Before I get to the good stuff, it's official, as of Monday, March 1st, 2009, I have returned to the world of Promoting Wrestling. It was a very easy decision for me, one that I had the opportunity to explore in Fall of 2008, but chose to wait until such a time that everything seemed right. My very close friend Shelley Ostrove was very instrumental in convincing me the time was right, and with his promoting experience in the fold, I felt the timing was completely right.
In conjunction with the announcement, I sat down and allowed myself to be interviewed by good friend (Sportscaster's name withheld due to contractual obligations with his employer). Here is a transcript of the interview:
Sportscaster: A very exciting time for you I'm sure, not only announcing you're returning to your Pro Wrestling roots as a promoter, but also re-inventing a brand that you've said numerous times you were very proud of, with The New AWE. Talk about what it's been like.
Mike Davidson: It was the easiest decision in the world to do this, and even easier to attempt to recreate the success that the original AWE had. Action Wrestling Entertainment of 2005 was able to secure Pay Per View Broadcasting clearance throughout Canada, and was one of the first Television contracts granted by The Fight Network. Action Wrestling Experience of 2009, can only hope to achieve success like that. So many times fans would bring up AWE and say they miss it, so now I am really excited to be bringing a reincarnated version of the brand back to life. It's a hugely exciting time for me.
SC: How can fans expect The New AWE to be different from either AWE of past or WFX Wrestling where you were an intricate part of it's operations?
MD: The New AWE will not be allowed to attempt some of the things AWE of the past did. In 2005, the original vision for AWE called for 6 PPV tapings bi-monthly to be cut into 12 PPV specials aired in Canada. But as we quickly found out, it grew like a wild fire, faster than as a company we were prepared for. As a result, we had a TV contract to produce weekly Television for The Fight Network, which is a great endorsement to our early success. But we were reactive and thought hiring more staff, and investing more in production and talent would lead us to the "BIG TIME", unfortunately it had negative effects, and killed the viability of the company. WFX is not something I'm really prepared to comment on because I believe it will still exist at some point in the not-so-distant future. Perhaps I will still be retained as a consultant, that hasn't been defined, but I do know that there is plan by the owner of WFX to produce events.
SC: Speak to the potential of competition if WFX say, is to continue running. How about even locally in the Winnipeg marketplace with Canadian Wrestling's Elite running successful monthly events, and even PCW a company you helped to create in 2002 running regularly. How will The New AWE compete?
MD: The owner of WFX remains a very good friend of mine, and has been very direct in his intent to not run in the same marketplace as AWE. Absolutely no competition whatsoever, we are extremely helpful to one another. I'm very proud of CWE, and don't consider them competition in the least. I respect their approach to business, and think that the marketplace will support both brands. If I can speak honestly about PCW, they will continue to do what they do. They can label The New AWE as competition, I'm sure there will be some concern on the part of their owner as to AWE's affect on the marketplace. The fans will support the brand which runs the best shows. Some fans will support all the shows too, and that's excellent.
SC: Mike you've always had a knack of finding the best "free agent" big name talent and getting them to come perform on your shows. What can the fans expect?
MD: More of the same. Definitely. I have some big plans of what some dream matches or appearances would be, and I intend to do it. I've already been working the phones, and there are some obvious guys who have been associated with my past events who will be brought back.
SC: Billy Gunn, Buff Bagwell and Rikishi...
MD: Oh quite likely. I'm happy to call all three friends of mine, and each one of them have been pivotal to the successes I have enjoyed.
SC: What will your core talent be?
MD: My regular talent will be guys that I would were instrumental in the AWE of 2005 success, but that we shy'd away from in WFX. Everybody has a chance in The New AWE, and I'm hoping with that belief in talent, they will produce the best results for the company.
SC: Adam Knight was apart of both AWE and WFX in the past. There is the obvious story where he punched you in a nightclub. Will he be invited to The New AWE?
MD: (Chuckling) I believe we will see Adam Knight in an AWE ring sooner than most think. Obviously there is a bridge to be mended there, but I'm most definitely not worried about it.
SC: Any parting shots before we conclude?
MD: In the coming month or so, I would expect updates on an almost daily basis. This is a very exciting, yet demanding time for this company, and I'm going to do everything humanly possible to ensure the success of this vision. PCW owner Andrew Shallcross has stated that I'm a failure, and that AWE and WFX were failures. So I've got a whole lot to prove and that's the way I like it. I don't take anything in this business personally, I have a very thick skin, but I have only one focus at this point in time. And that's entertaining fans so they dedicate themselves to the AWE brand.
SC: Lastly, when is the first show?
MD: Expect a formal announcement Monday, but the first show is the middle of April!
