Joey Slugs
10-05-2005, 11:41 PM
I know this is long, but it's worth the read. I've been reading Steve's stuff on LiveJournal for quite sometime and the man can tell a good story.
http://www.livejournal.com/users/corino/
This past weekend was a lot of fun. It started out with plans to go to the 1PW debut show in the UK. Everything seemed to be smooth but when you are a pro-wrestler, smooth just is another word for "get ready-something will go wrong".
Thursday morning Kindom James, who was handling the flights for UK, instant messages me and tells me that our Philadelphia to Newark nine minute flight was canceled. A flight from Philadelphia canceled? Say it isn't so. There must have been rain in the forecast-for Sunday. But anyway, after some unsuccessful attempts at getting a new flight from Philadelphia, the nice lady (and believe it or not she was really nice) tells me, and later Sandman, Meanie, and Austin Aries, that we would have to take a train from Philadelphia to Newark, then we can catch our connection from Newark to Manchester, UK.
Sandman calls me and offers to drive to 30th Street Station if I meet him at the Sandman Compound. This is where it gets fun. My ex-wife drops me off at Palace De Hak and Sandman immediately walks over, gives her the wrestler hug (I think he might have talked to her once in the 6 years I have known him), and gives her the big "YOOOOOOOOOO girl". At that point I knew this had potential to be a classic story-filled weekend!
Once we got to 30th Street Station we had to sit in a line to get our train tickets and we met up with a well-dressed Austin Aries. Sandman gets him to butt in line to be with us which gets him his first few double-looks. Then as we are getting our tickets we see the Blue Meanie and he can tell that Hak is in a good mood and joins our crew. Now imagine this scene: A blue-haired Blue Meanie, a green Grumpy sweatshirt wearing King of Old School, a well dressed former ROH World champion, and a drunk Sandman. What a motley crue.
We got on the train and there were no seats left. Finally the conductor (do they call them conductors or ushers or something else?) found two spots in the Quiet Car (yep, they call it that) and Austin and Meanie sat, while I stood up and BS'd with them. Sandman was in between cars when the conductor or usher guy found him a seat...next to a woman...better yet, a professional woman. So Sandman starts to talk to her and because he is good (he claims) at this, he profiles her. He figures out that she is a 37 year old lawyer. A nice looking 37 year old lawyer sitting next to a over 35 drunk wrestler. Now he asks her to pick his profession and what does she guess? Yep, your right-Drug Dealer! Haaaaaaaaa.
Finally we get to Newark and its time to check in for our flight. Since it is 2005 and the airlines, in their attempt to cut costs and people from feeding their familes, figure that a computer can give you your ticket and one person can handle 25 different bag tags. Actually works most of the time. Most of the time mind you. You have to remember that we are dealing with The Sandman here. It was a mess for Sandman.
On our flight to Manchester we had Sandman, Me, Aries, Meanie, Jerry Lynn, Low Ki, Al Snow, Kingdom James, James Keenan (who became one of my favorites after this tour), and a few more of the Pittsburgh crew. We all thought immigration would have a field day with us but the UK are filled with cool people. We got through without a hitch and it was off to Doncaster. By the way, somewhere along the line we met up with Raven. Raven and Sandman all weekend? Oh my.
1PW got all of us on a bus for the two hour trip north (was it north? Someone let me know) to Doncaster. Once we got into town we noticed all the nice houses (and there are a lot of them) and pulled into the area where 1UP Games is located. We had to turn around and we saw a nice pasture with horses when Low Ki, who is serious as the day is long, says in his shoot Barry White voice "I think that horse is dead". Low and behold there was a F'n DEAD horse on the ground. Not sleeping because correct me if I am wrong but don't horses sleep standing up? And even if they don't they aren't in that position. This bastard was as dead as Ed Stranger Lewis. You just knew the jokes were only seconds away. Keenan says "He must have just died, he is still pink" and without missing a beat the "MENSA" card carrying member Sandman goes "Yooo, its because he's an albino" (Yep, albino). Raven hits the "Whats with the long face" (Booo) but Austin Aries got the winners trophy with "ALRIGHT GUYS, LETS STOP BEATING (everyone) A DEAD HORSE".
