Odds and ends

Odds and Ends

-- Sources say that the Marx / Beau match scheduled for week 7 was actually thrown together at the last minute when Michaels' first opponent Lindsay Troy supposedly vetoed the match. Which prompted Michaels to fume 'Who the fuck does she think she is? Just because I get more men than her doesn't mean she can try to stomp around like some little Prissy Princess.

--LVW management is upset with Shorty not taping any promos this week. He's not expected to be booked for next week's show.

--Carmine Esposito is currently trying to work his way back into the good graces of LVW.

--The Sarge isn't happy about being booked against the Spoiler in A1E. He doesn't know what management's plans are for the match, but he is feels he'll lose momentum losing to a star like Spoiler. "And really what does beating a bum like me do for Spoiler?" Sarge was quoted according to a source for FWdirtsheet.

TEAM backstage notes

TEAM backstage notes


- Jess Chapel, owner and CEO of TEAM, and Tom Holzerman, his primary business partner and owner of Everyone's Wrestling Alliance, the original third national fed that folded in late 2005, have teamed up officially to create TEWAM Enterprises. TEWAM Enterprises will be the parent company for TEAM and for the EWA, which is currently scheduled to reopen in late March. The deal may provide an EWA squad for TEAM when the fed actually begins league play, which, at this point, is unknown.

- TEAM's preliminary deal with Extreme Sports Entertainment Networks will be just that, a preliminary deal. ESEN agreed to air the TEAM Invitational Tournament, both on the regular network in the form of match of the week selections and Epicenter recap shows and on their
Season Pass program, which provided guaranteed On Demand replays and viewings of all tournament matches. ESEN and TEAM have amicably decided not to renew the deal. Sources say Jess Chapel didn't want any brand confusion with New Frontier Wrestling, and he didn't want the chase for the Dupree Cup to interfere with or take a backseat to the chase for the ULTRATITLE. As for television, Alternative Sports Network and Chapel have been in discussions for a television deal. ASN, a national cable and satellite sports network that started in 2004 with a main focus on "extreme" sports, has also agreed to air the EWA's flagship Sunday Prime Time program. Sources say that television was the biggest factor in the formation of TEWAM Enterprises.

- Although their exchange seemed a bit testy, both Victor Molotov and Beast insist that their war of words this week was not indicative of any shooting and was just a display to appeal to 'Net fans.

- Management is not pleased with WildStar's showing pre-match with Mr. Entertainment, and have reportedly told him not to even make the flight to Portland for the quarterfinal card.

- Appearances for the last two cards at Madison Square Garden are rumored to include Kin Hiroshi, Frankie Scott and a special appearance by a former A1E "diva."

NEW backstage notes

NEW backstage notes

-- Attack of the Returning Stars? There have been reports coming from insiders at New ERA of Wrestling's parent company EC Enterprises that three stars from NEW's past are coming back into the fray. With recent sightings of Jared Wells and Chris McMillan around the Boston-based company's headquarters, it seems that they are two of the three. But who is the third? There have been rumblings about the third showing up at New ERA's RAUCOUS show in Boston, but we'll have to wait to see if it turns out to be true.

-- Also on the rumor front is the apparent signing of Legacy of Champions' star Turk. Internet smarks have been reporting that Turk has signed a short-term deal with the company.

-- It seems that NEW management were well aware of the consequences regarding former Champion Jean Rabesque had the Phantom Republican won the title, yet they did nothing to stop the change. It seems as if the company was welcoming the change of leadership as they begin a new chapter in their history.

-- The Masked Man's job in jeopardy? With the departure of Jean Rabesque, NEW management has been struggling to find a storyline for the Masked Man. This has prompted some to believe that the Masked Man may not be with the company much longer, although when reached for comment, NEW President Marcus LaRoque said "the Masked Man has a contract with New ERA and we intend to honor that contract until its fruition."

-- Jonathan Marx seems to be getting rewarded for his loyalty to the company for the past two years. Marx has been close to the World title for many months, including wrestling in the first BattleBRAWL pay per view under a mask as ANTAEUS, but has never received a singles match title shot. It would seem that with his escalating feud with the Phantom Republican that he is going to get that title shot at BattleBRAWL 2.

UCW Backstage notes

--Many competitors in the UCW locker room are said to be more than excited about the fact that IrishRed won the World Title, as he is well respected in the locker room for his time put into the industry and his work ethic. However FWdirtsheet had learned that BG Bruce is less then thrilled about it, he feels that his current heat would have been cemented by a World Title run and is irked that he was passed over for it.

-- Damon Blackburn’s ego has been another hot topic amongst most in the back. He has heat on him from his A1E angle, some in the locker room feel that having such an established league being put over in a league just trying to get going isn't going to help matters for UCW.

--Jonathan Marx’s professionalism has not gone unnoticed either. Managment is thrilled at his attitude and the respect he has with his peers. His current main event match is a reward for his quiet leadership in the locker room.

