|
Canadian Indy Report: Oct. 17
By
VERN MAY -- For SLAM! Wrestling
|
  
|
SLAM! Wrestling is pleased to be able to share with you The Inside
Cradle, Vern May's weekly rundown of the Canadian Independent wrestling
scene. This week, read about Stu Hart, the first ever Maritime Cup, a
wrestling-themed advertisement and a list of upcoming shows and results.
THE INSIDE CRADLE
Brought to you by Canadian Wrestle-Media
Volume 1 No. 3
October 17, 2003
**********************************************
This newsletter is distributed freely to wrestlers, promoters, and
industry insiders with hopes to generate increased awareness of what is
going on in Canadian rings today and to make everyone aware of the
opportunities that exist right here in the "Great White North". Your
submissions are welcomed at: WrestleMedia@shaw.ca
**********************************************
NEWS AND RUMOURS
CANADIAN WRESTLING PIONEER, STU HART PASSES
 |
|
Stu Hart is congratulated by Governor General Adrienne Clarkson after being invested into the Order of Canada at a ceremony in Ottawa Thursday May 31, 2001.
|
The wrestling world was deeply saddened this week with the news
that Stu Hart, patriarch of the famed Hart wrestling family passed away
this week. It has been reported that Stu died at 2:25 pm Mountain time
from complications from pneumonia and diabetes. Stu Hart is best known
for his role in the development and operation of Stampede Wrestling from
1948 to 1989.
Stu Hart was born on May 3, 1915 in rural Saskatchewan. He was an
outstanding football player and amateur wrestler before turning to the
pro ranks after a chance meeting with famed American promoter Joseph
"Toots" Mondt in the 1940's. Wrestling his earliest matches in New
Jersey in 1946, Stu returned home to set up shop with his own promotion,
originally dubbed "Wildcat Wrestling" with notable Canadian naturalist
Al Oeming. Soon he took over the reigns in Calgary and moved his family
to Cowtown.
Over the years, his contributions to the sport as a promoter have
been well documented, but in some cases his role as a trainer has been
somewhat overlooked. Teaching aspiring stars their first lessons on a
mat in the basement of his own home -- which has become known as "The
dungeon", Stu was responsible for the development of greats such as
"Superstar" Billy Graham, Archie Gouldie, Dick "Bulldog" Brower, and
countless others. In more recent years, this instruction has been taken
over by his sons and the school has produced the likes of Brian Pillman,
Chris Benoit, Chris Jericho, and Lance Storm.
Over his lifetime, all eight of Stu's sons would get involved
with wrestling at various levels and all of his daughters would marry
wrestlers. Most recently, the third generation of Hart wrestlers has
been turning heads with their exploits on the mats as Harry Smith, Teddy
Hart (Annis), and Natalie Neidhart hone their skills.
Stu is predeceased by his wife Helen, sons Owen and Dean, and
grandson Matthew Annis. His passing creates a great void in the
wrestling world. He was truly one of a kind and will be missed. Our
condolences go out to all surviving members of the Hart clan during this
time.
BOBBY RUDE WINS THE FIRST ANNUAL MARITIME CUP
 |
|
Bobby Rude.
|
In what had been described as one of the biggest wrestling events
in Atlantic Canada, newscott.com presented the first annual Maritime Cup
tournament on Saturday, October 12th. Dubbed "A night of respect" the
event featured some of the biggest names to appear in the Maritimes in
recent years, as well as a crop of the most promising talents on that
coast at the present time. One of the biggest upsets of the event was
that of the popular Scott Savage, who scored a semi-final win over Mike
Hughes to earn a berth in the finals. Though outweighed by more than 70
pounds, Savage fought valiantly to earn his main event match.
Hughes was so incensed at having been defeated in a tournament
that he was certain to win, he brutalized Scott Savage after the match
to the point where he had no choice but to forfeit his spot in the
finals, Hughes was given the main event spot.
The Hughes-Rude match was a classic which ended with the WWE-scouted
Rude taking the honors.