Friday night the boys spent most of the time in the small hotel bar eating Fish 'n' Chips and some pints and just having a good time swaping stories. That is one of the best things about being on the road with great guys, the stories. Sandman and Raven went a show with Alex Shane (hahaahaha, Alex had to put up with both of them in a car) so it was pretty much a quiet night.
Saturday started out nice and easy. Dreamer, AJ Styles, and my girl got in around 11 and most of the boys went to the building for the Q&A's around 12. I stayed to babysit the still sleeping Raven and Sandman until 2. Awaking the Sandman is like awaking Johnny Carson, just ain't happening. Finally I got him to wake up and get in the car with us and our driver, Tony. Tony kept a nice smile on his face but I think secretly he wished that Sandman would open the door and just fall out of the car.
We get to the Arena and there was a Football (real Football, not stupid American Football) game going on at the same property so it was packed. Sandman, being the ambASSador of good will that he is, decides to get out and direct traffic-with his pants down. It was Pensacola, Florida all over again!
The Q&A session was a classic also. On the panel you had Keenan, Aries, Me, Jonny Storm, Low Ki, AJ Styles, and Chris Sabin. About five minutes in Sandman must have heard his music (in his own head of course) so he barges in with a big "YOOOOO" and percedes to take over the whole Q&A. I don't think the boys were too happy about it but as long as the fans liked it, it was all right with me.
The show was great. I had a lot of fun and I think the UK fans got a helluva show. I know my match got some mixed reviews but it was one of the those matches that you had to think about. With the great wrestling from Sabin/Lynn vs. Storm/Fleisch, Williams/Aries, Keenan/D-Lo, AJ/Abyss, and the UK 6 man, plus the Strong (and DAMNNNNNN was it stiff) Style of Ki/Iceman, plus the comedy of Smothers/Meanie, PLUS the E-Style Sandman/Dreamer/Raven there wasn't much left for me and Al Snow to do. So we decided to do something totally different. We went slow (I mean Verne Gagne slow), then I did the same fake injury I did at UXW with Al (and whoever said they knew I wasn't hurt was wrong. Everyone from the 1PW staff to my girlfriend to the fans thought I was really hurt), then I beat on him, and then we turned to sports-entertainment, followed by the ECW (Am I allowed to put E-C-W in here or will I get sued too?) style run ins of Tracy Smothers and Blue Meanie, three ref bumps, and a serious finish. Sound strange? Yes, it was but I think it worked. As Sandman drunkly said "Yo the smart marks probably hated it but the WWE fans loved it" and even though we hate to admit it there are a lot of WWE fans. As for injuries, I received a slightly black eye from the 200 punches I took from Al (I think I might owe him some money) and bruised nuts from his 619 into the low blow. Ouch. But in all seriousness I had a blast wrestling Al and the 1PW crew treated all of us great. I can't wait to return to the UK (November 12 and 13) and also return to 1PW in January.
I was reading some Entertainment news on Comcast.com tonight and noticed a few things:
1. Britney Spears' SEX tape was stolen: Time to sign up for eBay!!!!
2. Katie Holmes is pregnant: So I guess he isn't gay.
3. Ashlee Simpson to "sing" on SNL again: Another reason NOT to watch.
4. Nick & Jessica to split?: Who f'ing cares at this point. Plus Nick looks like Simon Dean.
5. Lindsy Lohan to pose nude: Nice. Real Nice.
6. Tara Reid claims to be a "good actress": That is like me saying that Steve Corino is as great as Ric Flair.
Well that is about it for me. W-1 is on Friday night in Philadelphia. Should be a fun show (It better be, I know the booker) and check out www.WORLD1Wrestling.com for all the details and the Internet TV.
