MWF 2007 YEAR IN REVIEW
Monday, December 31st, 2007 * 1:51AM
2007 will go down as a year of tremendous action, surprises, superstars and scandals. As 2008 prepares to greet us, let's take a look back at some of the highs and lows of the past twelve months.
The new year began with Johnny Fabulous (aka John Cena Sr.) attempting to purchase the Millennium Wrestling Federation. After months of negotiation, Fabulous was turned down. He vowed he wouldn't give up so easily.
On MWF television in January, footage that appeared to be taped with a cell phone of The Iron Sheik being attacked by the MWF "stalker" aired on ULTRA. The Sheik was in Boston to tape his second Studio Shoot Interview. After the taping, a supposed MWF cameraman showed up at his hotel room asking to shoot more footage. The Sheik being the Sheik, he allowed this person in, who drugged his beer and caused him to be hospitalized. The MWF "stalker" mailed footage that appeared to be shot with a cell phone to MWF headquarters, and the powers that be chose to air it to see if anyone could point us int he right direction of learning this sick individuals identity. Commissioner Von Johnson and "Hollywood" Ron Robinson were also attacked by this person in 2006. Videos of these two attacks were included in the package. The Von Johnson video revealed that the commissioner lied about how he was attacked after our March 25th, 2006 event - he had claimed that someone mugged him in the parking lot in Braintree. In the video, the commissioner answered the door without his glasses on while expecting a "lady of the night," only to be KO'd with a brick. Von Johnson vowed to find out who was behind it.
On ULTRA, Danny Jaxx pinned Jon Thornhill. Osirus scored a huge upset over J-Busta of the Canadian Superstars. On the January Xtra, WWE superstar Eric Bischoff joined us for part two of an exclusive interview with Dan Mirade. There was also footage from The Iron Sheik from his appearance on the Collectors Showcase program on HD-Net in Canada.
The Millennium Wrestling Federation's attempts to bring NWA New England back to a level of respect was short lived. The first (and only) edition of the next generation of NWA NE Mass Madness aired in January. VIctoria Van Ellen wasn't happy with Dan MIrade's honest analysis of a January 6th event in Springvale, ME, and her vision of the promotion was to keep it alive for her eight year old grandson to promote when he was older, and nothing more for the athletes and staff involved. Mirade left the NWA NE in early February, followed by MWF President Jackal. NWA NE lost it's NWA membership in March. After it's Rumble Memorial event in November, it looks like the company will no longer run live wrestling events.
On the February ULTRA, the MWF paid tribute to "Die Hard" Eddie Edwards two year anniversary as MWF Television Champion. Some of Edwards great matches (including his championship victory) aired. On Xtra, The Iron Sheik checked in to talk about some of the scandals he was involved with over the winter, as well as WWE Hall of Famer Tito Santana.
In March, the Millennium Wrestling Federation learned that "Latin Fury" Luis Ortiz was retiring from professional wrestling. Dr. Von Johnson later learned that it was because Ortiz was also attacked by the "stalker." On the March ULTRA, we looked back at some of Ortiz' finest matches in his five year MWF career. On Xtra, Demolition Ax joined us for the first time, and Von Johnson had a special interview with NHL Hall of Famer and Boston Bruins legend Fred Cusick.
On April 1st (WrestleMania morning), the MWF helped bring the Wrestling's Living Legends reunion to WIndsor, Onatrio, Canada (five miles outside of Detroit). The MWF reunited Ax and Smash Demolition for the first time since Survivor Series 1990, along with appearances by the Sheik, Santana, Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka and TNA superstar Rhino.
The Millennium Wrestling Federation also helped bring WWE and Lionsgate's "The Condemned" to Boston. On April 10th, we had a Boston premiere for fans that featured a special appearance and Q&A with "Stone Cold" Steve Austin himself! There was a second pre-screening of the movie in late April, both a huge success as the MWF passed out 200 free tickets to it's fans!
