Showing category "Internet Columns" (Show all posts)
Professional wrestling has a long history in Montreal.
If you were a kid growing up here in the early 1970s, you probably remember names like Mad Dog Vachon, Edouard Carpentier, Killer Kowalski, Tarzan (The Boot) Tyler, The Hollywood Blondes and Giant Jean Ferré. I still remember going with my Mom to a wrestling card at the Forum during that period when fans greeted Gilles (The Fish) Poisson by throwing real fish into the ring.
But the history of wrestling in Montreal goes back much farthe... Continue reading ...
This is why - By Adam Cole (ROH) A lot of people ask me, "Why did you decide to become a professional wrestler?" And it's a great question. Why? Why did I decide to pursue this sport as my career? And that's a misconception as well. When you decide to become a pro wrestler, it's not your career, its your life. It takes up every second of your time. You are always training, always traveling, always making every sacrifice necessary to move forward and advance. So a lot of people ask, "Why are yo... Continue reading ...
ECW: where are they now? By Tommy Dreamer Posted 1 day ago I recently did an interview for WWE.com to celebrate the 15-year anniversary of Extreme Championship Wrestling’s inaugural pay-per-view, Barely Legal. When I was first approached to do the interview, the first thing I said was “Huh?” followed by “Wow.” Granted, that may not be a great way to start an interview, but you have to understand I was completely dumbfounded to hear it has been that long ago. I truly thought to myself, “... Continue reading ...
A fan's 'dream come true' By Tori Stafford The Whig-Standard What started as a pact among friends that would benefit a charity turned into a once-in-a lifetime experience for Graeme McGaw of Kingston. McGaw, a longtime pro wrestling fan who favours the “Attitude Era” in World Wrestling Entertainment of the late 1990s, was on Twitter when he received a message from a friend. His friend, Vince Morales, informed McGaw of an ongoing raffle courtesy of legendary WWE superstar Mick Foley. The raf... Continue reading ...
"THE SHAME OF SHAMELESS PLUGGING" by Mick Foley Looks like the two-minute warning is about to sound (an American football reference for my friends outside of the US) when it comes to my non-WWE dates. I’ve got my last Independent wrestling show tonight (guest ref) in Nashville (Jan 14, in case you read this after the fact), a handful of comedy dates in the US, the WrestleReunion show at the end of January in LA, and the big UK/Ireland tour from February 22nd – March 3rd. This tour hasn... Continue reading ...
"DIVA BELIEVER" By Mick Foley: This may come as something of a surprise to those who saw me only as a very minor player on the biggest show of the year, but this past Wrestlemania week may have been my busiest one yet. With no match or substantial role to worry about, I was able to take in the majesty of the occasion, and appreciate just how fortunate I was to take part in a veritable bonanza of Wrestlemania events. I visited a children’s hospital, presided over the WWE’s National Readin... Continue reading ...
WORLD EXCLUSIVE WRITTEN BY RVD HIMSELF FOR THE HEYMAN HUSTLE! As a product of the midwest, I’ve always been drawn to California. I don’t remember any time in my life when dreams of seeing the world famous Hollywood sign, the colossal Beverly Hills mansions, and the beautiful west coast beaches were any less than fascinating. As my wrestling career picked up, and so did the travel, I’d often pass through LAX on my way to Japan. Eventually, I was booked to wrestle in Los Angeles, so I took... Continue reading ...
So ... how about the mild winter? By Tommy Dreamer I am sure you are all feeling a little over-saturated with the professional wrestling media blitz that has taken over this week ahead of WrestleMania 28. That said, I promise to make as few wrestling plugs as I can in this week’s column.So without mentioning that WrestleMania is Sunday, live on pay-per-view, I should be able to have a regular conversation with my readers about … umm … before it gets weird … umm … social awkwardness ... Continue reading ...
"Where's Three Minute Warning When You Need 'Em?" By Mark Madden: The “Rock concert”…Oh, wait, I get it, ROCK CONCERT! HAW, HAW, HAW, HAW, HAW! OHMIGOD, FUNNNEEEEEEE! If I may begin again: The 20-minute overflowing port-a-john (LIKE CENA, GET IT?) that closed this week’s Raw was criminally bad, and exemplary of why wrestling blows goats and why WWE, in particular, licks taint (if I may stoop to the fifth-grade level of humor preferred by those involved). Who the FRIG needs a 20-minute pr... Continue reading ...
