Steve Williams--dead at 49

Steve "Dr. Death" Williams, a collegiate star at Oklahoma, and top pro, passed away from cancer on December 29 from a recurrence of cancer. Williams was to receive an artificial larynx through the efforts of Wrestlers Rescue. Unfortunately his condition deteriorated over the last few weeks culminating in his death.

He will be remembered as one of the most legitimate "tough guys" to ever enter the squared circle. May he rest in peace.

Upcoming Events

Two events coming up in January, 2010:
1) WWA in Toledo on Jan. 3 at Somerset Hall, They always present an entertaining show!

2) VIP in Adrian, on Jan 16 at The Hope Center. This show is a benefit for the Hope Community Center. VIP promises an announcement that will "change the face of Indy Wrestling for years to come!"

Time To Stop Using Chairshots!

Andrew "Test" Martin, one time WWE up and comer, who died at too early an age had a post mortem brain exam that revealed extensive brain damage. It is reported that his brain had very similar damage to that of Chris Benoit. Benoit, who murdered his wife Nancy, and his young son before taking his own life was revealed in his post mortem to havve the brain of a man in his eighties!

There is a kind of macho cachet to taking a chair shot. Mick Foley once took a dozen in a single bout--as his horrified family wept! Enough. Wrestling is an inherently dangerous sport. With injuries a part of the price competitors pay. Brain damage caused by chair shots to get a quickly forgotten reaction from spectators is too high a price.

Just as both amateur and professional football teams are taking steps to protect long term health of competitors, so pro wrestling promotions need to step up and do the same! Audiences have been educated to expect chair shots; they can be educated in the opposite direction.

Therefore I will not be buying, or covering WWE's "Tables, Ladders, and Chairs" event this Sunday. If fans stop supporting this gratuitous assault on the long term health of competitors, promoters, and bookers will apply their creative talents in better directions,

WWA Toledo Results, November 29, 2009

Somerset Hall was the venue for this promotion's last local show of the year. A redhot crowd of about 300 saw a night of "old school" style wrestling that harkened back to the glory days of the late Toledo promoter, Martino Angelo. In fact the show began with the traditional moment of silence, and ten gong salute to honor the late mr. Angelo's memory.
1) The opener featured two masked competitors squaring off, Halloween vs Tiger Jackson. Highlight of the bout was Halloween walking the top rope, ala The Undertaker! Only H, walked the entire length of one side of the ring. Halloween picked up the win with a full-nelson/bridge combination.
2) In a classic "face with a military gimmick vs a masked villain" bout, Sgt Jay peterson lost to masked baddy-the Ripper, via a suplex and press.
3) The Pitbull lost to D-Ray 3000, via a dropkick and press.
4) Toledo's own "CIA" Black Velvet and Denzell Titan, successfully defended their tag title against Pitbull and the Ripper.
5) Local favorite Brian Castle, "The New Age Patriot," lost to Sebastion Rhodes by DQ. The wierd thing was--I couldn't see what he did to warrant it! Neither did the other 300 fans (including Brian's family in attendance!), who very loudly, and profanely, voiced their displeasure.
6) The main event saw the return of Dr. Jerry Graham Jr, to action. The good doctor teamed with Bobo brazil Jr, and Andy Chene in a grudge 6-man tag bout against the Kentucky Wrecking Crew, and their manager, "Pastor Pain." The match was carefully booked to protect Graham, who was clearly winded at various points. The action was all over Somerset Hall, with Pastor Pain doing the blade job, and bleeding all over the hall.

The crowd seemed pretty delighted with the evening's action! Next bout: 1/3/10

Monday Night Mayhem and Some Random Thoughts

Ring of Honor on HD Net, opened with Jim Cornette and the ROH roster in the ring. Cornette announced a 6 match tourney, over as many weeks, to determine who would get future title shots against Austin Aries. When AA objected, Cornette accused him of running a "bum-of-the month scam to protect his title!

There were two excellent matches on the show, first up a tag match featuring the Briscoes, against El Generico & Kevin Steen. They were given 15 minutes to show what they could do, and they did! Lots of high risk maneuvers, and near pins, before the Briscoes won.

Next up, a "Fatal Four-way," Austin Aries v Davey Richards v Kenny Omega v Roderick Strong. Another terrific 15 minute match that showcased each man, without any one losing heat! In the end Aries opportunistically stole the win (natch--it would make no sense to have a title change in a match with no build up!)

