game. A winner of the Ford C Frick Award, Mr. Kalas was also known for his voiceover work for the National Football League.
The WWE "Draft" came and went, and the moves seemed to me to be 'same old, same old".
When will the former Fed figure out that the wrestling business revolves around new fresh faces creating fresh new match ups?
I compare it, in some ways, to that school yard mentality of, when someone new moves into the neighborhood, and becomes popular, all the other kids want to see what he can do against the proven schoolyard commodity; If the new kid wins their inevitable showdown, hes made for the rest of his days there- he becomes the "star".
Sooner or later, another new kid arrives, and the previous "new kid" becomes the "old kid", and the cycle repeats itself. Is this a scenerio people can identify with? Of course it is, and thats what draws spectators! Just a thought.....
Closing thought: Earlier this week, a USA TODAY poll has shown that 75% of all statistics are wrong. Go figure......
Thank you and good night!
For those of you too young to remember ( and I'm barely old enough to remember) baseball would have certainly been a much different place in 1976, when 22 year Mark Fidrych took the mound for the Detroit Tigers.
Fidrych was truly a cultural phenomenon in '76, putting up 19 wins and starting the All Star Game. He spoke to the ball before and after throwing, covered up bad patches near the pitchers mound, and shook hands with his defenders after making great plays.
By 1977, shoulder issues set in, and the promising youngster only 10 more games in 7 years. But for those who lived thru it, he will never be forgotten.
Legendary Philadelphia Phillies announcer Harry Kalas died yesterday at age 73 from a massive heart attack while preparing to call the Phillies v Nationals game. A winner of the Ford C Frick Award, Mr. Kalas was also known for his voiceover work for the National Football League.
The WWE "Draft" came and went, and the moves seemed to me to be 'same old, same old".
When will the former Fed figure out that the wrestling business revolves around new fresh faces creating fresh new match ups?
I compare it, in some ways, to that school yard mentality of, when someone new moves into the neighborhood, and becomes popular, all the other kids want to see what he can do against the proven schoolyard commodity; If the new kid wins their inevitable showdown, hes made for the rest of his days there- he becomes the "star".
Sooner or later, another new kid arrives, and the previous "new kid" becomes the "old kid", and the cycle repeats itself. Is this a scenerio people can identify with? Of course it is, and thats what draws spectators! Just a thought.....
Closing thought: Earlier this week, a USA TODAY poll has shown that 75% of all statistics are wrong. Go figure......
Thank you and good night!
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Red Sox Discover Bats, WWE Draft Thoughts
The Boston Red Sox finally scored a few runs and won their first game since opening day, defeating the LA "wheres Anaheim?"Angels 6-4 on saturday.
Unfortunately, do to my work schedule, I was unable to watch said game; however, I did get to watch friday nights loss at Anaheim,oops, LA (btw, who are these guys fooling with this?) in a game that, due to the emotion involved, was a game that the team was going to win, no matter whom they played.
A few observations from fridays game, and the first week of the season in general : 1) Bostons rotation, heralded during the entire pre season, has yet to deliver- Jon Lester and Dice K have been knocked pretty hard in their inaugural starts of the season.
2) the line up has as of yet gelled together. with the exception of Kevin Youkilis, overall production hasnt quite reach predicted levels.
But lets face it, its the first week, and this team is way too good to not bring everything expected. No need to fret over this one....if next week is like this one, maybe Ill get a little more aggravated.
This monday, at 8 pm est, the WWE presents its annual "Draft", in which wrestlers from the respective Raw, Smackdown, and ECW 'brands" get selected to another.
Lets face it, at this point, this is a promotional gimmick done to attract additional viewers- initially, when these "brands" were truly separate, not in the sense that they werent all working for the same company, but that they didnt cross over to the other shows but periodically, this was an interesting show, from the standpoint that changes equalled fresh,or at least refreshed, match ups.
With the weaker home network for Smackdown (MyNetwork, which is the network equivilent of state college campus tv) it has become necessary for WWE to showcase many of its Smackdown stars on RAW & ECW, to maximize their potential revenue value.
The former fed suffers from a tremendous staleness in most of the top spots, and simply moving one wrestler to another show will not scure this problem. It does, however, create a scenerio of potential excitement to the "undereducated" fan, one which does not challenge them to be creative, or preemptive, in the elevation of new talent.
For the pure hell of it, allow me to throw the names of three wrestlers, whom, while all fans know, are not "top" stars currently, whom, by moving to another show, could be showcased in a manner which could potentially put them up to the next level within the year.
Kofi Kingston ( current brand: Raw; suggested move: Smackdown) SOS! The young jamaican has been quite impressive in his first year in the WWE, and was quite spectacular in his debut Wrestlemania appearance last week. Smackdown needs a young, fresh exciting star to float around the top of the cards, and Kofi fits the bill; unproven as of yet as an interview ( and will likely remain that way, until someone of the creative team comes up with a goofy way to word him) his athletic ability, and unique ( for pro wrestling) ancestry could make him the companys next Rey Mysterio.
