Wrestling Wonders Pro 50 2021

 Wrestling Wonders 

Pro 50 

2021

The 2021 list is now here:- 
(you might want to zoom in).

Enjoy.

© Max Waltham 29th June 2022

All Rights Reserved

2013 Year in review, Part Three: The Independents

2013 Year in Review

Part Three: Ring of Honor, 
Dragon Gate and the Independents

Ring of Honor won't have any relevance nor will it be of real, comparative interest. Ring of Honor proved it was in no way a wrestling company at all. Taken on by the Sinclair Broadcasting Group, with lacking management of PR disasters, abusive staff and general barbarians on television, ROH has nothing to offer. Currently pinching talent and stars from elsewhere including popular Alex Koslov, AJ Styles and advice with booking ignorant Adam Cole, to the heavyweight title from Wrestling Wonders, the direction is clear. Picking up scraps from the table is a measly mistake. Those crumbs will not become golden nuggets. ROH needs to fire or dispel current problems, act fast and stop the 'I do what I want even if people are wrong' mentality. Such bad attention will always stain a mark on the company. 

Lack of respect.
 Cole as unconvincing champion in 2013. 

Ring of Honor were in a bind. They needed to sell the company to someone who could distribute the airwaves. Facing problems with the now dropped internet PPV's for failure to understand how to conduct the procedure, Sinclair bought the show with the intent to gain more investment capital. That's fine, it's a business ideal. Though it has not had constructive management nor support in how to deal with mounting problems. Filled with scandals, abuse and allowance from management will always make ROH a non-entity. It will just be there in the mist. Somewhere to go when all other options fail. A stop gap come halfway house. Talent should avoid going there as much as possible, unless there is nothing else to do. That is its core being. Bookers at the time had to sell, but now, perhaps this is a lesson all can learn. The lesson being not to sell to the first buyer who comes along and promises an 'all teeth and suits' glory. This company is travelling down the TNA route of hiring anyone. TNA, has slumped to a categorical new low. ROH is following that trend in a drastic manner.  

Dragon Gate USA in its failure to drop Johnny Gargano as champion proved the promotion is booked on a fan mentality based of promoters with talent adoration as friends and not fan audiences. Every booker needs a dependable mannequin, but in order to make a business and truly, a company evolve, strong options than just friends in the back need to be adapted upon. Over the two years as champion, the DG heavyweight title has not made any progress, and hasn't elevated the stage of Dragon Gate USA. In fact, after shining as a company in 2012, Wrestling Wonders recognised it as the top promotion of the year. Despite naming it the Promotion of the Year in the WW 2012 Awards, Dragon Gate has dropped the ball. With extraordinary talent on the roster, as well as some levels of ignorance, DG is one company that moves slowly and simply fades away in the background. It should be high value and yet it is simply surplus to requirements when everyone is bored of everything else. It is the last toy to be played with in the playpen. When it is used, this is only for passing time and no one really cares about it until they are re-integrated into the national promotions instead. Full of trust issues with questionable talents, Dragon Gate needs to think about company appeal and not a booker's friend to be carried for favouritism which devalues the industry. Counting the string beans will not make Jack's beanstalk rise. Ditch the cows, plant the seed, bloom with golden water. Lose the ego. 

Tony Nese upholds strong
Indy scene foundations.

The real independent circuit is one that is very appealing. With likes of Christian York, Tony Nese and others the scene is looking rather handsome. With strong appeal, wrestling values and support in tow for fans and interaction, the shows deliver for attendees. The problem, as always, is that it is independent. While talent can make enough money on the scene to live a decent life, many leave the indy scene because there isn't much growth with career opportunities. This is no ones fault overall. This is simply the way it works. Fans go to indy shows to see pure wrestling without many, if any, storyline emphasis. Characters are welcome but story is not needed here. The formula cannot be changed as this offers an alternative when all else fail. How a star develops their career, however, is something that they have to contemplate themselves. The indy scene does however think cleverly on who it should book, rather than pick anyone. That is one of the key imperatives that keeps the scene flowing. Change that, and the beginning foundation of failure would rot the core fragments built upon. 

