Earlier this week Flipper and I were discussing the vision I had for WrestlingMark.com and The Wrestling Shooter Newsletter. Almost eighteen months ago when I started all this, I had a lot of ideas on what I wanted from the publications. I wanted to be able to share my ideas and feelings with other about wrestling. For years I had listened to a wrestling call in news service called The Wrestling Clothesline owned and hosted by Brett Schwan out of New York. His ten or fifteen minute report everyday was what truly inspired the Wrestling Mark Newsletter back in September of 2001. Flipper had even co-hosted this program once. Although I did not always agree with Brett’s opinion, I did always respect it.

One reason may be the fact that regardless of my opinion Brett could get me to look at the other viewpoint. Looking back now I think that one of the best aspects of the Wrestling Clothesline was I got to hear about great independent workers like Lo Ki long before they every received national attention from TNA. He had a unique perspective of what wrestling is. A passion, a love, a philosophy that transcends all lines and boundaries that separates us. Wrestling is in essence what we want to be, be it for an hour or two, and for a select few, a way of life. 

I may never live out my passion for wrestling. Despite the desires of others, there seems to be very few in the world today who are willing to smack me around the head with a chair to the screams and cheers of countless thousands in packed auditoriums around the country. But listening to Brett five or six times a week, allowed me to realize that although my dream was in some form realizable. Although small, I can in some ways be involved in wrestling in a positive way.

During our discussion, Flipper stated he finally understood my vision that he knows what it is I’m trying to accomplish. In fact I’m not sure he does. No disrespect to him and not taking away from his power of observation, I’m not sure I really ever related my vision to him. My dreams and goals up to this point have been mine and mine alone to this point. However, I do feel it is time to offer my long-term vision of what I want the WerstlingMark.com web site and the Wrestling Shooter Newsletter to become.

The Mark and Shooter have evolved greatly over the last year and a half. From a one-page newsletter once a week as a way to convey news and information between a handful friends once a week, to a multi page twice a week e-Zine covering a host of features, from news, to opinion, from reviews to results. The newsletters were the front-runners of what WrestlingMark.com has become today. Many evolutions have come with what I expect with more on the way. 

So where do I begin? First lets start with what I consider the most disappointing aspect of the web. When first starting out I noticed that those who wrote for the big sites in my opinion didn’t like wrestling. Wrestling has become a job, an end to a means. More often than not the negative tirades and accusations of not being in touch with the people, the fans of wrestling, were not only not shared with me, but others that I talked to. I do believe that at some point these people truly loved the business, but had at some point become jaded against it, when they realized they received more attention when the had something that was disparaging to say against the business. I also noticed that when fans of wrestling contradicted their slighted viewpoint of the business, they were dispatched, and dismissed with the label “Mark”.

Now before you think I’m down on these sites and their “Smark” attitude towards the wrestling world, please understand that I still take pleasure in visiting their sites. 1Wrestling, the Observer, and the Torch are the best at what they do. Many other web boards model themselves after them, and for good reason. The problem I see with them is the same that I see with many of the site, and on occasion, even our own. The prominent feeling I get at times is that because they consider me a mark, they are condescending to me. Here’s a thought. You may think that my opinion does not matter because I’m a mark. You may feel as though what I think isn’t important, because I’m a mark. You may consider what I like about wrestling is naïve because I’m a mark. Bad news, there’s more of me than there are of you. Think about that.

Secondly some have questioned in the past our coverage Independent Feds. The truth of the matter following Indy promotions was not a top priority when we started out. But as time went by my eyes were open to an astounding realization. Indy Feds are the grass roots of what we watched on television. It’s not the idea of seeing tomorrow’s stars today that draws me in. It’s the realization that some of the guys are better and more fine-tuned than most that I see on TV. That some of the feds are only a few shows away for major TV deals. While that does not mean all feds deserve TV deals or all the workers deserve big time exposure. Many are.

