Michael Jackson Dies

We have lost one of the greatest performers of all time.  One of the most famous people to ever live.  Whether you’re a fan of his or not – he’s arguably one of the most well-known celebrities in the world’s history.  A man who is more recognizable than Hulk Hogan (IMO).

Michael Jackson has passed away at age 50.

What were you thinking when you heard this news?  Were you like me?  You thought it was a publicity stunt?  False reporting?  Just thought that it couldn’t be real?  Shocked?  All of those thoughts went thru my head at the same time.  Then, I thought I would cry – but wasn’t sure if it were even true.

The death was confirmed on TMZ.com but not anywhere else.  I believe TMZ went out on a limb… It supported the weight of the major news.  They were right.  When everyone else was being optimistic, they called it right off the bat.  I read TMZ and texted Derrick King, my dear friend and fellow MJ-mark.  He quickly corrected me.  CNN wasn’t confirming the news because The King of Pop was indeed still alive!

Sorry, DK.  I hated it as much as you.  But Michael was dead all along.

Like Elvis Presley, The King of Rock n Roll, Michael Jackson had a roller coaster life.  Just like that of an old-school wrestling veteran. 

Coming Up This Week

What a weekend it has been.  It was very newsworthy inside and outside of the ring.  This coming week, I’ll do the best I can to cover as many topics as I can.

Leading the long list of things to talk about is none other than the death of the King of Pop.  I can not believe that one of the greatest performers in history has passed away.  And after reading the autopsy that leaked to the net (more on that in the blog), I’m dumbfounded when I think about the type of life this guy had to be living.  It’s very scary when you think about the way Elvis passed… and now, Michael Jackson.  Two icons rising and falling alike.

I absolutely HAVE to touch on the Coach’s Corner column that Brian Tramel posted, last week.  He dug a hole, threw Eric Wayne in it.  I was surprised.  Especially, considering the backlash he may receive from daddy-dearest and NEW as a whole.  Great column though.  I have a few things to add and a few things to correct, as well.  Be on the look-out for it.

Are you ready for my one-word evaluations of the names I gave last week?  Many of you posted your own comments regarding those wrestlers.  I want to go into a little detail about how I feel.  I think I have a better perspective than most because I’ve actually wrestled everyone on the list.  So, I’ll be following up on that, this week.

I also had a big weekend of wrestling.  Went 2-0, this weekend.  Not bad.  But I was more proud of the promos, progress of stories and being able to teach a younger wrestler a few things about being inside the ring.  Strides were made. Video and pictures will be posted.

Check back later this afternoon / tonight for the first official blog of the week.

Time for an Evaluation

Let’s evaluate some talent.  I want to conduct an experiment, here.  It seems that so many of us watch the same matches and same wrestlers – but seem to see something different.  How is that possible.  If we both watch the same match, how can one of us think it’s good and the other think it’s bad?

A matter of taste?  Sure.  A matter of knowing what to look for?  Maybe.  But who are we to judge one another on our individual likes and dislikes?  Can I call someone dumb for liking a particular song that I don’t enjoy.  Sure, I can.  Is it fair?  Probably not.

So, I want to ask a few questions and conduct a little experiment here.  I call it an experiment, you call it a survey.  But I need honesty.  I want to see the true feelings here.  I know I can’t ask you who the best in the area is.  What will happen if I do that?  Simple – a select few insecure “wrestlers” will post themselves and win an unworthy award.  (No awards will be given out here!)  So, what if I ask opinions?  One word opinions.  So, select your word wisely.

What if your dad called me?

I know I’m a bad dude… but am I THAT bad?  Am I THAT much of a bully?  The last few days have proven that, yes, I may be one of the baddest dudes on the planet.

Well, at least one of the baddest dudes around this neck of the woods.

I’m speaking hypothetically here… but what if I’ve had two dads call me back to back days and beg me to do things THEIR way instead of mine?  What if they begged me to steer clear of certain topics on my blog?  What if they told me to lay off their sons a little bit and give them a break?  What if they actually told me that I shouldn’t be so rough on these guys inside and outside of the ring?

Again, I’m speaking hypothetically!  These are simply WHAT IF’S!

These daddy’s think they have to call me to protect their sons from bad-doing.  Whether it’s in the ring, in the locker room or even on this blog – these daddy’s feel VERY intimidated by the power that I hold.  The power that I hold inside and outside of the ring is just too much for them to withstand.  Especially, if you’re a father.

