Here's another commentary from WPW's own Medical Misfit of Malpractice - THE DOCTOR! 5/27/03
Hey, hello, how are ya? The Doctor's pulling a late-nighter once again and it's been much too long since I left a message for the fans of World Professional Wrestling. There has been renewed interest in our promotion thanks to our recent shows and the coverage given by Jason and our friends at West Virginia Wrestling (www.wvwrestling.com) If you haven't checked them out, please do so. They cover almost all of the WV independents and do a great job. You might also find video footage from one of our shows there.
As I type this column I think that for the most part, things are right in the wrestling world, but some things have changed for sure. For me, I am happiest when Psycho has the WPW Heavyweight Title (and he does!) and when Ric Flair is the World Heavyweight Champion. Flair hasn't held the World Title for a while but recently the WWE has given him more respect than usual. He is wrestling and winning a bit more often. He even had a WWE Heavyweight Title match against HHH recently that was a pretty good match and proved to be a ratings winner. Of course, it's not likely that Vince's soon-to-be son-in-law will be giving up the title to the Nature Boy, but I will never tire of seeing Flair with the gold. If that means a return to the NWA-TNA just to put it back around him, then so be it. I'll pay my hard-earned bucks for that PPV anytime.
It's good to see Stone Cold back on TV as well, even as the match-maker for WWE. With Goldberg's entrance to the company, you would think they would build to a main event match between the two but so far it hasn't happened. I thought Goldberg was much bigger in size than Stone Cold but they really aren't that far apart. The WWE has quite a few workers now and some of the best talent from the past few years are there. Shawn Michaels, Kevin Nash, Golddust, Scott Steiner, even Hulk Hogan and Rowdy Roddy Piper have returned. Makes you wonder about those that are missing: Scott Hall and Sixx-Pac, Road-Dogg and Billy Gunn would complete the old X-Factor group.
Some are missing because they are in the NWA-TNA. I don't get to watch this federation but I read the reports. If you leave the WWE, chances are you end up here. Jeff Jarrett, Raven, Sandman, D'lo Brown, New Jack, Brian Lee, and many of the up & coming indy stars work for this company. Since I don't have an illegal card for my satellite and I won't pony up for their weekly pay-per-views, I guess I have missed out on all the fuss. Still, it has been tempting, knowing that Dusty has brought back several of my old favorites - Nikita Kolloff, Big Van Vader... you never know when Sting will be back as well.
Others are missing and will never get the chance to come back. Recently the four year anniversary of Owen Hart's death came and went. The RAW that was on the night after his death is still one of the most emotional programs I have ever seen. Davey Boy Smith's anniversary of departure was just a couple days before Owen's. And we have lost many others.
Mr. Perfect Curt Hennig and Miss Elizabeth (who choked to death while Lex Luger watched - couldn't he have heimliched her or put her in the torture rack or something?) are the two most recent. But since 1983, here are some of the others: Terry "Bam Bam" Gordy, longtime member of the Fabulous Freebirds. Chief Wahoo McDaniels, Gentleman Chris Adams, The Sheik, Mr. Wrestling Tim Woods, Billy Joe Travis, Rocco Rock, Big Dick Dudley, Randy "Pee Wee" Anderson, Lou Thesz, Nelson Royal, Mighty Igor, Maniac Mike Davis, Yokozuna, Bobby Duncum Jr., Gorilla Monsoon, Jumbo Tsuruta, Brian Hildebrand/Mark Curtis, Rick Rude, Renegade, Junkyard Dog, Louie Spicolli, Skyy Low Low, Little Beaver, Giant Baba, Bulldog Bob Brown, Dr. Bill Miller, Bobo Brazil, Bulldog Brower, Brian Pilman, Jeep Swenson, The Von Erichs - Fritz, David, Mike, Kerry and Chris, Dick Murdoch, Ray "The Crippler' Stevens, Big John Studd, Eddie Gilbert, Jerry Blackwell, Boris Malenko, Art Barr, Eddie Creatchman, Larry Cameron, Rufus R. "Freight-train" Jones, Dino Bravo, Andre the Giant, Uncle Elmer, The Original "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers, "Mad Dog" Buzz Sawyer, Dick the Bruiser, Gene Anderson, Haystacks Calhoun, Bad Bad Leroy Brown & Ray Candy of the "Zambuie Express", Bruiser Brody, Adrian Adonis, Gino Henandez, Rick McGraw, Jay Youngblood, The Grand Wizard, Gordon Solie. There are many others but over the years I had the privilege and pleasure of watching everyone of these wrestlers. Ask Danny Ray or Dave Allen or even Psycho what it meant to be watching these guys back in the day.
Then there are the guys that we have worked with - "The Spoiler" Bud Adams, "The Scufflin' Hillbilly" Larry Bowen, Sonny Boy and G-Man George. Those are the hardest ones to get over. I will never forget them.