In short my vision is simple. I don’t have to be the number one website receiving five thousand hits per day to be happy. I’ll leave that for the other guys. My vision is to be the number one alternative site, receiving a fraction of as many hits, by people like myself, who do not want to be looked down upon by the smarks, because my opinion does not matter.

I am a mark! And I’m very proud of the label. There are worse things than being entertained by someone who puts his ass on the line and works his ass off for ME. 

What I want WrestlingMark.com is to be known as site that you may not agree with everything we say, you may not like who we cover, but the visitor knows that we respect their opinion and viewpoint. I want to be known as the site that whether you like what we say or not you know that we are fair. I don’t want to be number one because we get more hits. I want to be number one for being the one who does the job better.

I want to thank our fans, the promotions, and the workers who make this vision possible. I want to thank the staff for helping reach my dream. And most of all, I want to thank Brett Schwan for helping to give birth to the dream.

Please visit Brett at www.WrestlingClothesline.com

Thanks,

-THE MARK

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IT’S BEEN A LONG TIME…
4/03/2003

It’s been awhile since I last wrote and in that time much has happened. Our country has been plunged into war, NWA –NE has announced it’s comeback, SOCOM has become an addiction to me as strong as any drug I’ve ever taken, interviews and the WWE continues to dig a grave big enough to envelop the entire industry.

As we all know a few weeks ago the United States attacked deep into the heart of war. Yesterday a regular customer of mine came to the store to ship a package to an APO for a nineteen year-old who jumped in Iraq with the 173^rd Airborne Division. I asked if it was a relative knowing he has no sons. He said no that he was a friends son, who when his friend passed several years ago took the boy under his wing. That out of the two families he was the only boy, and he was as to him his own son.

I guess the reason I bring this up is this. Personally I know no one who is Iraq right now. No friends, no family, no acquaintances. But yet there are many I know who do. Zippy is eighteen, in a few months decisions on what he should do with the remainder of his life goes from thinking it out to doing it. It could have easily turn into him storming the front lines in Iraq.  It makes me think about the thousands who are there now.

Whether you agree with the politics or not, whether you know anyone or not, take a moment to say a prayer for all those who are there, and for the ones who may not come home. It’s the least you can do.

NWA-NE has announced it’s big comeback show this Sunday at the Riverside Middle School. This is long awaited not only for the fans but for myself as well. The show is a benefit for the victims of the Station Fire. All proceeds will go to the  "Station Nightclub Fire Relief Fund" a more than worthy cause by a more than worthy promotion.

A few months ago the NWA-NE closed the doors to the WrestlePlex amid much speculation. Many accusations were thrown about that NWA-NE commissioner Marc Greene answered very openly to WrestlingMark.com  in our Target Practice section. I find myself excited not only for myself or the NWA-NE but for the fans of New England who will witness the return of one of the greatest New England wrestling traditions.

As some of you are aware SOCOM online has become my new addiction. I feel that it is my responsibility to keep the cyberspace free of all online terrorists. Zippy and I are doing our best however we are not as good as we would like to be. I play in any USEAST rooms and if you see us let us know. E-mail us here and lets us know if you play maybe we’ll hook up. Flipper says he’ll be on next week, we’ll see. With that in mind I just want to say I’m better than Zippy!!!!

I recently got to do an interview with Chris Camaro, a standout performer for the PWF-NE. This has to be one of the nicest kids I’ve ever had the pleasure to talk to. He spoke on several subjects which were not only very enlightening but fun. At TLC he showed as a worker he has the talent, the interview showed he has the  attitude to be one of the top workers in the business.

How do you kill the #1 promotion in the country? Watch WWE and find out. Bringing back all the old names and stories of the business is nothing new, but bringing them back in hopes of capturing old glory is, well stupid. People are tired of watching old dogs take center stage over up and coming talent. WCW’s success in the late nineties proved that.