Festus ( current brand: Smackdown; suggested move: ECW) a completely underutilized big man (6'6, 320 lbs legit) Festus has done a remarkable job with what he has been dealt ( giant comotose,semi retarded hillbilly whom, when the bell rings, becomes a uncontrollable force, only to return to original form when the bell rings again) The young man has the ability, as a talker and a wrestler, to become one of the next big stars in the company; last years match vs The Undertaker looked as the though it could have been his launching point, but the company stalled on him. Moving him to ECW, at least thru the end of the year, would give him additional tv time he hasnt enjoyed in recent months, and standing tall as the "giant amongst smaller men" would enhance him tremendously, as would a run as ECW champion. Hes just even a small gimmick modification away ( or a big one- hes that versatile) from being a big player.
Mike Knox (current: RAW suggested change: Smackdown) Knox is an unorthodox worker, in the sense that he uses very basic offense and pure power (another 6'6ish, 300lb plus guy) as his main weapons. Smackdown is in need of a big man whom can challenge Triple H for its title ( providing H stays put; if not Cena will end up on the show, since it "requires" a world champion) Knox has a gimmick where he comes across as cold and unfeeling, not given to emotion or reaction; in other words, as classic loner type. Placed accordingly, and allowing his personality to come to the fore, he could be involved in a variety of compelling "storylines" with either champion.
Just a few ideas- I would love to hear anyones feedback, or even better, a few of your own selections.
Closing thought: when your in the dog food aisle at your local store, and read on a label "new and improved flavor", do you ever wonder who is the lucky bastard that gets to make that determination?
Thank you and Happy Easter!
Unfortunately, do to my work schedule, I was unable to watch said game; however, I did get to watch friday nights loss at Anaheim,oops, LA (btw, who are these guys fooling with this?) in a game that, due to the emotion involved, was a game that the team was going to win, no matter whom they played.
A few observations from fridays game, and the first week of the season in general : 1) Bostons rotation, heralded during the entire pre season, has yet to deliver- Jon Lester and Dice K have been knocked pretty hard in their inaugural starts of the season.
2) the line up has as of yet gelled together. with the exception of Kevin Youkilis, overall production hasnt quite reach predicted levels.
But lets face it, its the first week, and this team is way too good to not bring everything expected. No need to fret over this one....if next week is like this one, maybe Ill get a little more aggravated.
This monday, at 8 pm est, the WWE presents its annual "Draft", in which wrestlers from the respective Raw, Smackdown, and ECW 'brands" get selected to another.
Lets face it, at this point, this is a promotional gimmick done to attract additional viewers- initially, when these "brands" were truly separate, not in the sense that they werent all working for the same company, but that they didnt cross over to the other shows but periodically, this was an interesting show, from the standpoint that changes equalled fresh,or at least refreshed, match ups.
With the weaker home network for Smackdown (MyNetwork, which is the network equivilent of state college campus tv) it has become necessary for WWE to showcase many of its Smackdown stars on RAW & ECW, to maximize their potential revenue value.
The former fed suffers from a tremendous staleness in most of the top spots, and simply moving one wrestler to another show will not scure this problem. It does, however, create a scenerio of potential excitement to the "undereducated" fan, one which does not challenge them to be creative, or preemptive, in the elevation of new talent.
For the pure hell of it, allow me to throw the names of three wrestlers, whom, while all fans know, are not "top" stars currently, whom, by moving to another show, could be showcased in a manner which could potentially put them up to the next level within the year.
Kofi Kingston ( current brand: Raw; suggested move: Smackdown) SOS! The young jamaican has been quite impressive in his first year in the WWE, and was quite spectacular in his debut Wrestlemania appearance last week. Smackdown needs a young, fresh exciting star to float around the top of the cards, and Kofi fits the bill; unproven as of yet as an interview ( and will likely remain that way, until someone of the creative team comes up with a goofy way to word him) his athletic ability, and unique ( for pro wrestling) ancestry could make him the companys next Rey Mysterio.
Festus ( current brand: Smackdown; suggested move: ECW) a completely underutilized big man (6'6, 320 lbs legit) Festus has done a remarkable job with what he has been dealt ( giant comotose,semi retarded hillbilly whom, when the bell rings, becomes a uncontrollable force, only to return to original form when the bell rings again) The young man has the ability, as a talker and a wrestler, to become one of the next big stars in the company; last years match vs The Undertaker looked as the though it could have been his launching point, but the company stalled on him. Moving him to ECW, at least thru the end of the year, would give him additional tv time he hasnt enjoyed in recent months, and standing tall as the "giant amongst smaller men" would enhance him tremendously, as would a run as ECW champion. Hes just even a small gimmick modification away ( or a big one- hes that versatile) from being a big player.
