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"!)

W'fudge LIVE in Whitehall for WOHWrestling: SUPERFLY

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We are LIVE from the Whitehall Athletic Club in Whitehall, NY! Look for us starting around 5PM! Fine tuning the sound and cameras!


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Jeff Starr UPDATE

As reported late last week, World of Hurt performer JEFF STARR reportedly underwent two emergency surgeries to address serious blood clots in his stomach. It was a frightening time for Starr, who was at one point (also reportedly) listed in critical condition with family and friends fearing for his life. His well-being has improved considerably, but we've learned he isn't out of the woods yet!

The following was posted several hours ago on his personal Facebook page:

If all goes well in the next hour I will be getting ready to hopefully have a 3rd minor surgical procedure in the past 15 days.. I actually hope they do this one.. get it over with asap and get on with it.. #notonetotakeiteasy

Hearing it described as "minor" is encouraging and he is certainly upbeat which is ALSO great to hear! By the way HE is describing it, sounds like all 3 were minor. So... who knows. One thing we DO know if that the man has been through a lot and we hope the worst is behind him! And THAT'S a shoot, kids.

Get well soon, Mr.Starr!

Maybe we will get an update from the man himself, LIVE in Whitehall for WOHWrestling and "SUPERFLY" Jimmy Snuka! We go live on this very site around the 4pm hour! If you can't be there live, you need to catch this episode! Should be a LOT of fun and we PROMISE all shades of nonsense. Catch you then!

UPDATE: Local Injured Wrestlers

One of the biggest stories of the past week spread quickly throughout the Upstate NY indie wrestling community; JEFF STARR, World of Hurt Wrestling Main Event performer, underwent 2 frightening surgeries in an attempt to correct some reportedly serious blood clots in his stomach. Sources close to Jeff stated that, following that last surgery, he was in critical condition and were asking for friends, family, and fans to offer prayers and words of support.

The GOOD news is that Jeff Starr is no longer in critical condition and is home recovering. Friend and WOHW promoter, Shane Alden offered the following in conversation today:

"He is home and is being monitored by 2 separate doctors and has been subjected to several tests this week... He really wants to come to the show (next Friday in Whitehall, NY)... Not sure if that's in the cards."

Another notable performer who's immediate future is in question is JP BLACK. Black, who has had a hand in guiding the careers of MANY of the wrestlers active in this area, has been nursing some nagging back injuries for months now. One source has told us that JP will require spinal fusion surgery if he wants to continue to compete in the ring at the level he is accustomed to. It's that fact that has seen "The Dark Pony" absent from action the last 2+ months.

His injury has caused some storyline shuffling for SEVERAL local promotions. IYFW removed him from the 4 on 4 elimination match (Team Evans vs Team JP) held at their last event and instead had him in more of a managerial role in that match. Also, 787 Pro Wrestling has seemingly slowed things with the JP/Coleman/Dalishus storyline in their second show due to this injury and has shifted gears to move in a different direction it appears... although that will likely become more clear after tomorrow afternoons event in Troy, NY.

Finally, another injury that perhaps has not been as high profile or perhaps as many people talking but is CERTAINLY just as alarming is that of MICHAEL MONROE. Monroe, who has been an extremely entertaining regular in promotions such as IYFW and Slam AllStar Wrestling in northern VT, suffered a series of shocking injuries in a single match with seemingly a single bump at a SAW event in St.Albans, VT back in late January.

Jump to about 5:45 in the above video to see Monroe tag himself into the match, deliver a Dropkick to "The Mighty" Fronz Roddy, land just a little awkwardly... And then quickly and quietly roll out of the ring in pain. According to friends and peers we spoke with in the days following, that "awkward landing" really messed up the talented Monroe. A mild concussion, 2 cracked ribs, and some muscle damage in his shoulder were the result of that landing. We are also hearing that Monroe is healing VERY well and is telling people he "will be back" but wants to be sure he is completely healed before taking that risk.

Respect what those guys do out there, people.

We at wrestlefudge.com look forward to seeing all 3 of these guys healthy and back in action soon! Any updates or information we get about any of them, or any other injuries, we will pass along.

No. That's YOUR job.

