I knew I would be writing this blog today. I wrote a similar blog at the end of October talking about how I really hoped the changed of the calender month from October into November would bring welcomed change. I had been on a two month slide where my personal life was in chaos, my professional life was going through a critical change, my health was in question, and I was just overall unhappy. Some said I was depressed. My next blog will talk about my definition of depression.
Personally I saw challenges that defined who I was. When you are down, the measure of a man isn't who gets knocked down, mopes and cries about it, and does nothing to identify it, fix it, and get stronger from it, but the measure of a man is how you get back up, come back stronger, and more in touch with how to avoid falling back down. I really don't like getting back up, even if it's a source of pride, because it reminds me how easy it is to fall. Thanks to some really great people I keep in my life, the personal stuff, and trust me it was major, got better quickly, and 12 short weeks later I can honestly say everything is right back on track. I'm feeling great.
From a health standpoint, I had to visit a nuerologist recently and get a CT scan for a chronic migrane headache condition. Turns out that I have some continuing nagging effects from a few concussions I've had over the course of time. It's nothing too major, sometimes I have troubles focusing, or I lose what I tried to say mid-sentence, or I get a dibilitating head-ache. It's ok, I feel good. I also had a weird swelling in my stomach, that I was worried was a hurnia. After seeing the doctor, it's been x-rayed, and doesn't require any treatment at this time. A relief.
Professionally things are really starting to go strong. Danny Duggan and I are partners in a marketing company, and I've never been happier. Business is steadily going up for us, and we've found a great way to get the most out of our objectives.
There is so many people who surprised me how well they stood beside me, and never let me slip further. There were some people who actually poked fun at me for battling depression. I think that's a low blow, but I can smile and laugh about it now. Those are the same people who are perputually whiney about everything in life. Throughout it all, I believed things were going to improve, and they did. That's the power of believing. I just believed in myself with complete faith.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Saturday, November 22, 2008
JFK Lone Gun Man or Conspiracy?
45 years ago today in Dallas Texas, US President John F. Kennedy was shot dead while in a motorcade. The circumstances of that case, have fascinated me since I was in grade 6, 18 years ago. I've always wondered if there was a second shooter on the Grassy Knoll, if Jack Ruby was hired to silence Lee Harvey Oswald, the accused assassin, if there was a conspiracy who orchestrated it and why. I will be honest there are times, like 5 years ago, the 40th anniversary where I was more convinced that Oswald acted alone, but for the most part over the last 18 years I've believed conspiracy with multiple shooters and a vast cover-up.
Some of the theories I've believed over the years include:
-The CIA and Military Industrial Complex planned the assassination, and used the Mafia in the clean up to silence Oswald. This was done to ensure a pro-war agenda shift from the Kennedy administration to Johnson's and escalate the Viet Nam war. Kennedy, as brilliantly portrayed in the Movie 13 Days had already avoided a war in Cuba, and was seen by the hardliners in his administration as soft.
-Lyndon B. Johnson who was Vice President and became the President 45 years ago today, used his Texas connections to have Kennedy executed in his own backyard, in a thirst for power. Appointed the Warren Commission to find Oswald guilty of the crime, and eliminate any official conspiracy investigation.
-And I'm of the minority who has believed the official version, that Lee Harvey Oswald fired 3 shots at Kennedy and fatally wounded him. That one is the longest shot, excuse the pun, because he would have been more lucky than anything to have performed that shooting, and there were far too many coincidences after the assassination that have pointed too much to conspiracy. That being said, I believe there was a conspiracy, but that Lee Harvey Oswald was most definitely involved. Perhaps as an "agent" taking orders, but rest assured there is far too much evidence of his behavior on November 22, 1963 to eliminate him as a suspect, or call him innocent.
Now there has been some really preposterous theories that point to conspiracy over the years. Some that despite the unfortunate tragedy of the assassination, make me laugh until I have tears in my eyes.
Outrageous Theory Number 1:
A secret Service agent in the car trailing Kennedy shot the fatal head shot to Kennedy by accident.
This theory suggest that after Oswald began firing, the Secret Service agent pulled out his modified machine gun to fire back in the car directly behind Kennedy. In the commotion, the car accelerated, and the armed agent fell and discharged his weapon, and the shot hit Kennedy in the back of the head and delivered the most severe wound.
Imagine this, agent getting back to his feet, "Did you shoot the Eagle? (code word for President)"
"Oh shit, I hope not".
"Don't worry, we've got you covered, we didn't see a thing."
And therefore, the new President Lyndon Johnson agreed to appoint the Warren Commission to cover it up to save the reputation of The Secret Service. That sounds about right.
Outrageous Theory Number 2:
The second shooter, on the Grassy Knoll was a sharp shooter hired by the Mafia to take out Lee Harvey Oswald in the 6th floor window after he successfully killed the President. This shooter in no way shot at JFK.
And what would have happened after? There would have been no investigation of conspiracy as to why the Assassin was shot by a vigilante who must have guessed he was going to take a shot at the President? That's ridiculous. But that's the theory of Robert Blakey believes. Blakey actually got paid by the US Government to re-investigate the assassination in 1976 as chair person of The House Select Committee on Assassinations.
