Arguably the most satisfying aspect of the independent wrestling community lies in discovering how interesting and exceptional its athletes truly are. MaryKate Duignan Glidewell, better known as Valifornia stable member Andréa in Shine Wrestling, is a wonderful example of what happens when enormous talent marries perseverance. If Glidewell’s name rings a bell, it’s likely a […]
Author: The Intercontinental Belt
Always looking for a kendo stick to turn the tide, I re-discovered professional wresting after a nearly 20 year hiatus.
WHAT PRO WRESTLING MEANS TO ME: The ‘Thank You’ Post
Over 20 columns in, a twitter and email account, and an array of kind and generous feedback from the international professional wrestling community both online and off, Huracanrana and I took a step back to revisit Pro Wrestling in Florida. First things first: we’re grateful for the support. Specifically, that this community – literally the world […]
ATHLETE APPRECIATION: Maxwell Chicago
Maxwell Chicago is a revelation. He is the rare independent wrestler that embraces comedic timing and delivery as part of his ring presence, an almost absentee art in today’s wrestling landscape. I first encountered Henry Maxwell Alvarez at an outstanding FIP show in Ybor City, Florida, captivated by a man in a full on tuxedo […]
WRESTLING 101: Kendo Stick Q&A
Chairs: I get it. Tables: why not?. Brass Knuckles: it’s a pugilist’s right hand (or left, if southpaw), literally. Garbage cans? They’re logically at ringside reach, so that makes sense, as well. Everyone loves a tidy venue. Ladders? The means to one of the best match formats available. Kendo stick/Singapore cane? Wikipedia tells me the […]
WRESTLING 101: A Tribute to Our Striped Friends
Confession time: I’ve always wanted to be a professional wrestling referee…and still do. There’s something uber artistic and equally ironic about an individual tasked with maintaining sportsmanship in a pre-determined match operating under very distinct style and storyline conventions. I literally make it a goal of mine – after every house show – to thank […]
WRESTLING 101: Should Body Type Matter in Professional Wrestling?
With Dusty Rhodes’ recent and tragic passing, many wonderful tributes and match collages emerged across the television and Internet. This lovable, larger-than-life figure was clearly a fundamental cog in the past and present of professional wrestling. He was a brilliant athlete, trainer, mentor, and mic worker. Dusty Rhodes was also – for all intents and […]
WRESTLING 101: From the Outside Looking In – The Indy Wrestling Superstar Dilemma
As I watch independent wrestling rock star Rich Swann dropping jaws at FIP, Evolve and PWG, respectively, I am left with a nagging question. In the past, this question would be ludicrous. Except the rules have changed. To explain, Swann – even at 24 – is already one of world’s elite independent wrestlers, a master […]
ATHLETE APPRECIATION: Gary Jay
In the first of a hopefully long series of wrestler profiles, we turn our attention to a seemingly unlikely place to begin the journey: Gary Jay. We begin here, as there arguably no better athlete who epitomizes the terrific, Florida independent wrestling scene. Who is Gary Jay? A man of mystery, in many ways. He sports a […]
LIVE EVENTS: Fan etiquette – The perfect prescription?
At a recent (and terrific!) Evolve show in Ybor City, I heard a couple of very enthusiastic fans behind huricanrana and I self-justify their very loud chants to “make the [WWN] pay per view seem interesting.” Those guys definitely have a point, as – having watched many a taped show filmed at a small venue […]
SPOTLIGHTS: The Many Faces of Cesaro
While heel/face turns are more common than the grocery store checkout lane closing just as you arrive, I can’t – for the life of me – recall a wrestler with as many evolutions than Claudio Castagnoli, or the WWE’s Cesaro. I’m reminded of this every time I pop in High Spots DVDs of the Swiss […]
WRESTLING IN FLORIDA: An Insider Look at Professional Wrestling 