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:

Wrestler “Columns”

All of a sudden, there have been several wrestler columns popping up all over the internet.  Specifically speaking, on RRONews.com, you can find columns from Greg Anthony, Max Corbin, Downtown Bruno and even Eric Wayne.  Not to mention, you get columns every now and again from Brian Thompson and whoever else decides to send one in.  Sometimes, Brian Tramel at Rasslin Riot will post anything that will stir a little trouble.  Well, I’m here to tell you that not everything that’s posted is worth reading.

Let me start by saying this – my time is more valuable than anything else.  If I’m going to sit and read something, it better be good and it better be interesting.  If nothing else, it needs to be interesting.  I want to come away with knowing something that I didn’t know before.  I want to see a vision that I didn’t see before.  I want someone to enlighten me on an opinion that I may not have thought of before.  And if I DID think of it before, I’ll be glad that they reminded me.  So, some stories are good… some are bad… and some people I just can’t stand to read what they write.

The difference in what I do and what they do is simple:  I do not write a column.

Check me out!

I haven’t had a lot of time to really catch up on what’s been going on locally.  I’ve been so wrapped up in the WWE bookings and then trying to play catch up on real life happenings… I’ve sorta neglected a few people who have my back.  Any of you who have tried to call, text, e-mail, tweet or just get a hold of me in general – sorry if I haven’t gotten back to you.  Things are getting much more tame, now.  So, give me another try… or I’ll see you at the shows!

While I was away, there were a few good posts on RRONEWS.com that featured yours truly.  I was very surprised and flattered to see a column from Brian Tramel regarding my future in the wrestling business.  Check it out HERE.  It’s entitled “A Starr is Born“.  Imagine waking up early in the  morning on one of the biggest days of your career and logging on to the web.  Then, you go to one of your favorite wrestling websites… only to see that you’re featured on the top of the page with a customized banner AND you have a column that puts you over like a million dollars.  Imagine that for a moment.  This business is all about confidence and people believing in you.  If you don’t think that had a major effect on my attitude walking into the WWE bookings, you’re sadly mistaken.

So, Brian Tramel, thanks for the kind words.  Everyone check that column out, if you haven’t already.

A few days later, BT posted some more information.  Wrestling Observer is quoted in the article, as well.  Pictures from WWE.com are also posted on the story.  Check that one out HERE.  It’s entitled “Dustin Starr on ECW“.  RRO does a great job of letting the fans know when and where the wrestlers are going to be.  This is especially important when we’re supposed to keep our mouthes shut for various reasons.  BT is the voice for the boys, at times.  I appreciate that.

Check those stories out and let me know what you think of them!  I appreciate all of the support, as usual!

New Photos, EWE & RRO

I’ve posted a sneak peak of my newest photo shoot on my Twitter account.  Check it out by going to Dustin Starr’s Twitter.  As you know, I’m constantly posting comments, updates and photos of my daily activities.  You might want to really start following it because big things are happening and they’re happening quickly. 

This is another photo from my latest shoot.  Let me know what you think about the images.  I’m proud of them and plan to post them all on my Flickr account, within the next few days.  Also, a blog will follow regarding a comment from the photographer.  He says I’m a “body sculpter”.  Interesting and have never heard that before.

RasslinRiotOnline.com was in attendence at EWE’s Super Summer Showdown, last night.  Brian and Kayte Tramel were kind enough to snap a few pictures of yours truly that will be posted here, as well.  Brian and I took a very funny picture that I can’t wait for everyone to see.  It’s sort of like a before and after picture.  I just hope that it’s not MY future.  You’ll understand when you see it.  Be sure to check out Brian’s EWE Quick Results.  Of course, I retained the EWE Heavyweight Championship at Super Summer Showdown.  Was there any doubt?

I’ll post on Twitter when the new pictures are posted.  Be on the look-out!

Wrestler of the Year?