Indy wrestling doesn't have and could require 'brains' in the sense of those individuals that can really drive something further. The only problem with this understanding is that the only people left in this bracket who aren't new, young or fresh for today's market are the older generation of 1980's wrestling. Hiring those to run parts of the background show mentality would be a pitfall for the scene itself. Choices must be logically thought out as to who could really help make it a rising, yet stable opportunity. We don't see anyone able to do this. Perhaps others can see one? Remember, you shouldn't just hire anyone who is a fan favourite or booking adoration.

©  Max Waltham 16th February 2014

Davey Richards: Shrewd, cunning and not retiring

Independent champion's trust issues 

irk key industry players

Before 2012, Davey Richards was hailed by numerous 'insiders' and fan gossip writers infatuated with Richard's one spot moves, as the new star force of the wrestling business. A few years later, over the last two years, everyone's loveable smiley elven shrew surprised them all. Richards announced he would retire by 2014. he made previous statements in 2010 and 2012 of impending retirement only to resurface on the indy scene instead.  His aspiration to become a paramedic in America shocked the independent fantasy writers who adore Richards even spouting biased accounts to paint a glamourous picture on the blank canvas in the form of the 5 foot, 8 inch luchador. 

After being burntout on the independent scene and irking several managerial forces in the booking and business committees backstage, Richards was recently dropped from his final match in homestay company Ring of Honor in December 2013. After venting his upset on social media, including his Facebook account, Richards scurried quickly to old booking friend Gabe Sapolsky, now in the wrestling company Dragon Gate for its USA franchise. 

Aiming to be given favouritism on a recent EVOLVE card in January 2014, Sapolsky shocked onlookers by refusing to book the pintsized hunchback. Sapolsky, who has made some ludicrous choices that eat into the credibility of the promotions he operates under today within the last two years, refused Davey on a level of trust issues. Sapolsky said "I am a trusting person until I'm given a reason not to trust someone. 95% of the time that trust pays off as there are a lot of good, honorable people in independent wrestling. I like to think I have good instincts when dealing with people. I have worked on verbal agreements since 2002. When a man looks me in the eye and assures me of something repeatedly, I take his word on it. I don't advertise anyone or anything until I am 100% confident that they are committed. I take advertising something very seriously. I know when you buy a ticket to a show that you are spending your leisure time and money on us. You deserve to get what is promised to you. Now things happen. Planes don't take off. Wrestlers get injured. There are circumstances beyond our control when it is just not possible to deliver what was advertised. However, if it is humanly possible to make a show, I expect people to keep their word, especially when they have made countless promises and assurances to me spanning several months. Especially when they have expressed such a strong desire to move on from their old company and help build something new and have done this time and time again over months in many different ways." 

Richards, certainly had scores of trust issues over the years, but the most recent debacle that took place involved a shocking revelation on an independent wrestling card in mid 2012. Richards had agreed to work a couple of matches on the circuit alongside working pals, Tony Kozina and Kyle O'Reilly. Wrestling company APW and wrestler/promoter Jaysin Strife also dubbed Richards and his partner at the time in mid 2012, Kyle O'Reilly, "thieves" among other strong language, available on our YouTube channel here - Wrestling Wonders on YouTube . Such strong language means viewer discretion over 18 is advised. After being likened to scammers elsewhere Richards, who also appeared with a now notorious event in Iowa in which he was two hours late, demanded payment up front then stated they "forgot wrist tape" in their car, headed outside and left the venue.

Richards sent demands to have the card of the event changed to his liking with an 8 man tag instead of a 4 man tag, the following evening. Richards then bailed on the show, leaving the promoter to deliver the news on the evening's card to dismayed fans in attendance in 3XW. Being a world champion elsewhere, Richards felt the need too bargain the price tag further and demanded more income adding "Since I am champion, my price has to go up." After showing up at just before the main event Richards, with his teammates, aggressively requested their payment. 

After taking it outside, thug Richards and pals challenged the promoter stating they will "kick your ass" of a 140 pound promoter doing his job. After smoothing over details, Richards and friends then agreed to work the main event for a reduced fee. Whilst changing in the lockerroom, Richards then adds he forgot the tape in the car as an accomplice loads their bags into the vehicle. 

With his partners in tow, Richards then hurriedly ran outside the back door with Kozina driving the getaway vehicle, like something out of a real life action movie, taking $350 from the promoter, who paid out of his own finances and not the company's budget.  As Team Ambition the group were later branded #TeamBandit by wrestling fans for the sheer disbelief of obscene unprofessionalism involved. 