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
6 and 1/2 weeks without a blog! Damn it
I let time go. I didn't even notice that I had not wrote a blog. And that is completely uncharacteristic for me. Usually, especially in the volatile world of local pro wrestling, I like to stir something up, endorse something, bitch about something, or just say something to be heard. And then there is the world of sports, and Bomberland where so much has happened and yet, I've had so little to say. And Country Music, and ratings sweeps for General Hospital my favorite soap. And still... Nothing.
Well I wasn't ill, depressed or muzzled (as one egotistical local promoter suggested). And unlike that fellow, I am not too lazy to write a blog. Or a piece of shit as he calls everyone. And this blog is not an effort to stir it up even. Just touching base with the world.
I'm amazed at how many people suggest that my greatest efforts in wrestling were a failure. But I've covered that in other blogs. Let me say, I hope every single promoter one day gets to tackle the stress of producing a Pay Per View or secure a TV contract. I hope every promoter manages to secure nearly $10,000 in sponsors. If I wanted to run one venue for 5 years or more, and draw 80 people on my best night, and run with a crew shrinking by the day, I could have certainly survived 100 years promoting. Consider that I also would not have done any ring maintenance whatsoever, and no advertising or promoting, and never would I have booked a name. Just ran a local wrestling show, 5 matches, bad finishes, shitty angles, and no growth. I would have felt like the worlds biggest failure having done that. On the flip side, I made some of the greatest contacts ever, want me to book you a name? I'll get you the best rate on PO, an almost certain yes, never will I deal with a no-show, and for the most part I usually get the name's best performance. Unless your name is Rikishi, LOL. So looking back, I guess "surviving" seven years with a crew that with very few exceptions doesn't hold a whole lot of respect for me is the opposite of failing, I will wear my failure proudly.
Speaking of failing, Danny Duggan asked me to stop being involved with CWE. I no-showed his show last Friday night with short notice due to business commitments, and that was the reason for this. I wish him luck and offer my apology.
I think the Bombers are on pace, judging solely on their off season moves to be a 6-12 team. Our defence doesn't look near as good as last year, our Offensive line is so-so, and we have one hell of a quarterback dilemma. I think we should invite Casey Printers to camp, he could be an upgrade.
Bryan Murray, the GM of the Ottawa Senators is a complete buffoon. I believe Mike Comrie is a decent NHL forward capable of 20-30 goals annually. And Chris Campoli can move the puck from the defensive end. But a First Round Draft pick? Come on... That's almost certain to be a top 8 pick, and maybe even a top 5 pick. Well Bryan, nice knowing you. Hopefully for Sens fans, the Bob Nicholson/Pat Quinn Gm-Coach rumours ring true this summer.
Well I wasn't ill, depressed or muzzled (as one egotistical local promoter suggested). And unlike that fellow, I am not too lazy to write a blog. Or a piece of shit as he calls everyone. And this blog is not an effort to stir it up even. Just touching base with the world.
I'm amazed at how many people suggest that my greatest efforts in wrestling were a failure. But I've covered that in other blogs. Let me say, I hope every single promoter one day gets to tackle the stress of producing a Pay Per View or secure a TV contract. I hope every promoter manages to secure nearly $10,000 in sponsors. If I wanted to run one venue for 5 years or more, and draw 80 people on my best night, and run with a crew shrinking by the day, I could have certainly survived 100 years promoting. Consider that I also would not have done any ring maintenance whatsoever, and no advertising or promoting, and never would I have booked a name. Just ran a local wrestling show, 5 matches, bad finishes, shitty angles, and no growth. I would have felt like the worlds biggest failure having done that. On the flip side, I made some of the greatest contacts ever, want me to book you a name? I'll get you the best rate on PO, an almost certain yes, never will I deal with a no-show, and for the most part I usually get the name's best performance. Unless your name is Rikishi, LOL. So looking back, I guess "surviving" seven years with a crew that with very few exceptions doesn't hold a whole lot of respect for me is the opposite of failing, I will wear my failure proudly.
Speaking of failing, Danny Duggan asked me to stop being involved with CWE. I no-showed his show last Friday night with short notice due to business commitments, and that was the reason for this. I wish him luck and offer my apology.
I think the Bombers are on pace, judging solely on their off season moves to be a 6-12 team. Our defence doesn't look near as good as last year, our Offensive line is so-so, and we have one hell of a quarterback dilemma. I think we should invite Casey Printers to camp, he could be an upgrade.
Bryan Murray, the GM of the Ottawa Senators is a complete buffoon. I believe Mike Comrie is a decent NHL forward capable of 20-30 goals annually. And Chris Campoli can move the puck from the defensive end. But a First Round Draft pick? Come on... That's almost certain to be a top 8 pick, and maybe even a top 5 pick. Well Bryan, nice knowing you. Hopefully for Sens fans, the Bob Nicholson/Pat Quinn Gm-Coach rumours ring true this summer.
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