loopydate Talks About His Job (EDIT: March 11 card updated)

[loopydate]

Which is probably a pretty small number. Anyway, after yet another dead end on the job front, I'm considering re-trying something I tried about three years ago, and that's sending resumes out to local indies to see if they need help.

Granted, I'm nowhere near "wrestling shape," but I don't want to be a wrestler, anyway. I have two degrees in broadcasting and extensive experience as a camera operator and editor. Even some on-camera work, but that's not my goal (not that I'd turn it down).

Anyway, I checked ObsessedWithWrestling.com's list of independent promotions and came up with the following for Michigan promotions:

All World Wrestling League
Blue Water Championship Wrestling
Insane Wrestling Federation

Plus, there is an AWA affiliate (UCW) and an NWA affiliate (Michigan, even though I don't see NWA:M listed on the NWA website).

So, I'm asking Does anyone know anything about these promotions? More specifically, do you know if they're televised or looking to televise? And, heck, do you know any other Michigan indies?

I tried about three years ago with the Michigan Marquee Wrestling Alliance, but they went under before I ever got a response. (See, if they'd just hired me, they'd still be around!)

I have a little bit of knowledge of local indy workers, based primarily on MMWA. I've seen The Amazing N8 Mattson and Nate "Spyder" Webb, and guys like that in action. Plus, it's where I got my first exposure to Chris Sabin.

So... Yeah. That's the purpose of this thread: Does anyone have any suggestions?

[kinglacoste]

IM SURE I CAN GET YOU A JOB CLEANING THE SPIT OFF THE MAT AND PICKING TRASH UP AT THE FLEA MARKET WRESTLING SHOWS IN MY TOWN.

[kinglacoste]

NOPE SORRY. I JUST CALLED AND THAT JOB IS FILLED. ILL KEEP LOOKING AROUND THOUGH.

[loopydate]

Turns out UCW is based two cities over from where I grew up. I sent an e-mail to the promoter tonight. They only run one or two shows a month but, hey, if they hired somebody who could handle production... One of the local FOX affiliates used to carry an indy (MMWA) show late-night Monday nights until the promotion folded. They might be willing to put an AWA affiliate on in its place. *Fingers crossed*

[BigDaddyCool]

I barely know anything about WLW.

[Innovator]

Try IWA Mid South

[loopydate]

Turns out that UCW is going to start running a show on the local CBS affiliate and that they are looking for production people! I'm going to meet with the promoter sometime in the next week. Of course, I'm trying not to get my hopes up (telling myself that they're basically just a big indy and that I probably won't get paid much if they even hire me), but it's hard.

There was a period in high school where I thought that I wanted to be a wrestling promoter, but that sort of slid by the wayside once I got to college and got really into writing. But now the fact that I'm actually going to meet with a promoter about a possible job is too exciting.

[loopydate]

I've been trying to get ahold of the promoter since before Christmas to set up an interview, but my calls have been going unreturned.

Found out why today.

His wife answered the phone and told me that he was at a funeral. I went to UCW's website (http://www.oldschooledge.com for those who are interested), and there's something up on the splash page about a "friend of UCW" passing.

Well, now I feel like shit. Last thing this guy needs right now is some kid calling him up to talk about a job every day. I sent my condolences and told him to take his time.

But I really want this job.

[loopydate]

Yeah, so now I'm working for UCW. :love: The promoter's going to get me tapes of their last eight shows that I'm going to edit for TV. Then, when future shows come up, I'll be in charge of putting together a crew to tape them for future show installments.

Hot diggity damn!

[Corkscrewed]

Oly shit, congratulations, Pat!!! It might seem like a small deal in the big picture, but if you asked me, being in charge of editing shows sounds really cool! Way to go, man.

Hope this doesn't cut into your C-Fedding time tho. :D

[What Would Kevin Do?]

Congrats bro. Well played.

[FourFifty]

w00t! Go Loopy!

Now that you have a job, can I have 5 bucks?

[loopydate]

Okay, this is going to start airing this week for anyone in the Tri-City area of Michigan with Charter cable.

But since I love you guys, here's a sneak peek (http://s38.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=2DS3WF67PJC350THQ3U372HSFU) at my first UCW commercial.