Do I have a problem with bringing back Piper, Sable, Goldberg? No, yes, I’m not sure. Here is what I do know. History repeats itself. Yes you can recreate the glory days of yesteryear but you can also relive the horror that was WCW.

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The Future Lies In Wide-Open Eyes
7/06/2003

A week ago the WrestlingMark.com staff attended one of the most impressive events we have ever seen. The NEI Invitational was an arguable success. Though some may tell you it was a mark show with a poor turnout. I have to argue. The show showcased the cream of the crop with in New England. That pushed great talent to great performances. The only down side to this show was not the three hour drive but the fact that NEI now questions weather they will run another Invitational. I only hope that they do, for I’m making plans on attending every year.

But if you ask me what is it that stuck in my mind more than anything else, it would not be the untouchable roster or the indisputable mat skills of all those involved. It was in fact the bringing into the fold new fans and believers in New England Indy and Wrestling in general.

I am a long time aficionado as is all the staff, but supplementing our ranks are two seven year-olds my sixteen year-old daughter who is a passive fan, and Flippers pain in the ass daughter, who despite her constant wrestling exposure has never been what I considered an enthusiast.

But by the end of NEI’s powerful performance last week things have changed. Behind me all I could hear was Elisha stating, “I want to come again, this is great, I love this.” What was it that made an immediate fan of Flippers daughter? Although the presentation was relatively flawless, it was in fact a little overlooked addition to the show. Interaction.

Not many promotions offer this, in fact way to few. The WWE powerhouse only does it once a year and only after you pay huge amounts of money, can you meet those who would be nothing without us. Workers coming from the locker room to sign autographs, shake hands, and hear our praises is important to us. It makes us for a couple of fleeting moments important 

Why is it that so many have a hard time understanding that for a scheduled fifteen minuets with the fan during an intermission you turn non fans into life long devotees of the sport. But not only the sport but the promotion which showcases the power of what is wrestling.

Wrestling it self is theater for the masses, and the masses are constantly demanding more. Promoters are always looking for the next big thing. That special building block that will push them to the forefront in the race to capture the public’s eye. But what so many miss is that it’s staring them in the eye.

When I see a young kid like Kid Makazi, or Chris Camaro, Blade, KL Murphy, and Chris Venom. Its my wish to shake their hand and say good job. Its my wish that a seven year-old to look up to them, to want to be like them, to get their autograph. To say “hi” to a shy sixteen year-old. Its my wish to bring new fans into the fold. To see the wide eyed look on a kid who has little to wonder about.

Some will argue who would want the autograph from an overlooked worker from an Independent promotion? What purpose would it serve? You might be surprised.

The future lies in those who are not supporters, but those who are unknowingly in the making.

-The Mark

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Four Weeks Of Hell And Then This…
6/13/04

I know we do this way to often but this is just typical…

Ok every year in mid-May the trees begin to bloom, the birds return from a long winter vacation and college kids from around Providence begin filing home for summer break. Now usually I’m excited by this. This is the one time a year I’m really put to the test at work and prove to myself that yes I am the best at what I do. This year is a little different. Since the sale of my MBE location and re-branding to the UPS Store, our meager staff has been overworked to the point of exhaustion before our college pack out even began.

Normally “Hell Week” as we refer to it is just that, HELL, and one week. This year however it’s a little different. The eighteen-hour days are just that, eighteen hours. Our diet of PopTarts, Cheese Its, and Coke is just that, PopTarts, Cheese Its, and Coke. But this year the weeklong sleep deprivation and malnutrition is FOUR GOD DAMN WEEKS!

