Existentialism On JC

I lost my voice again.

This time it was the seasonal change and the welcoming of allergypalooza that did me in, but it's pretty disheartening when my livelihood revolves around me talking, and let's face it my whole gimmick is me talking shit-- So I'm essentially fucked. The theme of speechlessness actually applies to my entire life right now, so maybe it's serendipity that I lost my voice out of the blue like I did.

I guess my current stigma(ta) began during "March Madness", as we prepared for the onslaught of NCW shows, the slew of New World events, Jon's bachelor party & wedding, and the sudden news that I'd be moving all within that same timeframe. The 2008 Big City Rumble was probably one of the best pure wrestling events NCW has had in years, and that definitely is a testament to the talent that sacrifices themselves for NCW on a monthly basis. The EPW kids, Davey, Dean, MTE, Doug, Jon, Paiva et al busted their asses 110%, but unfortunately despite the massive amount of promoting done, it just didn't pay off with the crowd I had hoped for. The crowd we DID have was loud and appreciative, but a disappointment nonetheless.

Things heated up with Jon's bachelor party the following week, and as one half of "The Best Men" it was my job to get things cracking with Jon's cousin KENNY! away for the weekend. Although it was a little hectic everything came together in the end and we had an absolute blast. Without giving away the treasured secrets of bachelor parties, any night that includes Jon Thornhill getting mercilessly beaten by a horde of strippers is a good time in my book. In addition to moving earlier in the day, I was also prepping for New World Wrestling, which was debuting in Plymouth, MA the following night. A busy weekend to be sure, which was only exemplified when I received a text message from Elizabeth, a.k.a. Texas, who was going to be in town for to a friends wedding and wanted to meet up for lunch. I won't pull any punches here, especially since this is supposed to be cathartic outlet for me, so I'll just lay it out on the line. Elizabeth and I haven't talked much in the last few months, and even when we did it was usually though text messages or brief phone conversations since she was living back in Dallas and not 10 minutes down the road. It would be an understatement for me to say I liked her. She was essentially one of the only reasons I enjoyed my training with BofA, and I felt from the moment we hung out there was "the connection". We clicked, plain and simple. Me being me, I analyze a situation to the Nth degree and probably read into things more than I should. But that's who I am, for better or worse. I won't delve into the nitty gritty, but Elizabeth & I never moved past that stage of our friendship and she moved out of my life without getting to say good-bye to her in person. A common denominator with girls in my life you see. Texas has moved onto a relationship with her dude, and I'm definitely happy that she's doing well for herself, but to say I feel like I got screwed out of something special, again it would be a nice little understatement. So back to the text message, being overwhelmed with everything that was going on that weekend, I had to text her and let her know there would be no way we'd be able to see each other and that was that. My head was cloudy from that point on, but as usual I pressed on considering all that was ahead.

Jon and Bianca's wedding turned out to be a pretty great time, and I think everyone can agree it turned out beautifully. I got to walk down the aisle with the prettiest girl in the wedding (save for the Bride of course), so naturally I was already riding that cloud into the sun, but I still had to pull off the most important part of the wedding for me-- The Best Man speech. I was back to that whole "speechless" thing, and I had no choice but to utilize in my speech to Thorny and Mrs. Thorny. Again back to that karate honesty, I don't know why they got married when they did. I don't understand how they feel about each other, because it's their's. I guess that's part of the beauty in it all, but it's still a foreign concept to me. But coming from someone who hasn't been in a serious relationship in five years, I think it's a pretty obvious feeling. The reception was awesome, and the chocolate fountain was obviously the shit. Again any wedding that has chocolate fountains, Ruy Batello elbow dropping his tuxedo jacket, and various wrestling maneuvers on the dance floor is two thumbs up in my book. I also got to spend a little time with the Maid Of Honor Amanda, and was privileged enough to dance with her and have a good time. Naturally she has a boyfriend, but all the good ones usually do. To prove I'm the most dominant ring announcer in professional wrestling today, I ended the night by heading up to Sandwich for NWW, DIRECTLY from the wedding no less, marking my return to the building where I made my NWW debut almost two years earlier. Despite it all, I enjoy my time in New World and find it amazing that after all these years in wrestling I'm actually getting CHEERED! Bizarro.

