Another disclaimer, before I start to type my opinions about his struggles and why no one is mentioning the obvious – I do not know Tiger Woods.  I am not a personal friend of Tiger Woods.  Also, I have never even met Tiger Woods.

However, I can still give you my opinion on why he’s struggling… and it has nothing to do with his swing.

After finishing T37th in last weekend’s World Golf Championships – Bridgestone Invitational, the golfing wold is talking louder than ever about the struggles of it’s most famous player, Tiger Woods. Even setting the Stevie Williams interview aside, Woods has been getting “run” all over sports talk radio for being “pedestrian” on the golf course.

Everyone seems to be questioning Tiger’s swing, equipment, caddie and people close to him are even questioning whom he surrounds himself with.  In my honest opinion, I don’t think Tiger’s swing is the problem.  I do not think the problem lies in his equipment, either.  I’m no golf expert, but his caddie, no matter how great, can not help what I believe is wrong with Tiger Woods.

If you’ve ever played golf, you know how hard the game is.  The time and dedication that it takes to become even an average golfer is incredible.  Imagine being the very best the world has ever seen.  With everything else that comes along with being one of the most popular and recognizable sports figures in the world, it would be hard enough to stay focused and remain on top of your game.

Now, with all that said… imagine having your entire family taken away.  Imagine losing your wife.  Imagine not being able to see your child every single day.  Imagine your entire lifestyle that you’ve been so accustomed to… imagine that it’s all changed for the worse.

Like I said before, this is not a “woe-is-me” blog.  I don’t want this to come off like I don’t think he deserves what he’s gotten.  It’s obvious that he’s made bad decisions personally that are affecting him professionally.

But to me, to try and stay focused under all the pressure of being the greatest golfer who ever lived… and with the added pressure of his personal life that is now in shambles… that is the reason for the decline in the Tiger Woods we once knew.  With all of that weighing heavily on your mind, 24 hours a day, seven day a week… and staying with you, while you’re on the golf course – there is no way that you can be on top of your game, under those circumstances.

I am an athlete.  I have been thru personal struggles that the majority of you do not know about.  I have had to compete at the highest level of sports entertainment, while all of this was weighing on my mind.  Granted, Tiger Woods is on a much larger stage than I ever was or will be… and the sport of golf is so much different than sports entertainment.  But being the best at what you do is hard enough individually, no matter what profession it is.  When a personal wrench is thrown into the equation, it affects not only your focus and performance… but it can affect your desire, as well.

Folks, Tiger Woods is fighting his own demons.  He will kick out of this.  Depression and heartache only lasts so long.  We haven’t seen the last of Tiger Woods.  You read it here, first.  Mark my words.

Hear me out.

If what CM Punk is saying is what is really getting the fans hot for WWE, again… Then, does this mean we’re going to be force-fed all types of scenarios that we are supposed to believe are a “shoot?” CM Punk has been talking openly about real-life problems and real-life people within the company. People love it. And now, it could be the new trend.

When Stone Cold started blazing his way to the top of the WWE, he was shooting the bird, cursing like a sailor and fighting the boss. Then, you started seeing, hearing and watching everyone else fall right in line. I remember seeing Randy Hales (owner of Memphis Power Pro Wrestling) turning into the biggest heel on the show, after Vince. I remember hearing Bret Hart and Sid Vicious using language even more vulgar than Austin’s, on an episode of RAW. The trend was set and everyone followed.

With John Laurinitis being an on-air character, now… And Triple H, along with Vince McMahon, “shooting” back and forth with Punk, with real-life banter… Are we going to go so far into reality that we won’t be able to get our hokey wrestling storylines anymore?

I mean, really? Who doesn’t want to see all of the things that we discussed in my last blog? Who’s going to miss storylines that involve outlandish happenings and unrealistic turn-of-events?

Example? How about The Undertaker? Most of what he does is special effects and the aura of frightening his opponents. All that would go away if someone were to come out and say, “Yeah, right! You’ve been injured and wanting to stay at home with Michelle McCoole!”

Is the WWE going too far? If not yet, where is too far? Let’s hear it.