(Note: the above image was the result of a google image search of the phrase "that's your job". I am doubtful that any promoter/wrestler in the northeast is a "dumb slut". However... I haven't met EVERY promoter/wrestler.)

In the few years that I've been maintaining this website, the blog, and contributing to our (mostly) weekly Internet TV program, I've obviously met and befriended a fair amount of the "Who's Who" of local independent wrestling. From the promoters, to the wrestlers, ring crew, diehard fans and even the hangers-on... As the competitive climate in Upstate NY's indie scene rises (and it IS rising, people. Don't fool yourselves) a topic that repeatedly comes up in discussion is the practice of independent wrestling promoters "forcing" their wrestlers to sell "X-amount" of tickets for the show if they want to be booked. It's whispered about between workers and the fans who buy their tickets from them... It's called out for the world to see, kayfabe be damned, on social media platforms like Facebook; with some workers soliciting ticket sales half in character to friends and fans alike as well as workers from opposing promotions publicly bashing the practice. It's out there.

As I understand it, this is an old practice and I am not blind to the reality that, for some, it makes business sense to guarantee a base of attendees. However...

Isn't it the promoters job to sell the tickets?

To get the word out and get asses in seats? Isn't it the promoters jobs to flier and take to social media, trying to EXPAND their audience? Obviously, wrestlers should be encouraged to get the word out and spark some interest with friends and family... But, to ME, putting the onus and the weight on the workers to sell tickets is unfair.

I've had interesting discussions with individuals on BOTH sides of this issue. The people all about the practice will tell you that "[LEGEND A] used to do it". People who frown on the practice are quick to point out that [LEGEND B] would NEVER do that", etc etc etc.

Me? I'm not in the business, have never been in the ring or played a part in the business at all... But I work in marketing and have a pretty good understanding of promotion. You force workers to sell tickets, feel all fat and happy about the crowd, but isn't it mostly friends and family? Don't we want wrestling fans there? If all you're doing is banking on friends and family then isn't it really just an overblown vanity project?

I could see how a policy such as this might quickly turn into crappy workers with huge families getting shoved down the throats of guys like me - the unrelated wrestling fan. I've seen more than my fair share of "wrestlers" who neither LOOK the part or WORK like a seasoned wrestler get a spot on the card simply due to their position in the company and general politics. We all know it happens. Why add another layer of doubt to the mix?

I want to pause for a moment and make it clear that this is NOT a condemnation of any promotion that makes it mandatory for workers to sell tickets... On the contrary. Chances are good that I'm buying a ticket either way. What do *I* know? I'm just wondering if, by tossing that practice out the window, would more be learned and - long term - GAINED by building a fan base of wrestling fans who come to the shows because they enjoy a good product, not because they work a "day-job" with one of the performers?

Would the promoter themselves learn, along the way, how to be BETTER promoters?

Maybe. Maybe not. I just feel that workers should be on the show based off of merit alone. The ability and consistency of a promotions roster will sell tickets... You shouldn't have to rely on those same wrestlers to actually, physically sell those tickets.

No. That's YOUR job.

Any thoughts on this topic? Reply below or email me at Paul@Wrestlefudge.com

LIVE @ 7PM - W'fudgeTV w/ NOCTURNE and R.COLEMAN

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We go LIVE from Studio 68 at 7pm!
(If you're here BEFORE 7PM, we likely aren't live and you're instead viewing our PREVIOUS show!)

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ON THE SHOW:
We talk to NOCTURNE and ROB COLEMAN! We look at the recent CTWE and NEFW shows! We do some previews and predictions for IYFW's big convention-event this weekend! We spill the beans on some World of Hurt Wrestling matches WE CAN CONFIRM as signed for their big March 29th "SUPERFLY" event... and MORE!

W'fudgeTV LIVE @ 7PM 3/1/13

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We go LIVE from Studio 68 at 7pm!
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- we recap/review 787 Pro Wrestling and World of Hurt Wrestling's latest events and look forward to their next event!
- we preview NEFW's SLAMROCK tomorrow night in Chicopee, MA!
- we talk to NEFW Champion, Kristian Frost *AND* his challenger tomorrow night, Bobby Ocean!
- and MORE! CLICK HERE to join the chatroom!