NCW's 11 year REUNION was the following weekend, and with all the hype I found myself disappointed with the show in the end. Maybe I just get myself too worked up over NCW, but I also expect certain things out of my shows and it just didn't deliver what I wanted. Some things worked better than others, and I think Pacifico and Cenobite did some of their best work, so I won't say that everything on the show felt flat to me. I also think Davey Loomis as a heel is going to be one of those things to really drive me creatively in NCW, and once he gets comfortable in that role he will truly excel. Seeing the formation of the Loomis heel turn reminds me of when we turned Ruy & MTE babyface back in 2001, and that excites me to no end.

And now here I am, finally regaining my voice after a week and a half of hell. Unfortunately I had to cancel on my booking with Powerhouse due to the surrounding situations of my vocal chords, and now with me finding my voice I become speechless again on the heels of MTE impending wedding in the next couple of weeks. I couldn't imagine the day Mike would be getting married, but here we are and with a child on the way no less. Things are changing all around me, and sooner or later I'm going to have to do this whole shit or get off the pot gimmick. I guess the question goes where do I go from here?

P.S. my heart goes out to Dan Tanaka, who's going through much more than I have to deal with in my petty world of boredom, loneliness, professional wrestling and unrequited love. I hope things get better for Dan, and my thoughts are with him while he deals with the loss of loved ones.

Springtime is finally here, and March Madness has begun with the 2008 Bartenders Ball kicking things off. This was my fifth year attending the Ocean State Bartenders Ball, and despite no longer working for The Ninety Nine (and no one from 99 representing) I had a fucking blast as per usual. Mike Paiva made his Ball debut, styling it up in his usual Mikey P way while Thorny made a last minute effort to show up for the second year in a row. Let us thank Bianca for being a good sport and allowing the shoes to be seen for one night :)

All the pics can be seen through my MySpace page, and although I was in "blackout" drunk mode during the final hour, the pics show me having a great time. The Crowne Plaza however, seems to be the biggest cockblock of the year, preventing Mikey from getting his groove on with the lovely ladies of the 6th floor thanks to security straight out of 9/11. Mike's not a terrorist, he's just a dude in a tuxedo t-shirt trying to find love in this crazy world. I wish I could have gotten MY groove on, but apparently I would have had a hard time standing up straight let alone use the "JC charm".

The rest of March (and April too) seems to be stacked with adventure with Lil' Katie's big birthday bash this weekend, Saint Patty's Day coming up, NCW on the 22nd, Jon #1A's bachelor party festivus, and of course Jon's actual wedding, which is April 5th.

Let the games begin!

"Come with me if you want to live..."
- Prometheus; 2030

There's just something about the Terminator movies.

I bought Terminator 3: Rise Of The Machines the other day on a whim, but mainly because I had a $25 Newbury Comics gift card to waste and the DVD was only $3.99. I still think I like the original the best, but part three does offer some great action and the best ending to a movie franchise in sometime. Unfortunately this movie did NOT light up the box office, and many gave flack to director Jonathon Mostow since he wasn't Jim Cameron working the camera. Was it the best movie ever? No. But fuck if it wasn't better than that trite shit in Jurassic Park 3 where NO ONE FUCKING DIES! There are dinosaurs everywhere and the best they can do is kill off the day players.

We're about to go into full TerminatorMania again however, with the FOX series The Sarah Connor Chronicles sputtering around the airwaves and the upcoming McG directed (the guy who did the Charlies Angels movies) Terminator: Salvation trilogy starting in June with Christian Bale playing the John Connor role. Will it even work without Arnie? It's tough to say since again I say I feel the first was the best with its raw energy and Arnold's performance. I love me some Christian Bale though, and if they could get McG's hopeful Terminator Josh Brolin in the exoskeleton it might be watchable after all.

Went and saw EPW last weekend in Westerly with Tim so we could see how their Rumble was comparatively to ours when we present The Big City Rumble in Norwich on March 22nd. On the ride home Tim & I began talking about "The Golden Age", and how he feels that it was nowhere close to being the golden age. He brought up some valid points, primarily about NCW and how we are much better now than we were back then. When I brought this up to Ruy, he was quick to disagree and argue that while NCW might be better now, back then our friendships together were stronger than ever, and the fun we all used to have was the important thing, not the wrestling.