Imagine how appeased the US citizens would have been to hear that lone assassin Lee Harvey Oswald was shot immediately after the assassination by a mafia hitman. Good one.
The Oliver Stone movie JFK, while not explaining why Clay Shaw was involved (and I don't believe he was), does an amazing job of shedding some light on this matter. It's the best movie I've ever seen on the subject, and I believe some of the theories in this movie are provable.
Either way, it's been 45 years and there will never be more answers to the many questions, but we can all rest assured, at least The Secret Service didn't get blamed for an honest mistake.
Some of the theories I've believed over the years include:
-The CIA and Military Industrial Complex planned the assassination, and used the Mafia in the clean up to silence Oswald. This was done to ensure a pro-war agenda shift from the Kennedy administration to Johnson's and escalate the Viet Nam war. Kennedy, as brilliantly portrayed in the Movie 13 Days had already avoided a war in Cuba, and was seen by the hardliners in his administration as soft.
-Lyndon B. Johnson who was Vice President and became the President 45 years ago today, used his Texas connections to have Kennedy executed in his own backyard, in a thirst for power. Appointed the Warren Commission to find Oswald guilty of the crime, and eliminate any official conspiracy investigation.
-And I'm of the minority who has believed the official version, that Lee Harvey Oswald fired 3 shots at Kennedy and fatally wounded him. That one is the longest shot, excuse the pun, because he would have been more lucky than anything to have performed that shooting, and there were far too many coincidences after the assassination that have pointed too much to conspiracy. That being said, I believe there was a conspiracy, but that Lee Harvey Oswald was most definitely involved. Perhaps as an "agent" taking orders, but rest assured there is far too much evidence of his behavior on November 22, 1963 to eliminate him as a suspect, or call him innocent.
Now there has been some really preposterous theories that point to conspiracy over the years. Some that despite the unfortunate tragedy of the assassination, make me laugh until I have tears in my eyes.
Outrageous Theory Number 1:
A secret Service agent in the car trailing Kennedy shot the fatal head shot to Kennedy by accident.
This theory suggest that after Oswald began firing, the Secret Service agent pulled out his modified machine gun to fire back in the car directly behind Kennedy. In the commotion, the car accelerated, and the armed agent fell and discharged his weapon, and the shot hit Kennedy in the back of the head and delivered the most severe wound.
Imagine this, agent getting back to his feet, "Did you shoot the Eagle? (code word for President)"
"Oh shit, I hope not".
"Don't worry, we've got you covered, we didn't see a thing."
And therefore, the new President Lyndon Johnson agreed to appoint the Warren Commission to cover it up to save the reputation of The Secret Service. That sounds about right.
Outrageous Theory Number 2:
The second shooter, on the Grassy Knoll was a sharp shooter hired by the Mafia to take out Lee Harvey Oswald in the 6th floor window after he successfully killed the President. This shooter in no way shot at JFK.
And what would have happened after? There would have been no investigation of conspiracy as to why the Assassin was shot by a vigilante who must have guessed he was going to take a shot at the President? That's ridiculous. But that's the theory of Robert Blakey believes. Blakey actually got paid by the US Government to re-investigate the assassination in 1976 as chair person of The House Select Committee on Assassinations.
Imagine how appeased the US citizens would have been to hear that lone assassin Lee Harvey Oswald was shot immediately after the assassination by a mafia hitman. Good one.
The Oliver Stone movie JFK, while not explaining why Clay Shaw was involved (and I don't believe he was), does an amazing job of shedding some light on this matter. It's the best movie I've ever seen on the subject, and I believe some of the theories in this movie are provable.
Either way, it's been 45 years and there will never be more answers to the many questions, but we can all rest assured, at least The Secret Service didn't get blamed for an honest mistake.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Bitter Sweet Week of being a Sportsfan
This week was a good week, in fact a damn near amazing one. As a sports fan, a couple of major shake-ups caught me completely off-guard, one was great and one was not so great, and one was just plain surprising.
In Bomberland, after a bitterly disappointing loss last week in the East Division semi-final to the Edmonton Eskimos, The Winnipeg Blue Bomber Football club parted ways with Head Coach Doug Berry, and demoted talent guru Brendan Taman to Director of Player Personnel. The goal now will be to lure a major league candidate to Winnipeg, to be both Coach and General Manager. And the front runner, get this... wait for it, is Mike Kelly.