Now add to that under what has become normal circumstances under staffed, add to it that the inexperienced new owner insists on sending every able-bodied soul home with in an hour of their coming to work. This breeds a recipe for disaster. In the last week I have dislocated a finger, Diamond Jim sprains his ankle and falls down a flight of stairs. While training a new guy I slash open my hand requiring stitches. Not to mention the boss insists on taking me to the hospital for a quick check to make sure it’s not infected only to proceed to nag every person in the place. “How Long is it gonna be? I could leave, but I’ll stay.” This statement was repeated every five minuets for the hour it took for them to examine the wound. Why an hour, well the poor bastard next to me was having a heart attack and they figured I could wait. But the staff was not counting on, “How Long is it gonna be? I could leave, but I’ll stay.” every five minuets. I probably got gang green but the medical personnel just wanted me to leave and take the pestering harpy with me.

Now during this four weeks I have added six workers to our IWD pages, three Flipper in the net, updated the calendar three times, pieced together a Zippy says promo, written four Opinion articles for The Shooter, Put together four Shooter by myself, and posted 43 News Items on our news page, and all that to be toped off by posting some of what I think is my best work in the feature section that has gone relatively unnoticed.  Now I think I’ve kept up my part. I distinctly remember Flipper NAG NAG NAGGING me to get the Shooter rolling again so his all important opinion could be heard. Listen to any Flipper in the Net to hear him say “Put the Shooter out, Put the Shooter out, Waa Waa Waa My Name Is The All Important Flipper Waa Waa Waa. That opinion in the first Shooter on the start of hell week was four weeks old. Ok my bad, but nothing else has come my way.

So how bad can it really be you ask?

Weren’t you paying attention! Now add to this that the PWF dropped their show a couple of weeks ago because of a conflict of interest. I say a conflict of interest because I really don’t know why the show was canceled.  Think of my excitement as the eleventh grows closer, and my need for some wrestling diversion seems ever so sure to be quenched. But wait its on a Friday…

AAAHHHHHHH!!!!

Now there are a lot of reasons why I couldn’t make this show, A LOT! Not any of them any good. But then so goes my life. I have one glimmer of hope. The PWFNE has been on a great run. Excuse me, let me rephrase that, a PHENOMENAL RUN for the past year. Since Wrongful Termination / Resurrection last year they have been on a run with powerfully strong performances that are garnishing the title of one of New England’s top promotions. Their fan base has grown and their talent with the exception of a few is as polished as any roster around. My thinking on Thursday as time draws near is that the law of averages has to kick in and the show was only going to be average.

At five am Saturday morning I jumped out of bed and to the computer and go to that other website (god knows no one will post results or opinion on WrestlingMark.Com) to read the results of this average show…

Isn’t this just typical…

Let’s see, Its not Venoms fault, yea kinda would have figured, I heard rumors of his return and it kills me not to see it.

Trip and Siks is an absolute war, Oh great…

IQ retains his title, Oh please stop now, please…

Logan’s over DNA, (whine, wimper,)

Run - ins by EoS and Vert, @$#^ ^&%^0(^^&%

Bad Boy Billy Black crowned Champion…

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH…. AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH… (Running hysterically through the house now) AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH.

Why me lord, cant you just give me just a little… Well of course not. Why should I have this? I’ve only been loyal. I’ve tried to be good. And you take this from me too.

Black in my opinion is one of those guys who should never be without a belt. Why? Cause straps on good guys do no good. And Bad Boy is the best at what he does. A consummate heel, which brings out the best of anyone he works with. The guy you love to hate. Weather your ten or a hundred and ten he has pointed you out with a nasty, yet amusing comment. He is by far the most entertaining worker in the area. Why? If you have to ask you haven’t seen him. Billy deserves the strap. This guy is an accomplished worker in every way and has become the foundation in which the PWFNE is built. It absolutely breaks my heart not to see it.

Well ok my depression can’t get any lower right. Well wait…

I had the foresight to give Zippy (who went to the show) my tape recorder to do the Zippy Says segment. At least this segment will be good, how could it not the show by all accounts was five star. I go downstairs to see if he left the machine between the doors. Nope. Lets check the back door. Nope. God am I an idiot or what, he has keys, he would have left it on the dinning room table. Nope. Kitchen table… living room…

See a pattern here?