As spring time hit, the MWF's live event schedule was ready to roll. On ULTRA, the fans were caught up on the latest MWF news, views and vendettas. On Xtra, we were joined by both Demolition Ax and the legendary "Dr. Death" Steve Williams in two more great interviews.
On the May ULTRA, we took a look at Todd Hanson's issues with Paul Bearer's Trifecta, Beau Douglas and Al Snow's battles with the Canadian Superstars and Johnny Fabulous, and Rikishi and Jimmy Jact Ca$h both joined us via telephone to talk about their pending battle. On Xtra, Test talked about his return to the MWF, along with our old friend the one and only Les Thatcher.
MWF ROAD TO THE GOLD set Arlington, MA on fire with a huge night of action as well as controversy thanks to Test. After some shady negotiations, Test had a friend contact the venue in Arlington claiming to work for WWE, saying that Test was ill and hospitalized in Philadelphia. Test later called the venue himself. We asked if Test could call back during the Q&A so he could at least apologize to the fans, but he said he couldn't do it because he was going to be hospitalized for a few days. We later learned that Test appeared (unadvertised) at an independent event in Philly the very same night he agreed to be in Arlington, MA, short changing the fans, along with screwing the promotion out of airfare, hotel and photo costs (see the MWF Newsline for further details). The dark cloud on the event didn't last long, as RIkishi held a tremendous Q&A with the fans before a hot night of live action, while raising hundreds of dollars for area kids and keeping them off the streets at the same time. It was a positive night even though Andrew Martin failed the "test."
On the June ULTRA, we looked at RTTG. To give the fans more bang for the buck, The Jackal added an Arlington Royal Rumble, won by Todd Hanson. Dan Mirade was physically attacked by both the Canadian Superstars and Johnny Fabulous. Busta superkicked the physically disabled Mirade, followed up by chair and cane shots from Dave Cole and Fabulous. If it wasn't for Beau Douglas and "Slyck" Wagner Brown saving the day, it could have been even worse for Mirade.
In other big matches, "Sudden Impact" Dylan Kage narrowly retained the MWF Heavyweight Championship by pinning Todd Hanson with his feet on the ropes when it looked like Hanson was only seconds away from the title. Tiger Mulligan made his long awaited return to the Millennium Wrestling Federation, defeating the debuting Malice Malenko. The outspoken Tiger had a lot to say about many of the current MWF superstars prior to the event, and he was jumped after the match by Johnny Fabulous and Jason 'Rumble,' who attempted to re-injure Mulligans surgically repaired knee. Jimmy Jact Ca$h crushed "Big Bear" Andrew Countis, also making his MWF debut. Commissioner Von Johnson also let loose on Test for not being a man of his word.
On the June Xtra, we were joined once again by The Iron Sheik, this time with some big news. . .for the first time in two years, the Sheik was returning to an MWF live event! And not just any event. . .SOUL SURVIVOR IV! President Jackal felt that despite the Sheik's shocking actions in August 2005, it was time to give the fans what they wanted, and that was the Sheik live and in person. At the same time, the president also announced that Road Dogg BG James, a superstar that helped put the MWF in 2001, was returning at SSIV for the first time in almost five years after he destoryed the MWF's fundraiser for "Superstar" Billy Graham in October 2002. In singles action, Jason 'Rumble' pinned "Black Lotus" Matt Ledge. After the match, Tiger Mulligan hit the ring with a steel chair in hand after their two-on-one attack on ULTRA earlier in the month. Les Thatcher was also back on the show.
Our July television programs continued to sizzle in the summer heat. On ULTRA, Todd Hanson earned the opportunity to be in the main event of SSIV, defeating Jason 'Rumble,' "Slyck" Wagner Brown, Beau Douglas, Tiger Mulligan and "Future Legend" Luke Robinson in a six person All-Star Challenge Match. Rikishi pinned Jimmy Jact Ca$h, in a big match where Paul Bearer was MIA. On Xtra, Bearer explained that he's been busy down south and trusted his men to get the job done. The Sheik was back with more wildness, along with Joey Mercury of MNM and TNA superstar Alex Shelley to talk about their appearances at SSIV.