First, let me say I was the biggest supporter of the Bombers firing Doug Berry. He lost his players probably prior to this season even starting. His treatment of future Bomber Hall of Famer Troy Westwood was offensive at best. His pass at all costs offense completely stifled Charles Roberts (the best running back this team has had in modern history). What was absolutely most unacceptable for me as a Bomber fan was how Doug Berry would single out one player after a loss, and never acknowledge his coaching decision as a major factor, see Mike Quinn's release in Berry's first year as a prime example. Quinn threw a critical 4th quarter interception in the end-zone with the Bombers in striking distance of beating the Toronto Argos. The two points lost in that game was the separation that forced Winnipeg into 3rd and a loss on the road in Toronto in the playoffs. Mike Quinn was released the Tuesday following the game, but Berry never accounted for the team losing that game on the sideline from bad coaching. With 10 minutes left in that particular game, the Bombers lead and with the ball in their own territory sent Quinn out to throw two incomplete passes, leading to a punt, and a major momentum shift. Had Charles Roberts run the ball twice, the clock would have been far better managed and positive yardage may have been obtained. Either way, the team went on to lose the game, after Quinn in scoring range threw a pick in the end-zone when he supposedly read bad coverage with 2 minutes left from about the 30 yard line of the Argos. Of course it wasn't do or die at that point and first downs would have eaten the clock and given the offense more options to get the TD to win the game. Doug Berry or the OC at the time lost that game, not the talent on the field but that first rate asshole would never "own" that loss. And from that day forward, I welcomed the day he would be fired. To have it happen after a season where the team made the playoffs was even better.
After saying that, let me say, that Berry didn't deserve to lose his job based on his performance. This season the Bombers finished 6-2 in their last eight to make the playoffs. They hosted a playoff game (granted Toronto's implosion was the reason). It was Berry who pushed out Westwood, and Alexis Serna may well have kicked better. It was Berry who pushed Taman to get rid of Charles Roberts, and Thunder and Lightning, Joe Smith and Fred Reid got more results (in defense of Charlie, he didn't benefit from Kevin Glenn calling his own plays for long, and Reid and Smith benefited from a balanced pass/run offense). Berry succeeded in my opinion this season, and definitely over 3 years will go down as one of the better Bomber coaches since Cal Murphy (though he can't be compared to Dave Ritchie).
What he lacked was likability. This guy was a complete prick who lacked human decency. And the local media, the fan base and even his players had begun to hate him. And that made him expendable. Thank god. But there is a far bigger problem in Bomberland.
Brendan Taman is a guy who I believe has succeeded in his role of bringing in the right talent to win. Jerome Haywood, Javon Johnson, Fred Reid, Terence Edwards, Zeke Moreno, and Kai Ellis over the last two seasons are shining examples of a GM who accomplished his goal of putting the best team on the field. The problem is a cocky son of a bitch named Lyle Bauer who is the single biggest reason this team has not been successful in 10 years. Firing Dave Ritchie in 2004, demoting Brendan Taman (which will ultimately lead to Taman ending up with another franchise in one years time), and now making Mike Kelly front and centre on our coaching radar are all examples that this guy shouldn't be running a lemonade stand let alone a Professional Football franchise.
Mike Kelly? A gifted offensive coordinator for the team in the 1990s, right? Well he did have a Hall of Fame quarterback named Matt Dunnigan behind centre, to achieve those results and was running an offense under Cal Murphy who was an offensive genius himself. When he was graced with Sammy Garza or Reggie Slack or Kent Austin, how good was our offense? The drizzling shits. He's so qualified, that Edmonton found the very important role of Receivers coach for this highly qualified head coaching candidate. So he's their Bob Dyce (no offense to Dyce, the Bombers have the best receiving core in the league, making him more qualified than Mike Kelly at present time). Oh and his brilliant NFL credentials? Ya, sure, he was a scout. 80 year Cal Murphy is a scout for Indianapolis Colts, so that's a credential. Mike Kelly is front and centre, not because he's the most qualified, but because he's Bauer's buddy. FUCK THAT.
Who should be the next head coach of the Bombers? Without 2 hours delay after the firing of Berry, they should have promoted Greg Marshall. This guy has run one of the best defenses in the CFL for the last 3 years. And lets be real, when he gets passed over for this job, and don't be fooled he already has been, will he stay? No, even if its to leave here for another Defensive Coordinators job, rest assured he WILL leave. And he should, for this is the biggest slap in the face this franchise has done since they went with Darryl Rogers in the 91 season over Defensive Coordinator Dave Ritchie. But they didn't and it sucks. The only bright spot maybe that Kelly might be able to lure Matt Dunnigan to town as Offensive Coordinator, and that would be nice.
A dark-horse candidate should have been Rick Worman, Offensive Coordinator for Edmonton. He was the Offensive genius for the Bombers who helped Khari Jones and Milt Stegall establish their dominance in 2001. He left after that season and was replaced by Paul LaPolice, who is another worthy candidate of consideration, having been effective in both Saskatchewan and Toronto since being scape-goated out of Winnipeg. So that's that about the Bombers. A bitter sweet week.
In the NHL, Brian Burke was relieved of his duties in Anaheim as General Manager and Vice President. Burke is my favorite pro sports personality. He tells it like it is, and he's been successful in every role he's had in the NHL (and don't dis his results in Vancouver, they were far better after he got there than before, and if he had a goalie, they would have been contenders).
I don't respect the process that Burke used to become a free agent this week. I wonder if Burke would have wavered forever and a day to sign a contract extension in Anaheim if the Toronto media (sorry David Bastl, good friend but you are one of them), had not made it clear that the GM's job in Toronto was Burke's at the end of the year. It was implicedly unstated by Cliff Fletcher staying on as Interim GM for an extra season that Brian Burke had an open invitation in Toronto. And I lose a smidgen of respect for "Burkey" for not being more loyal to the Ducks.