--Kin Hiroshi has seemed very standoffish after he found that Adam Benjamin was the man receiving all the hype as the New Face of UCW. Hiroshi was quoted as to say “once I take Benjamin’s television title in EPW, we’ll see who’s getting all the face time around here.”

--The First is said to have been thrilled with his PPV match with IrishRed. When reached by FWDirtsheet for comments, he said that he could work this week if he had to, but that he'd rather the spotlight be on the rest of the company for a show or two. A series of promos with The First's girlfriend Rozy have been filmed to hype The First's return, which The First says may be before or at the next PPV...

NFW backstage notes

--The backstage politics for the Doc/Marx ladder match were pretty intense. Before the 6 man tag Marx had apparently told management he'd ask for a ladder match if he got the win, but then felt that his character would look like a moron if he didn't ask for first blood, which clearly would be a huge weakness for Doc. Doc had been told it would be a ladder match ahead of time and felt blindsided by the change. At one point Doc was seriously lobbying to lose the title by stabbing himself with a pin, because 'my only goal in life is to maintain brutal heat with the Internet Smarks, and anything that makes it look like I'm trying to get out of doing a job is gold.' Finally cooler heads prevailed and the caged ladder match took place.

--Some in the locker room felt that the Kin Hiroshi/Doc Silver promo at the start of the show was foolish given that he was apparently stalking Doc as Doc went about his day to day affairs, yet didn't charge the ring and take the title from him after Doc barely defeated Marx in the ladder match.

--Lindsay Troy felt a bit perturbed that her match was basically talked over for the sake of Greenie and Shiro debating the merits of Japanese Porn. Troy felt that she and Payne put a good match on and that it didn't even get noticed by the broadcasters.

--Management decided to go with Yori Yakamo Jr. getting the title shot because they feel Dan Ryan is already over enough as is and he doesn't need a title shot or the belt to maintain his heat.

A1E backstage notes

--Irishred was accussed of Character assasination after shooting on Cyber Champ Andrew Gilkison all week. After many biting remarks that certainly hit way too close to home for many of the A1E bookers Irishred was chastised for his behavior. Our sources have learned that he just doesn't care what they think.

--Plan for Elim to just be handed the A1E Survivor belt made moot when he actually wins the match.The fallout from this is complete hell as the plan was for Slambo to win last week and then drop the title due to interferance from his "best friend" at the PPV. Needless to say thetwo HPSC members have raised a stink about this.

--Could the biggest mover and shaker behind the scenes in A1E be suffering from burnout?Recently a certain insect was heard saying "you guys do what you want...I'm in no mood to deal with any more controversy".

--With The Spoiler back in A1E will Hida Yakamo and Freakfish be far behind? What secrets are being shared between the three former MBE superstars.

--Is James Irish being held back? Those in the locker room of A1E who have talked to FWdirtsheet feel that Irish is easily the most entertaining and talented worker in the league. Why was Beast who holds no belt named the #1 contender over him?

CSWA backstage notes

-- Chad Merritt has been rumored to thinking of lifting the ban on Doc Silver. A FWdirtsheet reporter got in touch with Doc who replied "How merciful of him." when further asked if he's think about joining CSWA. Doc said "The next time I see Chad would have to be at tribal council."

-- Management is trying to piss off Dan Ryan by making him the 3rd ranked contender for the world title.

--Shane Southern has sent out feelers to see if he's still welcomed, but management is weary after he got hurt in an opposing fed.

--The idea of having a known commodiy parade around under a mask as one of Windhams protege's was considered, but thrown out by too many people in booker meetings. Thomas felt it was 'too' obvious.

LVW backstage notes

--Carmine Esposito's vanishing during the week leading up to this show has driven management up a wall. Javid Dones was heard screaming "He's ruining my elegant booking!" from behind closed doors during an all night planning session. Supposedly the entire World Title Tournament is being re-booked.

--A further note on this, somebody at the belt maker's work space said they saw the LVW World Title, and a 'Carmine Esposito' nameplate being made for it. LVW management would not return calls reguarding this issue.

--Hans stiffed the hell out of Living Dead to end their match. Hans has heat on him in the locker room for his sloppy, stiff style of work, but management sees him as a draw so most likely their complaints will fall on deaf ears.

--Web Browser on the other hand is re-earning the trust of the locker room. He's been working with James Donovan outside the ring to try to improve his in-ring skills. Donovan wanted to work a stiff styled match with Browser, figuring it would be what Browser does naturally. Browser thought the match was pretty good and is hopeful he'll be able to build on it.

--A mole in LVW management says that there will be a lot of new faces on the upcoming show, including a 'former world champion from a big time league'

First Shoot Interview

(Following is a transcript of an interview done by Dirt Sheet's own Fred Quib with UCW's World Champion The First.)

FQ: "Thanks for being here, you are, well, The First person to appear here on the dirt sheet."

TF: (laughs) "Yeah...I get shit like that a lot..."

FQ: "So, how did you get into this business...What's the whole idea behind 'The First'?"