On June 27th, Howard Stern began to air clips from the MWF's Iron Sheik Studio Shoot Interview on his national radio program. Stern fell in love with the insanity that is The Iron Sheik and played highlights from the DVD regularly. On August 2nd, just two days before SSIV, the Sheik appeared on the Stern show, which aired a commercial for SSIV! There were also features on New England's biggest wrestling event and fanfest of 2007 in the Boston Globe and four area newspapers. KISS 108FM also publicized the event, and Jackson Blue joined the MWF broadcast team. Blue is the host of Boston's highest rated evening radio program, as the Jackson Blue Show airs weeknights from 7PM-midnight on KISS. Blue and Dan Mirade hosted the thirty minute countdown show to SSIV.
August 4th was the night where memories were made and dreams came true at SOUL SURVIVOR IV. Todd Hanson ended Dylan Kage's near four year reign as MWF Heavyweight Champion, leaving Somerville with the gold. Beau Douglas extracted revenge, teaming with Road Dogg, to defeat the Canadian Superstars to win the MWF Tag Team Titles, a year-plus after the Canadians and Johnny Fabulous screwed Douglas and Hanson out of the titles. "Die Hard" Eddie Edwards pinned Joey Mercury in a MWF TV Title match, fresh off a tour of Pro Wrestling NOAH. "Slyck" Wagner Brown made TNA star Alex Shelley submit. Rick Fuller returned and won the 4th Annual "Boston Bad Boy" Tony Rumble Memorial Battle Royal, but made new enemies in Ox Baker's evil Army. Tiger Mulligan beat Jason 'Rumble' in a grudge match, and Antonio Thomas scored an impressive win over Jimmy Jact Ca$h. Islander Makua beat Danny Jaxx via forfeit, when he refused to face Makua over fear he would be seriously injured. Paul Bearer released Jaxx from his contract, and the MWF followed suit once he was free of contractual obligation. Johnny Fabulous' "Million Dollar Investment" was scheduled to debut, but Fabulous pulled the plug on that once he was suspended from live events. Good Time Emporium said this was the highest attended event they've had in years, which put a lot of smiles on MWF officials faces, as a certain "someone" spent years trying to keep us out of the venue.
Prior to SSIV, Johnny Fabulous was suspended from MWF live events for sixty days for organizing the attack on Dan Mirade at RTTG in June. On the August Xtra, Fabulous and Mirade went tit for tat in two seperate studios for the better part of a half hour, where Fabulous made inappropriate comments about Linda Mirade. Dylan Kage joined us via telephone to talk about his rematch with Todd Hanson at FULL THROTTLE in September. As Mirade was wrapping up the program, Fabulous' voice was heard again, announcing that he had purchased television time on MWF programs in the fall, and hurled more insults Mirade's way. That was the straw that broke the camels back, as Mirade went looking for Fabulous, only to find J-Fab hiding behind a studio door, tossing Mirade to the ground and hit him with a watter jug while continuing to insult him. Fabulous was not suspended for his actions here, as President Jackal believed Mirade initiated the altercation when he left the studio he was in.
On the August ULTRA, Ox Baker's Army was back and better than ever! "Ox Baker's Executioner" Brian Milonas crushed the debuting Mike Nice. Nocturne returned with a victory over Malice Malenko. Psycho Mike debuted and beat newcomer Tommy Liddell. Islander Makua, returning from his appearance on ABC's reality show "Fat March," defeated Lee Bradford. Benny Jux also competed in his first MWF match, making Furio Falcone to submit to his "Brisbin Stretch" finishing move. We also heard from our new champions and some angry ex's!
The MWF family was hit with tragedy, as well. In June, Lt. Commissioner Sonny Yee suffered a major heart attack and is slowly recovering. It is still uncertain if he will return to his position. The Missing Link (Dewey Robertson) lost his battle ro cancer in August. In late September, Steve Heff (Steve Ashworth) shockingly passed away after suffering a major heart attack. Heff was an MWF original acting as a manager from the our first event in 2001 through August 2005. He was a friend to many in the MWF dating back to the early 1990's.