It was during the NHL work stoppage, that Burke was all too eager to grab the job in Duckland. After being passed over by other teams who didn't even consider Burke, he jumped at the Ducks GM job. After 4 years of him calling the Samuelli's "The Greatest Owners in sports", he really re payed their autonomy by giving them the selfish middle finger, and becoming a free agent.
So enjoy Toronto Brian Burke. Enjoy the pressure of having to win or Richard Pettie being a complete dickface. Remember last year when he was clearly interviewing candidates for John Ferguson Jr's job while stating publicly that JFJ was safe? Poor Fergie was screwed royally, though he was a horrible GM, he was disposed of in a dishonest fashion. The same happened to Paul Maurice this off season. Part of me would love to see Burke end up in Toronto failing with Ron Wilson (though he's getting over-achiever of the year so far) to teach him a bitter lesson. In the end I have far too much respect for him, and hope the best for him. Maybe the Blackhawks can get in the mix and pluck him out from Toronto, that would be a small bonus in this shitty situation.
Finally, Tampa Bay Lightning pulled the New York Islander-Neil Smith debacle all over again yesterday when firing Barry Melrose. He was only two games under 500, and had to go immediately?!? This ownership experiment in Tampa looks destined to fail. Karma's a bitch, and his name might well be Jay Feester, a man who most certainly didn't deserve to lose his job. Rick Tocchet has big shoes to fill in Tampa, and those shoes aren't Barry Melrose's but in fact John Torterella. Good luck. I am a fan of Tocchet.
In Bomberland, after a bitterly disappointing loss last week in the East Division semi-final to the Edmonton Eskimos, The Winnipeg Blue Bomber Football club parted ways with Head Coach Doug Berry, and demoted talent guru Brendan Taman to Director of Player Personnel. The goal now will be to lure a major league candidate to Winnipeg, to be both Coach and General Manager. And the front runner, get this... wait for it, is Mike Kelly.
First, let me say I was the biggest supporter of the Bombers firing Doug Berry. He lost his players probably prior to this season even starting. His treatment of future Bomber Hall of Famer Troy Westwood was offensive at best. His pass at all costs offense completely stifled Charles Roberts (the best running back this team has had in modern history). What was absolutely most unacceptable for me as a Bomber fan was how Doug Berry would single out one player after a loss, and never acknowledge his coaching decision as a major factor, see Mike Quinn's release in Berry's first year as a prime example. Quinn threw a critical 4th quarter interception in the end-zone with the Bombers in striking distance of beating the Toronto Argos. The two points lost in that game was the separation that forced Winnipeg into 3rd and a loss on the road in Toronto in the playoffs. Mike Quinn was released the Tuesday following the game, but Berry never accounted for the team losing that game on the sideline from bad coaching. With 10 minutes left in that particular game, the Bombers lead and with the ball in their own territory sent Quinn out to throw two incomplete passes, leading to a punt, and a major momentum shift. Had Charles Roberts run the ball twice, the clock would have been far better managed and positive yardage may have been obtained. Either way, the team went on to lose the game, after Quinn in scoring range threw a pick in the end-zone when he supposedly read bad coverage with 2 minutes left from about the 30 yard line of the Argos. Of course it wasn't do or die at that point and first downs would have eaten the clock and given the offense more options to get the TD to win the game. Doug Berry or the OC at the time lost that game, not the talent on the field but that first rate asshole would never "own" that loss. And from that day forward, I welcomed the day he would be fired. To have it happen after a season where the team made the playoffs was even better.
After saying that, let me say, that Berry didn't deserve to lose his job based on his performance. This season the Bombers finished 6-2 in their last eight to make the playoffs. They hosted a playoff game (granted Toronto's implosion was the reason). It was Berry who pushed out Westwood, and Alexis Serna may well have kicked better. It was Berry who pushed Taman to get rid of Charles Roberts, and Thunder and Lightning, Joe Smith and Fred Reid got more results (in defense of Charlie, he didn't benefit from Kevin Glenn calling his own plays for long, and Reid and Smith benefited from a balanced pass/run offense). Berry succeeded in my opinion this season, and definitely over 3 years will go down as one of the better Bomber coaches since Cal Murphy (though he can't be compared to Dave Ritchie).
What he lacked was likability. This guy was a complete prick who lacked human decency. And the local media, the fan base and even his players had begun to hate him. And that made him expendable. Thank god. But there is a far bigger problem in Bomberland.
Brendan Taman is a guy who I believe has succeeded in his role of bringing in the right talent to win. Jerome Haywood, Javon Johnson, Fred Reid, Terence Edwards, Zeke Moreno, and Kai Ellis over the last two seasons are shining examples of a GM who accomplished his goal of putting the best team on the field. The problem is a cocky son of a bitch named Lyle Bauer who is the single biggest reason this team has not been successful in 10 years. Firing Dave Ritchie in 2004, demoting Brendan Taman (which will ultimately lead to Taman ending up with another franchise in one years time), and now making Mike Kelly front and centre on our coaching radar are all examples that this guy shouldn't be running a lemonade stand let alone a Professional Football franchise.