Until next time, I'm Steve Corino and I hate the Atlanta Braves.
http://www.livejournal.com/users/corino/
This past weekend was a lot of fun. It started out with plans to go to the 1PW debut show in the UK. Everything seemed to be smooth but when you are a pro-wrestler, smooth just is another word for "get ready-something will go wrong".
Thursday morning Kindom James, who was handling the flights for UK, instant messages me and tells me that our Philadelphia to Newark nine minute flight was canceled. A flight from Philadelphia canceled? Say it isn't so. There must have been rain in the forecast-for Sunday. But anyway, after some unsuccessful attempts at getting a new flight from Philadelphia, the nice lady (and believe it or not she was really nice) tells me, and later Sandman, Meanie, and Austin Aries, that we would have to take a train from Philadelphia to Newark, then we can catch our connection from Newark to Manchester, UK.
Sandman calls me and offers to drive to 30th Street Station if I meet him at the Sandman Compound. This is where it gets fun. My ex-wife drops me off at Palace De Hak and Sandman immediately walks over, gives her the wrestler hug (I think he might have talked to her once in the 6 years I have known him), and gives her the big "YOOOOOOOOOO girl". At that point I knew this had potential to be a classic story-filled weekend!
Once we got to 30th Street Station we had to sit in a line to get our train tickets and we met up with a well-dressed Austin Aries. Sandman gets him to butt in line to be with us which gets him his first few double-looks. Then as we are getting our tickets we see the Blue Meanie and he can tell that Hak is in a good mood and joins our crew. Now imagine this scene: A blue-haired Blue Meanie, a green Grumpy sweatshirt wearing King of Old School, a well dressed former ROH World champion, and a drunk Sandman. What a motley crue.
We got on the train and there were no seats left. Finally the conductor (do they call them conductors or ushers or something else?) found two spots in the Quiet Car (yep, they call it that) and Austin and Meanie sat, while I stood up and BS'd with them. Sandman was in between cars when the conductor or usher guy found him a seat...next to a woman...better yet, a professional woman. So Sandman starts to talk to her and because he is good (he claims) at this, he profiles her. He figures out that she is a 37 year old lawyer. A nice looking 37 year old lawyer sitting next to a over 35 drunk wrestler. Now he asks her to pick his profession and what does she guess? Yep, your right-Drug Dealer! Haaaaaaaaa.
Finally we get to Newark and its time to check in for our flight. Since it is 2005 and the airlines, in their attempt to cut costs and people from feeding their familes, figure that a computer can give you your ticket and one person can handle 25 different bag tags. Actually works most of the time. Most of the time mind you. You have to remember that we are dealing with The Sandman here. It was a mess for Sandman.
On our flight to Manchester we had Sandman, Me, Aries, Meanie, Jerry Lynn, Low Ki, Al Snow, Kingdom James, James Keenan (who became one of my favorites after this tour), and a few more of the Pittsburgh crew. We all thought immigration would have a field day with us but the UK are filled with cool people. We got through without a hitch and it was off to Doncaster. By the way, somewhere along the line we met up with Raven. Raven and Sandman all weekend? Oh my.
1PW got all of us on a bus for the two hour trip north (was it north? Someone let me know) to Doncaster. Once we got into town we noticed all the nice houses (and there are a lot of them) and pulled into the area where 1UP Games is located. We had to turn around and we saw a nice pasture with horses when Low Ki, who is serious as the day is long, says in his shoot Barry White voice "I think that horse is dead". Low and behold there was a F'n DEAD horse on the ground. Not sleeping because correct me if I am wrong but don't horses sleep standing up? And even if they don't they aren't in that position. This bastard was as dead as Ed Stranger Lewis. You just knew the jokes were only seconds away. Keenan says "He must have just died, he is still pink" and without missing a beat the "MENSA" card carrying member Sandman goes "Yooo, its because he's an albino" (Yep, albino). Raven hits the "Whats with the long face" (Booo) but Austin Aries got the winners trophy with "ALRIGHT GUYS, LETS STOP BEATING (everyone) A DEAD HORSE".