Also, for any of you who live in the area, here's the announced card so far:

UCW @ Bay County Community Center (Bay City, MI) Saturday March 11

Making their first wrestling appearance in their hometown EVER: The Steiner Brothers (I think they're issuing an open challenge)
"Viper" Pete Christie, Justin Rhodes, "Extreme" Bull Wheeler, and Quinson Valentino will battle for the vacant UCW Heavyweight Title (belt was vacated when Jeff Farmer retired. Not sure if it's a four-way or a tournament.)
Ladder Match - Sky Devian vs. Sebastian Rose
Connecticut Experience (Daniel Sigma and Gary Dawson) defend the UCW Tag Team Titles against unnamed opponent (my guess is that it will be Mayhem. Sigma's former partner Pierce Masters will be returning from an injury, and will probably get involved)
Big Chuck Wagon defends the Midwest Title vs. an unnamed opponent
Dyson Pryce vs. Alcatraz
Kuzin Kurt returns with a "special guest"
Mayhem and the Beasts of Burden are also advertised, but I don't know who they're facing. My guess is Mayhem will get the Tag Team Title match and BoB will face the Steiners.http://www.oldschooledge.com has information on how to get tickets. You should come and see it. The wrestling will be good, plus you'll have an opportunity to meet the one and only loopydate!

[ddpBANG]

Expired already?

[loopydate]

Okay, I think I fixed the link.

[Avenger]

Dude this is awesome news for you!

Congrats!

[Blitz]

:heart: Big Chuck Wagon

[Skippord]

Whore yourself out to get Chris Sabin back there

[loopydate]

Man, would I love to see Sabin live. Actually, the first Sabin match I ever saw was in the Michigan Marquee Wrestling Association against "Amazing" N8 Mattson, who's a UCW regular now. That would be very cool if we could get Sabin.

The booker's been trying to get Abyss to come up for a show. No Sabin, but that would still be incredibly cool.

BTW, that's my voice on the commercial. No, I don't usually sound like that. That was my put-on "SUNDAY SUNDAY SUNDAY" voice.

[Blitz]

N8 is awesome.

[loopydate]

UCW is going to start selling DVDs on the website in the fairly near future, I think. N8's had some killer matches with guys like Kirby Mack, Ricky Landell, Gary Dawson, Sebastian Rose, and Jaysen Yang.

[Corkscrewed]

Kirby Mack related to Rodney Mack?

Sorry, that's the first place my head went to. :lol:



You've got a pretty decent Monster Rally voice. ;) Nice work.

[Skippord]

SUNDAY SUNDAY SUNDAY(and MONDAY MONDAY MONDAY)

[loopydate]

Just in case anyone was curious. The DVD will eventually be on sale at the UCW website.

Saturday, March 11 Results
Gate: 740

They literally sold every seat in the house. I did commentary for the show along with one of the workers, and we had to stand for the entire show. The atmosphere was amazing.

Match #1
Rastakhan beat Xavier Justice in a qualifying match for the UCW Heavyweight Title tournament. Pretty short match, but good stuff on both sides. Rastakhan (who wears a mask and tights with a Jamaican flag on them) won with an Oklahoma Slam.

Match #2
Bull Wheeler over Brian Bender in the first tournament semifinal. I'd seen Wheeler on a few UCW tapes, but the guy is really ripped. He's only about an inch taller than me, but he weighs almost 300 pounds. Wheeler wins it with a Baldo Bomb.

Match #3
Helvis Elliot over El Ario. This was supposed to be the Beasts of Burden vs. Los Fuegos, but Elliot's BoB teammate Original Sinn couldn't make it, so it became a singles match. Elliot squashed Ario, then got on the mic and said that he was going to answer the Steiners' challenge tonight with a new partner.

Match #4
"Viper" Pete Christie over Rastakhan in the other semifinal. Pete's a pretty solid worker who's done a couple of WWF/E shows. Khan wound up taking off his mask before the match, although I'm not really sure why. These two had pretty good chemistry and put on a good match, but Pete is a hometown guy, so it was clear he was going to go over. He won it with a DDT.