Mike Kelly? A gifted offensive coordinator for the team in the 1990s, right? Well he did have a Hall of Fame quarterback named Matt Dunnigan behind centre, to achieve those results and was running an offense under Cal Murphy who was an offensive genius himself. When he was graced with Sammy Garza or Reggie Slack or Kent Austin, how good was our offense? The drizzling shits. He's so qualified, that Edmonton found the very important role of Receivers coach for this highly qualified head coaching candidate. So he's their Bob Dyce (no offense to Dyce, the Bombers have the best receiving core in the league, making him more qualified than Mike Kelly at present time). Oh and his brilliant NFL credentials? Ya, sure, he was a scout. 80 year Cal Murphy is a scout for Indianapolis Colts, so that's a credential. Mike Kelly is front and centre, not because he's the most qualified, but because he's Bauer's buddy. FUCK THAT.
Who should be the next head coach of the Bombers? Without 2 hours delay after the firing of Berry, they should have promoted Greg Marshall. This guy has run one of the best defenses in the CFL for the last 3 years. And lets be real, when he gets passed over for this job, and don't be fooled he already has been, will he stay? No, even if its to leave here for another Defensive Coordinators job, rest assured he WILL leave. And he should, for this is the biggest slap in the face this franchise has done since they went with Darryl Rogers in the 91 season over Defensive Coordinator Dave Ritchie. But they didn't and it sucks. The only bright spot maybe that Kelly might be able to lure Matt Dunnigan to town as Offensive Coordinator, and that would be nice.
A dark-horse candidate should have been Rick Worman, Offensive Coordinator for Edmonton. He was the Offensive genius for the Bombers who helped Khari Jones and Milt Stegall establish their dominance in 2001. He left after that season and was replaced by Paul LaPolice, who is another worthy candidate of consideration, having been effective in both Saskatchewan and Toronto since being scape-goated out of Winnipeg. So that's that about the Bombers. A bitter sweet week.
In the NHL, Brian Burke was relieved of his duties in Anaheim as General Manager and Vice President. Burke is my favorite pro sports personality. He tells it like it is, and he's been successful in every role he's had in the NHL (and don't dis his results in Vancouver, they were far better after he got there than before, and if he had a goalie, they would have been contenders).
I don't respect the process that Burke used to become a free agent this week. I wonder if Burke would have wavered forever and a day to sign a contract extension in Anaheim if the Toronto media (sorry David Bastl, good friend but you are one of them), had not made it clear that the GM's job in Toronto was Burke's at the end of the year. It was implicedly unstated by Cliff Fletcher staying on as Interim GM for an extra season that Brian Burke had an open invitation in Toronto. And I lose a smidgen of respect for "Burkey" for not being more loyal to the Ducks.
It was during the NHL work stoppage, that Burke was all too eager to grab the job in Duckland. After being passed over by other teams who didn't even consider Burke, he jumped at the Ducks GM job. After 4 years of him calling the Samuelli's "The Greatest Owners in sports", he really re payed their autonomy by giving them the selfish middle finger, and becoming a free agent.
So enjoy Toronto Brian Burke. Enjoy the pressure of having to win or Richard Pettie being a complete dickface. Remember last year when he was clearly interviewing candidates for John Ferguson Jr's job while stating publicly that JFJ was safe? Poor Fergie was screwed royally, though he was a horrible GM, he was disposed of in a dishonest fashion. The same happened to Paul Maurice this off season. Part of me would love to see Burke end up in Toronto failing with Ron Wilson (though he's getting over-achiever of the year so far) to teach him a bitter lesson. In the end I have far too much respect for him, and hope the best for him. Maybe the Blackhawks can get in the mix and pluck him out from Toronto, that would be a small bonus in this shitty situation.
Finally, Tampa Bay Lightning pulled the New York Islander-Neil Smith debacle all over again yesterday when firing Barry Melrose. He was only two games under 500, and had to go immediately?!? This ownership experiment in Tampa looks destined to fail. Karma's a bitch, and his name might well be Jay Feester, a man who most certainly didn't deserve to lose his job. Rick Tocchet has big shoes to fill in Tampa, and those shoes aren't Barry Melrose's but in fact John Torterella. Good luck. I am a fan of Tocchet.
Monday, November 10, 2008
CWF To Resume Status as a Travelling Road-show
One thing people know about me, I love to say "I WAS RIGHT!!!". And about 2 months ago I urged Andrew Shallcross, promoter of Winnipeg wrestling group Premier Championship Wrestling to rethink a working relationship with Ernie Todd, promoter of Winnipeg travelling wrestling group Canadian Wrestling Federation. I had many points, most notably, "What's the point?" "Ernie's a supreme asshole".
Last week Ernie made his long awaited, highly trumpeted return to running shows in Winnipeg, as the CWF Extreme Wrestling invaded Wiseguys on Campus, with booker Robby Royce in tow. I wonder if people remember me making a comment on "The Squared Circle" radio show back in August, where I suggested as a booker Royce was an "impotent old man" which was my way of saying he was a bit out of touch.
The fans who attended the show have spoken, and the show was labelled "not very good" (and I'm being far too kind). In fact, it seems other than 5 wrestlers, Team Impact (a sign Royce should stick to wrestling and not booking), Mentallo, JP Kaos and Nate Hardy the show was critically panned.