Wrestlemania Miami: The ultimate clash of good and evil, in tights The gaudiest, glitziest show in all of sports entertainment — with the emphasis on entertainment — is coming to South Florida. By Glenn Garvin ggarvin@MiamiHerald.com When wrestling superstar and best-selling author Mick Foley comes to South Florida later this week to chat with fans, he may get some questions about how his schizophrenia is going or whether he still lives in basements and boiler rooms. Or about his best friend... Continue reading ...
"Miz Goes Up, Miz Goes Down: But Where Will He Land?" by Kevin Kelly
How things change in a year…
Last year, the Road to WrestleMania featured significant build toward
the Miz’s match against John Cena. This year, Miz gets squashed in a
minute and it’s looking like his name will not be announced at the
biggest WWE event.
Does that mean Miz sucks? Does that mean he
has worn out his welcome? Peeved the boss? Urinated on the company’s
Corn Flakes? Not necessarily.
But, this is... Continue reading ...
"Cena-Rock: The Perfect Storm" by Mark Madden:
WrestleMania 28 looms as the perfect storm. The WWE Network launch has
been delayed, making WM’s priorities self-contained as opposed to part
promo, part PPV. All three main-event matches feature participants who
know what they’re doing. Sad to say, but that’s the “dying breed” they
keep referencing: QUALITY PERFORMERS.
The Rock vs. John Cena is
still the wild card. The level of disrespect they have for each other
is doubtless ... Continue reading ...
An idiot’s guide to becoming a pro wrestler By Tommy Dreamer Posted 1 day ago I am asked similar questions by fans. The two most prevalent questions are: what was my favourite match? to which I don't have an answer because I have so many; and how do I become a professional wrestler? This question is easy for me to answer, but I propose some guidelines for the response. 1. Realistic goals: The first thing I usually say is to continue your education, just in case you do not make it. The chances o... Continue reading ...
"Lies (And The Lying Liars Who Tell Them)" By Mark Madden
Hulk Hogan's recent claim that he only played his creative control card
once was an even bigger lie than saying he was once asked to play bass
for Metallica. (I like the Metallica lie, though. Imagine Hogan onstage
with Metallica. ABSURD.)
Hogan played the creative control card CONSTANTLY during his WCW tenure. I vividly remember re-scripted
booking formats being delivered to the announcers during Nitro
commercial breaks becau... Continue reading ...
Fight against Internet, social media one I’m glad I lost
By Tommy Dreamer
I was one of the last people to hop on board the social media train, but I am glad I did.
I admit, I had my reservations, even when the Internet was developed. I
had several people claim to be me, posing as me and speaking to fans in
chat rooms. One of these people was even arrested for trying to lure an
underage girl to a hotel room. Luckily for me, I was told this by a
friend and the authorities were notifie... Continue reading ...
"Flatulence Gimmick = Red Rooster" by Mark Madden
Natalya Neidhart is a good-looking woman with decent ring talent and acumen for the wrestling business.
WWE wants her to be the girl with uncontrollable flatulence.
Neidhart should quit. Immediately.
For one thing, she’s a member of the Hart family. She should have more self-respect.
For another, the gimmick has no upside. It’s not funny to anyone with
more maturity than an 11-year-old boy. It’s obviously never going to
draw mon... Continue reading ...
From impressing a girl to my brush with the Deadman, my Royal Rumble reflections By Tommy Dreamer This Sunday, Jan. 29, marks this year’s World Wrestling Entertainment Royal Rumble. As a lifelong wrestling fan, it is one of my favourite events. The Rumble concept was created by WWE Hall of Famer — and Canadian — Pat Patterson. The concept is simple: Two men enter the ring and try to throw each other over the top rope. In order to eliminate their opponent from the match, both of their oppon... Continue reading ...
"What's The Future For Moxley & Tyler...err, Ambrose & Rollins?" By Kevin Kelly:
Word is Triple H has deemed two top FCW competitors, Dean Ambrose and
Seth Rollins, ready to graduate. But according to Hunter, before they
can leave the nest, Ambrose and Rollins need to have a storyline in
place. That means, in spite of what anyone with half a brain knows, that
the former Jon Moxley and Tyler Black are ready to go, they have to
wait until some comic-book nerds come up with an idea.
Her... Continue reading ...
"The Ric Flair Rumble" by Mark Madden:
It remains my favorite moment in wrestling history…well, besides all
those checks I cashed. I was there, in person, as a fan. It was the last
time I acted like a mark.
Jan. 19, 1992. Twenty years ago. Knickerbocker Arena. Albany, N.Y. The fifth Royal Rumble.
The Ric Flair Rumble.
