Saturday, April 20, 2013

Support Independent Wrestling by Not Spending a Dime: 2CW iFFV TONIGHT

Western NY's wildly successful Squared Circle Wrestling (2CW) is putting on a FREE Internet "PPV" tonight at 8PM! The card looks like a lot of fun and you should check it out!

Pictures circulating on all the usual social media outlets indicate the crowd will be large AND in charge. I will definitely be checking this out and you should, too! Chances are good that if you are a fan of independent wrestling in Upstate NY, MA, and CT you will recognize more than just the "names" on the card!

ADVERTISED CARD:
2CW LIVING ON THE EDGE VIII

MAIN EVENT: FOR THE 2CW HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP:
Kevin Steen, 2CW Champion VS. John Hennigan (Morrison), Challenger

SPECIAL ATTRACTION:
Matt Hardy VS. Sami Callihan

STAIRWAY TO HELL: GUEST REFEREE: JAY FREDDIE
Isys Ephex VS. "Juggernaut" Jason Axe

NO HOLDS BARRED:
Spike Dudley VS. MASADA

SPECIAL ATTRACTION:
Colt "Boom Boom" Cabana VS. "Slyck" Wagner Brown

MIXED TAG TEAM ACTION:
Colin Delaney & Rachel Summerlyn VS. Pepper Parks & Cherry Bomb

PUN & GRAHAM'S TAG TEAM TITLE CHALLENGE:
Features: Punisher VanSlyke & Kevin "The Man" Graham, 2CW Tag Team Champions; CK (Sean Carr & Kage); Planet Fitness (Cheech & "Muscle" Marcos); Electric Dream Machine ("Studly" Steve McKenzie & Loca Vida); "Supercop" Dick Justice, Peter D. Order, & Eric M. Timmins

TERRY FUNKS RESPONDS TO KEVIN STEENS CHALLENGE!

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Check out the event HERE:
http://www.livesportsvideo.com/2CW

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

WrestleArt.com Presents: "Superstar Profile" with KYLE BADGER

Q: What made you want to be a professional wrestler?

A: It has always been my true passion. I don't really have a defining moment or specific occurrence. I started watching it as a young kid, and since then it just clicked. I knew what I wanted to do.

Q: Was getting in the ring for the first time what you expected?

A: No, not at all. I definitely was not expecting to be as sore as I was the following day.

Q: How important is it to look the part?

A: Very.

Q: Is there any person you wouldn't want to see on the other side of Kyle Badger vs. __ ?

A: No, not at all.

Q: Is there a match of yours (good or bad) that stands out in your mind? Why?

A: I was fortunate enough to have a match with Hacksaw Jim Duggan. He was the first "name" I ever worked, so that will always stand out in my mind.

Q: How important is it for you to make money in wrestling?

A: VERY! Not necessarily just for the money, but what the money represents. If you're making money in wrestling you are either signed to WWE, TNA or have a big name on the indy scene, and isn't that what we are all working for?

Q: Have you achieved all of your goals you set when you first embarked on this journey?

A: Not even close .

Q: Are there any indy wrestlers or tag teams you feel are ready for the big time?

A: Scott Scarsdale...duh.

Q: What is the importance of taping your match for your own personal use?

A: Being able to break down your match from a fan's perspective is important.

Q: What's your most embarassing moment in the ring or on the road?

A: The reoccurring embarrassing moment of watching Viper the Ninja never being satisfied with his fast food order, and making sure all the employees know about it. NEVER FAILS!

Q: If you could switch careers with any wrestler (professional or independent) who would it be and why?

A: That's a really good question. I don't know that I have an answer for that.

Q: Wrestling boots or shoes?

A: Boots.

Q: Wrist tape or no wrist tape?

A: Wrist tape.

Q: Tag or singles?

A: Singles.

Q: Do independent championship titles mean anything to you?

A: They all mean something to me... at least to some degree, obviously. Some mean more than others, but if you're a champion of a fed you work for, hopefully it's because you're doing something right, so that's a good thing.