How does Promoter Ernie Todd respond, with an all-out internet assault against the paying customers calling them amongst other things drunken smart marks. Consider two things Ernie, you are running a show in a bar, it's a good thing if your fans drink because it impresses the venue. Second, if your fans are totally drunk it maybe a statement that they needed the booze to enjoy watching your product. If you're running a bar show, alcohol is a promoters friend.
Further impressing me, Ernie has now done something I've been always accused of, and that's pointing fingers in every other direction away from himself. Who could blame him, it's a brilliant strategy. He's publicly saying that he didn't even promote the show, that it was Robby Royce and Scotty Styles. Of course he waits until 48 hours after the show, in which he tried to say was "deemed a success" the next day, to say he wasn't the promoter, after he confirmed there was no positives to being the promoter of record. The next unaccountable action on Ernie's part is to suggest that his actions on the internet ripping on paying customers (he went as far as to ask fans not to come to the next show that they would be doing him a favor, that he doesn't need their $10 and in fact they should shove the money up their ass), were requested by fellow promoter Andrew Shallcross. Andrew maybe silly sometimes, but I can assure you that he would never suggest it's a good idea to legitimately rip on the fans who loyally buy his tickets.
To summarize, last weeks debacle, was in no way Ernie Todd's fault, but rather the fault of Robby Royce and Andrew Shallcross.
Oh and my personal favorite from the guy who constantly rips on me as a promoter who "doesn't pay his bills", Ernie neglected paying young wrestler Bobby Fox, because Bobby didn't help 53 year old Ernie lug Ernie's wrestling ring around the venue. I always love the suggestion "Kid, you gotta pay your dues." That came after booker Robby Royce sought after Bobby for weeks to be a Chris Jericho/Jerry Lynn character (those two are carbon copies in the gimmick department). Both Jericho and Lynn have impeccable reputations for helping out the staff with the ring before and after the show. Of course, I can't say I'm innocent, during AWE and WFX there were bills that the corporate entities didn't pay, so Ernie you're right I'm guilty and you've just proven to be a hypocrite. And doubling the hypocrisy is entering into a business relationship with a promoter who didn't pay two names. SO, that's why the phrase "Don't throw stones if you live in a glass house" was created.
Now, everybody will strongly urge Andrew to end the working relationship with Ernie immediately. Fans maybe can recall when Ernie was introduced as "The Man who Ran Mike Davidson out of PCW", well I can be introduced as "The Man Who Told Andrew Shallcross Ernie was an idiot". But listen to this great advice. Rather than fire Ernie Todd, and end the working relationship, I would urge Andrew to push Ernie to the moon, completely force feed him to the audience, give him 15 minute promo segments, make him a character who is trying his hardest to take over PCW. The fans will absolutely get on this guy as a heel, and at the appropriate time, Ernie bumps his ancient ass off for a top babyface, I suggest Adam Knight because his punches are proven to be safe and seemingly pulled, and the fans can actually get their $10 worth for this failed PCWF experiment. I might add, Andrew has not made a habit of listening to my advice, and may not be likely to start now. But there is money to be drawn off of Ernie Todd's ridiculous antics, and unfortunately it will never be on a CWF show. So someone should definitely capitalize.
This should be a lesson to the promoter who constantly needs to put himself over. If you need to shamelessly put yourself over, stick to writing a blog, like me. It's cheap and effective, and it generally pisses people off just the same. But what do I know, Danny Duggan and I are just two ribbers who rip peoples lives apart right? Sure...
What will really happen moving forward? Ernie will constantly talk about his 12 private functions, in remote communities. Those communities used to pay as much as $5000 for a live wrestling event, and now pay as low as $1800, not because of competing low bids, but because Ernie has a knack of taking 6 wrestlers on the road and putting over Mike Hammer as the heavyweight champion. Go figure, if Mike Hammer is the best wrestler on the show, the promotion is in trouble. So its a reflection of quality, why the guaranteed Private Function business is dieing, not other promoters, but again, the strategy of blame everyone else is proven to work.
Now if I could just prove I wasn't the Rokeby Ribber, I could once again say "I WAS RIGHT!!!".
Last week Ernie made his long awaited, highly trumpeted return to running shows in Winnipeg, as the CWF Extreme Wrestling invaded Wiseguys on Campus, with booker Robby Royce in tow. I wonder if people remember me making a comment on "The Squared Circle" radio show back in August, where I suggested as a booker Royce was an "impotent old man" which was my way of saying he was a bit out of touch.
The fans who attended the show have spoken, and the show was labelled "not very good" (and I'm being far too kind). In fact, it seems other than 5 wrestlers, Team Impact (a sign Royce should stick to wrestling and not booking), Mentallo, JP Kaos and Nate Hardy the show was critically panned.
How does Promoter Ernie Todd respond, with an all-out internet assault against the paying customers calling them amongst other things drunken smart marks. Consider two things Ernie, you are running a show in a bar, it's a good thing if your fans drink because it impresses the venue. Second, if your fans are totally drunk it maybe a statement that they needed the booze to enjoy watching your product. If you're running a bar show, alcohol is a promoters friend.
