INSIDE THE MWF
by Dan Mirade
July 3rd, 2009
Note: the following is a column of thoughts, opinions and observations. It's written with a deep passion for the professional wrestling industry as a whole, for the fans of wrestling and the athletes driven to live their dreams. Whether you agree or disagree with these words, remember that there's a voice that cares behind it, one that only wants to see every hard working wrestler and promoter succeed, and for every fan to leave a live event feeling they got value for their dollar, wanting to see live wrestling (both independent and major league) again and again. For that, I do not apologize.
For more Mirade madness, including a look at the sad state of independent wrestling in New England and the demise of Hulk Hogan, visit DanMirade.com
PART 1
June 27th - 6:52PM
A long, long week as we prepare for the big event tomorrow in Melrose. Originally, NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS was slated to be a smaller event used primarily as a television taping. Once we decided to use the event as a vehicle to help get Shiloh Pepin to summer camp for disabled kids, the event took on a life of it's own in short order. . .
"Superstar" Billy Graham started the fundraising efforts for Shiloh in the spring, and our on-line drive raised over $1,100 for the Pepin's. Once we found out the need and what in reality is a reasonable cost for Shiloh to get to camp, we decided this project was a "must." Showing his heart, all Billy Graham wanted was a plane ticket to come in for the event, he was even going to cover his own hotel with commissions he's made for his tremendous art work of late. As President Cena began to organize his "Fabulous Women of Wrestling" division, he signed ODB to appear at the event. Graham wanted his protege Isis to make her debut June 28th. Thanks to TNA, we were able to get Awesome Kong to appear. In our on-going partnership, John Bradshaw Layfield wanted his LayfieldEnergy.com energy drink to sponsor the big event and is planning on making some kind of announcement to the fans on hand. President Cena reached out to friends in the tri-state area and landed former WWE Womens Champion The Kat. Billy Graham used his friendship with Spike Dudley to get him to come in. Former ECW World Champion Justin Credible came to President Cena, requesting to appear and compete at NOC. A lot of "feel good" vibes in the air. . .
In late May, we learned that Todd Hanson's on-going injuries resulting from an attack last year by the MWF "stalker" Dylan Kage is going to keep him out of action for would could be up to one year at this point. The MWF Board of Directors were forced to make a decision where Hanson would forfeit the championship tonight at 11:59PM and a competition would take place at NOC where the winners of six singles matches would compete in a 6-Pack All Star Challenge to crown the new MWF Heavyweight Champion, lining up 12 quality, hungry young athletes who deserve a chance to win the most prized championship in all of the northeast. President Cena even decided to put his money where his mouth is, so to speak, by challenging J-Busta of JBL's Uprising faction to a singles match. It's been an extremely busy, exciting month. . .
Earlier this week, after the final MWF news video packages had been taped and edited, Justin Credible bowed out of the event he asked to be a part of, citing family issues. It is what it is, but why ask to be a part of something to bail on it a week later??
Wednesday turned into one of those "worst day of your life" type deals. Set-up of the historic Memorial Hall in Melrose began while dealing with a personal crisis at the same time. Then, Billy Graham's Isis landed in Boston much earlier than anticipated, as in days early. While trying to juggle three calamities at the same time, I wound up losing my cell phone in Commissioner Von Johnson's car, unable to communicate with anyone throughout the day as things were going crazy left and right. To his credit, Mr. Cena stepped up to the plate and helped situate Isis while we were trying to figure out when the hell Billy Graham was going to arrive in Boston. His plane ticket had already been changed three times (with airline fees, of course), including a change in his outgoing flight city. That was frustrating enough, but we made it happen. At 2AM, I rolled down Rt. 128 to meet up with the commissioner to find almost 50 missed phone calls and texts. Ugh.
Thursday had more real life drama going on and since a 4:45AM phone call from hell Friday, the roller coaster hasn't slowed down. I don't know how many times Billy Graham's ticket changed. The final event format was organized late last night and is looking like one of the most exciting events we've had here in the MWF in sometime. This morning, everyone's cell phones were burning up over Billy Graham going into the Mayo Clinic late last night with his on-going health problems, which in the end, are preventing him from appearing from NOC as planned. Speaking to him this morning led to a difference in opinion in regards to a partial execution of the event. President Cena anxiously went to work trying to put the pieces of the event back together again and get Graham to take part in the Q&A portion of the event via cell phone. Still waiting for a response on that one. At 11:45PM, the next adventure begins, trying to fix an issue with the hotel before trying to get a few hours sleep with the talent flying in early in the morning. . .gotta love it. . .
The major league stress that goes along with producing these live events sometimes makes you ask yourself "is it worth it?" In the end, I guess it is, at least on my end where I've been doing it for almost 16 years. You look back at all the time you've given up and dedicated to it, all the late nights at the tv studio, all the battles, all the heat, all the frustration. . .all to get to that point where the fans are enjoying all your hard work and doing some good for the world at the same time, helping Keep The Kids Off The Streets, working with quality non-profits and worthy human beings for fundraisers. It's quite a ride. Sometimes the real life "distractions" are exactly what you need to get through the day. Maybe I owe a certain blonde a "thank you."