So I sit staring at the computer waiting for him to log onto AIM. And I wait and I wait…

Around ten thirty Sign Guy Gus seeing the abysmal depression that I have sunk to offers the only thing that could bring me out of it. A trip to the porn store!

Ok now I’m starting to come out of my depression. When I return home the look about the house reveals no machine or coveted tape. Going to the computer low and behold there’s Zippy. Hey Zippy did you do the report I want to get it posted right away?

… … no

I’ve taken the hint lord, I’m stepping away from the computer. This personal hell has no bounds. I’m just gonna let it go, I know a video game will cheer me up… Disk Read Error…

Kill me!

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Not The Biggest Names On The Card
6/20/04

I’ve said it before; interaction with the fans is one of the most enticing aspects of a wrestling show, one that is continuously ignored by some and embraced by others. The magic of wrestling is that is a forum for the average Joe and his family to interact, cheer and jeer. Born as a Saturday ritual where dad could sit with his children and watch as a drama unfolded before them. Heroes and villains do battle to obtain the elusive holly grail of wrestling, the coveted belt. I remember my dad smiling at me as Chief J Strongbow struggled against Johnny Rods on a rare Saturday morning in front of the TV. His smile was not because of Strongbow’s win but more because of my excitement.

During wrestling’s infancy promoters and workers understood the value of the fan but didn’t really understand how to exploit it. They relied on the workers ability to work the crowed. We hated the heel, he was a coward, and he used illegal tactics to reach his goal a jerk, who threw his arrogance in our faces with amusement, because he could. The face was our hero who would cheer us as much as we did him, somehow gaining strength through out ovation. He needed us to help him overcome his hated foe. We were happy to oblige.

But something changed. When the WWWF changed hands from father to son to become the WWF, Vince McMahon turned a regional promotion into a national spectacle. Audiences grew from a few thousand to events that filled entire arenas. Workers no longer had the ability to work small groups, but now had to play to the masses.  And as they did, the audience grew even more. Everyone wanted to challenge V.M. for the number two slots. Small promotions adapted his formula with limited success.

Truth is in a crowd of ten thousand I am a number. Come see me at a WWE event. I sit in the rafters’ cause I can’t afford the outrageous ticket prices, drinking a four dollar soda, sitting behind the asshole in the cow costume with a sign. “Be Part Of The Action…” that’s how they get you to come to the show. What they don’t tell you is being part of the action is fighting through crowds, standing in line, and struggling to see around the god damn sign (Frigin inconsiderate moron) 

The last WWE event I attended was with Sign Guys (his first) who stated he wanted to stay home next time. The WWE, WCW, and TNA relied on working the masses and the camera over the people because their survival depended on it. The problem is that though they want to deny it, smaller regional promotions are depending on the same tactics to entertain fans.

Everyone wants to go to the dance. So they all adapt the same techniques that make the WWE so popular and have forgotten the art of working the crowd. First let me say there are exceptions to every rule. The Score is one group that never stops answering the taunts of the fans. TJ Richter who is another that continually assaults the devotee’s with amusing but pointed attacks. Bad Boy Billy Black is yet another who through out a match never misses an opportunity to answer hecklers with a barrage of name-calling and mockery. But they are the exception.

Now understand I think New England has some of the best talent around. They compete on a skill level that is matched by few. However too few of them have the skill to work a crowd. Heel too often rely on a scowl or pulling away from a high five to a little kid, to set the stage for persona. Faces run to quickly by and pay little attention to the fan, relying on standing on the turnbuckle and raising their hands to garnish their praise. By the way heels also stand on the turnbuckle to garnish heat. That’s because the heel works a crowd from the ring, were as the face is to work the crowd from the floor. Doing your best Jeff Hardy impersonation does not make me want to like you.