The good: a showcase for a lot of very good performers.

The bad: where are the women? ROH used Sara Del Ray, and Daizee Haze when they first got the HD Net spot to very good effect. Now they have disappeared! The guys, while good, tend to have similar styles. ROH needs Women Wrestlers to enrich their package! In addition to to those mentioned how about Sin-D, Hellena Heavenly, Sybil Starr, or any of the other talented women performing in relative obscurity?

The Ugly: nothing really, ROH is a work in progress!

Random Notes: 1) who did Gail Kim cross that she is now jobbing all the time? She lost very quickly to Maryse on Raw last night! What a waste!

2) The Ear, (Cauliflower Alley Club newsletter) has a nice profile of
Coldwater's Own Dan Severn, who is to receive the Lou Thesz
Award as best "real" wrestler at CAC's April reunion in Vegas.

VIP Wrestling show, 11/14/09, Adrian, MI

One of the Midwest's best independent promotions, Victory Independent Pro Wrestling held a card at the Hope center in Adrian, Michigan on November 14th. A small but enthusiastic crowd saw an exciting night of grappling.
In the opener "Gutter," a capable wrestler with an affinity for a segment of gutter pipe (I don't make this stuff up!) won over "Gameboy" Mark Morrison with a fisherman's suplex. This was a basic, but entertaining bout.

Next up was a tag match pitting "Dixie Muscle" against "Main Street Youth." Tag matches are interesting: the basic structure, and plot line have not changed in fifty years! But in the hands of capable performers it still works, as it did in this bout. Dixie Muscle won.

in match #3, Marion Fontaine (clearly in need of more regular meals, looked to weigh about 160 lbs!) defeated Jake Omen, who is a just needing experience to make a top notch heel! the winning maneuver was a moonsault and body press.

next up was IMHO, the match of the night: VIP champion Jimmy 'The Hype" Shalwin who won a very even bout over Louis Linden. Shalwin suffered what appeared to be a legit broken nose, en route to the victory.

After an intermission, Jack Vervane def. Mr. Nifty. the semi-final pitted Jay Eternal (headed for the big time in my opinion) against Johnny Lawless. They told their story well with Jay Eternal (think Vampire in a leather mask) using the Iron Claw to force the submission.

In a wild main event, Joseph "The Hebrew Hammer" Schwartz defeated "Dollar." It was a "Fans bring the weapons" bout. Although I am not a fan of this type of match (what do you do next?), this was good-- lots of action around the Hope Center, and the "weapons" did not control the story! Best of all no blood.

Next show January 14, 2010

The death of Eddie "Umaga" Fatu

Once again a pro wrestler has departed this life leaving sorrow and questions behind. Eddie came from one of wrestling's prominent Samoan clans. He is best remembered of course as Umaga, the wild monster heel who rose to fame in the WWE. He was released from that organization after failing to pass a screen for their Wellness Policy. Last wrestled as part of the Hulk hogan/Ric Flair tour of Australia, just a few weeks ago.

First, and most importantly, my condolences to his family. They must now cope with the loss of a father, husband, nephew, cousin. Those who worked with him, and the fans who were entertained by his in-ring performance also mourn, thinking of what might have been.

All of us are left with the questions of why? How can future tragedies like this be prevented?
What do fans, and the insatiable demand for more spectacular, painful, and dangerous moves contribute to this cycle of chemical dependency and early death?

These questions must be answered but for now let's just pray for Eddie Fatu, and a family dealing with the worst loss imaginable at this season.

Wrestling fans conditioned to the WWE, or TNA product will be doing themselves a BIG favor if they move themselves from the front of their televisions. A few miles will open the world of the so-called "minor leagues of pro wrestling the independent promotions.

Over the next few months, this blog will visit VIP Wrestling in Adrian, MI, WWA in Toledo, OH, and Price of Glory in Coldwater, MI. I hope that readers will agree with me, that what the Indy's lack in glitz, as compared to the big promotions is more than made up in "heart."

I hope that readers of this blog will enjoy reading results, opinion, and interviews, as I post them. In the meantime, buy, or borrow a copy of "Queen Of The Ring," by Jeff Leen. This biography of women's wrestling pioneer Mildred Burke is a must read for serious wrestling fan.
I have a review on Amazon.com.

Take Care, and let me know what you would like to see--Fred