INSIDE THE MWF
by Dan Mirade
November 19th, 2008
Note: the following is a column of thoughts, opinions and observations. It's written with a deep passion for the professional wrestling industry as a whole, for the fans of wrestling and the athletes driven to live their dreams. Whether you agree or disagree with these words, remember that there's a voice that cares behind it, one that only wants to see every hard working wrestler and promoter succeed, and for every fan to leave a live event feeling they got value for their dollar, wanting to see live wrestling (both independent and major league) again and again. For that, I do not apologize.
For more Mirade madness, including a look at the sad state of independent wrestling in New England and the demise of Hulk Hogan, visit DanMirade.com
It's hard to believe another SOUL SURVIVOR has come and gone. We're already hard at work planning next years, which is going to be a year long campaign to ensure it's the biggest event in Millennium Wrestling Federation history. No small task. . .
Unlike an "event day," this turned into a five day long process. Thursday was spent loading equipment into Memorial Hall, preparing the venue, unloading merchandise, etc. Final event preparation took place Friday, paperwork galore, crossing all of the i's and dotting the t's. Saturday was one of those great 8:30AM departures that ended around 2:30AM. Sunday, up bright and early to wrap things up and prepare for another night at MWF Studios, having the Iron Sheik vanish and later have the police get involved. All that wrapped up with a Christmas like bow dropping off our favorite WWE and MWF Hall of Famer at Logan Airport Monday morning. This crippled, worn down body was waving the white flag, to say the least. As we head into the new year, we have expanded ownership and expanded management. We're all happy to share the wealth, so to speak. . .
The event itself was fantastic. The Q&A sessions for VIP ticket holders are a treat, much different than your typical autograph session. With all of the free gifts President Cena unloaded for the fans, it's crazy not to pick up tickets in advance. All of our superstars were timely and happy to be there for return engagements. The action for the SOUL SURVIVOR card was excellent, in my opinion. Perfect? No. Room for improvement? Absolutely. But match for match, I challenge any professional wrestling fan to find a card better than this one. It wasn't presented as ha-ha sports entertainment that's driven away fans in the United States by the millions since 2001. It wasn't put together for the promoters and their friends to get in the ring and pretend to be Steve Austin and the Rock. It was about hungry, young athletes getting it on to climb the ladder of success in the sport they love, giving it their all. Any wrestler on our roster that does not fit into that category is not one we want around, and one that will not be around much longer, period. Times are a changin' in this organization. . .
Todd Hanson proved he is a champion, competing against the unknown in a dangerous steel cage against the MWF Stalker we now know is former champion "Sudden Impact" Dylan Kage, led by his sinister mentor Paul Bearer. Hanson narrowly retained the gold with one good arm. Vito Carluccio, of all people, explained the Kage and Bearer's evil plot to Hanson and the fans while the Stalker climbed cage and flew into Hanson with a double ax handle. Bearer and Kage felt disrespected?? That's what led to almost three years of terror for not only wrestlers but staff members of this company?? It really boggles my mind. Kage has been with the MWF since 2001, and while always recognized as a rule breaker, no one realized what a psychopath he is. There's more than meets the eye on this one, and I only hope that everyone gets a chance at revenge while Kage and Bearer are severely held accountable for their actions. Kage has sent a DVD supposedly explaining his actions to MWF officials that will air on the November ULTRA. . .
What can you say about the 30 minute MWF Television Title Iron Man Match?? Four athletes giving of their hearts, giving of their bodies and giving of their (no pun intended) souls. The Millennium Wrestling Federation should be proud to call "Straight Edge" Brian Fury it's TV Champion. In one of the most hard fought half hours you'll ever see, there was only one single pinfall (Fury pinning "Black Machismo" Jay Lethal with about two minutes to go). "Slyck" Wagner Brown can make an argument that he had Jay Lethal pinned before Chris Sabin attacked him in-ring, attempting to get a piece of revenge for what happened this summer. "Hurricane" John Walters appeared to have Lethal close to submitting in a sharpshooter before Fury broke it up. Fans, if you weren't in attendance, get this on DVD when it comes out. . .