Now even to this there are exceptions. A few months ago I attended an event where the promoter at one point or another made his way to every child and asked their name, and if they enjoyed the show. Simple right. What kind of effect does this have? First it plays to the biggest demographic Independent promotions have, the eight to twelve year old. I know if I miss a show I am looking forward to, I get a little ticky. Just look at my last week’s column. If I miss a show my daughter was looking forward to, I’d be devastated. Dads and guilt sometimes walk hand in hand when it comes to their kids. So making the key demographic feel important is imperative.

Now that does not mean ignoring the needs of the older fan should take a back seat, but by playing to what is important to us not only as fans but as parents or older siblings (my first live WWWF event was with my sister) locks us into a key element of being a fan, a supporter. Now will this work for every promotion? No. Some promotions tout their owners in a heel fashion. Keeping things black and white is important to the fan. Personally I have a hard time expressing disapproval to someone who was nice to me a few moments before. It’s confusing, and I confuse easily.

So how does a promotion approach its fans while staying in character? The face once again rises to the occasion. Nothing entertains a fan, young or old, more than meeting his or her hero. Now most view meet and greets as a lucrative opportunity to sign autographs and take pictures for five to ten bucks a pop. This is fine but what about the poor bastard who struggled to come up with the twenty to forty dollars to get him and kids in the show, not to mentions the pre event dinner before. This was me a couple of years ago where it was all I could do to scrape up enough to take my daughter to a Chaotic event. I wanted my daughter to feel just as special as every one else did. But we avoided the stars cause the funds weren’t there. A special night with my baby was just a little tainted as a result.

Lets not forget the failed attempt at autograph signings as well. Ever see a worker come out during intermission, set up shop at the gimmick table, only to sit lonely in the corner as not a single person steps up. Sure it’s funny but a little depressing as well. Or what’s worse is when they step up and ask, “Who are you”. “I’m Mighty Milton, The Hardcore High Flying Legend.” “Oh”. And then the person scampers away.

Now last night I had the opportunity to see something neat. At Ringside Wrestling they brought out a small contingent of workers for a meet and greet. They signed autographs and took pictures. Most importantly they just talked. Now these faces were by far not the biggest names on the card. In fact opening matches and mid carders all. Kids swarmed around them like they were the second coming. It didn’t matter that these guys were still just learning the trade, that the moves they used weren’t textbook. What mattered was that they were there. Personable, touchable, and real.

This serves several purposes. First it makes me as a fan feel as though I am important to the promotion. Treat me as a customer and I’ll treat you as if you are a Seven – Eleven. I can get the same thing from Cumberland Farms. Treat me as a friend and I’ve committed to your next show before you announced it. The psychology here is that its hard for me to walk away from my friends not so much when I walk away from a business.

Second it gives an opportunity to meet someone who six months to a year from now is going to be your top tier talent. We already have a relationship. We know them when it comes time for their all-important push. Looking to get a crowd behind your worker, get the worker into the crowd. Make us even when we don’t want to get behind their efforts. Now keep in mind the talent chosen for this is important, promoters must chose talent that is again, approachable. Sarah Sullivan is a great example of this. Always smiling, outgoing and friendly. Talks to everyone and greets everyone with a “Hi how are you.”.  Now with that the talent needs to be taught how to mingle. When fans don’t approach them they need to approach the fan. Just by saying “Hi, I’m Mighty Milton, what’s your name? You enjoying the show?” Lets face it, even I feel intimidated approaching talent even those I feel I know well outside the ring

This will also affect locker room moral as well. We all want to feel special. We the fans, but the workers as well. Fans want to see the best show possible, but workers need to have the need to put on the best show possible. How many times have we seen workers brimming with talent put on a sloppy piss poor performance because its just another show? That same worker may decide to put on a five star performance if he knows that Grandma Loomis just traveled sixty miles just to see him.

Put simply, keeping us arms distance keeps us distant, pulling us close brings us close.