Q: I hate, hate, FUCKING HATE when wrestlers don't use the tag ropes, or promoters don't provide tag ropes. I see this as something that's wrong with wrestling on the independent level. What is something that rubs you the wrong way about the indies?

A: "Hip toss, arm drag, bodyslam." Dear Christ, be at least slightly more creative with your offense.

If you have questions you would like to submit for future interviews or have interest in a certain guest, e-mail:

wrestleart.com@gmail.com

(Michael Anthony is the artistic genius behind WrestleArt.com and has been a friend and Contributing Corespondent to Wrestlefudge.com for some time! Be sure to check out the WrestleArt Facebook page and give it a "LIKE"!)

Saturday, April 13, 2013

Card Subject to Similarity

It's an interesting, if not unexpected, phenomenon. A phenomenon that I can't imagine is unique just to Upstate NY's Capitol Region: a lot of the same wrestlers on multiple promotions shows. I'm talking... Literally the SAME roster appearing for multiple promotions, with a different face or four sprinkled in here and there for flavor.

There are two schools of thought here.
1.) if its the same old roster appearing for all these different promotions, then what sets your promotion apart? What makes your shows different?
2.) hey. Peoplez gotsta WORK, yo! And the more these guys get out there and hone their craft the better! And if the crowds are into it and are responding to it, then who gives a shit?

I think MY opinion falls somewhere between the two. One of the things I liked about Ultimate Wrestling EAST (FKA 787 Pro Wrestling) when they first came out of the gate was the rumors leaking that the plan was to differentiate themselves from World of Hurt Wrestling and from In Your Face Wrestling by presenting a different, unique-to-the-area roster with only a few exceptions. They have mostly delivered on that, although it seems as though with every show they veer away from that initial, reported mission statement.

Now, with Fusion Wrestling appearing on the scene... We are presented with, on the surface, a roster very similar to that which is presented by other local promotions.

I suppose time will tell on what impact this will have on local business. Ultimately, my hopes are that the different promotions use these guys differently and present the fans with matches and pairings they haven't seen before. However, it seems as though its only a matter of time before all of these promotions hit a creative wall and the local wrestling fans whose attention they are ALL fighting over is lost.

I would really love to see a promotion stick to the "this is OUR roster(in this area)" philosophy. It *would* make them special and add some zest to the area. That being said... A lot of the "same old" faces are LOCAL faces... and who doesn't like to see local up and comers on the card, right? See? I'm stuck between both opinions! Aaaaargh. Someone. Help me out.

Feel free to continue the discussion in the comments below, hit a homie on twitter, on The Facebooks or even via Paul@Wrestlefudge.com -- the feedback for the blog has been really great as of late! You keep responding, I'll keep writing!

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Friday Night's LINEUP

What you can expect for the show - 7PM EST:

- we met Jimmy "SuperFly" Snuka a few weeks ago! And he is the MAN! We bring you our impressions from World of Hurt Wrestling's latest show and ponder their NEXT on April 26th!

- we also catch ourselves up on NEFW, CTWE, IYFW, and the newly re-christened Ultimate Wrestling EAST!

- we ALSO have the scoop on the Fusion Wrestling show going down in Hudson Falls, NY on April 28th!

- Will and Paul talk about iPPV and the incredible growth of the business in the last 18 months!

- we finally speak with New England Wrestling's hottest commodity, "The Juice" JT DUNN about where he has been and where he plans on going! You don't want to miss this interview!

- WrestleArt.com's MICHAEL ANTHONY calls in to tell us all about his website, his new feature on this here blog, his role as WOHW Commissioner, and rants about the value of tag-ropes in independent wrestling! This guy never fails to entertain.

- all this and MUCH more! Start time: 7PM on Wrestlefudge.com

Sunday, April 7, 2013

WrestleArt.com Presents: "Superstar Profile" with CHUCK DEEP

Q: Chuck, what made you want to be a professional wrestler?