Even the most subtle change in an outfit, wrist tape or wardrobe could’ve helped a guy or girl get over. Or maybe it was just the wrong character completely? There have been too many times to even count, that I’ve seen on the indy scene. That is totally understandable. Most of what you see on the indies is horrible, anyway. But, when you see the largest wrestling organizations in the world make big mistakes, it leaves you really scratching your head.

I’m going to share a few examples that you may or may not have picked up on. Then, I want you to share yours.

Ready?? Here we go:

• Remember when Jackson Andrews (from FCW) debuted on RAW as Tyson Kidd’s bodyguard? Well, I do. Shortly after his debut, he was sent back down to developmental and was then released. He only last a couple of weeks But why? Why was he so short-lived? Well, he was still green. But besides that?

My thoughts? Well, he did show up in jeans and a black sleeveless shirt. That’s fine for a jacked-up monster, right? Well, yes… except for the fact that he had black electrical tape covering a logo, on his chest.

No big deal, right? Well, first impressions are everything. And his first impression, to me, was busch-league. Bad impression… Sent packing.

Maybe, just maybe I’m being too picky with the first example? Well, let me speak a little more of your language.

• How terribly bad was Deacon Batista?? Remember that? Batista was put with Brother DeVon, after being the biggest, most fierce monster that OVW (or any other developmental system) had ever seen. Just makes you shake your head.

There’s a couple of examples of what doesn’t work, in sports entertainment. Now, how about what does work… No matter how silly or outlandish?

I don’t think there’s even a reason to bullet point these. Give me a break! But here goes anyway!

• How insane was it that “The People’s Elbow” ever got over as a finishing maneuver?? All it was, was a fancy (if you can even call it that) elbow drop!

• Hulk Hogan’s bandana! How cheesy? But it got over! Or how about his shirt-ripping routine, for all of those years?

Need an updated one? Okay…

• Vince McMahon’a corny walk to the ring. Need I say more? Talk about over-acting!

See, the outlandish things that we love? But if something is the least bit off, it ruins everything. It ruins our perception of the story that they’re trying to tell. And for WWE to hate all of the old “hokey” things about professional wrestling, the guys who are over with the fans are allowed to do anything they like.  We go back to the old saying, “if it works, you’re a genius… if it doesn’t you’re an idiot.”

Now, it’s your turn. There are sooo many to mention!

The NFL is hands-down the most entertaining league in the world. Anyone who thinks differently is just flat out wrong. Everything from the game-play, the fans, the venues, to this unbelievable free agent feeding frenzy that is taking place, as I type – the NFL is the juggernaut of the sports world.

In fact, my fantasy team, Miami Five Starr, will be returning for another year of fantasy football. Thirty-two days away from the live draft and counting and I can’t wait! I just hope my Miami Dolphins can just come close to being as good as the team I’m going to be drafting in fantasy.

Along with my eagerness of the long-awaited football season, I get a little more excited with every press release that comes across my desk, that has to do with hockey! The RiverKings organization have announced several signings, thus far, as we head into opening night on October 22nd. The 22nd will be huge for various reasons, including the fact that it will be the RiverKings’ very first regular season game in the SPHL. Another reason being, it’s my Birthday! Who’s coming out to celebrate with me?

Last but certainly not least, another juggernaut has been pretty hot, lately. This one, in the world of sports entertainment. I hate to give WWE full credit because this should have come a long time ago. Plus, I’m sure their creative staff didn’t come up with the majority of the storyline, anyway.

CM Punk has turned the wrestling world and the WWE on it’s ear. He has single-handedly made the WWE interesting, once again. One promo. That’s all it took.

How is it possible that a guy who was nearly released several years back… A guy who the agents didn’t believe in… A guy whom Vince McMahon not only mocked but just “didn’t get”… How is it possible that he is now the second-coming of Stone Cold Steve Austin?

(Read more on those statements at IWantWrestling.com)

I’m pumped about all three!  But what about you?

The future of our business should be in Florida Championship Wrestling, the official and only developmental system for World Wrestling Entertainment. But many people that I speak with do not seem to think that is the case. So, if the future of our business isn’t in the system of the world’s largest sports entertainment entity… then, where is it?

Maybe, you’re one of the fans whom thinks our future is in the FCW camp? If you’re under that impression, who exactly are you looking at? Richie Steamboat? Seth Rollins (formerly Tyler Black)? Johnny Curtis? This is an intriguing conversation.