I spoke to Ric a few weeks before the show, but he had little idea of
what might happen. WWE had dropped the ball with Flair since signing him
the previous August. ... Continue reading ...
Hoarders, Intervention and WWE Therapy by Kevin Kelly
I start Mondays with Hoarders and then Intervention on A&E. By the
end of those shows, I feel so good about myself. But I want to suggest a
show for the WWE Network called “WWE Therapy”, where people who used to
work there live in a group home setting and talk about how messed up
they are since they worked for Vince and Co. I’ve been gone from there
for almost 9 years and it took at least 5 years before I started to feel
nor... Continue reading ...
WWE's Biggest Problem by Mark Madden
WWE’S BIGGEST PROBLEM…
…is Michael Cole’s announcing. By far.
I’m not blaming Cole the man. Anything he says that’s damaging is
doubtless fed to him by VKM via headset. I’m blaming Cole the
“character.”
First off, play-by-play announcers shouldn’t be
characters. They are there to “tell stories” (argh), further the action
via description, fill in storyline gaps and emphasize important
developments in storyline advancement.... Continue reading ...
Make next year’s resolution to reach out to a friend or loved one
By Tommy Dreamer
Updated 1 day ago
I am not a therapist or a professional
psychiatrist. Rather, I am just someone who has experienced a lot in
life and who wishes to share my thoughts and experiences. The
holiday season creates cheer and happiness for many, but it also creates
sadness for others. The holidays can trigger thoughts of loved ones who
have passed a... Continue reading ...
YouTube.com is my new Monday night. In succession, I recently watched Ole Anderson turn on Dusty Rhodes in 1980, turn on Thunderbolt Patterson in 1985 and kick Sting out of the Four Horsemen in 1990. Everything about those angles was better than anything done by WWE or Impact in years. WWE just brings The Rock back. That’s it. That’s WWE’s idea of a BIG ANGLE. WWE and Impact could use an Ole Anderson-type wrestler, a menacing big brute who strikes fear with earnest verbiage as much as he d... Continue reading ...
Daniel Bryan = Fluke by Mark Madden I’ve got to laugh. WWE has spent years conditioning fans to accept a certain kind of wrestler as champ. Then it makes Daniel Bryan champ. Why? To prove he can’t cut it, of course. The perverse pleasures that go on in WWE's executive offices would shame Max Hardcore. Bryan is an undersized vegan with a geeky beard. He compromised his own character when he passed up a main event at WrestleMania to get a greasy, crusty title win over The Big Show via MITB. He... Continue reading ...
2011 Ring Of Honor "Final Battle" Thoughts by Kevin Kelly It was the biggest show of the year for Ring of Honor and Final Battle had its share of good and bad. From my viewpoint inside the barricades to fan posts’ afterward, there was WAY too many chairshots. One is too many in my opinion… but are those of us concerned for the well-being of athletes missing the point? Or doing all we can? Legendary Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka says the best way to stop football players from leading with ... Continue reading ...
By Tommy Dreamer
Posted 18 hours ago
Major news hit the wrestling world recently with the announcement that the former ECW Arena in South Philadelphia is closing. Apparently
new ownership is coming in and its brass wants to make the arena a
venue for larger events, such as concerts and the like. On top of that,
they apparently don't want to host professional wrestling or boxing
shows there anymore. Financially, to me, that makes zero sense. If
I... Continue reading ...
Boy, I enjoyed the Piper’s Pit segment last Monday on Raw… Piper was
awesome but when he complimented Cena’s generation for surpassing what
Piper’s generation had accomplished, I threw up a little. I would say
that Piper was lying but I’ll give it a pass because of the setting. He
was trying to fire Cena up so he had to lie to John a little.
If there’s a reason why fans crap on the WWE today, it’s for moments
like this. You can’t lie to your customers. No one believes t... Continue reading ...
I was checking out the world title history at WWE.com and I saw a name I
didn’t expect: Chris Benoit. I was shocked. I thought Benoit’s legacy
had been redacted by WWE. A further check of WWE.com revealed that two
DVDs featuring Benoit are for sale: A Royal Rumble collection, and a
steel-cage match collection. Benoit still exists in the WWE universe.
Now, with a movie on Benoit’s life being mooted, is it time to stop forgetting, if not forgive?
You can’t forgive. Benoit comm... Continue reading ...
Brave New World by Mark Madden December 11, 2011 The revelation that the WWE Network will change the company’s big-show philosophy and make a majority of them available via cable subscription will alter the pro wrestling landscape. WWE reportedly hopes to launch WWE Network on WrestleMania Sunday. WWE Network would be premium programming made available through cable companies a part of a tiered system. The more a subscriber pays, the more programming he gets. It’s being reported that all WWE ... Continue reading ...