On the September ULTRA, we heard from AJ Styles for the first time. Luke Robinson pinned Mike Nice. Malice Malenko walked away with his first MWF victory, over Furio Falcone. Bull Montana returned to the ring, beating "Big Bear" Countis. We also took a look at Rick Fuller's return, and had some strong comments for Ox Baker's Army. On Xtra, the new MWF Heavyweight Champion Todd Hanson sat down with Dan Mirade to talk about unseating Kage as champ in one of the great nights of his life, along with future challenges (and challengers). Tiger Mulligan joined us via telephone with more heated comments for 'Rumble,' Fabulous and Hanson. Sgt. Ralph Lano joined Commissioner Von Johnson to talk about six years of the MWF. At the end of the program, Von Johnson and Hanson found Lano tied up and gagged, apparently the fifth victim of the MWF "stalker."
In September, the Millennium Wrestling Federation celebrated it's sixth anniversary by returning to Good Time Emporium in Somerville for another big night of action with the superstars of TNA. After all of the attempts to sabotage the MWF's fundraising efforts over the years, it was another great night of live wrestling, interactive Q&A session and autograph/photo fanfest. There was a black eye over the event, as Dylan Kage did not appear as advertised, and has never been heard from since. Many have speculated that Kage was put out of action by the "stalker." Kage had/has been with the promotion since day one in 2001.
While the MWF was celebrating it's sixth anniversary, the suspended Johnny Fabulous purchased 20% of the Millennium Wrestling Federation from chairman Neil Manolian. It was a move that sent shockwaves through the MWF as no one saw it coming. Another big move from J-Fab. On the October ULTRA, however, Fabulous was outraged when J-Busta went into business for himself, putting a match together between Fabulous' "Million Dollar Investment" Tommaso Ciampa, another of Fabulous' clients TNA superstar AJ Styles and "Die Hard" Eddie Edwards in a triple threat match for the MWF Television Championship. Fabulous and Dr. Von Johnson watched the program from Fabulous' new, personal television studio and was stunned at what J-Busta had put together. The two argued via telephone. In the match itself, Edwards was at a two on one disadvantage for most of the match, and in another shocker, the debuting Ciampa pinned Edwards to walk away with the gold, becoming just the second MWF Television Champion in company history. Todd Hanson defended his newly won championship against the first (and former) champion Tiger Mulligan. Hanson pinned Mulligan after a Hanson Kick, but referee Zac "Hee Hee" Carter didn't see Mulligan's foot on the rope. Mulligan went on a tirade after the match on the microphone, even taking ringside fans beer and dumping it on the ground. Mulligan was fined for his actions. "Future Legend" Luke Robinson pinned Malice Malenko in an exciting singles match. On Xtra, we were joined by Scotty 2 Hotty, Demolition Smash and Fabulous.
On October 27th, the MWF presented it's most memorable and heart warming event ever, HALLOWEEN HORROR, a fundraiser for the Special Olympics. Athletes from all over the state came to Salem, MA Halloween weekend to witness two live wrestling events, a VIP Q&A session as well as a fanfest where they got to meet and speak with the superstars. It left a lasting impression with everyone involved, and everyone in the Millennium Wrestling Federation family looks forward to doing it again in 2008!
It wasn't a great experience for everyone though, as the November MWF ULTRA highlighted. Johnny Fabulous was attacked and hospitalized by two of his own men, Tommaso Ciampa and Jimmy Jact Ca$h (whose contract Fabulous had just purchased from Paul Bearer). Ca$h put Fabulous in the Cash Clutch while Ciampa berated him. This was the final part of the new Uprising's plot to use Fabulous, have access to MWF contracts while he was suspended, then disregard him once they felt they had the power they needed to run the show on their own. While hospitalized, Fabulous looked back upon his two years in the MWF, realized some of the mistakes he made and vowed to go back to his roots. The bold and brash J-Fab would be no more. . .the man John Cena Sr. would return.