Mike Knox (current: RAW suggested change: Smackdown) Knox is an unorthodox worker, in the sense that he uses very basic offense and pure power (another 6'6ish, 300lb plus guy) as his main weapons. Smackdown is in need of a big man whom can challenge Triple H for its title ( providing H stays put; if not Cena will end up on the show, since it "requires" a world champion) Knox has a gimmick where he comes across as cold and unfeeling, not given to emotion or reaction; in other words, as classic loner type. Placed accordingly, and allowing his personality to come to the fore, he could be involved in a variety of compelling "storylines" with either champion.
Just a few ideas- I would love to hear anyones feedback, or even better, a few of your own selections.
Closing thought: when your in the dog food aisle at your local store, and read on a label "new and improved flavor", do you ever wonder who is the lucky bastard that gets to make that determination?
Thank you and Happy Easter!
Thursday, April 9, 2009
A Tragedy Hits Close To Home
At about 10 am this morning, while I was reading the various internet news sites at work ( 10 am on a thursday is down time in the car business) my jaw dropped and my blood went cold when I read the tragic news of LA Angels rookie Nick Adenhart's death in an automobile accident. He was 22.
Nick was a local Hagerstonian, graduated from the same high school as my brother and I, and played little league baseball in the same league in which my brother and I coached.
I will make no claim to have really known Nick, or had any involvement in his development as a player ( I never had the good fortune to coach him) But I do recollect wathcing him pitch at that level, and (Shawn, feel free to correct me here) I seem to rememeber that, at the tender age of 8, nick could throw somewhere in the neighborhood of 65-70 miles per hour, which is just amazing.
During the off season, Nick would still spend a bit of time in the area, and we crossed paths a few times, and he always seemed like such a level headed, decent young man. This is such a tragic,unnecessary event that has literally rocked our entire community- as great as he was, we will now never know how great he was gonna be-an irresponsible young man with no consideration for the safety of others killed not only Nick, but two of his co passengers as well.
A piece of advice to all reading, whether you be freinds, fans, or both: when you get behind the wheel of a automobile after drinking, ask yourself two quick questions: 1) am I being safe with myself? and 2) am I being safe with the lives of others? If your answer is "NO" to either, call a cab, or a friend, or somebody.
If you have my number, and you are in need of a ride, I will personally come and get you myself and make sure you get home safe- and hopefully, I will be helping someone else get home safe as well.
I can't with good conscience end with a joke for this blog, but I will leave you with a final thought: life is too short, so try to avoid doing anything that makes it shorter, for you or anyone else.
Thank you and good night.
Nick was a local Hagerstonian, graduated from the same high school as my brother and I, and played little league baseball in the same league in which my brother and I coached.
I will make no claim to have really known Nick, or had any involvement in his development as a player ( I never had the good fortune to coach him) But I do recollect wathcing him pitch at that level, and (Shawn, feel free to correct me here) I seem to rememeber that, at the tender age of 8, nick could throw somewhere in the neighborhood of 65-70 miles per hour, which is just amazing.
During the off season, Nick would still spend a bit of time in the area, and we crossed paths a few times, and he always seemed like such a level headed, decent young man. This is such a tragic,unnecessary event that has literally rocked our entire community- as great as he was, we will now never know how great he was gonna be-an irresponsible young man with no consideration for the safety of others killed not only Nick, but two of his co passengers as well.
A piece of advice to all reading, whether you be freinds, fans, or both: when you get behind the wheel of a automobile after drinking, ask yourself two quick questions: 1) am I being safe with myself? and 2) am I being safe with the lives of others? If your answer is "NO" to either, call a cab, or a friend, or somebody.
If you have my number, and you are in need of a ride, I will personally come and get you myself and make sure you get home safe- and hopefully, I will be helping someone else get home safe as well.
I can't with good conscience end with a joke for this blog, but I will leave you with a final thought: life is too short, so try to avoid doing anything that makes it shorter, for you or anyone else.
Thank you and good night.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
WM25, Red Sox '09
Just wanted to shoot a quick blog around before i watch my first Red Sox game of 2009, as the Beantown Badboys ( christ, am I channeling Shawn here or what? lol) face reigning AL Champions & perrenial rivals Tampa Bay 'no Devil" Rays.
Some of you may scoff at the notion that these two teams are "rivals" since TB has had exactly one winning season in their existance- but you would be wrong! These two teams have a history dating back to the late 1990s, which has involved beanings, thrown bats, and bench clearing brawls. Things ALWAYS have potential to get interesting when these teams do battle.