World Wrestling Entertainment invests a lot of money into their developmental system. Everything from training, to the talent they contract, to the production quality of their (FCW) television programs… the money is being invested. But will any of those talented individuals break out and be the next Superstar? Imagine how much money is being invested in one week, in Tampa. With over 70 contracted employees… the payroll has to be huge.

Is it paying off?

Some of you will think the future of sports entertainment is in Ring of Honor. Or perhaps, Impact Wrestling? But if you come to me with anything like that, you need to have a legitimate reason for it. Let’s face it, we’ve seen the same things over and over again from many of the promotions out there. Especially, from WWE. TNA and ROH aren’t really any different, in most cases.

Hit me with your best shot. Where does the future come from? Who is the future?

I was actually thinking about this, as I listened to the most recent “I Want Wrestling” podcast. Between fantasy booking, being a so-called “wrestling nerd” & live tweeting, it reminded me of my childhood days. It reminded me of how I watched wrestling, pre-WWE Attitude era.

Back in those days, I had a Monday Night tradition, so to speak, with my best friend, Danny. Flipping back and forth between RAW & Nitro was a given. Everyone did that. But we would do something a little different… But it’s also very similar to what many of us do, today.

Danny & I would talk on the phone for the entire two hours of the programs. We would give our opinions and just discuss the programs, as we saw them. This could possibly be one of my fondest memories of growing up, as a fan of sports entertainment. Danny & I lived too far apart to just watch together, in-person. So, we found a way via telephone.

Nowadays, we all do it differently. We live tweet, during events. Technology has given us a new way to share opinions without the delay of having to wait until you see that person face to face. We now have a way of sharing our opinion of a television broadcast to more than one person at a time… And I don’t mean three-way calling! (remember that?)

Whether it’s a hockey game, Monday Night RAW or simply a movie that you rented at the nearest Redbox, you can live tweet your thoughts, as the programs take place.

Live tweeting has replaced… And restored something that I thoroughly enjoyed, from my childhood. Instead of speaking to one friend, I can now speak with over 1,400 friends, at the same time.

Are you on Twitter? Do you live tweet, during your favorite events or programs? If not, don’t knock it, until you try it.

Follow me at @DustinStarr

Kaminski also tells a very interesting story about the toughest player he ever fought!  I won’t spoil the story, but for the die-hard hockey fans, he has a great story about fighting NHL legendary fighter, Bob Probert!

Be sure to post your thoughts because that’s what this is all about!  Comment, discuss, critique and more importantly – share!  Enjoy!

Self-promotion means everything, in the world of sports entertainment and business.  If you’re doing it correctly, your sports entertainment career is your business.  Therefore, you promote it as such.  Getting your name and face out there as often as possible, in as many places as you possibly can is key.  The more people see your face and hear your name, the more familiar they become with your brand.  The more places you can be to spread that brand, the larger your audience becomes.

It’s pretty simple, really.  The more people who know you, the more popular you will become.

What a lot of you do not hear is the negative aspect that goes along with it.  Self-promotion is a double-edge sword.

While under contract with World Wrestling Entertainment and serving my “sentence” in Florida Championship Wrestling, I had a unique experience that may have been the reason behind my eventual dismissal from the developmental system.  It had everything to do with self-promotion and might have put doubt in the eyes of the decision-makers.  Doubt that I was actually happy playing second-fiddle and standing in the background, as a referee.

With the hard work and dedication that I had put into my brand, during the course of 2009 and early 2010, I started to see the pay-off.  First and foremost, I was living in Tampa and signed to an exclusive contract with World Wrestling Entertainment.  That was the big pay-off.  But there were other smaller recognitions that were taking place, too.  These are the ones that caused a little friction.

After being signed, I was voted RRO Wrestler of the Year.  This meant that I would be on the cover of their Wrestling Yearbook (pictured).  Along with being on the cover, they were also going to publish my top 10 blogs, from the previous year.  I thought it was a pretty big deal and was honored.  It’s not everyday that you have your work printed in a publication.  And to have your face on the cover of that publication?  That certainly doesn’t happen everyday.

Along with the book, I was then voted #3 Favorite Fighter by Memphis Sport Magazine, in their yearly “M Awards“.  I was #3, only behind the likes of Jerry Lawler and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson.  Pretty good company, huh?  These awards were voted by the fans of Memphis, Tennessee.  Not to mention, I had been gone and moved to Tampa for months, before the magazine was released!