Friday night the boys spent most of the time in the small hotel bar eating Fish 'n' Chips and some pints and just having a good time swaping stories. That is one of the best things about being on the road with great guys, the stories. Sandman and Raven went a show with Alex Shane (hahaahaha, Alex had to put up with both of them in a car) so it was pretty much a quiet night.
Saturday started out nice and easy. Dreamer, AJ Styles, and my girl got in around 11 and most of the boys went to the building for the Q&A's around 12. I stayed to babysit the still sleeping Raven and Sandman until 2. Awaking the Sandman is like awaking Johnny Carson, just ain't happening. Finally I got him to wake up and get in the car with us and our driver, Tony. Tony kept a nice smile on his face but I think secretly he wished that Sandman would open the door and just fall out of the car.
We get to the Arena and there was a Football (real Football, not stupid American Football) game going on at the same property so it was packed. Sandman, being the ambASSador of good will that he is, decides to get out and direct traffic-with his pants down. It was Pensacola, Florida all over again!
The Q&A session was a classic also. On the panel you had Keenan, Aries, Me, Jonny Storm, Low Ki, AJ Styles, and Chris Sabin. About five minutes in Sandman must have heard his music (in his own head of course) so he barges in with a big "YOOOOO" and percedes to take over the whole Q&A. I don't think the boys were too happy about it but as long as the fans liked it, it was all right with me.
The show was great. I had a lot of fun and I think the UK fans got a helluva show. I know my match got some mixed reviews but it was one of the those matches that you had to think about. With the great wrestling from Sabin/Lynn vs. Storm/Fleisch, Williams/Aries, Keenan/D-Lo, AJ/Abyss, and the UK 6 man, plus the Strong (and DAMNNNNNN was it stiff) Style of Ki/Iceman, plus the comedy of Smothers/Meanie, PLUS the E-Style Sandman/Dreamer/Raven there wasn't much left for me and Al Snow to do. So we decided to do something totally different. We went slow (I mean Verne Gagne slow), then I did the same fake injury I did at UXW with Al (and whoever said they knew I wasn't hurt was wrong. Everyone from the 1PW staff to my girlfriend to the fans thought I was really hurt), then I beat on him, and then we turned to sports-entertainment, followed by the ECW (Am I allowed to put E-C-W in here or will I get sued too?) style run ins of Tracy Smothers and Blue Meanie, three ref bumps, and a serious finish. Sound strange? Yes, it was but I think it worked. As Sandman drunkly said "Yo the smart marks probably hated it but the WWE fans loved it" and even though we hate to admit it there are a lot of WWE fans. As for injuries, I received a slightly black eye from the 200 punches I took from Al (I think I might owe him some money) and bruised nuts from his 619 into the low blow. Ouch. But in all seriousness I had a blast wrestling Al and the 1PW crew treated all of us great. I can't wait to return to the UK (November 12 and 13) and also return to 1PW in January.
I was reading some Entertainment news on Comcast.com tonight and noticed a few things:
1. Britney Spears' SEX tape was stolen: Time to sign up for eBay!!!!
2. Katie Holmes is pregnant: So I guess he isn't gay.
3. Ashlee Simpson to "sing" on SNL again: Another reason NOT to watch.
4. Nick & Jessica to split?: Who f'ing cares at this point. Plus Nick looks like Simon Dean.
5. Lindsy Lohan to pose nude: Nice. Real Nice.
6. Tara Reid claims to be a "good actress": That is like me saying that Steve Corino is as great as Ric Flair.
Well that is about it for me. W-1 is on Friday night in Philadelphia. Should be a fun show (It better be, I know the booker) and check out www.WORLD1Wrestling.com for all the details and the Internet TV.
Until next time, I'm Steve Corino and I hate the Atlanta Braves.