I can see both points, and if anything I agree with both of them. NCW is light years from where it used to be, and I wouldn't change a thing. Ruy is right however when he says our friendships were stronger, hell hardly anyone even comes out anymore for TNO... Tim included (Don't use the excuse of having a kid, since you stopped coming out long before the baby). The death of the R Dash House really stuck a knife into Thursday Night Out's and The Vineyard only beat it further into the grave. I think the friends I have around me now are the best I've ever had, but if we're ever going to salvage our little Thursday outings we need to find a suitable replacement STAT. I think if we could bring TNO back to prominence I wouldn't be so nostalgic for "The Golden Age."

After finishing Bret's book (THE BEST WRESTLING BOOK EVER WRITTEN! Buy it Now!) I started thinking about all the great stories I've experienced thanks to the wild, wacky, world of professional wrestling. I said, "Self, you sure do have a lot of great stories to tell. Some funny. Some dumb. Some gross. It would be a crime against humanity if you didn't share these with the world." I began to agree with myself, and just out of sheer boredom I began writing. I skipped ahead a few years, and chronicled the final ICCW event on December 22nd, 2001 where Matt & Vinny announced that ICCW would be folded into the new PWF organization, and become a territory for PWF Universal. There was A LOT of history to go through, and my emotions poured out pretty easily (a six pack of beer can definitely help add to the emotion). Once finished with that, I decided to start from the beginning, and try to go as linear as possible as I can (I tend to write like Christopher Nolan in Memento, sometimes starting at the end, moving backwards-- Even sometimes starting smack dab in the middle).

Below is a small portion of the book, going over the very first NCW event(s) from March of 1997.

I really feel that if Amanda Storm AND that retarded kid from USWF could write a book about their lives within the local world of wrestling, I could too. I mean seriously. People legitimately bought their books, some only buying them with the notion that they would be mentioned in it. Tim Kilgore bought the USWF book and had it in his bathroom for toilet reading... Or toilet paper. Either or.

I think I have my share of great stories to tell, and have such a diverse cast of characters to go through I could probably write two books about my life in New England wrestling. Would you read it? Would you buy it? I'm about one hundred pages in, and only now beginning to reach my "break" into the business thanks to Anthony Rufo, Gino Martino, and Matt West. Should I even bother or is this just another exercise in futility? I need a little feedback from my sea of adoring fans, so hit me with it!

- That I'm old. Turning 25 and looking around at my family and friends I see how much things have changed. Little Mongo McMatthew is now 14 and a pubescent horn dog. Tim Kilgore had a BABY, and MTE is now on deck for his demon spawn. Tim Pittman moved to Japan for a year, something I don't know I'd have the courage to do. And Jon is getting married. Well that doesn't surprise me, but still. The world around me is changing, but me? Well I stayed at the same job. So ups to me.

- That NCW is one of the toughest hobbies ever created, and 10 years later it gets harder and harder. I do it because I love the adrenaline of doing the shows, and I love the guys who bring it together. But man does it suck sometimes. Here's hoping to a better 2008.

- I learned how much I missed Howard Stern. My Mom getting Sirius Radio is the best thing we've ever gotten for Christmas, and having Howard, Robin, Artie and the gang back make my mornings that much better.

- That oil is great for grappling.

- That 2007 was a fucking GREAT year for movies. Despite Ruy's short attention span and boredom Zodiac was the best big screen version of Law & Order you'll ever see. The detail that went into recreating the police files of The Zodiac Killer was amazing, and seeing those old fashioned newsrooms gives me goosebumps. Superbad was superfucking awesome, and easily bested Knocked Up to my surprise. Someone needs to give Seth Rogen and Michael Cera special awards for being the MVP's in comedy this year. Gone, Baby, Gone gave me new respect for Casey Affleck as an actor, and restored my faith in Ben Affleck as a true talent. No Country For Old Men was superb in every way, shape, or form. See this please.

Plus c'mon it was the year of guilty pleasures with a TRANSFORMERS live action film [seen 5 times in the theater] and a new Die Hard movie going hand in hand with each other.