A: Becoming a professional wrestler was my only goal in life. From before I can even remember, that's all I wanted to be. I was born in '83, so I was able to enjoy the "boom" period in wrestling. My uncles and parents got me the LJN figures and taped events for me, so from about 2 years old on, that's all I cared about.

Q: When did your professional wrestling career start?

A: November 2000

Q: Was getting in the ring for the first time what you expected?

A: I remember walking up to the ring for the first time and the adrenaline was just pumping. I was shaking. I had waited my whole life to feel what it was like. The first thing I ever did was take a bodyslam. (laughing) I had tried bumping on the ground and mattresses, but this was definitely a wake up call.

Q: How important is it to look the part?

A: When fans come to watch a wrestling show, they don't want to see a normal everyday person getting in there and wrestling. They want to see larger than life characters. That doesn't mean you have to be huge, but you have to look the part. Create the illusion that you are different than every fan, not just some dude off the street.

Q: Is there any person you wouldn't want to see on the other side of Chuck Deep vs. __ ?

A: Someone who doesn't want to be there. If you're not there to do your best then get out of my way. I treat every match like it could be my last, so don't drag me down with bullshit.

Q: Is there a match of yours (good or bad) that stands out in your mind? Why?

A:There are a lot that stand out. I could go on all day about matches, but a few that pop out right away are:
WrestleFest '04 vs. Nick Neighborhood
It was a heel vs. heel match at WOH's biggest show for the cruiserweight title... my favorite match for years.
WLW vs. Andrew Davis in '07. This was for Harley Race's fed in Missouri. Wrestling down south and the midwest is so much different than the northeast. Up here, it just seems like you have to constantly watch for attitudes and snakes. This match sticks out because there were 60 guys from around the world (Japan, England, Australia, Canada, Mexico, etc.) They only chose nine guys to be on the show and I was one of them. I was really honored that they put me on and put me over.

Q: Have you acheived all of your goals you set when you first embarked on this journey?

A: No, I wanted to make it. It was a hard pill to swallow when I eventually realized that I didn't have the look and my body was breaking down early.

Q: Are there any indy wrestlers or tag teams you feel are ready for the big time?

A: Truthfully, I can't think of one that has everything right now.

Q: What is the importance of taping your match for your own personal use?

A: You have to watch your matches to learn from your mistakes. I love collecting footage just to go back and watch and re-live some of the moments.

Q: With the ups, come the downs. Explain one time where you felt at your all time low in wrestling.

A: In 2009, I was wrestling for ECCW, and I was spinning my wheels. Mostly everyone had bad attitudes, and the promoter kept booking the same matches over and over with the same outcome. It gets old quick. Not only that, but indy wrestlers have to have a real job, and mine always has given me a hard time about traveling on the weekends.

Q: If you could switch careers with any wrestler (professional or independent) who would it be and why?

A: I would have loved for Pure Dynamite to be a tag team in the WWF in the mid to late 80's. All gassed up and rocking and rolling!

Q: Wrestling boots or shoes?

A: Boots.

Q: Wrist tape or no wrist tape?

A: Wrist tape.

Q: Tag or singles?

A: It's a toss-up. I'm definitely loving being in a tag team right now.

Q: Do independent championship titles mean anything to you?

A: Yes...we all know I love the gold.

Q: I hate, hate, FUCKING HATE when wrestlers don't use the tag ropes, or promoters don't provide tag ropes. I see this as something that's wrong with wrestling on the independent level. What is something that rubs you the wrong way about the indies?

A: When there is no fucking advertising for the show... Are you fucking kidding me? You can't even put a cardboard sign out that says "Wrestling Tonight." Give me a break! It pisses me off. It's like they don't want anyone to come to the show.

If you have questions you would like to submit for future interviews or have interest in a certain guest, e-mail:

wrestleart.com@gmail.com

(Michael Anthony is the artistic genius behind WrestleArt.com and has been a friend and Contributing Corespondent to Wrestlefudge.com for some time! Be sure to check out the WrestleArt Facebook page and give it a "LIKE"!)