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Pet Peeve # 79 "It’s Only An Angle"
8/21/2004

Ok, I know I’ve used this as a way to vent on various subjects that have little to do with anything. Like Pet Peeve #27 Flippers inability to meet a deadline, #14 Zippy being an oversensitive puss, #39 Flipper thinking he should have a section all to himself so as to improve traffic to the site despite the fact he cant seem to meet a deadline, #55 Promotions that think we are their own personal PR department, #12 Sign Guy Gus never has a sign, #33 Workers & Promoters that bitch about the internet, #67 The fact I don’t have a Pet Peeve about Chainsaw.

However this time around I want to discuss that in my opinion on the publics and Internet wrestling community’s obsession with angles. Now before you decide to click the button to go to the next page or go to NEI to read Ghosts take on recent shows (#16 Not even our own staff will post here), hear me out. Aren’t we as wrestling fans just taking things just a little to seriously? Sure there are angles I like, and angles I don’t like. Angles are important to wrestling just as important as the arm lock. Wrestling is a venue to give many of us an opportunity to cheer, jeer, laugh and cry. For a few short hours we loose ourselves in our own little world where heroes live.

Now while surfing I came across an article centering on an apparent controversy surrounding the Lita, Kane angle and its impact on the international community. The article spoke of article 16 of the UN’s Universal Doctrine which states, “Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.” The article goes on to reinforce its position with “In South Asia, sub-Saharan Africa and at least one neighborhood I know in Queens, young women are forced into marriage because of an arrangement between the families -- or because the husband has kidnapped the bride. And, next Monday in Anaheim, California, Lita is scheduled to exchange vows with Kane on RAW – against her will.”

WHAT THE @#*!…

IT’S A FRIKEN ANGLE

Lets just set the record strait. When HHH had sex with Katie Vic in her coffin, IT WAS A FRIKEN ANGLE!!! Am I the only one who knew right away that he was not having sex with the corpse of a dead girl but simulating sex with a mannequin? The only one who should have taken this with any substance are the depraved few such as Zippy, who sex with dolls is the norm. Out side of that it was funny.

Most are funny. Red Rooster. Sure Terry Taylor doesn’t like you bringing it up either but the fact was he sold his soul for a few pieces of gold and he as everyone else have regretted it ever since. You cant tell me you couldn’t wait for the Billy & Chuck wedding. Mark Henry and Mae Young, (Ok even I cringed,). Hurricane and S.H.I.T. And no one can tell me they didn’t love the Gobbledy-Gooker.

How about the controversial…

Paul Bearer is not dead. The outpouring of concern and out rage is well, sorry if I offend you outrageously stupid! William A. Moody is alive and well. This fact has seemed to get past everyone. Internet geeks can understand why those like JBL, Jericho, Storm not to mention Vine take potshots at us. On top of that you add the fact that we often tout wrestling’s golden era with out ever mentioning the often-offensive nature of it personas. Every American Indian was a Chief. Germans were Nazi. Arabic’s wore turbans. The list goes on and on.

We as a community are taking things way to seriously when this is all that consumes our lives. Our real world is wrought with real problems wrestling merely reflects it. We tell the Vince’s of the world what we think of his product the more we talk about it.

Vince: “What’s everyone talking about?”

Lackey: “JBL goose stepping.”

Vince: “Get the camera on him”

It’s a simple formula, ignore the problem and it will go away. We often wonder why the public views us as ignorant, and yet we also wonder how they could care if Chloe is killed in the limo while driving through Austria, on Days Of Our Lives.

Now I close this with the memory of the greatest Angle of all time…

RIP Moppy

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WING’S AND DREAMS OF THINGS THAT FLY
8/28/2004

To accomplish great things, we must dream as well as act. - Anatole France (1844 - 1924)

I took the liberty of stealing the title to this week’s opinion article to talk about dreams and what might be. Some of our readers are fans some workers some are promoters. Many of us are driven forward by the simple question of “what if…” sadly just as many if not more are driven backwards by the same question. Everyone has dreams of what their perfect life would be like. Even myself.