Kyle O'Reilly quietly blogged his response, more of an admission, to the modern day wrestling heist.

"So we agreed to work a tag, Davey and myself against 2 of his guys, who I wont mention because after all the shit talking they’ve done in the last 24 hours they don’t deserve any more publicity. We take a pay cut, yet still enough to cover our gas and all of our food for the day, put our gear on, got paid and walked out the back door.

Was what we did wrong and unethical? Perhaps. Was what we did completely justified and reasonable? Perhaps. The fact of the matter was we felt disrespected and so “give and you shall receive”. The point being that sometimes you have to be the bad guy and stand up for what you believe in. I’ll be completely honest in saying the entire thing made me feel really uncomfortable and I felt a sense of guilt. Am I going to apologize? Absolutely not, because you have to live and die by the sword. Regardless of regrets, one must stand by their decisions and at the end of the day a guy disrespected two of my close friends that I look up to and that’s simply, morally wrong.

The majority of you reading this is probably in complete disagreement with me on the matter and thinks what went down in Milo, Iowa yesterday was a crime. Most of you reading this probably have a strong dislike for me, being my wrestling style, my selling, my promos and character ability (or lack there of) or just you know me and personally dislike me for whatever reason. I’m okay with that. Hopefully this whole incident won’t affect anybody’s desire to book me or Team Ambition. However, if it does that’s okay because I’m a man of honour and regardless of what you say or think I’m going to continue being the best possible professional wrestler I can be. I’m standing by the decision that was made whether I regret it or not."

Fans were so upset with such conduct numerous felt O'Reilly as his counterparts, had lost perspective and could only continue by riding coattails of other name worthy stars.

Social network Facebook was also inundated with messages in which the wrestling 'professionals' began verbally attacking fans. Richards later blocked comments to his Facebook account and even claimed he was hacked on Twitter before shutting it down. He returned with a new handle, current today.

Strifled

Richards then chose to adapt the situation in a work to gain bookings on the British wrestling scene.

Booker Adam Pearce also condemned the actions via Twitter with these statements. 

@JaysinStrife I think anyone robbing anyone is a piece of s***. In or out of wrestling.

After seeing the footage, & regardless of why, what Tony Kozina did is reprehensible; totally classless. And I really respected Tony. #sad

@BJ_Whitmer As a vet, Tony has to be better than choking out a 16 yo kid, regardless of whether the kid belonged in the ring. Irresponsible.

Rewinding back to 2012, Richards was booked for the Best Of The Super Juniors card for New Japan Pro Wrestling. Richards, who claimed an injury permitting him unable to travel, he and then tag team partner Rocky Romero were instantly stripped of the NJPW Tag championships. Then the BOTSJ card followed. Richards appeared on the independent circuit some few days after the scheduled event took place in Japan. Feeling cheated and conned New Japan sent a clear message. Richards was soon barred from New Japan for the foreseeable future. Compulsive liar Richards, who then travelled the European markets making ignorant choices, whilst trying to fox promoters and bookers made them all finally realise they were being played. 

In 2007, Richards was also accused by fans of spitting on them in the front row on several occasions. 

Richards, who now has no options left but to try and be signed to a developmental contract with pal and tag partner Eddie Edwards with WWE onto its NXT brand is the only option available. He also implied in December 2013 after their first tryout they had pretty much sealed the deal adidng his time on the Indy circuit was coming to an end. 

WWE are not interested in the small boys with Triple H focusing on strong tag team values, trust, commitment and overall star appeal. Richards offers no real standout qualities to the WWE system. Can such an amazing superstar who tells gigantic fibs be the main event headliner at Wrestlemania in five to ten years? WWE are correct on this decision but some are cautious as TNA are attempting to offer the pair a deal only to snub WWE. WWE should let TNA pick up the scraps. The company will run out of options for them as will the duo after their five minutes of fame are up. 

Upsetting bookers, industry executives, owners and writers that can make careers is not a valid decision to conduct. After having done it all on the independent circuit, with nothing else to offer, Richards should focus on swapping the black curtain for a green one instead. As one of America's most caring professions, the medical board should consider its background checks more healthily with such negligence. When all else fails, who knows, Richards could appear in a guest spot as an EMT. 

