Wrestling News August 1, 2005
Vince Russo finally announces his latest venture: Ring of Glory. What is Ring of Glory, you ask? Russo: ”“Ring of Glory” is using the “art” form of wrestling to bring people to Jesus Christ. It’s some of the greatest athletes in the world just going out in the ring and performing—doing what they do best--with all the glory going to God. It’s all about God. Without him none of us would have the gifts that we have. The problem is that we live our lives using those gifts to our benefit . . . not God’s. From there its wrestling meets Broadway meets the Gospel. Through God I translate the Bible into 2005—putting it out there in a format that is easy for everyone to understand and relate to. The message is clear—the characters are clear—and at the end with have an altar call where we steer the lost to God.”
Among those already a part of the fed are Jim Mitchell (the Sinister Minister in ECW), AJ Styles, “Prime Time” Elix Skipper, Chris Harris (of AMW), Abyss, Jimmy Rave, “Above Average” Mike Sanders, Glenn Gilbertti (Disco Inferno), Kim “Desire” Nielsen, Sonny Siaki, Tracy Brooks, Andrew Mincey and Alan Funk. The production team includes TNA’s David Sahidi and Jeremy Borash and the announcers will be Tony Schiavone and Scott Hudson.
SD: Christianity within the form of professional wrestling has a spotty history at best in my opinion. That isn’t to say that a venture like this couldn’t work, because I believe it absolutely could, but there is a very narrow line for them to toe. It’ll be rough to get their message across without having the empty, turning-off feeling that a Christian rock festival has for non-believers. I’m intrigued anyway.
Russo also goes into detail with his side of the infamous Hulk Hogan Bash at the Beach “shoot” that you can read here. I don’t have much to say on this because I doubt the legitimacy of this write-up which stems from it being a very one-sided story about how a real lawsuit came about. There are many discrepancies in the story as well including how Hogan’s contract and payment.
Over the weekend Tough Enough 3 winner and WWE developmental worker Matt Cappotelli broke his leg. This write-up is via Rich Jones from The Pain Clinic. I learned that Matt Cappotelli did not have to have an MRI this morning for his broken fibula. According to his mom Martha,
"The orthopedic Dr. said he didn't need an MRI as he could tell via xray and exam that the bones were lined up the way they should be and there was no ligament/tendon damage. He needs to keep weight off it for 2 weeks, and will probably be out of action for 6-8 weeks. I guess that's the best we could hope for!"
SD: This is a shame. This makes, I think, the third time Matt was about to be called to the main roster and he suffered an injury. I saw him in a dark match last Monday and he looked very crisp. Here’s hoping he recovers soon and can take his spot on the main roster.
WWE developmental territory Deep South Wrestling set to open soon according to PWInsider. DSW is looking at the third or fourth Thursday of August to hold their first TV taping, so they are close to their "official" grand opening. The Deep South facility, said to be smaller than OVW's Davis Arena, is located in a strip mall in McDonough, Georgia.
The promotion doesn't have any TV timeslots lined up yet, although Bill Behrens will be handling that aspect.
Among those currently training down in Deep South are the Shane Twins and Million Dollar Tough Enough runner-up Mike Mizanin.
SD: Good news for the industry hopefully. It makes me wonder how large they will allow these territories to get. Unless they want to stifle DSW and OVW from being as successful at training these workers as they can then the WWE needs to allow them the opportunity to actually use their regions as best as possible. This includes traveling, work at other venues, etc. Let these guys become stars in their region so that they’ll have more than just a 1 city following.
IWA-Mid South had a bit of a shake-up over the weekend as one wrestler was pulled for a few shows and others quit the company. Announcer Dave Prazak wrote: “Just got back from the IWA Mid-South show in Plymouth, IN... which was my last. Due to the unfair treatment and subsequent termination of BJ Whitmer on Friday night in Herrin, in combination with money issues and the general direction of things, I, along with Danny Daniels, Brad Bradley, and Kevin Harvey all elected to leave the promotion. It's just not a place we're comfortable working anymore, and I'm sad things have gotten this way.”
Says promoter Ian Rotton: Friday night when I called to check in on the show, I was made aware of a sitatution in which BJ Whitmer refused to do what was asked of him because of his current position with another company. And because of this, I had to set an example that the wrestlers don't run the show and pulled BJ Whitmer off of 3 upcoming shows he had with IWA. This was an action I had to take, to maintain my authority. When I spoke to BJ, he said he felt he was doing what he had to do and he understood I was doing what I had to do. The door is open for BJ to return to IWA sometime in the future if we agree on it. As far as the other 3 who have left the company, they certainly were not treated like "greenhorns" , they were treated the best they could be. And if they can't understand that, during these tough times, then I wish them the best of luck wherever they can go to be treated better. I do the best I can with what I have , and that is all there is to it. I did what I had to do to protect IWA and that is what I will always do.