I had the magazines and books shipped to me and I wanted to show them off.  I was proud!

Head of Talent Relations came to town and I thought it was the perfect opportunity to show them how valuable I truly was.  Not just in the ring.  Not just in the locker room.  But I wanted to show them how valuable I was for the fact that I had columns and photos published in a professional book and I had been voted by fans of Memphis as one of their fan favorites.  I wanted my boss to see that I was very versatile.  I could write, I could wrestle and I had finally “gotten over” like they had told me to do, from past meetings I had with them.   I also wanted them to see that I was capable of a lot more than just refereeing.

So, I presented the books and I remember sitting there… waiting for a reaction.  I received a smirk, a “good job” and a “keep doing what you’re doing.“  I can not honestly say that I was completely satisfied with the conversation that happened, next.  He asked if I was happy.  I told him I was.  He could see that I wanted to compete.  But, like a team player, I had bought into what they had sold me.  I was playing my role.  I just wanted them to know that I was capable of whatever they had to offer.  I didn’t need a pat on the back.  I didn’t need a high-five.  I certainly didn’t need to be questioned about my loyalty to the company.

No harm, no foul.  Right?  Well, the next time I saw this boss, he sarcastically asked if I had any other magazines or books to show him.  Almost as if he was mocking me for pointing out that I had gotten publicity through various mediums, even after leaving Memphis.  I guess he looked at it as if I was trying to be braggadocios… or that I was “too good” for the role I had within their system.

Stepping out there and self-promoting is definitely an important step, when it comes to my line of work.  Whether it be wrestling or hockey, it’s important.  But sometimes you have to be very careful in how you present it or who you present it to.

Do you think the boys in the locker room didn’t see those magazines and think to themselves, “Who does this guy think he is?  He’s only a ref.”

Shows how much they knew.

Main Event Tables Match between WWE Champion, John Cena, and one of my favorite characters on RAW, R-Truth?  No thanks.  CM Punk promo, sitting Indian-style on the ramp?  Yes, please.

Little did I know, I was about to witness one of the single-greatest-promos in my entire life.  Let’s face it, Punk is one of the best and most believable workers on the stick, anyway.  But I never would have imagined that I would actually sit up from my couch… several times… awestruck by the words that he was getting away with actually saying, on worldwide television.  Great worldwide television, that is.

Some of you might not have completely understood every single bit of Punk’s sarcasm and reasoning for his statements.  But I did.  Having met Punk, worked with Punk and with the little bit of insider-knowledge of the happenings within the world of “The E“, I can help you understand a little more clearly.

WWE has never been one to mention other wrestling companies or talent on their programs and that’s why it was such a shock for Punk to mention the likes of Hogan, Colt Cabana, Ring of Honor and New Japan Pro Wrestling.  Hogan, working for Impact Wrestling, is typically off-limits.  Colt Cabana is really an inside-joke, to most.  He has many, many friends in the wrestling business and within WWE, but was discarded very quickly by the company, for whatever reason.  Colt also likes to take jabs at WWE, during his podcasts, more times than not.  Ring of Honor and New Japan Pro Wrestling are companies in “competition” with WWE, although they are much smaller and focus on a stronger style of pro wrestling, instead of sports entertainment.  MVP recently won the NJPW Intercontinental Championship and WWE has recently raided ROH’s talent-pool, much like WCW did from ECW.

Very explosive comments, indeed, coming from that portion of the promo.

One of my personal favorites, CM Punk actually waving to the camera while “breaking the fourth wall“.  Great television.  Having worked for WWE, I know that you are not allowed to look into the camera and speak.  You are to act as if the camera isn’t even there.  The only man who gets away with looking into the camera, during a promo, is John Cena.  This was a cheap-shot at The Chairman, himself.

Along with dropping names from other organizations, Punk did a great job of referencing others who had left the company on bad terms.  He incorporated them in a way that was very real.  I truly believe that Punk’s comments came from the heart.  His facial expressions… along with his face turning red with anger, it was a beautiful thing to watch him call out names like Paul Heyman, Brock Lesnar, Vince McMahon and even VP of Talent Relations – John Laurinaitis.

