the path is clear, though no eyes can see
So the new year is upon us. For me, anyway, 2005 was a year of change. Some good, and some bad... but I'd like to think all of the changes wind up taking place for a reason, and it's all about moving forward and growing.
* In March of 2005, I was added to the Ring of Honor commentary team, debuting on the "Trios Tournament 2005" DVD release, doing some commentary with Punk, and some with Jimmy Bower. During mid-2004, Punk walked up to me after one of the shows in Chicago Ridge and told me he wanted to get me on ROH commentary, and wouldn't you know it, that's exactly what happened. During 2005, Lenny Leonard was added to the ROH announce team as well, and we've grown into what I think is a very strong commentary duo for the home releases. ROH commentary has been my the biggest forum for me to put my commentary abilities to use, and have it be seen by a worldwide audience. Thanks to Punk, Gabe, Sal, Lenny, and everyone at ROH and FIP who helped me climb several steps higher in the commentary department during '05.
* It was late July of 2005 that I made the decision to move on from IWA Mid-South. The company gave me the bulk of my experience in pro wrestling during the almost a decade I've been a part of the business (the first week in February will be ten years... wow). It was the live (well, live to tape) IWA-MS commentary experience between 2001-2005 that really helped me develop my ability to do smooth play-by-play. Ian gave Chris Hero and I valuable opportunities in terms of helping put the shows together starting in the summer of 2003; experience which I wouldn't have had the chance to get elsewhere. I look back at my time with IWA-MS as a period where I truly learned the business (at least on the independent level) firsthand, and discovered the various ways I can effectively contribute to a wrestling promotion/product. Just like IWA-MS did so much for me during the eight years I worked there, and it helped build the reputations and careers of so many talented performers on the indies, it will continue to give the same opportunities for more young talent in the years to come.
* I completed my first full year (since 2002) of appearing for a promotion in a managerial role during 2005. For a while there I was more focused on announcing, and put managing on the back burner, but when the chance came in late 2004 to get back into the swing of things as a manager for FIP, I jumped at it. Every month down in Florida, I was able to lead DP Associates to ringside. I got the chance to manage Punk one final time before his contract kicked in, returned to managing Adam Pearce for the first time since 1999, as well as appeared in the corner of guys like Samoa Joe, Jimmy Rave, Bryan Danielson, Nigel McGuinness, and many others. I also made my way to Chicago's AAW as the manager of Trik Davis. It was a fun year to return to a regular role as a manager in two promotions.
* SHIMMER held its first DVD taping during the month of November, and everyone involved did a wonderful job of getting the new company started with the first two DVDs that were filmed on that night. This was also, technically, the first show I ran on my own (it's debatable if you can even count my contributions to Mike Illions' AWC in late 1997). We have big plans for SHIMMER on '06... and I was very pleased with the foundation all of the women built for the project on 11/6. Not just with SHIMMER, but in general across the North American indies, I can already tell that 2006 will be a fantastic year for women's pro wrestling, both in terms of the opportunities for the wrestlers and the exposure they will be able to receive.
* I met a lot of new people during 2005, and strengthened several existing friendships as the year passed as well. It was a very satisfying year, where I feel I was able to make some solid contributions to the business in my own small way.
See everyone along the road during 2006! January alone is going to be a crazy month.
* In March of 2005, I was added to the Ring of Honor commentary team, debuting on the "Trios Tournament 2005" DVD release, doing some commentary with Punk, and some with Jimmy Bower. During mid-2004, Punk walked up to me after one of the shows in Chicago Ridge and told me he wanted to get me on ROH commentary, and wouldn't you know it, that's exactly what happened. During 2005, Lenny Leonard was added to the ROH announce team as well, and we've grown into what I think is a very strong commentary duo for the home releases. ROH commentary has been my the biggest forum for me to put my commentary abilities to use, and have it be seen by a worldwide audience. Thanks to Punk, Gabe, Sal, Lenny, and everyone at ROH and FIP who helped me climb several steps higher in the commentary department during '05.
* It was late July of 2005 that I made the decision to move on from IWA Mid-South. The company gave me the bulk of my experience in pro wrestling during the almost a decade I've been a part of the business (the first week in February will be ten years... wow). It was the live (well, live to tape) IWA-MS commentary experience between 2001-2005 that really helped me develop my ability to do smooth play-by-play. Ian gave Chris Hero and I valuable opportunities in terms of helping put the shows together starting in the summer of 2003; experience which I wouldn't have had the chance to get elsewhere. I look back at my time with IWA-MS as a period where I truly learned the business (at least on the independent level) firsthand, and discovered the various ways I can effectively contribute to a wrestling promotion/product. Just like IWA-MS did so much for me during the eight years I worked there, and it helped build the reputations and careers of so many talented performers on the indies, it will continue to give the same opportunities for more young talent in the years to come.
* I completed my first full year (since 2002) of appearing for a promotion in a managerial role during 2005. For a while there I was more focused on announcing, and put managing on the back burner, but when the chance came in late 2004 to get back into the swing of things as a manager for FIP, I jumped at it. Every month down in Florida, I was able to lead DP Associates to ringside. I got the chance to manage Punk one final time before his contract kicked in, returned to managing Adam Pearce for the first time since 1999, as well as appeared in the corner of guys like Samoa Joe, Jimmy Rave, Bryan Danielson, Nigel McGuinness, and many others. I also made my way to Chicago's AAW as the manager of Trik Davis. It was a fun year to return to a regular role as a manager in two promotions.
* SHIMMER held its first DVD taping during the month of November, and everyone involved did a wonderful job of getting the new company started with the first two DVDs that were filmed on that night. This was also, technically, the first show I ran on my own (it's debatable if you can even count my contributions to Mike Illions' AWC in late 1997). We have big plans for SHIMMER on '06... and I was very pleased with the foundation all of the women built for the project on 11/6. Not just with SHIMMER, but in general across the North American indies, I can already tell that 2006 will be a fantastic year for women's pro wrestling, both in terms of the opportunities for the wrestlers and the exposure they will be able to receive.
* I met a lot of new people during 2005, and strengthened several existing friendships as the year passed as well. It was a very satisfying year, where I feel I was able to make some solid contributions to the business in my own small way.
See everyone along the road during 2006! January alone is going to be a crazy month.