Back in 1983, I used to watch the old AWA shows on FOX Channel 23 (now Fox 11) back when Curt Hennig and "Magnum" Scott Hall were tag team champions. There were several of my old college buddies sitting around the TV waiting for the NWA's World Wide Wrestling to come on. Bill Stone, Jeff Kincaid, Charlie Connors, Dave McNeely, even Bruce Ripley would come by the old apartment on West 5th Street in Huntington to watch the show. It didn't come on until 11:30 pm on Sunday night and we all had classes the next day, but it didn't seem to matter. We needed our Four Horseman fix. We loved to watch Boogie Man and Pistol Pez get it on. We were such fans that we nick-named each other with names from the jobbers: Ron Rossi, Vernon and Joel Deaton, George South, Italian Stallion, Matt and Jim Jeffers... There were times when we cleared the room of furniture and had our own matches (backyard wrestling hadn't been invented yet!)
The interviews then were really special. Not only did you get the ones on the national shows, but they would cut special interviews to be inserted for the upcoming shows in our area. So you'd here Dusty talking about coming to the Charleston Civic Center, the Huntington Fieldhouse or the Raleigh County National Guard Armory. Jimmy Valliant would talk about his Granny that lived up in the hills in WV. Pez Whatley called the coal miners "groundhogs." Of course, you got those special moments like when Robert Gibson of the Rock & Roll Express said "and after we finish in Charleston, we're gonna go out on the beach and celebrate!" Well, he was never that smart, you know.
I sit here tonight under the watchful gaze of my signed official Ric Flair limited edition commorative photo from when he won his 11th World Heavyweight Championship defeating Big Van Vader (and getting his two front teeth knocked out in the process!) If you have never been to my house and visited my memorabilia room, well, you don't know what you've missed. I have old posters, pictures, trophies, plaques and more. My posters start from when Psycho and I were on the undercard, usually as the openers or curtain-jerkers as they say. They go on to the times when we became main eventers. I love to look back at them and see some of those old familiar names and the matches listed. Adorable Danny Ray vs Excalibur... Psycho vs Rock-N-Roller Tommy Gibson... Wild Thing Jamie Howard vs Red Scorpion... The Cuban Assassins vs Pollock Steve Podunavac and Mountain Rocker Danny Cooley... Buddha vs Sir Luke Hans... "Panic in the Park"... "Apple Butter Mayhem"... "Helloween"... I even miss the old Madison Civic Center from time to time (not to mention Ray Smoot, may he rest in peace.)
Yes, times change but wrestling seems to go on. They say that it gets in your blood. Or maybe it's like that line from the Godfather: "Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in!" Many say that wrestling runs in cycles. There are times when it's hot and then it dies down again. Big in the late 1980's, cool in the early 1990's. Big again in the late 1990's and early 2000-2001. Now it seems to be cooling again. That might have something to do with a lack of competition for the WWE. We'll see how NWA-TNA does. But if they don't get a weekly show on free TV then I don't see them competing for very long.
Independent wrestling still seems to do well, though. I have always said that wrestling is the draw, not the name on the marquee. Our shows still draw well and there are many new workers around - Superstar Shane Mathews, Chance Prophet, Eric Darkstorm, Spyder Crowley, the Gemini Twins and many others. Plus your old favorites are still around including Psycho, Adorable Danny Ray, DareDevil, Big Daddy Gordy... even Excalibur! And rumor has it that the Cuban Assassin wants to get back in the ring! So take my advice and get to a local independent wrestling show when it comes to your area, especially if it's WPW. Our motto at World Professional Wrestling remains the same: "The Fans Are The Reason!" Until next time, this is The Doctor, not saying goodbye but only good night (or good morning as the case may be!) Yawn...
8/14/02
Just when you thought that WPW was through, finished, stick a fork in them 'cause they're done... well, think again because here they come back for more! That's right! World Professional Wrestling remains the best of the independents on the West Virginia Wrestling scene. When we run, everybody wants some.
So it's no surprise that as fall comes in, schools reopen and the time for local annual festivals return that WPW gets the call! Why? BECAUSE WE BRING THE CROWDS!!! When you schedule a WPW show, you are guaranteeing the success of your event. If you want to bring attention to your business, book WPW!!! Don't believe me? Ask Buffalo Shopwise, Chapmanville TV, Black's Foodland, Logan Quick Stop and Deli... and soon, you can ask Mike Anderson at Furniture World. You will get the same answer: WPW BRINGS THE CROWDS!!!
Still not convinced? Ask Gena Beckwith at the West Virginia Harvest Festival. 2002 will mark the 3rd appearance for WPW at this classic event. When folks look back at the events held in Logan in 2002, they will say the crowds came to the Harvest Festival. WPW was missing from another event in Logan... AND IT SHOWED!!! Blame the organizers for the lack of foresite and prejudice against wrestling, but the question on everybody's mind at Logan's 150th celebration was "Where is WPW?" Well, we'll show them and everybody else that WPW is the draw. Not even Doug Stone at the Coalfeild Jamboree can compete against us on September 14th. The crowds will be at the Harvest Festival!