-I thought about it, and I quit wrestling.

- That French Canadians STILL hate Americans, although Border Patrolmen hate magnets MORE.

- That having a double chin isn't fun, and I need to get back into JC Marxxx shape.

- That wrestling is bad and causes people to kill.

- That steroids are bad and cause people to kill.

- That steroids in wrestling are bad and cause people to kill.

- That concussions are bad and cause people to kill.

- That concussions in wrestling are bad and can kill.

- That when push came to shove I had the courage to pitch my ideas to an actual movie director. Despite it not working out in my favor I at least swallowed my fears and took it head on.

- That Ruy Batello hates clothes when he sleeps. An unfortunate side effect of sharing hotel rooms with "The Portuguese Sensation".

- Okay I take it back, I don't quit wrestling. It's in my blood and I'll never be able to leave it.

- Love is stupid, and is just an illusion built from very good movies. I'm going back to my old mantra. I love 3 things. My Mother, my friends, and cheese.

- I'm also going back to my old mantra that sweatpants rule.

- That each year we get further pushed into a recession thanks to George Bush and his ridiculous policies. The Democrats are no better in standing up to this, and I can only hope that 2008 actually brings some positive change to the political landscape.

- Playing a mini guitar gets people moist.

1982.

The year of the Dog. If you've ever sat in a Chinese Restaurant you have probably figured out your Zodiac sign. Most of you are cocks I'm sure, but me? I'm a Dog. As I look upon my twenty fifth consecutive birthday I use my Zodiac symbol for guidance.

The Dog-
1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006

People born in the Year of the Dog possess the best traits of human nature. They have a deep sense of loyalty, are honest, and inspire other peoples confidence because they know how to keep secrets. But Dog People are somewhat selfish, terribly stubborn, and eccentric. They care little for wealth, yet somehow always seem to have money. They can be cold emotionally and sometimes distant at parties. They can find fault with many things and are noted for their sharp tongues. Dog people make good leaders. They are compatible with those born in the Years of the Horse, Tiger, and Rabbit.

Bolded for who I am.

I am a Dog, no doubt about it. Ruy & I have talked at great lengths about my ability to forgive despite the circumstances and how I am more than willing to give people second, third, and fourth chances. Unfortunately the pendulum swings the other way, because I also hold it against them on a certain level and have to earn that trust back, via my sarcastic barbs and comments. I believe in "Karate Honesty", and I think I've done my best this year to keep that motto to heart. It hasn't worked 100% but it's a work in progress and I rather have someone hate me for my honesty rather than hate me for lying. I am incredibly stubborn and eccentric. I get those amazing qualities from my Nana, and I wouldn't have it any other way. The selfishness... I think I get that from my Father. I've fallen into the leader role on many occasions, whether I wanted it or not. I used to push it away, but in my old age I've found myself embracing it especially considering NCW and its long running history.

So why all the waxing philosophic? I guess with the impending birthday I have been thinking about who I am, and what I want to become. There is a lot more out there for me to learn, and a lot more to see. I hope I get the opportunity to experience these things when it's all said and done.

I stand by my earlier assessment that 2007 has been a banner year for movies. There have been so many classic films that have slipped through the cracks of Hollywood this year it astounds me. The latest I got the privelage of seeing was No Country For Old Men, The Cohen Brothers at their absolute best and no doubt outshines both Fargo and The Big Lebowski on their impressive resume. Between this and American Gangster Josh Brolin has proved what an incredible actor he is. From here on out I will go out of my way to see anything he's in. Another huge kudos for this flick has to be the lack of soundtrack throughout. It allows you to build your own tension and suspense, without having to have it spoon fed to you via orchestra.

I Am Legend sucked, and the vamps looked fake. Do yourself a favor and read the book, although if you do go it's worth the price of admission for the THE DARK KNIGHT trailer before it.