WWE Network: The Death of Pay-Per-View? by Kevin Kelly December 13, 2011 From all accounts, the WWE is going to move its non-core pay-per-view events to the WWE Network. Mark Madden talked about it here and there are many plusses and minuses with what is on the table. But could this hurt the whole industry? Even in a down business cycle, the WWE generates lots of revenue for the cable industry. With UFC at the saturation point already and boxing on life support, how will the industry recoup t... Continue reading ...
Wes Brisco makes WWE Hall of Famers proud Brisco tradition continues Dec. 14 at Fort Lauderdale’s National Guard Armory By Jim Varsallone jvarsallone@MiamiHerald.com It’s been a long time since pro wrestling occurred at the Fort Lauderdale National Guard Armory. Pro wrestling returns there Dec. 14. Back in the day, during the territory days, Championship Wrestling from Florida traveled to the armory — off State Road 84 — every other Friday night - at a time when wrestling fans believe... Continue reading ...
My toughest opponent? The lifestyle By Tommy Dreamer People often ask me what the hardest part about being a professional wrestler is or who my toughest opponent is or was? The answer is simple: the travel is both the hardest and toughest part of the wrestling business. This past week, my own personal journey saw me working for an independent company called Chaotic Wrestling, based out of the Massachusetts area. I have worked for them in the past and have always found the talent to be hard-work... Continue reading ...
Foreign objects have had a long, storied history in the WWE. Every broken table, every smashed steel chair, every twisted, mangled ladder left in the ring doesn’t just signify a superhuman effort on behalf of the WWE Superstar who leaves it there; it’s another timeless moment in the annals of WWE. And as we march toward WWE’s TLC: Tables, Ladders, and Chairs pay-per-view, WWE.com brings you the ten most memorable, devastating, and just plain bizarre foreign objects to ever appear in a W... Continue reading ...
On the WWE’s recent tour of Japan, several Superstars took part in a very special sports-entertainment tradition. They have the jacket and full stomachs to prove it. The Ribera Steakhouse is a landmark in the Land of the Rising Sun. For years, Superstars have made pilgrimages to this small steakhouse in Tokyo, where their predecessors have wined and dined. Photographs of those who have passed through for a meal line the tiny restaurant from floor to ceiling. Superstars sit down for a king-siz... Continue reading ...
Bring It Back! ANY classic WWE Title that’s NOT the Spinner
By: Michael Burdick December 1, 2011
Source: WWE.com
The WWE Championship has a storied history as diverse as the iconic
Superstars that have carried it into battle. Such an incredible symbol
of excellence requires a look that will once again reflect the stand-out
grapplers who have risen to the top of the WWE mountain.
WWE.com joins the call of the WWE Universe on Facebook and Twitter,
pleading for the WWE to abandon the c... Continue reading ...
"No One Here Gets Out Awake" Written By Mark Madden: IWC angst over John Morrison’s departure from WWE shows how low expectations have dropped in the world of sports entertainment. Morrison’s an average talent. Decent worker. Can’t talk. Good-looking. Muddled character – an odd combination of Jim Morrison and Val Kilmer, an Oliver Stone-melded “Shaman of Sexy,” whatever that means. Morrison was only marginally involved when it came to anything memorable, and never tangibly drew dime... Continue reading ...
Mick Foley leaves NYC in stitches after Survivor Series By: Bobby Melok (Source: WWE.com) NEW YORK - After 17,000-plus cleared out of Madison Square Garden following Sunday night’s Survivor Series, a select portion of the WWE Universe headed a few blocks south of The World’s Most Famous Arena to the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre to have a few laughs before the night ended. However, the headliner at the club for this intimate midnight show was no ordinary comedian. On this night, the top... Continue reading ...
Daniel Bryan cashed in his Money in the Bank title shot to beat Mark Henry for the world championship, but Smackdown GM Teddy Long negated the result. Bryan won a #1 contender match and will face Henry in a steel cage on the next Smackdown. That, in a nutshell, is why WWE booking blows. The damage done: *The MITB stipulation is now subject to outside influences: i.e., RUINED. It doesn’t matter if Henry was hurt, wasn’t cleared to wrestle, or if he’d recently lost a leg. MITB supersedes al... Continue reading ...