©  Max Waltham 07th January 2014

Johnny Gargano: From gold star to goofball

Johnny Gargano: From gold 

star to goofball

John Anthony Nicholas Gargano, an eight year freelancer on the independent wrestling scene made an interesting name for himself.

The twenty-five year old began his debut in October 2005 and has since made certain interest on the wrestling scene. In 2006 he was crowned CAPW’s Junior Heavyweight champion lasting over a year where competition, granted, was minimal, however was catapulted into a further spotlight beginning his entry level to the profession.

During his career, the naïve budding youngster held a multitude of titles in his new uprising surge of interest on the independent's as a minimal name of interest. Gargano soon changed that perspective in 2009 when he became involved with the Dragon Gate USA and Evolve promotions. Convinced by Colt Cabana after a match with All American Wrestling (AAW) ‘bana suggested contacting Gabe Sapolsky, recently departed booker of Ring of Honor, who chose to scout talent for the Dragon Gate company in a change of scenery. After informing, Cabana directed him to Sapolsky. Gargano was given an opportunity in July ’09 with a multi dark match loss. Gargano officially joined on November 28^th in a championship tournament, failing to win, however set him as an on-screen talent.   

Gargano followed with a defeat of Chris Dickinson on Jan 16^th 2010 to remain a new star on television. Gargano finally inked a deal in May that year after more dark matches of consideration. Taking on a massive challenge, Gargano fought CIMA in a loss on Sept 26^th after one of the company’s founders and toughest fighters put Gargano in a comfortable position as a result. This set a humble offering of his services to CIMA’s faction Warriors International, which was rejected. Spurned, instead Johnny formed a group with Rich Swann and Chuck Taylor collectively known as Ronin.

In September 2011 Gargano would become a two time CHIKARA tag team champion with pal Chuck Taylor towards June 2012 finding his niche in the comedy promotion.

Competition in YAMATO?

Come November 2011, back in Dragon Gate, Gargano would capture the Open the Freedom Gate heavyweight title from YAMATO in a daring match for company turnaround projections. Under Gargano’s rule, however, the title came into disrupte. Dragon Gate, believing the championship to be in sustainable hands soon became invalid three months in. Having held the championship for 536 days and currently today, the feline loving thug, with his half-hearted, lazy approach to match layout, effort and ignorance regarding match portrayal has become an intense liability. Laboured, apathetic and bland, green bean Gargano, struggling to maintain any dominance or impact as champion should be launched into a series with YAMATO and lose the title if Dragon Gate wish to continue to keep its doors open, have a monumental champ and to be filled with powerful aggression among intense passion to rebrand its company tiers as a credible option. YAMATO can have an interesting series with other performers afterwards making the title meaningful and the company of interest once again.

Gargano also joined Pro Wrestling Guerrilla (PWG) in 2013. The intense, tough setting in PWG doesn’t have the capacity to house dated Gargano and keep its credibility with other performers if it is to continue its rising success on the independent scene and should sidestep the problem before it continues, rather than allow pride to ruin their progression.

Gargano, already floundering in matches with stars in certain companies, has become a constrained mess without any format or logically concepts. Becoming a complete embarrassment and in need of a charisma transplant the absurd borefest limits many companies than enhances them.

Goofy Gargano, with his gleaming stance and incapable booking qualities, is rapidly casting doubt among the independent wrestling scene as a legitimate choice for anything other than looking good and failing dismally.

So much so was the appearance at Preston City Wrestling's (PCW) Springslam event, (on April 26th) a constant rip off of WWE's branding including "Money in the bank" matches among many washed up old WWE stars, in a one on one match with homosexual Noam Dar. The clunky, defunct and minor scrap in hardcore fashion was a diabolical level of disjointed interaction from both incomplete lamebrains. Gargano lost.

Disgracing the independent scene, companies worked with and boring performances enamoured with dorky displacement and self-enhancing status for himself, Gargano has become a wasteful setting in the wrestling world which has become more harmful to any company that utilises his so called talent. If there is no time for the business, it should not have the time for him with such pitiful choices which harm the pro wrestling landscape further along the course of its already troublesome financial times in the independent settings where wrestling may have to shut its doors if it cannot balance its output righteously enough. 

©  Max Waltham 15th May 2013