Taking some time off or a vacation (or even a stay-cation or work-cation) is something I’ve only recently learned to do in my life. Earlier in my career, I would hoard sick days in the hopes of a vacation or trip away that would never come. The best I would get was a day off […]
SPOTLIGHTS: Putting the WWE Cruiserweight Classic into Perspective
With the first WWE Cruiserweight Classic in the books – congratulations again to T. J. Perkins and the rest of the stellar 32-man lineup! – now is as good time as any to frame the whole event within a wider global wrestling lens. To begin, it’s almost unfathomable to assemble such a diverse, global roster […]
LIVE EVENTS: ‘C-4’ Gives a Really Good ‘Pipe Bomb’
In the hazy lines of social media, reality TV stars and YouTube celebrities, pro wrestling fits beautifully and awkwardly. What once was a “secret society,” pro-wrestling is now reality-esque, psycho-drama for the internet and TV, where fake characters merge into real life people and back again sometimes in the same sentence or 5 minute sequence. […]
LIVE EVENTS: Shine 37 – A Haphazard Recap, or “Rain, Rain, Go Away”
Disclaimer: this is not in order by any means. Rather stream of consciousness. First things first: I’m admittedly a bit shocked this event happened, period. Hurricane Hermine had just said ‘howdy’ less than twelve hours earlier, and was still roaring its way up the East Coast. As could be expected, some of the talent and […]
ATHLETE APPRECIATION: In Memoriam – Harry “Mr. Fuji” Fujiwara
Editor’s Note: We are thrilled and honored to bring you a touching eulogy via someone who knew Harry Fujiwara well, with Mr. Fuji a central part of his family’s life. It is with privilege and pleasure we both introduce Fuji Vice, likewise share his beautiful thoughts. ********* BY: Fuji Vice First, a short intro. I met Intercontinental Belt […]
ATHLETE APPRECIATION: Shane Taylor
When Raymond Rowe called out Shane Taylor at Ring of Honor’s August 2016 Death Before Dishonor in Las Vegas, this challenge was certainly no coincidence. See, Rowe’s miraculous recovery and inspiring story was anything but ordinary. And his recognizance of Shane Taylor’s journey to this point likewise far from happenstance. Simply put: these are two […]
SPOTLIGHTS: Where Have All the Managers Gone?
As I introduced Huracanrana to a childhood fave in Greg Valentine, something peculiar occurred to me: what the heck happened to all the great managers in professional wrestling? Sure, there are the occasional valets, but when’s the last time a truly great manager…other than perhaps Truth Martini…was expected to play a prominent role in every […]
ATHLETE APPRECIATION: Matt Taven
Long on the road to recovery and often overshadowed by highest profile tag team partners, it’s easy to under-appreciate Matt Taven. New Hampshire’s Michael Marinelli remains a core figure in the upper tier, independent wrestling scene, the man of a million moves and throwback 80’s hair. It’s natural to take Matt Taven for granted as […]
WRESTLING 101: The (Anti-) Social Media World of Pro Wrestling
Arguably no professional sport allows for the extensive interaction between athletes and its fans than pro wrestling. Even more so in independent wrestling, where fan loyalty can be the singular determination between promotion survival and disappearance. This becomes evident in the aforementioned merchandise table, where fans are encouraged to interact – via dollars, handshakes, and […]
SPOTLIGHTS: ‘Women of Honor’ Can Change the Game
Last weekend I had a pleasant surprise when sitting down to watch my recorded weekly dose of Ring of Honor: I received a whole episode of Women of Honor matches. And what a treat it was! The opening match featured 6 of the best female wrestlers out there today, killing each other in a loose […]
WRESTLING IN FLORIDA: An Insider Look at Professional Wrestling 