Match #5
Sebastian Rose beat Sky Devian in a ladder match. This was the match of the night. The "prize" was a bottle from Rose's Jack Daniels stash that was hanging from the rafters, and Rose (who has a heavy metal gimmick) tried to smuggle a few bottles with him into the ring. Good comedy stuff with the ref early, finding bottles stuffed in his pockets, boots, etc. The spot of the night was a sick superplex off the ladder. I can't remember who did it to who atm, but the crowd ate it up.

Rose wound up winning by scaling the ladder, but after the match, he was assaulted by a masked wrestler called the Hatebreeder. This was a shocker, since Rose is usually the guy under the 'Breeder's mask, and almost all the fans know that. Kinda like when Jeff Jarrett would wear the Blue Blazer hood and interfere in Owen Hart matches.

Match #6
Rick Steiner fought The Masked Grappler to a no-contest. Rick got a chance to show off all his signature moves. At the end of the match, Helvis did a run-in with his new partner Eddie Venom (who, like Helvis, has done the job on a couple of recent episodes of Impact). They assault Rick, which brings out Scott Steiner, and the crowd goes apeshit. The Steiners clear the ring and we go to intermission.

Intermission took forever, because the Steiners came back out to pose for pictures and sign autographs. Practically the entire arena crowded the ring for their turn. Pete Christie and Bull Wheeler also came back out to sign autographs. Very cool stuff that you only get to see at an indy show.

Match #7
Big Chuck Wagon successfully defended the Midwest Title over "Candyman" Kevin Baker. Big Chuck weighs about 400 pounds, but his lack of agility is made up for with a lot of charisma. Quite a bit of comedy stuff, checking the referee for weapons and whatnot. Chuck wins it in about 7 minutes or so.

Match #8
UCW Tag Team Champions The Connecticut Experience (Daniel Sigma & "Awesome" Gary Dawson) win a non-title match against the Chunkindales ("Edible" Michael Barnes & "Chubby" [can't remember the rest of his name]). CTX (my new nickname for the Experience) won it with their version of Total Elimination. I am now a huge CTX mark.

Match #9
Alcatraz and Dyson Pryce fought to a double count-out. Before the match, Alcatraz's new lawyer Syd Raines (sp?) came out and riled up the crowd. Excellent heelish stuff. Raines was with Miranda Chase, who is quite pretty in person. Finally, the two big dudes started brawling. Both guys are pretty athletic for their size. They wind up brawling outside the ring (practically in the laps of the front-row fans since they were packed in so tight) and getting counted out. Glad to see this feud is going to develop.

Match #10
"Viper" Pete Christie beats Bull Wheeler to win the vacant UCW Heavyweight Title. This was a battle of two hometown guys (Christie actually trained Wheeler to be a wrestler), and both guys were playing the babyface. The match ended when Wheeler tried to hit a Catatonic slam, but Christie turned it into a DDT in a really nice spot. After the match, Wheeler got in Christie's face to tease a heel turn, but shook his hand and walked away.

Main Event
The Steiner Brothers over Helvis Elliot & Eddie Venom. While Devian/Rose may have been a better match in the technical sense, this was the most memorable of the night. The crowd popped like crazy whenever the Steiners were on offense, and were really letting Helvis and Eddie hear it. Excellent back-and-forth stuff for almost 20 minutes before Rick hits a Steinerline to knock Helvis out of the ring while Scott put Venom in the Steiner Recliner. When the bell rang, the crowd just went nuts. It was so loud in that room.

After the match, Helvis got back on the mic and said that he wasn't finished with the Steiners. Looks like they're going to try and push Helvis as a top-tier heel.

Thoughts
Good action all around. The three big highlights were the ladder match, the title match, and the main event. The place was absolutely packed, as I've mentioned before, and it was really hot as a result. They actually ran out of tickets, but wound up stamping people's hands to get in at the last minute. It was literally standing room only.

I like that they're trying to push Helvis. He's really charismatic and plays his evil heel role very well.

I can't wait to see what's next in the Christie/Wheeler saga. Ditto for the Sebastian Rose/Hatebreeder stuff.

I'd never seen Rastakhan before, but he's a very good worker. I hope he gets invited back for future shows.