Etiquette

Time for a quick lesson in etiquette.  I know you’re thinking to yourself, “Etiquette?  In a WRESTLING blog?”  Well, sorry to spoil the mystique, but yes, there’s etiquette in wrestling.  Believe it or not, there is.  But I don’t want to focus on just wrestling etiquette.  I want to talk about etiquette in general.  Nothing angers me more than someone that ignores the unwritten rules.

Let’s start off with an educational piece from Wikipedia:

Etiquette is a code of behavior that influences expectations for social behavior according to contemporary conventional norms within a society, social class, or group. Rules of etiquette are usually unwritten, but aspects of etiquette have been codified from time to time. Rules of etiquette encompass most aspects of social interaction in any society, though the term itself is not commonly used. A rule of etiquette may reflect an underlying ethical code, or it may reflect a person’s fashion or status.

Etiquette is very similar to paying dues.  How do you know when your dues are done being paid?  I don’t think you ever do.  No one’s going to tell you.  No one’s going to stop you from paying those dues.  Who does that?

Paying Those Dues

There’s quite a few people entering the wrestling business now-a-days that haven’t paid a single due.  Anyone and everyone can be a wrestler.  People think it’s easy.  Sure, it’s easy to throw on a pair of black blue jeans, grow your hair long, get a few tattoos, a fanny-pack… and call yourself a wrestler.  Typical.  No dues.  No training.  Just handed the reward of entertaining fans on a weekly basis.  Errr… more like killing the towns on a weekly basis!

To give you a quick story – I’ve seen guys ring announcing in a town one week and wrestling in a town the next.  Seriously, for a shoot.  I had a guy come to me and ask me about wrestling.  He even asked if I would train him.  After declining… I ran into him a few weeks later at another show in another town.  Now, he was wrestling.  Just to think that I paid over $3,000 to train.  I trained for over one full year.  I busted my butt in the gym.  I put up and tore down rings in every town I went to.  Now, this guy just walks right in and is welcomed by some lowly booker?  It kills me.

I’ve talked about this over and over again.  But the reason I wanted to mention it again is because of the simple fact that I was in the ring with Jeremy Moore, last weekend.  There’s nothing worse than someone who THINKS they’ve paid dues

Starr & Reed vs Lee & Moore – NBW Tag Title Match

This match was from last night in Newbern, TN.  Jeremy Moore and Stan Lee defended the NBW Tag Team Championships against Jason Reed and myself.  It wasn’t my favorite match of all time.  Far from it.  But the crowd was hot, we all worked hard and no one got hurt.

I thoroughly enjoy being in the ring with Stan Lee.  He’s the most gifted athlete I’ve stepped in the ring with.  Jeremy Moore, on the other hand… had to be taught a small lesson.  I’ll discuss more about that at a later date.  I enjoyed beating him like he owed me money, though.  I will say that.

Found the match on YouTube.  So, thanks to whomever put it together.

Eric Wayne / Randy Orton Story!

You want it?  You got it!  I just like to make you beg a little.  Makes me feel more powerful!  You knew you’d get the story eventually!

Now, I’ve done research and asked several people who are familiar with the story.  As far as I know, this story is VERY accurate.  Have fun with this!  Here’s how the story goes:

Spellbinder Competes in Bodybuilding

Congratulations goes out to “Spellbinder” Del Rios for placing 4th in a bodybuilding competition in Chattanooga, TN last week!  Del competes in the heavyweight division and will be guest posing tomorrow night in Jackson, TN for Hub City Fitness Quest. Show starts at 7PM.  So, if you’re out that way – stop in and see him!

Check him out!  He’s JACKED!

Chris O’Neal Having Knee Surgery

It was reported on RRO News and EWE Online that Chris O’Neal suffered a severe knee injury, last week in Ripley, TN.  I hate to see anyone get injured, esepcially on the level that we’re on.  There isn’t any insurance or a ton of money to be made, so it makes it THAT much worse.

I spoke with Chris O’Neal a few days back and he says he’s going under the knife TODAY.  So, let’s all put Chris and his family in our thoughts and prayers.  It’s not secret that Chris and I have had a bumpy relationship for years.  But I feel like it’s more of a ribbing than a true heat.  In fact, I know this to be true.  Why else would he call me to tell me about what’s going on?  So, good luck, Chris.

Also, if you go to RRO News, you’ll see the true video and a few quotes from Brian Tramel, himself (linked below).  He says,