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.

NEW in Memphis Flyer

My phone has been blowing up.  Text messages, e-mails, tweets… you name it, I’ve got it.  Let someone run a story on NEW and people come out of the wood-work to let me know about it.  How funny is that?  “You gotta blog about it!”  “Wait til you see it!”  Honestly, once I picked it up… I wasn’t even going to read it.  I just thought it was kinda cool to see Kid Nikkels on the cover.  Good for him.  I still wasn’t going to read the entire story, though.  What changed my mind?  A friend of mine was totally hysterical about one particular part of the article.  I’ll get to that later – but I just HAD to read it. 

Boy, am I disappointed in the Memphis Flyer. 

You’d think they’d actually run a story on something with some substance.  You cover professional wrestling and you decide to go out to a metal shed… err… let me quote the article here – “a metal shed in a grubby corner of West Memphis, Arkansas“?  Not only that, but why would you cover a wrestling organization that draws zero people.  Yes, that’s right.  They draw ZERO people.  The “fans” that are reported are nothing more than the people who ride with the wrestlers to the shows.  Maybe the idea was for the article to help draw fans to the West Memphis show.  But being a wrestling fan myself… and knowing wrestling fans who have read the article themselves, I promise you that this story won’t draw a dime for Ken Wayne.

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.

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:

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,

So, I listened to RRO Radio…

I should have known better than to post an opinion about the RRO Radio show without listening to it all the way through.  That always seems to bite me in the rear.  Thanks to my readers, I was intrigued enough to make time this morning.

Boy, do I have a different opinion now.

Let me get a few things straight real quick.  I like Eric and Ken Wayne.  Really.  I do.  I respect Ken.  I would like to see Eric do well.  No sarcasm here.  I do wish Eric would be more careful in the ring and be more respectful out of the ring.  I also admit that I do not agree with a lot of what’s going on in West Memphis.  But hey, we all have opinions.  Right?

I happen to have quite a few different opinions now that I’ve actually listened to the entire 3 Year Anniversary show.  So, it may get me some heat – but here goes:

Greg King Update

It’s been a tough week for New Experience Wrestling and it’s founding father.  It’s been even tougher for the founding father’s son, Eric Wayne.  Wayne has been the topic of discussion via this blog, phone calls, text messages and even on RRO Radio, this morning.

This morning, I joined the radio program to wish Derrick King a happy birthday – and the topic was brought up for a moment.  Later in the show, Ken Wayne (Eric’s father and owner of NEW) joined the show to discuss the incident.  I haven’t heard the show, myself – but it’s being reported that Ken has sided with me.  He agrees that Eric Wayne is careless.  To listen, CLICK HERE.  I’ll be listening myself, as soon as I can find the time.  (Does anyone know how to download it to iTunes?)

This post, however, was not to plug the RRO Radio… or bash Eric Wayne… or to admit that I was right about this whole ordeal all along.  The purpose of this blog is to give you all an update on one of my favorite up and comers – Greg King.

Eric Wayne – CARELESS

One word can describe what happened on Friday night in West Memphis, Arkansas during the New Experience Wrestling event. One word and one word only. I’ve heard it from everyone who witnessed it live. Even after hearing the response from Eric Wayne himself, regarding this situation – I still stand by that word. And it’s a tough one. It’s tough in this business to be described this way.  It’s definitely a knock.  It’s definitely a negative way to be viewed in a business where you give your body to another individual and hope that he takes care of it.

Folks, Eric Wayne is simply CARELESS.

If you do not yet know what I’m talking about, take a look at the original story by clicking HERE.  Rasslin Riot Online was in the building and witnessed the injury live and in living color.  When the injury happened, RRO editor Brian Tramel actually Tweeted from the event, “Eric Wayne with a stiff kick puttin Greg King out king may be out of tourny it looked king broke his nose”.

Greg King wishes Eric Wayne only broke his nose.

From Brian Thompson

Brian Thompson requested that I post this message for you all to read.  I have not edited this message in any way, shape or form.  It is being posted just as Brian wanted.  It’s a response from Cheaters, Brian Thompson and Don Bass.

Usually, I don’t comment when people talk about me. Normally their comments are reserved to knocking me on message boards while using fake names. To me, that should say it all as far as how much stock I give to their statements.

With you Dustin, it’s a little different. I have always respected you and I believe that I have always SHOWN you respect. And you have always shown me respect right back, even though you sometimes give me a “hard time” when you see me. (lol) That’s okay. I’m a big boy I can take it all in stride.

Now, I’m not going to try to defend the contents of my most recent “Thompson Perspective” over at RasslinRiotOnline. You are more than welcome to have whatever opinion of that column. That is your right.

New Poll

All right, you’ve heard all that there is to hear. You’ve heard Eric Wayne’s side of things and how he sees the business. Then, you’ve heard the way that I see it. Apparently, he sees no value in certain parts of the business that are traditional. You know, like paying dues, earning your spot and whatnot.

Now, I ask you – who do you agree with more?

I don’t expect anyone to agree in full with anything that has been said.  There’s probably bits and pieces that you agree on with me.  There’s probably fragments that you would feel more strongly about in his favor. I don’t believe anyone’s right or wrong.  We both view the business in different ways.  It’s apparent to me that I’m more willing to work harder for what I get.  Maybe Eric is too… but by his post and his comments, it doesn’t look that way to me.

So, now I post the question :

If you’d like to elaborate on your answer, just post it in the comments section.