Wrestlemania 25 is now in the books, and, despite some snafus in its build up (which I would have gladly shared with all of you) the former fed delivered the goods in the ring for the most part, particularly with the Shawn Michaels vs Undertaker bout, which, and I do not use this term loosely, was a epic. If you get the opportunity, and you are a fan of wrestling in its finest storytelling form, this match is a must see.
Afew days ago, I was thinking about wrestlers whom I considered master "good guys" or "babyfaces", and i realized that, since he is more current, I overlooked Shawn Michaels in that upper echelon. Reviewing his entire body of work would take days, but i would say he ranks up there with Ricky Steamboat in this regard.
Speaking of Steamboat, he wrestled his first bout in 15 years at Wrestlemania, and drew tremendous respect from the live audience with his somewhat amazing performance, many of whom most certainly never got the opportunity to watch him in his prime. I legitimately think Ricky could, if used properly, could get another full time run- he looked that good.
Another guy who sometimes doesnt get his due as a superb talent is the Taker himself- its easy to overlook him as a talent due to his character, but as the expression goes "it takes to tango" and his match with Michaels was another testament to his working skills- truly an elite talent.
Taker also has a well earned rep in the WWE locker rooms as one of its true leaders- a friend of mine, whom works on the same crew as the Dead Man, swears by his leadership and teaching skills, which is somewhat unique amongst the top level guys, due to their "fear" of being replaced in the main money matches. Cudos to all three of these men for their brillant performances on the biggest stage in our business.
To close, I would like to thank those of you whom have complimented my writings previously, and would like to remind all of you that you CANNOT offend me with Cash.
Thank you and good night!
Some of you may scoff at the notion that these two teams are "rivals" since TB has had exactly one winning season in their existance- but you would be wrong! These two teams have a history dating back to the late 1990s, which has involved beanings, thrown bats, and bench clearing brawls. Things ALWAYS have potential to get interesting when these teams do battle.
Wrestlemania 25 is now in the books, and, despite some snafus in its build up (which I would have gladly shared with all of you) the former fed delivered the goods in the ring for the most part, particularly with the Shawn Michaels vs Undertaker bout, which, and I do not use this term loosely, was a epic. If you get the opportunity, and you are a fan of wrestling in its finest storytelling form, this match is a must see.
Afew days ago, I was thinking about wrestlers whom I considered master "good guys" or "babyfaces", and i realized that, since he is more current, I overlooked Shawn Michaels in that upper echelon. Reviewing his entire body of work would take days, but i would say he ranks up there with Ricky Steamboat in this regard.
Speaking of Steamboat, he wrestled his first bout in 15 years at Wrestlemania, and drew tremendous respect from the live audience with his somewhat amazing performance, many of whom most certainly never got the opportunity to watch him in his prime. I legitimately think Ricky could, if used properly, could get another full time run- he looked that good.
Another guy who sometimes doesnt get his due as a superb talent is the Taker himself- its easy to overlook him as a talent due to his character, but as the expression goes "it takes to tango" and his match with Michaels was another testament to his working skills- truly an elite talent.
Taker also has a well earned rep in the WWE locker rooms as one of its true leaders- a friend of mine, whom works on the same crew as the Dead Man, swears by his leadership and teaching skills, which is somewhat unique amongst the top level guys, due to their "fear" of being replaced in the main money matches. Cudos to all three of these men for their brillant performances on the biggest stage in our business.
To close, I would like to thank those of you whom have complimented my writings previously, and would like to remind all of you that you CANNOT offend me with Cash.
Thank you and good night!
welcome back my friends,to the show that never ends
After 2 plus months of, almost literally, waiting for divine intervention to save my old, torn and tattered computer from the throws of death, I have finally broken down and, for the first time in my life, purchased a NEW computer!
What this means for you, my "adoring" public, is that I will be once again sharing a wide variety of tales, parrables, thoughts, and general useless information with you all.
Later today, I will return with a few thoughts on Wrestlemania 25, the opening of another baseball season, a quick look at my Red Sox, and the Pottsdam Purchase. Just kidding- I didnt even watch Wrestlemania 25......
To close things up here musically, I would like to say that.....( everybody tune up) Its such a good feeling...to know you're alive....its such a happy feeling, your growing inside...and when you wake up,ready to say.... we're gonna make a snappy new day!!!!
Thank you and good day!
What this means for you, my "adoring" public, is that I will be once again sharing a wide variety of tales, parrables, thoughts, and general useless information with you all.
Later today, I will return with a few thoughts on Wrestlemania 25, the opening of another baseball season, a quick look at my Red Sox, and the Pottsdam Purchase. Just kidding- I didnt even watch Wrestlemania 25......
To close things up here musically, I would like to say that.....( everybody tune up) Its such a good feeling...to know you're alive....its such a happy feeling, your growing inside...and when you wake up,ready to say.... we're gonna make a snappy new day!!!!
Thank you and good day!
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