NCW is this weekend, and I have to say I haven't been this excited for a show since NCW's 10 Year REUNION, and the original NO FEAR before that. Tim's going to be home from Japan for the holidays, and NCW gets to have him for the only wrestling appearance during his vacation! Not only that but it's perhaps the biggest tag team match in NCW history when Generation SLAM teams up to take on Emerald Fuzion. That's right. EMERALD FUZION. The reunion of Jason Blade and Mike Paiva. WITH MERCEDEZ! Holy shit it's gonna be great. Fuzion was lightning in a bottle, and I'm not ashamed to say that Generation SLAM was the same way. If I was a fan, and had no connection to NCW, I would have a front row seat this Saturday night because we'll never get to see this again.

The entire event is going to be off the charts, and probably the best pure wrestling show NCW has ever had. I am really looking forward to Cenobite and Kreeper tearing it up, showing NCW's uncanny ability to utilize the best of underrated wrestlers in New England. I predict Doug Summers will bust his ass on Saturday to show up Fuzion/Gen SLAM, and I wouldn't have it any other way. PLUS Ruy Claus! Err, I mean... Santa Claus. And did I mention Ox FUCKING Baker? That guy is gonna bring in like 100 fans no lie.

So if you're not doing anything this weekend come get drunk with me Friday night then hang out and come to NCW the next night in Taftville. Do it.

Do it.

2007 is shaping up to be an amazing year for movies, and Gone Baby Gone may top my list for best of the bunch. My Mom and I went to go see this, based squarely on the hype surrounding Ben Affleck's directorial debut with little brother Casey in the leading role. The movie itself is based on a book from the series of Dennis Lehane novels centering around private investigator Patrick Kensey. The book itself is the middle child in the series of books, yet this is strictly stand alone fiction with Affleck creating an authentic, diverse, universe for Patrick and his mission to find a missing girl kidnapped right from her bed in the middle of the night.

I won't go into much detail, since it would give away major plot points and take away the sting from the situations Affleck & Affleck create and execute. One thing that's for is that Casey Affleck has made me a fan and I will go out of my way to catch anything featuring him in the future. Same applies for Ben Affleck directed films (Ben Affleck acting films yet to be determined).

Went to go see Say Anything thanks to a trusty free ticket from a good friend last Thursday night, and I must admit it was well worth the twenty minute search for a Providence parking spot and $30 of alcohol consumption. I saw Say Anything last with Carolyn last August, and it was a blast then too. After listening to the majority of their second major album, I admit they've really matured as artists compared to their first although the first still has the best single tracks.

NCW is this weekend, and I'm scared that things are going to come crashing down upon me. That's okay though, because that's my normal feeling before an NCW show. No Doug, No Ruy, and No Pittman is going to make things difficult although I think we'll have a strong enough card to make things memorable to the Willimantic public. Shit as long as Dean is in the Main Event, we'll be golden.

In Loving Memory of Helen (Heath) Loomis

Webster - Helen (Heath) Loomis, age 76, of 1 Douglas Road, died Friday, November 2, 2007 at home.

Her husband of 46 years, Lawrence E. Loomis died March 1, 1997. She leaves five sons, Lawrence E. Loomis of Plainfield, Gary S. Loomis of Leominster, Edward D. Loomis of Austin, Texas, Timothy D. Loomis and Joseph L. Loomis, both of Putnam; two daughters, Christine H. Gardner of Dudley and Sherene K. Loomis of Webster; two brothers, Richard Wolfendon of Warwick and Alfred L. Heath of Coventry; 13 grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by several brothers and sisters.

She was born in West Warwick, RI, daughter of the late Herbert B. and Georgianna (Cooke) Heath and lived in Webster since 1969. She was a retired stitcher having worked many years at Stevens Associates. She was a member of the Quinebaug 7th Day Adventist Church.

Helen was known as "Grandma" and was friends with several professional wrestlers from the "NCW", "EPW" and "PWF". She often appeared at many shows as a heckler and was a fan favorite.

Calling hours at the Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, 48 School Street, Webster will be Monday, November 5, 2007 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. A Memorial Service will be held at the Quinebaug 7th Day Adventist Church at a later date. Kindly Omit Flowers. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Helen's memory may be made to the Quinebaug 7th Day Adventist Church. Some things in professional wrestling are constant. There will always be bad guys vs. good guys. There will also be crazy, eccentric characters wearing spandex that they probably shouldn't be wearing in the first place. There will be matches that you remember, and moments that will define you. And then for me, with professional wrestling there will always be Grandma Loomis.

