well i don't care, i swear it's their turn yeah
I just got in from the airport after another all night session of ROH production in Tampa, but I feel compelled to write a few things here, while they're fresh in my head, before I get some much needed rest.
* As we completed work on the double disc 9/17 "Glory By Honor IV" home release, I was just amazed by the performances which Bryan Danielson and James Gibson put forth in their ROH World Title bout on the show. It was probably the most intelligently wrestled match I've seen thus far in 2005. One can argue that other matches have more sheer intensity to them, or more innovative high risk maneuvers, or are the culmination of a heated story/issue between the competitors involved, but the Danielson/Gibson contest epitomized what pure, athletic, hold for hold wrestling is all about. The match had that "game of human chess" factor to it which immediately makes the viewer realize they are watching two of the most skilled professional wrestlers in the game.
The story of Danielson as one of the founding fathers of the promotion declaring four months prior that he has nothing left to prove in ROH unless he can earn the World Title (and leaving the company to regain his focus and train for a return to go after the belt), combined with Gibson's emotional title victory and determination to be a fighting champion who takes pride in representing the company and the style it promotes, sets the table for one of the most emotional battles between two babyfaces over a championship I've ever witnessed as a wrestling fan.
In April of 2004, I set foot in an ROH locker room for the first time, while both working a full schedule for IWA Mid-South as well as heading to Nashville every week (along with the rest of what came to be known as the Xplosion clique) in an effort to earn a spot with TNA. Sitting at the timekeeper's table in St. Paul and Chicago Ridge that weekend and taking it all in -- from Ricky Steamboat's confrontations with CM Punk, to Homicide and Samoa Joe brutalizing one another, to Punk and Danielson putting on a clinic, to Cide and Danielson having one of the best matches of that year, to the Saints triumphantly winning the tag titles from the Briscoes in front of their hometown crowd -- I was overwhelmed with a feeling of "this is a product I can really take pride in being a part of... this is the place I want to be... this is why I love pro wrestling."
The very same thoughts raced through my mind while I called the action between Bryan Danielson and James Gibson, as they tore it up in New York and gave the fans what they paid to see.
Quite simply, I want to say thank you to both men for reminding me of why I am a fan of this sport, and, in beautiful fashion, helping reaffirm my decision to call this industry my profession.
* Also on the 9/17 Long Island event, Adam Pearce made his debut with the company. I'm very happy to see Adam, who in many ways helped mold me for working in this business nine and a half years ago, finally get a real opportunity to show what he is capable of on a proper stage. Though Scrap Daddy may not be every fan's cup of tea, he is a throwback to classic heels of the past who know how to do their job. Someone like Adam is unique these days, when, more often than not, the young talent is known for "innovating," and trying new things rather than sticking with a tried and true style.
* It's about time for the general perception of what women's professional wrestling is in the United States to change, and for the better. Look for a big announcement this coming week which will give fans who appreciate skilled women athletes the opportunity to see those women truly shine as wrestlers, and perform to their full potential. It's something that I, as well as several of the women wrestlers I've worked closely with over the past four years, simply can't wait to get rolling.
* If you're on the east coast this weekend, don't miss out on your opportunity to see Kenta Kobashi wrestle live. For those near Chicago, I'll be in Berwyn as AAW returns to action on Saturday, featuring some great young midwest talent. Trik Davis! Check it out if you can. This is gonna be a fun weekend for wrestling no matter where you're headed.
* Oh, and for those who are on that MySpace bandwagon, http://www.myspace.com/daveprazak/
Consider this thing UPDATED. Consider me ASLEEP for the next twelve or so hours.
* As we completed work on the double disc 9/17 "Glory By Honor IV" home release, I was just amazed by the performances which Bryan Danielson and James Gibson put forth in their ROH World Title bout on the show. It was probably the most intelligently wrestled match I've seen thus far in 2005. One can argue that other matches have more sheer intensity to them, or more innovative high risk maneuvers, or are the culmination of a heated story/issue between the competitors involved, but the Danielson/Gibson contest epitomized what pure, athletic, hold for hold wrestling is all about. The match had that "game of human chess" factor to it which immediately makes the viewer realize they are watching two of the most skilled professional wrestlers in the game.
The story of Danielson as one of the founding fathers of the promotion declaring four months prior that he has nothing left to prove in ROH unless he can earn the World Title (and leaving the company to regain his focus and train for a return to go after the belt), combined with Gibson's emotional title victory and determination to be a fighting champion who takes pride in representing the company and the style it promotes, sets the table for one of the most emotional battles between two babyfaces over a championship I've ever witnessed as a wrestling fan.
In April of 2004, I set foot in an ROH locker room for the first time, while both working a full schedule for IWA Mid-South as well as heading to Nashville every week (along with the rest of what came to be known as the Xplosion clique) in an effort to earn a spot with TNA. Sitting at the timekeeper's table in St. Paul and Chicago Ridge that weekend and taking it all in -- from Ricky Steamboat's confrontations with CM Punk, to Homicide and Samoa Joe brutalizing one another, to Punk and Danielson putting on a clinic, to Cide and Danielson having one of the best matches of that year, to the Saints triumphantly winning the tag titles from the Briscoes in front of their hometown crowd -- I was overwhelmed with a feeling of "this is a product I can really take pride in being a part of... this is the place I want to be... this is why I love pro wrestling."
The very same thoughts raced through my mind while I called the action between Bryan Danielson and James Gibson, as they tore it up in New York and gave the fans what they paid to see.
Quite simply, I want to say thank you to both men for reminding me of why I am a fan of this sport, and, in beautiful fashion, helping reaffirm my decision to call this industry my profession.
* Also on the 9/17 Long Island event, Adam Pearce made his debut with the company. I'm very happy to see Adam, who in many ways helped mold me for working in this business nine and a half years ago, finally get a real opportunity to show what he is capable of on a proper stage. Though Scrap Daddy may not be every fan's cup of tea, he is a throwback to classic heels of the past who know how to do their job. Someone like Adam is unique these days, when, more often than not, the young talent is known for "innovating," and trying new things rather than sticking with a tried and true style.
* It's about time for the general perception of what women's professional wrestling is in the United States to change, and for the better. Look for a big announcement this coming week which will give fans who appreciate skilled women athletes the opportunity to see those women truly shine as wrestlers, and perform to their full potential. It's something that I, as well as several of the women wrestlers I've worked closely with over the past four years, simply can't wait to get rolling.
* If you're on the east coast this weekend, don't miss out on your opportunity to see Kenta Kobashi wrestle live. For those near Chicago, I'll be in Berwyn as AAW returns to action on Saturday, featuring some great young midwest talent. Trik Davis! Check it out if you can. This is gonna be a fun weekend for wrestling no matter where you're headed.
* Oh, and for those who are on that MySpace bandwagon, http://www.myspace.com/daveprazak/
Consider this thing UPDATED. Consider me ASLEEP for the next twelve or so hours.