Like I said before, I'm a huge Connecticut Experience mark. I had a chance to talk to Daniel Sigma after the show, and he's a really cool guy. He said that, if I'm interested, he'll pass around a demo disc of some of my UCW matches (once I've had a chance to edit them) to some of the other promotions he works for. Plus, I love old-school heel tag teams, and CTX is very good at that.

I did commentary for the show with Theodore J. Segedi III (who works with a nerd gimmick). It was an absolute blast! We had really good chemistry and a similar sense of humor. It's a pity he's also a regular wrestler, because I think we'd make a good regular announcing team. I found out later that one of my cameramen overheard him telling the promoter that I was very good at play-by-play. :D

Oh, that reminds me! During the main event, that same cameraman was working the ringside cam. Eddie Venom had Rick Steiner laying on the middle rope and charged across the ring. He baseball slid out of the ring and hit an uppercut on Rick (like the one the Big Boss Man used to use). Unfortunately, my cameraman was right up against the ring getting a close-up of Rick and didn't see Venom coming. So Venom winds up baseball sliding my friend Eric into the front row! Hilarious.

So, since I got back from vacation this past weekend, I've been working on editing the matches for DVD. It's a lot of fun, but I've sort of taken a break from it, since I still haven't actually been paid. I don't want to take the footage hostage or anything, but I'm not exactly motivated to work if I still haven't been paid for the commercial I put together two months ago, you know?

Anyway, it was a fun experience and - assuming the money situation works itself out in a timely manner - I can't wait to do it again in early May.

[McLegend]

How did Scott Stenier look in the ring? Better then he in the WWE?

[Bad Company]

Exactly what I was going to ask :D

[loopydate]

He looked smaller than during his last WWE run. Wouldn't surprise me if he'd lost upward of 15-20 pounds. I think he still has that recurring foot problem, so he spent most of the match on the apron. But when he was in there, he looked better than he did in WWE. His belly-to-belly suplex was a lot crisper, for example.

[McLegend]

That's good

[Blitz]

Didn't know Helvis Elliot was still wrestling. He used to be pretty good.

[King Jericho]

All sounds like good stuff, awesome crowd as well.

Though 11 matches? Shows I work on in the U.K have about 5-8 matches.

Keep up the awesome work.

[loopydate]

Things are getting a little ugly in the world of central Michigan indy wrestling. Apparently, Steve Corino's World-1 promotion is trying to butt in on UCW's territory (Bay City & the surrounding area), and has been offering UCW workers huge buyouts to work for them.

A few guys have taken them up on the offer, so the UCW roster is fluctuating a lot lately. Apparently, Bull Wheeler, Justin Rhodes, and Mayhem have all jumped ship. (Bull :'( ) I guess somebody from World-1 told Brian (the promoter) that I was with them, too.

Now, I have no idea who at World-1 even knows who the hell I am, but that's an indication of just how dirty those guys are playing. I was unemployed for two years and have worked a grand total of one indy show...in my LIFE...but World-1 is trying to use me as leverage. Weird.

Anyway, the promoter's coming over tomorrow to pay me, so hopefully we'll get a chance to straighten some stuff out.

[Loose Cannon]

LOL, you're involved in the war now. Pull a Scott Hall and just jump the rail at a World 1 show and cut a promo saying you've jumped to the good side. Make sure they remember the name loopydate from now on.

[loopydate]

"Survey time! Did you come to see...World-1?"

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

"Or did you come to see...LPD?"

LPD! LPD! LPD! LPD!

[RP]

Rent girls and act like your someone they want.

[loopydate]

Well, Bull Wheeler is also a bouncer at a local strip club...

See, I'm already making connections!

[The Naitch]

LOL Loopy

Fucking do it



The greater the risk, the greater the reward. Make a name for yourself, champ

[Nowhere Man]

"Survey time! Did you come to see...World-1?"

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

"Or did you come to see...LPD?"

LPD! LPD! LPD! LPD!

If you do that, I will so drive up there with an Ultimo mask and start the MIC for real.

[The Naitch]

if you do that, I'll treat you both to some Liver and Onions

[Nowhere Man]

Come to think of it, I'll be spending the summer in Ohio, which is right under Michigan, so an LPD/NM face-off might not be that unlikely.

[loopydate]

You know what, I still haven't been paid. Let's do it! I'll work on my Angry Face.