Further impressing me, Ernie has now done something I've been always accused of, and that's pointing fingers in every other direction away from himself. Who could blame him, it's a brilliant strategy. He's publicly saying that he didn't even promote the show, that it was Robby Royce and Scotty Styles. Of course he waits until 48 hours after the show, in which he tried to say was "deemed a success" the next day, to say he wasn't the promoter, after he confirmed there was no positives to being the promoter of record. The next unaccountable action on Ernie's part is to suggest that his actions on the internet ripping on paying customers (he went as far as to ask fans not to come to the next show that they would be doing him a favor, that he doesn't need their $10 and in fact they should shove the money up their ass), were requested by fellow promoter Andrew Shallcross. Andrew maybe silly sometimes, but I can assure you that he would never suggest it's a good idea to legitimately rip on the fans who loyally buy his tickets.
To summarize, last weeks debacle, was in no way Ernie Todd's fault, but rather the fault of Robby Royce and Andrew Shallcross.
Oh and my personal favorite from the guy who constantly rips on me as a promoter who "doesn't pay his bills", Ernie neglected paying young wrestler Bobby Fox, because Bobby didn't help 53 year old Ernie lug Ernie's wrestling ring around the venue. I always love the suggestion "Kid, you gotta pay your dues." That came after booker Robby Royce sought after Bobby for weeks to be a Chris Jericho/Jerry Lynn character (those two are carbon copies in the gimmick department). Both Jericho and Lynn have impeccable reputations for helping out the staff with the ring before and after the show. Of course, I can't say I'm innocent, during AWE and WFX there were bills that the corporate entities didn't pay, so Ernie you're right I'm guilty and you've just proven to be a hypocrite. And doubling the hypocrisy is entering into a business relationship with a promoter who didn't pay two names. SO, that's why the phrase "Don't throw stones if you live in a glass house" was created.
Now, everybody will strongly urge Andrew to end the working relationship with Ernie immediately. Fans maybe can recall when Ernie was introduced as "The Man who Ran Mike Davidson out of PCW", well I can be introduced as "The Man Who Told Andrew Shallcross Ernie was an idiot". But listen to this great advice. Rather than fire Ernie Todd, and end the working relationship, I would urge Andrew to push Ernie to the moon, completely force feed him to the audience, give him 15 minute promo segments, make him a character who is trying his hardest to take over PCW. The fans will absolutely get on this guy as a heel, and at the appropriate time, Ernie bumps his ancient ass off for a top babyface, I suggest Adam Knight because his punches are proven to be safe and seemingly pulled, and the fans can actually get their $10 worth for this failed PCWF experiment. I might add, Andrew has not made a habit of listening to my advice, and may not be likely to start now. But there is money to be drawn off of Ernie Todd's ridiculous antics, and unfortunately it will never be on a CWF show. So someone should definitely capitalize.
This should be a lesson to the promoter who constantly needs to put himself over. If you need to shamelessly put yourself over, stick to writing a blog, like me. It's cheap and effective, and it generally pisses people off just the same. But what do I know, Danny Duggan and I are just two ribbers who rip peoples lives apart right? Sure...
What will really happen moving forward? Ernie will constantly talk about his 12 private functions, in remote communities. Those communities used to pay as much as $5000 for a live wrestling event, and now pay as low as $1800, not because of competing low bids, but because Ernie has a knack of taking 6 wrestlers on the road and putting over Mike Hammer as the heavyweight champion. Go figure, if Mike Hammer is the best wrestler on the show, the promotion is in trouble. So its a reflection of quality, why the guaranteed Private Function business is dieing, not other promoters, but again, the strategy of blame everyone else is proven to work.
Now if I could just prove I wasn't the Rokeby Ribber, I could once again say "I WAS RIGHT!!!".
Sunday, November 2, 2008
A Serious Injury at a Wrestling Show
Last night at the Steeltown Pro Wrestling show in Selkirk, an all-around good guy Zack Mercury suffered what might go down as the worst injury at a wrestling show this province has ever seen. It will rank right up there with the November 1997 match, where Chad Ripley suffered a broken neck. Due to the gruesome details, this may be worse.
Zack Mercury was doing a highspot to the floor, and unfortunately, he ended up with a severely broken wrist, or hand (I haven't heard an update as of this morning, so I can't be precise about the injury). The injury was so bad that when Zack got back to the locker room there was blood, that apparently was coming from the hand, where skin had been broken. Kudos to Ike Idol for getting Zack to the ER very quickly after the injury.
This update came from Rob Stardom at the gathering after the show, but Zack had to be rushed to Winnipeg to get reconstructive surgery on his hand, within an hour of the show, which should tell you how serious the injury is. I fear that it will be at least a year before Zack will even think about wrestling a match, if ever, and that's a shame. More than worrying about Zack Mercury the wrestler right now, my thoughts and prayers go out to Darren the person, who will have a very difficult couple of months ahead of him.
Zack is one of the most passionate people about the business I've ever seen. Ask anyone who has debated the philosophies of wrestling with him, even if you didn't agree with him, he would stick to his opinion and argue til the bitter end, and that is reflective of his passion for this business. He always strives to keep in peek shape, and reflect the image professional wrestling should be. And I've always believed he's been a welcomed addition to any wrestling show I've ever promoted.