Boots to Asses—WWE Social Media Strategy Leaves Others In The Dust
(Techcrunch.com)
Over the past year the WWE has continued to push the social media
envelope by integrating Twitter and Facebook further into its regular
broadcasts. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, now a cross-over star in both the
WWE and Hollywood, cut a promo on WWE Raw to hype the upcoming
pay-per-view “Survivor Series”. During that promo, the Rock quickly
coined a new catchphrase “Boots to Asses” and said ... Continue reading ...
Read first, dry shoes laterBy Tommy DreamerUpdated 8 hours agoEditor's note: Today, the Whig- Standard introduces a column by legendary hardcore wrestler Tommy Dreamer. Dreamer's illustrious career has seen him star inside the squared circle worldwide and for such promotions as World Wrestling Entertainment, Extreme Championship Wrestling and Total Nonstop Action. Dreamer will periodically share his thoughts and experiences with Whig readers in the pages of this section. Watch for future colu... Continue reading ...
By: Ryan Murphy November 11, 2011
Source: WWE.com
“Norman Smiley was extremely gifted,” Dean Malenko told WWE.com when asked about the subject of this month’s “Where Are They Now?” feature. “He excelled in the art of holds and counter holds — a purist when it comes to wrestling.” It’s a description that might surprise some sports-entertainment fans who remember Smiley from his days in World Championship Wrestling in the late ’90s. More than a decade before he began shaping th... Continue reading ...
Source: WWE.com Where is The Undertaker? By: Kevin Powers On Nov. 22, 1990, the WWE Universe was introduced to a Superstar who would forever change the landscape of WWE. Making his debut at Survivor Series as the mystery partner of Ted DiBiase’s Million Dollar Team, The Undertaker immediately captivated Superstars and WWE fans alike. No one could have predicted that 21 years later, an aura of mystery still surrounds The Deadman and the very mention of his name immediately becomes associated wit... Continue reading ...
Black & White by Mark Madden First, Impact wasn’t sure about Bobby Roode. So James Storm got the “world” title.
Now, Impact isn’t sure about Storm.
Gee, I wonder where all this uncertainty is coming from?
Actually, I think I know.
As long as Impact doesn’t have a signature performer, chaos reigns. As
long as chaos reigns, Hulk Hogan can slip through the cracks and be the
main figure on TV (with money mark Dixie by his side, of course). Hogan
is a "proven commodity.... Continue reading ...
Pro wrestling used to be run by students of the game. At the very
least, they were there as buffers. Voices of reason. Jim Ross is a
student of the game. So is Jim Cornette. Paul Heyman. Mike Tenay.
It’s not that way anymore.
Many students of the game trade silence for a paycheck. Some labor in obscurity. Some are out of wrestling altogether.
In their place: Idiots, cowards and self-serving scumbags.
Count Dixie Carter, Brian Gewirtz and Vince Russo among the idiots.
Triple H is a co... Continue reading ...
TNA Knockouts tag champion
Tara is headlining a Remix Pro Wrestling benefit show Saturday in Marietta, Ohio
that will raise money for the local humane society shelter. Tara, who is
scheduled to face former Knockout Sojo Bolt, will be joined by Tommy Dreamer,
TNA wrestler Shiima Xion, Zack Gowen, and local independent wrestlers for the
event.
Pro wrestling event to benefit humane society By Sam Shawver - The Marietta Times (sshawver@mariettatimes.com) The Marietta Times They're back. Remix ... Continue reading ...
On WWE and Organized Labor Source: ESPN Website, Grantland.com After Hell in a Cell, a renewed call for professional wrestlers to unionize Back in May 1999, the WWF had a mock-labor uprising on Monday Night Raw. The members of the Corporate Ministry were in the ring, filling it roughly from rope to rope. It was a valedictory moment for the new diabolical faction, which had formed just four days earlier, an unholy amalgamation of the Undertaker's pseudosatanic Ministry of Darkness and Shane McMah... Continue reading ...
TNA Slammiversary PPV Numbers compared to WWE's Capitol Punishment PPV
Total Wrestling Time: TNA Slammiversary: 105 Minutes
WWE Capitol Punishment: 84 Minutes
Total this Month: 189 Minutes
TNA Slammiversary
Alex Shelley and James Storm versus British Invasion: 11 Minutes
Scott Steiner versus Matt Morgan: 9 Minutes
Abyss versus Frankie Kazarian versus Brian Kendrick: 12 Minutes
Samoa Joe versus Crimson: 11 Minutes
Mickie James versus Angelina Love: 8 Minutes
Bully Ray versus A.J. Styles: 20 Minutes
Sting... Continue reading ...
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