Long before there was a WrestlingMark.com, before the Internet, and hardcore titles, I had dreams that took me in other directions. When I was eighteen I stepped on the ice in a small town in northern Ma, in an attempt to fulfill a dream that I worked hard for, for many years. Years later I tried again in Texas, with the same results. Though the dream was unfulfilled the journey was not what I would consider a failure. I trained and worked my ass off to be something that was just out of my reach. What I learned was simple. I had come closer to achieving something that less than 1% would ever get. With in reach.

Along the way I had a lot of people talking to me about how my dreams were unobtainable, unrealistic, and yes out of reach. Everyone wanted me to be happy, have a family, and to do well. Just not better than them. Here is where many of us tend to fall short of what we shoot for. So in this aspect it does not surprise me when I see a young guy give into negative influences that takes away the very essence of what got them involved in wrestling to begin with. People you see are dream stealers

This past summer there have been a number of opportunities for aspiring young talent in the New England area to learn from the masters. Now understand when I say this, the people that offered these opportunities may say otherwise but, the turnout for has been nothing but pitiful. The fact they were not turning people away in droves is beyond me.  Between the PWFNE’s Learning with Legends, Slamtech’s fantasy camp, and NECW bringing in Doug Williams, not to mention a few others bringing in other big name talent looking to pass along their knowledge. The opportunity for a young and upcoming talent to step up and learn something new from some of the best in the business is unprecedented. And the fact lost on this incredible generation is as shocking to me as my ex-wife’s heel turn in the mid-eighties and no less disparaging. 

Everyone has an excuse not to do the right thing. Every one original and bullshit. If I’ve learned one thing in life is that you have choices. You can choose to be right or you can choose to be great. It amazes me how many choose to be great, but as long as it is on their own terms. Everyone will sit and analyze what they will learn, others sit and bitch about the cost. Here’s a thought, maybe you could learn to have the money in your pocket so as to attend the next session. Maybe that’s not fair not everyone has good paying jobs so that they can in their eyes afford to go. I can understand this, but at the same time if this is really what you want then you can mow your neighbors lawn for a couple of weeks.

As for what you can learn, well recently while visiting 1Wrestling I saw none of your names. But I did see Les’s, Ricky’s, Harley’s, and Doug’s. Must be just dumb luck. That could be the only reason. Les was in the right place at the right time, Harley just happened to fill a void in during a time of low work rates, Ricky obviously brought about his career copying Luchadores, Doug probably just studied too many Lou Thez films. They have nothing on you. Again it’s just blind luck.

Lets face facts, none of you are just high spot specialists with little technical ability to round out an otherwise mediocre performance. You big over blown power guys already have taken the time to add flexibility and psychology to your ring work.

Simply put: YOU SUCK!!

I blame myself, and I blame those who hold these clinics. I sit here and tell you how awesome you are. And honestly I don’t take back a simple thing I’ve said bout you. The ones who hold the clinics still treat you as their golden child, while they should be paying attention to the ones who are looking to be something bigger and better, and prepared to bring the industry to the next level. Many, not all, but many of you are spoiled little children who need a good kick in the ass. Maybe then you will see what you let slip by.

On a personal note a young lady by the name of Becky was ready to take advantage of this opportunity this weekend, unfortunately she was inevitably had the opportunity taken from her because of  “A lack of interest”. That’s heartbreaking to me to know that for someone who has put her best foot forward in a business she loves she meets with a roadblock. She undoubtedly feels this is her moment to shine and feels it’s been striped away. Well Becky, the truth is none of the prima donnas who are expecting the call from Vince, and Jarrett next week have anything on you. And Becky you’re not alone. Others were prepared to make the sacrifice to become something bigger, and once I have their names I will be talking to you about them as well. 

With the amount of talent and skill here in New England we would think some of you would want the edge. I guess we thought wrong.

In closing I say this:

“If you have dreams and are not doing every thing in your power to obtain them…

You have no right to dream”

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The Mark

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