More than that, Darren, always proves to be a good person in this business. A prime example, takes me back to last March, when WFX Wrestling had a commitment to volunteer with the Manitoba Brain Injury Association to help bag groceries at Safeway on Saturday afternoons. It was a charitable engagement, which was to help WFX's image in the community. And I always believed Jon Cutler could be called with short notice, because he loves that kind of thing and does it so well. However, giving Jon incredibly short notice, he couldn't be available because of a work commitment. I reached Zack with 20 minutes notice, and asked if he could make it down, and like a professional, but more importantly, like the great person he is, he made it down, and was a huge hit with the MBIA, the Safeway shoppers and staff. And Shelley Melanson, lol. That's exactly the guy Zack is. If you're running a wrestling show, there is no shortage of help he can offer to make the show a success.
I know the next couple of months are going to be very difficult for Darren the person. And he might not even think about Zack Mercury the wrestling character which will tell you the severity of this situation. Because in so many ways Darren lives to perform as Zack. And I'm calling on the boys, to step up for one of their own. This is a guy who needs his fellow boys more today than ever before, and I for one, want to be one of those boys to have Darren's back.
I know Rob Stardom, TJ Bratt, and Bobby Jay will be the first three guys to step up for Darren, they are much closer to Darren than I've ever been. But I'm offering to help organize a benefit show for Darren, with the aforementioned people, I'd also extend the invitation to Angus, Andrew and Ernie to step up for the good of one of the boys and the business as a whole. And more importantly the boys, more than the promoters, to step up and get together and do something they can really be proud of. Anybody who knows Darren, knows he's the first guy who would be volunteering for this cause if he was the healthy one, and one of you got hurt badly in the ring, so I'm very much encouraging the boys to step up, outside of political lines that we constantly find the business affected by, and do something right.
Darren, my thoughts and prayers are with you, and I know your passion for the business won't let this injury get you down. I can't wait until you're back in the ring.
Zack Mercury was doing a highspot to the floor, and unfortunately, he ended up with a severely broken wrist, or hand (I haven't heard an update as of this morning, so I can't be precise about the injury). The injury was so bad that when Zack got back to the locker room there was blood, that apparently was coming from the hand, where skin had been broken. Kudos to Ike Idol for getting Zack to the ER very quickly after the injury.
This update came from Rob Stardom at the gathering after the show, but Zack had to be rushed to Winnipeg to get reconstructive surgery on his hand, within an hour of the show, which should tell you how serious the injury is. I fear that it will be at least a year before Zack will even think about wrestling a match, if ever, and that's a shame. More than worrying about Zack Mercury the wrestler right now, my thoughts and prayers go out to Darren the person, who will have a very difficult couple of months ahead of him.
Zack is one of the most passionate people about the business I've ever seen. Ask anyone who has debated the philosophies of wrestling with him, even if you didn't agree with him, he would stick to his opinion and argue til the bitter end, and that is reflective of his passion for this business. He always strives to keep in peek shape, and reflect the image professional wrestling should be. And I've always believed he's been a welcomed addition to any wrestling show I've ever promoted.
More than that, Darren, always proves to be a good person in this business. A prime example, takes me back to last March, when WFX Wrestling had a commitment to volunteer with the Manitoba Brain Injury Association to help bag groceries at Safeway on Saturday afternoons. It was a charitable engagement, which was to help WFX's image in the community. And I always believed Jon Cutler could be called with short notice, because he loves that kind of thing and does it so well. However, giving Jon incredibly short notice, he couldn't be available because of a work commitment. I reached Zack with 20 minutes notice, and asked if he could make it down, and like a professional, but more importantly, like the great person he is, he made it down, and was a huge hit with the MBIA, the Safeway shoppers and staff. And Shelley Melanson, lol. That's exactly the guy Zack is. If you're running a wrestling show, there is no shortage of help he can offer to make the show a success.
I know the next couple of months are going to be very difficult for Darren the person. And he might not even think about Zack Mercury the wrestling character which will tell you the severity of this situation. Because in so many ways Darren lives to perform as Zack. And I'm calling on the boys, to step up for one of their own. This is a guy who needs his fellow boys more today than ever before, and I for one, want to be one of those boys to have Darren's back.
I know Rob Stardom, TJ Bratt, and Bobby Jay will be the first three guys to step up for Darren, they are much closer to Darren than I've ever been. But I'm offering to help organize a benefit show for Darren, with the aforementioned people, I'd also extend the invitation to Angus, Andrew and Ernie to step up for the good of one of the boys and the business as a whole. And more importantly the boys, more than the promoters, to step up and get together and do something they can really be proud of. Anybody who knows Darren, knows he's the first guy who would be volunteering for this cause if he was the healthy one, and one of you got hurt badly in the ring, so I'm very much encouraging the boys to step up, outside of political lines that we constantly find the business affected by, and do something right.
Darren, my thoughts and prayers are with you, and I know your passion for the business won't let this injury get you down. I can't wait until you're back in the ring.
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