Still just can't believe it? Ask the Chapmanville Kiwanis club. They sponsor the Apple Butter Festival and when they want a crowd, they know who to call: WPW!!! Last year's crowd was phenomenal. This year's will be even bigger. Why? BECAUSE YOU CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF WPW!!! THE FANS WANT MORE!!!
Finally, a note for all you miz-arks that love to brag about who you are and how good you are in this business. Well, if you are so good, ask yourself why your phone isn't ringing. Ask why WV's best promotion hasn't called you. WPW IS WHERE IT'S AT!!! And if you're not here, there's a good reason why. Luh-oooooo-sers!!!!! 12/8/01
Well, here it is December and I haven't got into the Christmas spirit yet! No tree or lights, and don't even ask me about presents! Bah Humbug! Actually, tho, It hasn't been cold enough to think about Christmas. But I know what will get me in a good mood - watching Psycho win the WPW World Heavyweight title once again. I have just found out that Psycho has been booked in a main event match in downtown Logan on December 15th! He and DareDevill will challenge Hollywood Kid in a 3 Way Dance match! The show is called Christmas Chaos and I am certain that Psycho will provide the chaos. He will wrap Hollywood Kid up like a Christmas present and bring the title home again.
I hear that WPW asked DareDevil what he wanted in retaliation for the massive beating he took in Chapmanville at the hands of Tommy Gibson. Instead of asking for a match against the Rock-N-Roller, he asked for a WPW Heavyweight Title shot! That's why he has been added to the match making it a 3 way dance. Well, all I can say is for DareDevil, it's one bad decision after another. Anyone who would choose to be in a match against Psycho has a few fries less than a Happy meal. Besides, how much of a threat can he be considered? He couldn't fight his way out of a wet paper bag!
One match that I will be watching is the TV Title match with Adorable Danny Ray and Shawn Edwards. I know what that belt used to mean to Danny Ray... now, I'm not so sure if it means anything to him. I believe that he's forgotten what life is like with the gold and all the luxuries that go along with it. He needs to forget about the fans and do like he used to - win at any and all costs!
He'll have a tough match in Edwards. I have heard thru the grapevine that winning the TV title was the culmination of a lifelong dream for the young Studd Stable member. Now I don't know how these things are gonna turn out, but I always like the odds when they're in my favor and 3 to 1 is a pretty good bet. If Stevens can get his stablemates focused, this title run could be a long one.
There is quite a lot of new talent in WPW - Star, Brokeyn, Justin Richards, Lance Erickson and Joey Morton, but the guy who has impressed me the most so far will make his Logan debut at Christmas Chaos. His name is.... (drum roll, please)... Rip Manson! The Cactus Jack devotee and Family disciple has the promise of a great career ahead of him. Blessed with talent and a high threshold for pain, he has proven to be among the toughest workers in WPW today. He has been bogged down in the ADR/Joey Nelson/Studd Stable feud, probably because he can't make his mind up which side he wants to support. Or is it because of his violent bloodthirstiness against Joey Nelson? One wonders where this intense rivalry began!
Finally, let me say this to Dave Allen - your time is coming, buddy. If you think Downtown Logan has seen the last of fire on that end of town, then you had better not show up on Saturday night - because it won't be "Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire" - it'll be you!
Well, that's enough for now. Come to Logan if you want to see Psycho win the gold. I'll be there to tell you "I told you so!" 
A WVU FAN TELLS ME I'M #1! 10/1/01
What It Means When You Say Professional
When you ask for definitions of "Professional", the answers may vary: experts, competent, knowledgeable, ethical, meeting standards, being sanctioned by an organization, etc. Our business is not that uncommon from any other business. Being a professional, or being part of a professional organization, comes with certain expectations. Here are some of them:
1. Professionals conduct themselves in a way that reflects credit in their profession. They always act in the best interest of the general public and their profession. (Altruism)
2. Professionals do not require close supervision. They assume the responsibility and meet their obligations. (Accountability)
3. Professionals are not working just for the pay. First and foremost - the job must get done. (Excellence)
4. Professionals are always ready to perform, even when they don't feel like it. (Duty)
5. Professionals exhibit the highest standard of behavior. When they give their word, you can count on it. (Honor & Integrity)
6. Professionals are loyal to their colleagues. They don't advance at the expense of others. (Respect)
Professionals behave professionally. It begins with what you expect from yourself. You alone set your standards, so set them high.
Conversely, there are certain characteristics of those who are unprofessional. This includes those who have unmet professional responsibilities, who have a lack of effort toward self-improvement, who have poor interactions with coworkers and the public, and those who engage in inappropriate relationships.
Challenges to professionalism include: abuse of power; discrimination, bias and/or harassment; breaches of confidence; arrogance; greed; misrepresentation (lying/fraud); impairment (not being able to do the job because of drugs or alcohol); lack of conscientiousness (not thinking of others); complacency; and conflicts of interest.
I think if some of the younger workers would look to these ideals for their role models instead of the "living examples" we get from some of the older workers, they would do much better in this profession. |