Check out the latest from Brian Tramel at RRONews.com.  He has a brand new column posted that he calls “Coach’s Corner Companion“.  It’s a pretty interesting read.  Apparently, he received an e-mail response from another column he had written regarding the top nominations for certain categories on the RRO Awards.  Like always, my name was left off the list of certain categories.  It seems that Brian Tramel always seems to think I deserve a Horizon Star of the Year award… or Columnist of the Year… or perhaps Website of the Year.  I appreciate any kudos I can get.  But I’m always left off of Wrestler of the Year.

Why?

It’s definitely something about the perception of my character, my in-ring work or SOMETHING.  A quote from the column says:

Five Starr DUD?

Here we go… allow me to explain.  I… well… umm… lemme just show you the teaser that Brian Tramel posted over on RRONews.com about NBW’s Summer Jam:

“Who had a match that some were saying should be [-**]??…Did Dustin Starr really have a [DUD] match??…How many “superstars” has Knight pinned this year??…Did the old guys live up to the hype of a “Street Fight”??…All this will be answered in the Arena Report!!!“

Very cute.  Very funny.  Brian Tramel using Dustin Starr’s “[DUD] match” as a teaser for his next post.  How funny is that?  I love it.  No, really.  I do.  Allow me to explain…

I walked into the building Saturday night in Newbern, TN with a clear understanding of what was expected.  There was going to be a beat down, lots of heat and I probably would be taking a little time off after wards.  Simple match, right?  It’s been pretty obvious as to what the build-up was.  Two bad guys steal the tag team titles (Jason Reed & I) and run away with them!  Then, the good guys get us back, beat us clean and get their revenge.  Pretty simple, right?  Almost like David versus Goliath.  Or plain ole good versus evil.  So, how did everything go so wrong?

Tidbits of the Week

There’s a lot going on in the world.  Certainly, there’s a lot going on in my world.  I’m just trying to take it all in, stay sane and live my own life.  But as I sit back and try to stay on track, I see a lot of stuff that I want to share.  So, I’m going to run through some news-bites and tidbits of really cool stuff that I’ve witnessed, noticed or just happen to come across.

Let’s take a look at the past week, shall we?  Oh, and be sure to click the links to get the stories!

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.

Tank Benefit, New Photos, Eric Wayne / Randy Orton

To follow up on yesterday’s blog regarding the Tank Benefit Show, I wanted to direct everyone over to RRO News!  They posted a report on the show.  Seems like there was a fun time had – and some great comments about yours-truly!

Brian Tramel is often criticized by me because of some of his slanted reviews and reports.  I guess, the two of us could watch the same match and see two different things. But sometimes, we are in total agreement. It is very strange, indeed.  I guess it is similar to two people watching a movie.  Some will like it and some will not.

BT gives a few opinions:

“This has nothing to do with ECW/WWE thing, but I can see why he was picked to do the ECW bout – and this was something I notice during MAYHEM – Starr’s workrate and confidence is at the best it has ever been.  He seems to not be hesitant on anything and everything flows so much better now.“

I’m soaring right now. 

What a Week

What a week it has been.  Rear-ended, storm hits and knocks out my power on Friday (btw, it’s still out!), a debut in Newburn, a Championship win at EWE and a benefit show that pitted the two top guys in the area against one another.  Let me say again – what a week!

I have a lot to talk about, moving forward.  Today, I’ll just narrow the topic down to the Tank Benefit Show from the weekend.

First off, I thought the turnout was fantastic.  The locker room was over flowing with supportive wrestling brothers and that made it a tough crowd to please.  Heck, they were all smart to the business!  They came with the wrestlers!  But it was fun, nonetheless.  I was very happy with the response during my match.  I could not have asked for more.

I also couldn’t have asked for more when it came to my opponent.  I not only stepped in the ring with a guy that I owe all my wrestling success to, but I stepped in there with one of my best friends in the world… And the best worker I’ve ever stepped in a ring with.  Derrick King is a very special talent.  Other than the boot print on my shoulder, I was EXTREMELY happy (no pun intended) with the match.  We stole the show, no doubt.

I had an even better time speaking with the fans.  I don’t get to do it that often but I enjoyed answering all the ECW and WWE questions.  Thank you all for the support.  I’m happy I could finally give some thanks in-person.  You will see me on WWE programming again.