Also on the November ULTRA, the lowlife Canadian Superstars stole the MWF Tag Team Titles for the second time, defeating Road Dogg and Beau Douglas. Ciampa made his way to ringside during the match and KO'd Bull Montana, distracting Douglas. That allowed the Canadians to double team and pin Road Dogg to win the titles for a second time. In a battle of former champions, "Die Hard" Eddie Edwards pinned Tiger Mulligan. Luke Robinson walked away with a huge win over Benny Jux, Furio Falcone and the debuting Scott Reed in a four-way young lions match. "Executioner" Brian Milonas continued to dominate with a win over Tommy Liddell.
On the November Xtra, we were joined by one of our biggest guests ever, WWE superstar Chris Jericho! WWE's head trainer (no pun intended) Al Snow also joined us to talk about his return to the MWF along with problems facing independent wrestling (and wrestlers) in 2008. Two must hear interviews in one big hour of MWF television!
The MWF "wrapped up" it's 2007 live event schedule with HOLIDAY HEADLOCKS in Somerville, MA, collecting holiday gifts for Toys For Local Children and putting smiles on kids faces as we helped keep them off the streets. As seen on the December ULTRA, John Cena Sr. announced that the Jackal has had a desire to return to the broadcast booth for some time, and after meeting with the MWF Board of Directors, Cena Sr. became the new president and the Jackal prepared to commentate again.
Also on ULTRA, "Slyck" Wagner Brown pinned Jason 'Rumble.' Benny Jux and Malice Malenko battled to a ten minute time limit draw. Beau Douglas gained a small measure of revenge when he beat Dave Cole in a wild street right. TNA X-Division Champion "Black Machismo" Jay Lethal made his MWF debut by putting his title on the line against J-Busta of the tag team champion Canadian Superstars. Machismo made his way to the top rope to hit the infamous flying elbow drop, Cole and 'Rumble' hit the ring for a DQ. Seeing what was about to happen "Slyck" and Beau charged ringside to even the score. When the new president saw this, he announced a six man tag match for CHRISTMAS CLASH!
On the December Xtra, Furio Falcone ended 2007 with his first win, pinning Mike Nice. We looked at a wide variety of cool wrestling gifts for the fan on your list, along with the debut of Black Machismo.
Christmas night meant it was time for CHRISTMAS CLASH, and what a huge event it was! President Cena and Commissioner Von Johnson hosted the program from Cena's studio. Todd Hanson answered all questions by pinning Tiger Mulligan with a Hanson Kick in a championship rematch. Luke Robinson beat Malice Malenko in another thrilling match between the two. Rick Fuller and Brian Milonas battled all over the building in a DDQ. After this battle of the big men, President Cena announced he had an even bigger superstar ready to compete at MWF NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS March 29th - TNA superstar Abyss!!! We had holiday greetings from The Iron Sheik and Paul Bearer. In the main event and final battle of 2007, Black Machismo, "Slyck" Wagner Brown and Beau Douglas beat The Canadian Superstars and Jason 'Rumble.' After the match, Tommaso Ciampa attacked Machismo, who he felt was stealing his thunder here in the Millennium Wrestling Federation.
All in all, what a tremendous year 2007 was for the MWF. We had "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, Eric Bischoff, Rikishi and Chris Jericho part of our live events and television programs for the first time. The superstars of Total Non-Stop Action began to make an "impact." Dylan Kage and Eddie Edwards' lengthy title reigns came to an end, as a new era began under the watch of President Cena. The Jackal began the year as president and ends it ready to return home, while Boston's most popular radio host joins the MWF team. We brought Ax and Smash Demolition back together again after sixteen years, reuniting a friendship and one of the greatest duos in WWE history. We raised thousands of dollars for worthy causes and continued our on-going efforts for the Keep The Kids Off The Streets Campaign.
What should you expect in 2008?!?! The un-expected!