Grandma was a great woman who I got to meet when I first joined ICCW (Independent Connecticut Championship Wrestling) back in 2001. I had already been working professionally for a couple of years, but it was my first trek to the infamous Loomis Arena in Plainfield. The barn is a unique experience being it was a wrestling arena housed in a converted barn. The atmosphere was especially unique thanks to Grandma and her heckling ways. Through my time in ICCW, NCW, and Ringside Grandma was front and center booing me on. She ripped me a new one on countless occasions and I gave it back to her. She wouldn't have wanted it any other way.

Grandma and The Loomis family has given me so much over the years, they will forever be in my hearts and I would do absolutely anything for them. If I could take away their sadness I would. It makes me smile to know that her last wrestling event was an NCW show in Willimantic and despite me not even working the actual event I still got a "JC Sucks" chant from her.

Knowing what was to come doesn't change the present or the feelings we feel or grieve. Losing Grandma makes me feel like I lost another Grandmother myself. She was a Grandmother to all of us, and I wish her peace.

- John (JC)

Went and saw The Heartbreak Kid against my better judgment last week with Ruy and Trish, and sitting through that trite crap made me miss the old school Farelly Brothers more than anything. Before I get to the meat of it, let me explain.

Kingpin and Dumb & Dumber go hand in hand as two of the funniest movies from the mid 90's, and to this day are still movies I could pop in and laugh my ass off too. Though the basic plots are as formulatic as the recipe for apple pie Peter and Bobby Farrelly had a knack for making characters you just loved. Harry & Lloyd, Roy Munson, Ishmael, Big Ern. How could you not love these weird, sublime creations. The Farrelly's went mainstream in 1999 with There's Something About Mary, and surprisingly they didn't lose their touch along the way. Somehow they were able to maintain the quirkiness to the characters they created, and made their highest grossing film to date.

I don't know what happened to them from there, but with their creative control at an all time high they should have had carte blanche to do WHATEVER they wanted. And maybe that's the problem, but their formulatic plotlines seemed to weigh them down further and further with each passing movie, and I haven't even mildly enjoyed one of their films since um... Well. Uh... Exactly. The Heartbreak Kid was supposed to cleanse the pallet for them, but if anything it's just left a worse taste in my mouth and a hunger for their former glory.

The HBK is based off a 1972 film following Ben Stiller playing... Get this, BEN STILLER, as a eternally single dumbass wanting love without the commitment. He meets Lola, who seems to have stolen some of Cameron Diaz's DNA, which is a good thing because she stole hott Cameron Diaz DNA from 1999. Hmm maybe the Farrelly's keep it on file just in case. Anywho, Stiller- Er I mean Eddie Cantrell falls for her and within 6 weeks of their relationship ends up marrying her in one of those formulatic contrivances that only happen in movies. On their honeymoon the honeymoon's over when Eddie finds out about the REAL Lola, an S&M sex freak, former coke head, indebted looneybird. She's also a dumbass, and gets a horrid sunburn because she doesn't believe in suntan lotion in the middle of the Mexican sun. With the Mrs. in lockdown, Eddie ends up falling for a pretty brunette who's on holiday with her family. Yadda, yadda, yadda, stuff happens here, stuff happens there, a few gross out gags for the Farrelly touch and you got yourself a two hour movie that should be no longer than a buck thirty tops.

This movie made me want three things. One is to rewatch There's Something About Mary to see what the brothers were once capable of. Two is for Ben Stiller to stop acting for a year, or perhaps try NOT being Ben Stiller for a bit. I might enjoy his work a lot more if he did. Finally this movie just makes me want to search out the original flick, with Charles Grodin starring as a unlikable jerk who lusts after another woman while on his honeymoon. He's an asshole and the movie embraces it. Something unheard of for a protagonist in a mainstream movie and something The Farrelly's should have thought about while remaking this.

