More Wrestler Columns?

After writing one of the highest viewed blogs in recent weeks, “Wrestler Columns“, I’ve had numerous inquiries about other wrestler columns.  Yeah, I know.  I didn’t cover them all.  But I covered quite a few that seemed to be on the tip of my tongue, at the time.  So, you guys want me to talk about the rest of the columns that pop up out there from time to time?  I’d be more than happy to.  But I’m warning you… you might not like what I have to say!

So, what’s on the blogroll for today?  Or should I say, who’s in the line of fire today?  Well, here’s a select few that I’ll be honing in on:  “Food for Thought” by Jamie Jay, “Keeping it Reel” by Austin Lane and “Coach’s Corner” by Brian Tramel.  I actually received texts from a few of these guys regarding their blogs.  Brian Tramel’s has been placed on here because I have a few things to say about it, as well.

Here goes:

Breaking the Mold

I’ve gotten a lot of verbal reaction regarding the statements I posted last week regarding the stereotypical independent wrestler.  Not so much flack about the egotistical approach of my breaking that stereotype.  But the fact that some guys may think that I’m taking cheap shots at them by calling “everyone else” stereotypical.  This is not necessarily the case.

With that said, I do honestly think that I break the mold of that typical, every day indy wrestler.  However, I’m not in a league of my own by any means.  So, please do not confuse what I’m saying when I tell you that I’m different from the rest.  I like to think that I not only set the bar of performance when I’m in the ring – but I exceed that expected level and earn the fans’ love and respect for doing it that way.

Let’s face it, folks.  The truth is the truth.  The truth is I’m in the ring with the best indy wrestlers in the Mid-South each and every week.  This is pure fact.  Don’t get me wrong, there’s a lot of clutter in this business.  Many guys that do not know how to apply a top wrist lock.  But there are certainly a few that are very capable of wrestling anywhere in the world.  Even on the grandest stage of them all.  Allow me to explain:

PWA Entertainment – 7/23/09

Dustin Starr in Wynne, AR

So, I wrestled my very first PWA Entertainment show, last Thursday night.  I made the short trip to Wynne, Arkansas – a place I’m very familiar with but haven’t been to in many years.  This was my first time wrestling in Wynne since my Beale Street Posse days.  So, I was looking forward to seeing how the crowd would respond to me… and I was looking forward to getting in the ring with someone I had never wrestled before.

Once upon arrival, I made my way to the dressing room to see many familiar faces.  Some of whom I had met and some of whom I hadn’t met.  But check this locker room out:  RRO Wrestler of the Year (3 times) Derrick King, Kiss FM’s Brandon Baxter, RRO Winner Austin Lane, former Junior Heavyweight Champion Johnny Dotson, one of the most talented wrestlers in the Mid-South T@2, VH-1’s Matt Riviera, wrestling legend Bobby Eaton… I’m not kidding.  This was a pretty good crew of guys.  I was impressed when I walked in.  Throw me into the mix and you’ve got yourself a STARR-STUDDED crew (pun-intended).

For probably the first time ever, I actually saw and heard first-hand about the rumors of the Dustin Starr “stigma”.  You know, the rumor that I’m a bit of a trouble-maker.  That I’m a bit of a diva.  You’ve heard that rumors that no one really likes me, right?  Well, after being called upon to wrestle Austin Lane, I heard an interesting story.  Since when do bookers call ahead and ask if it’s all right to book you against someone?  I thought that was rather funny.  Another interesting tidbit was when I was asked what I would post about the company.  What would I say about the show?  For some reason, they knew I’d have something bad to say about it.  They seemed a bit worried.  But ya know what?

They were right.

Okay, okay, I’m kidding.  I don’t have too many bad things to say about the company other than the fact that the show went far too long.  The matches went far too long.  They had opening matches going as long as main events are supposed to go.  They had matches unorganized on the card.  I couldn’t figure out why the tag match went on last when you have guys like Derrick King and Brandon Baxter fighting all over the building.  Or when you have two of the top wrestlers in the area meeting for the first time ever.  If I was booking, I’d put DK and Brandon on last any day of the week.  Especially, on this day. 

New Photos from Wynne, AR!

Last night in Wynne, AR, I went toe to toe for the very first time against Austin Lane!  I will have many thoughts on that match, Austin Lane, the crowd in Wynne and the promotion itself later this afternoon.

But first, take a look at a few pictures from last night’s action!  More will be added throughout the day, so don’t fret!

Enjoy!

Dustin Starr v Austin Lane – TONIGHT!

Tonight, tonight, tonight!  Don’t miss the wrestling action in Wynne, AR at 7PM.  Not only will Derrick King be wrestling KISS FM’s Brandon Baxter but there will also be a first-time-ever on the show.  For the very first time Austin Lane v Dustin Starr will happen!

I remember back ten years ago when I started out in this business, one of the first guys I met in Rampage Championship Wrestling was a short-haired, skinny, shiny-shirt wearing punk named Austin Lane.  He used to like diving off balconies and wore loose-fitting spandex wrestling gear.  If you’re wondering – yes, spandex should be tight, not loose.  Nevertheless, he was certainly a shell of his new self.

Then, on the other side of the spectrum was a kid who graduated from the Power Pro School of Wrestling aka Don Bass’ School of Wrestling.  He was 140 pounds soaked and wet.  Had long, shaggy hair – cuz you know wrestlers all have long hair, right?  He also had an identity crisis… And was green as grass.  Pale, scared and uncertain would be three words that would describe this guy to a “T”.

That guy was me.

Dustin Starr v/s Austin Lane

One week from today (Thursday), I will be in Wynne, Arkansas wrestling.  It has been many years since I’ve performed in that town.  Probably thirty or forty pounds ago, as a matter of fact.  I’m excited and really looking forward to it.

When I was contacted about working the show, I was a little reluctant.  Not because I do not like the town.  Not because I don’t like to wrestle.  But weekly wrestling shows is not my thing.  It cuts into my training.  Training, meaning, lifting and cardio.  I can’t stand to miss a day in the gym.  Now, if it were WWE, I could work with that (obviously).

What changed my mind set?  Well, I was provoked by the fact that Austin Lane finally wants to step in the ring with me.  What’s the big deal?  Well, there’s been a long wait for the two of us to actually get in the ring together.  But finally, that wait is over.

Let’s take a look at the history, shall we?