Given the challenges of wrestling on the independents, it is very easy for one to get drawn into the negativity that seems to linger on this scene. I have always told my peers and the folks that I have trained with to always try to keep seeking the positives. It's easy to identify and bitch about what is WRONG with the business. It can sometimes be much more challenging to focus on the bright side.
I'm reminded of this as today I woke up in a mood where I feel like going off on guys who are idiots, folks that don't think about their business, and ... no -- it's too easy to take that path. (Admittedly, those rants which rip someone a new one get read by a larger number of folks. So today, I'll follow the motherly wisdom which holds: "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all.
GREAT MATCH:
On Saturday night in Thorsby, Alberta I had the chance to witness a match which reminded me of the wrestling that hooked me in as a kid and made me a fan for life. The best match that I saw this week was between Newfoundland's T-BONE and GURV SIHRA. I think that everyone in attendance, including a number of their peers were blown away by these guys. This marks two Thorsby cards in a row where T-Bone has had the match of the night (he previously wowed me vs. Mattias Wild). Hands down, T-Bone is one of the best villains in the ring today and fans if you get a chance to see this guy in action - get your tickets early. Promoters: If you're not booking this guy, you're ripping yourselves off!
A FEW NEW FRIENDS:
This weekend I had the chance to meet a few fellows for the first time and see them in action. I was really impressed with what I saw from newcomer Adam Ryder (though bumps like that will take years off your career), Chip Worthington, Alexander Hale, and Pete Powers. In addition, during a Saturday afternoon seminar I got to see a few more up and comers in our business and I am encouraged about the potential that some of these guys have. I'll be interested to see what 2009 holds for them and beyond.
PRE-RELEASE FEEDBACK:
A few of my peers had the opportunity to review the final edit of the upcoming "WRESTLING IN THE CANADIAN WEST" and the feedback has been positive so far. Although, I was asked if I thought it was a good idea to explore some of the topics that I have ... my friends are concerned about the political ramifications of sharing some of these details. I say, I'm gonna get heat anyway -- it might as well be for telling the truth.
GOOD ADVICE:
I got some great advice that will help me in the ring and in my efforts to re-develop. Drawing from past wisdom shared by Jesse Ventura, Gurv Sihra put his own twist on it and told me:
"Win if you can, lose if you must, but always cheat -- but not on your diet!"
BUSINESS IS ABOUT TO PICK UP:
It looks like an exciting time to be wrestler in western Canada, as a number of promotions are announcing an increasingly aggressive schedule in 2009. All Star Wrestling has eight dates between now and April, ICW (Tim Flowers) will be active, WCCW has some spring dates coming up, and I hear rumblings about a number of venues where I will have the opportunity to appear this year. If all plans come together, this could be my busiest year of appearances in the past five.
ARE YOU SERIOUS?
Folks can see the laughter dancing in my eyes as I think about what the spring holds in store for me. In recent months, as I have taken on a role as advocate for the wrestling business, I embrace any opportunity that I can to get in the ring with someone that needs to be schooled. It looks like I will get an opportunity to slap the shit out of a guy that many would like to on Saturday, March 28th in Thorsby, Alberta. I will return to defend the All Star Wrestling (ASW) Trans-Canada title against Steven Styles! Oh man ... I hope that ASW officials mandate that the match will be contested under best of three falls stipulations as per recognized ordinance. That gives me TWO opportunities to dole out a direct and physical lesson in what it means to be a professional ATHLETE in this business.
Vance Nevada