Tonight I saw We Own The Night starring Joaquin Phoenix and Mark Whalberg. I put Joaquin first in the billing because in my opinion he carried the movie, and turned what could have been a one note character into a multi-layered persona. This movie surpassed my expectations, as I expected this to be a paint by numbers good brother vs. bad brother film, since that's the way the commercials promoted it. Luckily this main concept is thrown out the window fairly quickly, and where thrown into a world where sibling rivalry brings on a whole new dimension. Whalberg consistently is awesome in everything he does, and even when I don't like the movie I'll enjoy his role in it. Phoenix is another strong character actor and is someone I wish would have gotten the nod for The Joker over Heath Ledger in next years Dark Knight. Some of the shots in this film made it clear to me he would have been a fantastic Joker.

See this while you can, because I feel it will be swept under the rug sooner than later.

So Saturday I took my biggest step as a (wannabee) screenwriter when I went down to Michael Corrente's Screamwriting Competition in Providence to give my two minute pitch for a horror flick. I was hesitant early on about doing it since getting wind of it through my Mom. She called in serendipity that I would begin writing Project O and days later Corrente announcing a horror writing competition to make ten local small budget horror films in the state of RI.

I debated up until Friday about whether I would pitch Project O or if I would shoot something else. My nerves were shot and my mind was racked, but I decided on pitching Blood Bank, an idea I brainstormed with Nathan a few weeks back when I brought my first draft for him to read. It was a rough idea, and without a real solid idea of where it was going I put some thoughts together and shot it on a few outside ears.

I knew waiting would be the hardest part (thanks Tom), so I enlisted the help of "The Portuguese Sensation" to keep me company on the streets of downcity Providence until it was my time to shine. I got to Union Street around 9am to find the long line around the corner already in full formation (come to find out some people camped out over night getting there around 11pm Friday night). I was #81, which was pretty good considering it ended up reaching about 230 people by the end of the day. After sweating my ass off and wiping down in the bathroom across the street I got to pitch my story at around 1pm. As I waited in "the holding room" I shat myself, said a little prayer to my Nana and walked in with my one ace in the hole...

I said my name, said my number, and said my peace. I had two minutes and did it in about a minute thirty, and as I left one of the guys by the exit mentioned it was a pretty original idea out of alot of ideas that had already been thrown around by that time. I felt pretty accomplished. I made Corrente smile, got my points across, and felt like I just performed an audition with American Idol.

Now the waiting game REALLY begins as we have about four weeks to hear back from Corrente and Co. to see about writing a script treatment in the next stage of competition. Oh and not that I'm sucking up but if for any reason Michael you've stumbled upon this if I never get to see you again is there anyway you can get me a print of Outside Providence? It's no longer in circulation and is one of my favorite movies ever.

Okay enough sucking up.

Let me get this out of the way right now before I go any further. Vince McMahon can go fuck himself in the ass with his "wellness policy" and all the current hardships he's facing with talent suspensions, a federal indictment, and mudering wrestlers rampaging around.

Why you ask?

Because at the end of the day NCW still has it tougher than the poor billionare Vince McMahon and the house his father built (Lil' Vince must have been living it up in the outhouse next door with all the shit he's poured into The WWEmpire over the last thirty years.)

FACT: NCW has essentially been a money losing venture since its inception in 1997, with little to no profit being made over the last decade. Why continue to do it? To try and bring some fun to an industry full of shitbags and pedophiles, and to prove not everyone in wrestling is a creep essentially. NCW has given a home to various hardworking wrestlers over the years who have lost their way and have become disenfranchised with the business. NCW has also been a place to develop a personality and bring some depth to a sometimes lacking character. Character development isn't a myth people, it's something that has been translated through millions of mediums, especially professional wrestling. So if you're just generic babyface #2 versus generic angry heel #9 the people will just continue to sit on their hands.

When NCW came back in 2005 it was welcomed back to a new variation of the wrestling business, and not something I was really looking forward too. Politics were worse than ever, twice as many promotions had pooped up (popped up, but the typo stands) everywhere, and a whole new crew of workers had become sick of the business as a whole. NCW recruited these people, and although NCW has been at best a part time hanger on in the New England Indy Landscape it's been a safe haven for them since.