SD: Does anybody know what is going on here? IWA-MS is one of the larger indie feds out there right now so it’s a shame to see these things going on.
Among those already a part of the fed are Jim Mitchell (the Sinister Minister in ECW), AJ Styles, “Prime Time” Elix Skipper, Chris Harris (of AMW), Abyss, Jimmy Rave, “Above Average” Mike Sanders, Glenn Gilbertti (Disco Inferno), Kim “Desire” Nielsen, Sonny Siaki, Tracy Brooks, Andrew Mincey and Alan Funk. The production team includes TNA’s David Sahidi and Jeremy Borash and the announcers will be Tony Schiavone and Scott Hudson.
SD: Christianity within the form of professional wrestling has a spotty history at best in my opinion. That isn’t to say that a venture like this couldn’t work, because I believe it absolutely could, but there is a very narrow line for them to toe. It’ll be rough to get their message across without having the empty, turning-off feeling that a Christian rock festival has for non-believers. I’m intrigued anyway.
Russo also goes into detail with his side of the infamous Hulk Hogan Bash at the Beach “shoot” that you can read here. I don’t have much to say on this because I doubt the legitimacy of this write-up which stems from it being a very one-sided story about how a real lawsuit came about. There are many discrepancies in the story as well including how Hogan’s contract and payment.
Over the weekend Tough Enough 3 winner and WWE developmental worker Matt Cappotelli broke his leg. This write-up is via Rich Jones from The Pain Clinic. I learned that Matt Cappotelli did not have to have an MRI this morning for his broken fibula. According to his mom Martha,
"The orthopedic Dr. said he didn't need an MRI as he could tell via xray and exam that the bones were lined up the way they should be and there was no ligament/tendon damage. He needs to keep weight off it for 2 weeks, and will probably be out of action for 6-8 weeks. I guess that's the best we could hope for!"
SD: This is a shame. This makes, I think, the third time Matt was about to be called to the main roster and he suffered an injury. I saw him in a dark match last Monday and he looked very crisp. Here’s hoping he recovers soon and can take his spot on the main roster.
WWE developmental territory Deep South Wrestling set to open soon according to PWInsider. DSW is looking at the third or fourth Thursday of August to hold their first TV taping, so they are close to their "official" grand opening. The Deep South facility, said to be smaller than OVW's Davis Arena, is located in a strip mall in McDonough, Georgia.
The promotion doesn't have any TV timeslots lined up yet, although Bill Behrens will be handling that aspect.
Among those currently training down in Deep South are the Shane Twins and Million Dollar Tough Enough runner-up Mike Mizanin.
SD: Good news for the industry hopefully. It makes me wonder how large they will allow these territories to get. Unless they want to stifle DSW and OVW from being as successful at training these workers as they can then the WWE needs to allow them the opportunity to actually use their regions as best as possible. This includes traveling, work at other venues, etc. Let these guys become stars in their region so that they’ll have more than just a 1 city following.
IWA-Mid South had a bit of a shake-up over the weekend as one wrestler was pulled for a few shows and others quit the company. Announcer Dave Prazak wrote: “Just got back from the IWA Mid-South show in Plymouth, IN... which was my last. Due to the unfair treatment and subsequent termination of BJ Whitmer on Friday night in Herrin, in combination with money issues and the general direction of things, I, along with Danny Daniels, Brad Bradley, and Kevin Harvey all elected to leave the promotion. It's just not a place we're comfortable working anymore, and I'm sad things have gotten this way.”
Says promoter Ian Rotton: Friday night when I called to check in on the show, I was made aware of a sitatution in which BJ Whitmer refused to do what was asked of him because of his current position with another company. And because of this, I had to set an example that the wrestlers don't run the show and pulled BJ Whitmer off of 3 upcoming shows he had with IWA. This was an action I had to take, to maintain my authority. When I spoke to BJ, he said he felt he was doing what he had to do and he understood I was doing what I had to do. The door is open for BJ to return to IWA sometime in the future if we agree on it. As far as the other 3 who have left the company, they certainly were not treated like "greenhorns" , they were treated the best they could be. And if they can't understand that, during these tough times, then I wish them the best of luck wherever they can go to be treated better. I do the best I can with what I have , and that is all there is to it. I did what I had to do to protect IWA and that is what I will always do.
SD: Does anybody know what is going on here? IWA-MS is one of the larger indie feds out there right now so it’s a shame to see these things going on.
posted by Stefan at 5:13 PM
3 Comments:
Russo's thing sounds a lot like what Ted DiBiase was doing with Sting a few years back.
Vince Russo's bible bashing fed? confusing to say the least...
Here are a couple of pics of the WWE Territory's Deep South Heavyweight Title Belt:
http://davemillicanbelts.com/deepsouth.htm
It's pretty cool, modelded after the NWA Western States Heritage title belt.
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