The tag team title match was far from a masterpiece, but Beau Douglas and Road Dogg became the new MWF Tag Team Champions, defeating Uprising members J-Busta and Jimmy Jact Ca$h. "Cowboy" Bob Orton was relegated to bodyguard duty as doctors would not release him to wrestle due to flu like symptoms. No matter what you think about Orton's past actions, I think it says a lot about his character to be out there under those circumstances. John Cena Sr. also got the job done as the guest referee. Seeing him and Orton slug it out outside the ring was memorable, especially Cena fire away like he was Bruno Sammartino. . .
The MWF / Boston Wrestling Hall of Fame presentation was a nice tribute to both The Iron Sheik and the late Franklin D. Churchill. I wasn't sure which direction to go with my speech about Sheiky Baby, as there's fifteen years worth of stories I could rattle off. In the end, short, sweet and to the point was the best medicine (again, no pun intended). The man is a wild card, but he was a true gentleman in Melrose and very happy to be with the fans. Commissioner Von Johnson also had some interesting thoughts before presenting Jay Lethal with Churchill's award. . .
Chris Sabin and Bobby Fish tore it up. Kudos to Mr. Cena for being able to find Fish as a last minute replacement for the injured Luke Robinson. Sabin came away with his first MWF victory over an athlete making quite the name for himself over in Japan with Pro Wrestling NOAH. After the match, Sabin stated he's not only focused on a little revenge against The Uprising, but also on capturing MWF championship gold. One of the finest athletes to ever grace an MWF ring and a hell of a person, always a pleasure to have him here and I look forward to seeing him compete again soon. . .
What is up with Rick Fuller?? He walked out of his tag team grudge match, leaving partner Islander Makua to be crushed by Ox Baker's Army and even pushed aside his manager Bull Montana. Vito Carluccio has the Army focused and ready to cause some major league damage here in the MWF. If motivated, "Executioner" Brian Milonas and Max Bauer could shoot straight to the top in a hurry. Fuller has had issues with the Army for well over a year. Nothing was settled at SOUL SURVIVOR, but many questions remain. . .
Scott Reed and Jason 'Rumble' was another solid match up with two wrestlers that can get the job done when the bell rings. I find Reed to be underrated with the potential to find great success in the MWF. With The Uprising covering his back, 'Rumble' is more than a solid challenger to any MWF championship.
Chase Delmonte winning the 5th annual "Boston Bad Boy" Tony Rumble Memorial Battle was a surprise. Nothing against Delmonte's wrestling skills, but past winners have been bigger, heavier athletes. A sign of bigger things to come for Chase??
Even the raffle was great. John Cena autographed photos, a WWE No Mercy PPV chair, an Iron Sheik ring worn turban, autographed TNA merchandise, what other independent wrestling events give you the opportunity to win items like that?? The "Palladino Priza Patrol" was also out in full force, giving out free merchandise to our fans while the steel cage was constructed. . .
We also had well known "Wrestle Talk" hosts Len Kaplan and Ed Whittier conducting interviews backstage, we look forward to having our broadcast team expand, as well.
All in all, a very memorable night. For me, almost more personal than professional. The crowd was strong by New England standards, but I was very disappointed with our overall "homecoming," as some members of our home didn't want us in Melrose. I find it amazing that an upper middle class city with a plague of drug and alcohol deaths and overdoses resulting from a lack of activities for teenagers there wouldn't want a fun, exciting event that would interest them. I was very pleased to see the mayor in attendance to show his support, and I expect bigger things when we come home once again in 2009. The wrestling fan in me would have loved to have seen this event take place with both the Japan bound Eddie Edwards and suspended Tommaso Ciampa on the card. . .
A lot of exciting developments in the works that we look forward to sharing with you soon. Once again, if you were in attendance Saturday night, share your thoughts with us. Fan feedback is what drives this organization, so let your voices be heard. We're not in this to "mark out" for ourselves, we're in it to give our athletes and fans the best opportunities possible. . .no personal agendas here. . .
Take care,
Dan Mirade
"Slow it down" - Eddie Sharkey, Las Vegas, June 9th, 2006
"It's sad what's become of our business. . .when we started, we had to earn the right to be in the ring" -- Tito Santana, being interviewed by Les Thatcher January 15th, 2008
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