In the Summer of 2006 John Pimentel, Ruy Batello, "The Portuguese Sensation" and my best friend (all the same) decided to end his fulltime career as a weekend warrior to concentrate on the upcoming school year as well as his fulltime job. I resepected his decision, but it stung. Ruy was the heart and soul of NCW, and while I might be the maniacal mastermind behind the scenes I felt there was no magic left without the big man. How could NCW go on? Luckily there was a group of men and women who were ready to bust ass and make due, because NCW actually thrived in lieu of Ruy's retirement, and a new uprising of talent was stepping up to the plate just as it had years earlier when NCW went through a similiar transition (the end of the Big Poppa Drunk and Steve Taylors and the beginning of the Chris Venom and Tim Kilgores come to mind).

FACT: 2006 may have been NCW's worst year creatively, but 2007 is the year of bad luck to the Nth degree. These are the hard facts, and when you look at it from this perspective it's really hard to argue the points.

- NCW's October event in Dedham, MA was cancelled due to an issue securing the ring for the event when our ring rental fell through. This was going to be NCW's defining show of the new era, crowning a new Heavyweight Champion in the wake of Ruy's retirement. No Champion would be crowned until January of the new year. Because of the cancellation Dedham no longer wants wrestling.

- At NCW's first event of 2007 word came through that Tim Kilgore would be leaving for Louisville Kentucky to train with WWE's developmental territory OVW while Cenobite was fired from the promotion for nearly attacking a fan, and with that two major heels were lost in one fell swoop. On the positive side Doug Summers defeated Davey Loomis in a terrific final round tournament match to become NCW Champion. So all is well...

- Oh except for Jon Thornhill injuring his ankle in the beginning minutes of the NCW Tag Team Invitational. Thornhill is taken out, and rushed to a nearby hospital while Chris Venom steps in as a literal last second replacement for Thornhill teaming with Tim Pittman. Afterburn wins the Tag Team Titles in an upset.

- After Kilgore challenged rival Rob Impact to a huge Last Man Standing Match at NCW's 10 Year REUNION Kilgore dodged the issue and did not make it up for NCW's anniversary show. After being hyped for two months as the end to their bitter rivalry Impact took on the formerly fired Cenobite in an Unsanctioned Brawl. The Match stole the show, but not without some bait and switch crying. Jon Thornhill WAS able to get back into the ring for the big show, but Afterburn were stripped of the belts after winning them. They did not appear at REUNION, and PC Cruz left the business shortly after for personal reasons.

- Davey Loomis told NCW that he had a torn ACL, and the young star would be going under the knife in June to repair his injured knee. One of NCW's brightest singles wrestlers was now on the shelf indefinitely, and is still estimated to be out until February 2008.

- Soon after it was formally announced that former NCW Tag Team Champion Tim Pittman, one half of Generation SLAM and in the middle of one of the biggest rivalries in NCW history against The Maine State Posse would be leaving the United States for a year, moving to Japan to teach English.

So while Umaga, Chris Masters, William Regal et al sit out on the bench for 30 days with their "serious" slap on the wrist (gimme a fucking break, if Albany's DA hadn't busted the operation these guys would have NEVER been reprimanded or even caught) some of the hardest working, best, and most talented athletes fade away. I love these guys. Thornhill and Pittman grew to become two of my closest friends, and Tim leaving has left a void in our group. I've watched Davey grow up from being some lanky kid to some jacked lanky Duff-Fro wearing wrestling superstar. I know it kills him to be out of the action (professional and amateur) for so long, and it kills me too. NCW is not the be all, end all. We have our own lives, and no one should put their life on hold for a once a month wrestling promotion no matter how much fun it is. The only thing that irks me is how some of the worst wrestling promotions coast by on pure dumb luck. I mean APCW is full of shit bags, but their shitbags don't get accidentally hurt or teach people how to learn English. Hell they can't even learn English.

Here's to a hopeful 2008.

Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, another blog bites the dust.

But just like the phoenix rising, a new blog is born. I don't know what it is but every few months I get this desire to makeover my little slice of the internet pie and vow on life itself that it will be updated on a more consistent basis, and here we are. Just like the sun rising at least once everyday and just like the seasons change four times a year here I am with another empty promise.... Maybe. Instead of using MySpace as my blogging crutch I will do my best to parlay that into this site, as well as update various other things on here that clutter my creative* mind.

More updates to come if anyones listening.

*This is subject to change, since I'm also guilty of being a lazy asshole.