So that's the prelude to this action packed event. . .what will happen?? How will it end?? All you have to do is scroll down this page a little bit, we have to wait 20 or so hours. . .
PART II
June 28th
The day of the event is always an exciting, stressful experience. MWF officials were awaken by Paul Bearer's demands that Dylan Kage "skip" the qualifying match he was slated for and be automatically entered into the 6-Pack Championship Competition. That wasn't going to fly, and in return, Kage was MIA come belltime. A real class act. . .
With an early belltime, it was imperative to make sure everyone was everywhere they needed to be, and that was surprisingly smooth. The folks from Memorial Hall are great to work with and made sure everything in the venue was ready to go. The best ring crew we've ever had had set-up ready to go on the dot.
Spike Dudley deserves a lot of credit for even showing up to Memorial Hall. He became extremely ill the previous night at the ECW reunion event in Philadelphia. Unable to wrestle, he greeted the fans in Philly, drove all night to get home, sleep for awhile and take part in the Q&A session. He was so sick he didn't even sell any of his autographed photos or pose for pictures. That says a lot about his character, especially compared to Justin Credible - who bowed out of the event after asking President Cena to be a part of it less than two weeks before, and competed in Philadelphia.
What more can be said about the lovely ladies of John Cena Sr.'s "Fabulous Women of Wrestling"?? The Kat is quite a sight even eight plus years removed from national television. ODB, Jamie D gave of themselves. Roxxi wasn't even booked on the card but showed up to the building wanting to compete, and Mr. Cena was more than happy to add her to the event. That again shows the true heart of a human being. Awesome Kong, despite her vicious actions in the squared circle, is a great person as well to take part in this event.
Funny as it might sound, the Mermaid Girl herself almost no-showed the event, another last minute extreme frustration. She was so disappointed that Billy Graham wouldn't be there that she didn't want to leave her house. Again, President Cena was on it, Billy Graham got on the horn from Phoenix and the Pepin family arrived in full force. A great night for the family and their "thank you" meant an awful lot to us, especially where we were able to help Shiloh get to camp.
As promised, the action in the ring was hot and heavy. After almost two years, Rick Fuller finally got a pinfall victory over Brian Milonas. Brian Fury looked great in a solid match with Luke Robinson. Max Bauer continued to crush the opposition with a win over MWF Tag Team Champion Beau Douglas. "Slyck" Wagner Brown shut some critics up defeating former WWE star Antonio Thomas. Scott Reed and "Die Hard" Eddie Edwards pinned each other, with Mr. Cena declaring the both advanced since both technically won the match. The 6-Pack Championship Competition was a hell of a match with Scott Reed, at least to the fans, winning the MWF Heavyweight Championship. "Million Dollar Investment" Tommaso Ciampa interfered with the referee injured and helped "Slyck" Wagner Brown capture the gold. In a "karma" type moment, JBL's satellite phone wouldn't transmit his line thru the sound system, so Slyck and the rest of the Uprising never heard JBL's message to the champ and his plans for November 14th. The fans did hear Cena Sr.'s message, which was Slyck's first title defense comes to ROAD TO THE GOLD this fall against "Black Machismo" Jay Lethal, and to make sure there isn't any outside interference, it will take place inside a 15 foot high steel cage. This, fans, should be a happening. More big news to come on that one.
John Cena Sr.'s "Fabulous Women of Wrestling" kicked off in high gear, with ODB & Roxxi defeating Awesome Kong & Jamie D in what turned into a tag team war. "Superstar" Billy Graham held off on the debut of his Isis, which will be interesting in and of itself. More women were involved in this one, as Mr. Cena (with former WWE Womens Champion The Kat and Elmer Pepin) defeating J-Busta (with Donna Ouelette). Cena used some family tricks with the STFU for a submission win, followed by a post-match FU. Quite a moment for a man I wasn't quite sure belonged wrestling.
Bobby Ocean defeated Furio Falcone in a test of two hungry, young athletes before the event itself started. I was impressed with Ocean, both in the ring and his attitude towards this great sport. I'd like to think both of these wrestlers will have a chance to advance themselves here in the MWF as time goes on. We'll see. . .
With my body ready to fall apart, I was extremely happy with the event ending early. Our post event gathering had seven tables filled with wrestlers, commentators, security, and other staff, which reminded me of the good old days. After a few adult beverages and getting next to no sleep the entire week with so much going on in and out of wrestling, it was time to retire for the evening.
In the end, it was a night we'll never forget. Many more behind the scenes stories we'll have to save for the book. Kayfabe lives on. . .
Take care,
Dan Mirade
"Slow it down" - Eddie Sharkey, Las Vegas, June 9th, 2006
"It's sad what's become of our business. . .when we started, we had to earn the right to be in the ring" -- Tito Santana, being interviewed by Les Thatcher January 15th, 2008
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