It is well-documented that Heyman and Vince do not see eye to eye.  Brock quitting WWE the way that he did was not the most professional, by any means (so I hear, anyway).  Add in the fact that Heyman co-wrote Brock’s recent autobiography… you have a mixture of no-no’s.

Hilarious, to me, that Punk would mention grabbing Vince McMahon’s “brass ring“.  Zack Ryder made mention of Vince’s “brass ring” in a recent episode of “Z True Long Island Stories“.  Apparently, Vince uses the same line with all of his talent.

I happen to really like John Laurinaitis.  He hired me.  He shot me straight.  He warned me, before signing and moving off to Tampa.  This is the first time I have ever heard anyone mention his name on television.  I could be wrong, but this had never been done before.  Especially, calling him one of Vince’s “glad-handed, non-sensical, douchebag yes men“.  Pretty rough.

The promo was pure brilliance.  I was smiling.  I was laughing.  But not laughing in a “this-is-a-funny-joke” kind of way.  But I was laughing in a “wow-did-he-really-say-that-nervous” kind of way.

The latest happenings are that CM Punk has been suspended indefinitely be World Wrestling Entertainment.  I certainly think this was all scripted, with the exception of a few extra zingers thrown in by Punk, on the fly.  However, if it’s not and this is, in fact, Punk’s last appearance in WWE… you’d have to think that it’s the best send-off in the history of the sports entertainment business ever.

Take Daniel Bryan, for instance.  He was billed, on NXT, as an internet darling.  What did WWE creative do? Not only did they boot him from the NXT broadcast, but they’ve done everything in their power to hold him down.  Fortunately for him, his work rate and work quality has kept him afloat.  Have you heard his ring music, for crying out loud?  Horrible.

Another example would be Kaval.  Although he’s far from being an internet darling and has earned everything he’s received, WWE still put the label upon him.  He won his season of NXT and was still shunned by the company.  Internet darling?

Need another example?

Matt Hardy.  Enough said.  The internet, as well as arenas all across the world, chanted… brought signs… and protest for him to be brought back to the WWE, after being released.  Sounds familiar, huh?  Once he finally returned, he wasn’t even competitive in his rivalry match with Edge, at SummerSlam.  He was beaten unconscious.  Hardy and his popularity ended up being the stepping stone that Edge needed to break thru into the main event picture.

Before signing with World Wrestling Entertainment in 2010, I was brow-beaten by WWE brass for a few things that were posted on my blog.  They informed me that I wasn’t “invading WWE” and in fact, I “didn’t even work for the company.”  This, I already knew but they felt the need to tell me to my face.  So, if you think for one second that they can not hear our voices or that they can not see the Ryder Revolution on Twitter and YouTube…  you’ve got another thing coming.  They hear and see it all.

WWE has everyone in a spot.  In their spot.  And regardless of what you or I want, those spots will remain right where they are, until they’re ready to change it up.  Plain and simple.

When I was working in Florida Championship Wrestling, I was told by WWE management that I needed to do anything and everything that I possibly could to help out.  When I approached FCW’s trainers about having more to offer them than I was allowed to actually give…  I was told, all I was needed for was what was asked of me.  If that were going to change, in the future, then so be it.  But for that moment, I was to do what needed to be done…  and that is all.

I applaud Zack Ryder for what he’s doing.  He’s probably gotten all kinds of heat from the office, because of it.  I heard a saying, while I was with WWE.  It goes a little something like this, “if it works – you’re a genius. If it doesn’t, you’re an idiot.“  Luckily for Ryder, it has worked, so far.

So, here’s what’s going to happen.  One of two things, in fact.

1)  They will finally put Zack Ryder on the show, to please the fans.  But don’t think it’ll be in a good role.  They’ll bury him, just like they did Matt Hardy, if need-be.

or

2)  They will keep him at bay, make their merchandise money and eventually discard him like they do everyone else.

I hope I’m wrong.  I hope Ryder goes far and above anything I’ve stated in this blog.  He’s a great guy and I was honored to be in the ring with him, during our match on ECW.

One thing that Zack Ryder certainly has working on his side, is the fact that he’s built his brand to where he’ll have value anywhere else he ever works.  Not many guys can say that… especially, when they don’t have help from the machine known as World Wrestling Entertainment.