TF: "Well, they are two totally different questions...I have always been a bit odd, but when I turned 15, I just decided I knew who I was, and well, screw the world if they wouldn't except me. all through high school I was called "The First" by my friends, only teachers and parents called me 'Brian'"

FQ: "Your legal name is Brian Nadalni, is that correct?"

TF: "Yes, it most likely will remain my legal name, changing your name is to much of a bitch for me to want to deal with that stuff, and if I tear up both my knees at the PPV with IrishRed, I don't want to spend the rest of my life looking for some desk job while interviewing as 'The First'

FQ: (Laughs) "So if your body betrayed you, you would sell out to the man, be 'Brian' and hump a desk job."

TF: "I'd have to do something, we all gotta get by, I'm just amazingly lucky that UCW has seen something in me and so have the fans."

FQ: "So, you are really as they say 'living the gimmick' or more to the point, you are who you present yourself."

TF: "Yes...I am The First...Clearly people will think I'm a wacko or a nut, but well, they don't know my life...Or my lives, they can kiss my ass."

FQ: "So, does this mean you believe in creationism?"

TF: "No...I know I never rode a dinosaur in any of my lives...The earth is far older then man, what I believe is that before Adam and Eve, man did not have a soul, and the soul is what makes us different then all other creatures...There is so much we don't understand about the human brain, and I really think of a lot of it stems from the fact that the soul is unknowable and is a large part of making us what we are."

FQ: "So...Well, we're getting a bit deep for me here, so how did you get into the business?"

TF: "I enjoyed watching wrestling all my life, so I really just got into a wrestling school in the boston area, trained hard, busted my ass, sent tapes of myself everywhere, and UCW called me in for a try out...At first I was gonna be comic relief, but they saw how hungry I was, how I was dead set on trying to carry this company on my shoulders...So I got a push...And now...I'm just floored...This is all so much more then I could ever have dreamed of..."

FQ: "Beating Dan Ryan in your 4th match for the UCW World Title is pretty heady stuff."

TF: "I know...It was really a 'holy shit' moment...I mean...Dan...He's just awesome, this isn't asskissing, and if it sounds like it is, I'm sorry but I'm just being honest...Dan Ryan is just a pure professional, he's been nothing but the best to me...A guy like him coulda thrown a fit, could have complained about losing to a nobody like me, but he went out there and he made me look like a million bucks, he's all class..."

FQ: "And the other man in that match, and your opponent for the PPV, IrishRed..."

TF: "I know this sucks...I know you're killing for me to bury somebody, but I really can't, again, Red's been just awesome to me...Again, a total pro, the whole locker room (Pause...Trying to think) I mean...It's just stunning how good everyone's been, any of them, from Marx to Mindkiller, to Red to Ryan, they coulda bitched or thrown a fit, they could have stiffed me in the ring...Well, Red does that now and again, but that's just Red (laughs) but like...Honestly, this company has treated me so well and I have nothing but respect for the locker room...

FQ: "Well it's refreshing to hear that from somebody, and management?"

TF: "Again, been nothing but great to me...Again, I'm a nobody, a joke, some kid with to many colors in his hair and to much drama about his life...And they spare no expence to hire actors for my past life promos...They put the belt on me...I love this company...I'd have to be a total fucking ingrate not to..."

FQ: "What was the deal with the Big Gay Bruce feud?"

TF: "Oh fuck, I forgot to mention him...Bruce...I love ya man, I mean that...He's just awesome also...I got booked into the match...It's funny I read on the net that the match between me and Bruce was 'heatless' when Bruce was trying to cause all kinds of heat...It sucked, I hated that like, in character...Bruce and First are enemies now...But he wanted to get heat between us to sell the match...And I accept that...I gotta be me and he's gotta be himself, it's something I'd love for the two characters to work out down the road, but like...Man, he pissed me off in those promos...It was like just like "Dude...No, I wanna be your bro" and shit...But that's him he's just really amazing on the mic like that, if a gay guy can piss me off, he's gotta be doing something right."

FQ: "What's your future?"

TF: "I'm a fatalist, so my future is what it is...I dunno the future any more then anyone else, but hopefully UCW will stay open and I'll be here for the whole time...Hopefully I don't blow out my knees and back and I make enough money that I can be comfortable by the time I'm 35 or 40 to retire."

FQ: "What's the deal with Rozy, is she a UCW employee, real girlfriend?"

TF: "She's my real girlfriend, we've been dating for a year... she's been cool about this whole thing...I gotta keep her from dying her hair red, she said she wants to look like Shirley Manson...I keep telling her she's got much rack to do that...(laughs) but anyhow that prick Doc [Silver] has that shit cornered, so I tell her to keep the hair black...But I don't like her being around the ring, she's not trained for this shit, and she's got a horrible self image problem, 20 guys could be begging for her to show her tits to the crowd, and one guy calls her ugly and she spends the next 3 days brooding over how disgusting she is."

FQ: "Bad case of the rabbit ears."

TF: "Yes exactly...Mebbe we'll get a photo shoot of her some day for the league."

FQ: "I'm sure the fans wouldn't mind that...Well thank you for your time."

TF: "Thanks for having me..."