The Maritime Cup Video is already available. For $20.00, you get
the complete Cup tournament on home video. Plus for no extra charge 4
hours of bonus matches, featuring the best matches of the boys from the
Maritime Cup Tournament. The Maritime Cup featured such stars at Future
WWE Star Bobby Rude, The Kowboy Mike Hughes, Lincoln Steen, Scott
Savage, Wildman Gary Williams, Duke MacIsaac, Sonny Roselli and "The
Future" Tony Armstrong. Contact newscottdotcom@hotmail.com for more details.
MANITOBA PROMOTERS WAIT ANXIOUSLY
The recent study into the safety and standards of independent
wrestling in Winnipeg has now drawn to a close and local wrestling
promoters and wrestlers await the outcome of the project led by former
wrestler/producer/mat afficionado, Marty Goldstein. The study was
commissioned by the Provincial government after what has been perceived
as a dangerous working environment fostered by years of government
de-regulation. At latest report, the findings of the study were due to
be turned over to the government agency responsible at the end of
September, but as of yet there has been no word about the ramifications
of the endeavour.
One promoter recently stated that the study was a worthwhile
pursuit, however the enforcement of any rules or recommendations that
are developed as a result will be difficult to enforce. The nature of
the industry is such that there are too many intangibles which could
make an environment for a wrestler safe or unsafe.
One of the folks involved with the study is optimistic that the
results of this project may have far-reaching effects on other parts of
the country, as the report submitted by Goldstein (at least as reported
to this writer in July) were slated to support the argument for
self-regulation and the devices that would need to be in place for that
to be achievable. If this is the case, then governing bodies such as
the Ontario Athletic Commission and the civic bodies of the same nature
in centres such as Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, and Nanaimo may be put
to the test.
It will certainly be interesting to see what emerges as the
government reviews the report.
UPCOMING SIZZLER COMMERCIAL IS SLAM-TASTIC
Recently an industry-wide casting call took place in Vancouver for
an upcoming ad for the American-based Sizzler steak house. The creative
minds behind the new campaign were looking for a wrestling theme for the
upcoming ads which will soon start appearing on TV. A number of west
coast wrestlers were looked at before the casting folks chose ECCW's
Ladies Choice and All Star Pro Wrestling's Fabulous Fabio for the
roles. Taping took place recently, and the ads should soon start airing
on American television.
INDEPENDENT WRESTLERS SOUGHT FOR ON-LINE INTERVIEWS
Staff at the Inside Cradle have been approached by the webmaster of
a brand new Florida-based website devoted to independent wrestling. In
particular, the new site is looking for interview subjects for a brand
new feature that the site has posted. Already, interviews are on-line
for west coast stars ADAM FIRESTORM and VANCE NEVADA. For more
information about the opportunity that exists, contact Armand at
indy_wrestling@hotmail.com The site can be viewed at:
http://www.angelfire.com/wrestling3/indy1
WHO IS THE HOTTEST WOMAN IN THE CANADIAN INDEPENDENTS?
This has been a subject of heated debate whenever Canada's top
wrestling insiders get together. With a countless number of beautiful
women involved as wrestlers, valets, referees, announcers, and even a
promoter or two, just who takes top honors. We want to throw that
question out to this field of industry insiders. Just who do you think
deserves to be recognized as Canada's hottest female star? E-mail your
nominations (with pictures if possible) to us here at
WrestleMedia@shaw.ca to add your choice to the upcoming poll to decide
once and for all just who is the hottest in the land.
UPCOMING EVENTS CALENDAR: "SUPPORT THE INDIES!!"
FIND MORE INFORMATION BY CHECKING OUT THE OFFICIAL SITES AT:
http://www.geocities.com/canadianwrestlemedia/links.html
18 - FCL; St. Roi Community centre; Trois Rivieres, QC
Royal Rumble
Justin Justice vs. Trash
Handsome Boy & Scott Odel vs. Firestorm & Vega
Nino Mancuso vs. Flyer Kid
Nad Blues vs. Solid
King Hammer vs. Guil Reno
Squee J vs. Xtreme
Ghost Rider vs. Tornado
Viper vs. Ciyan
18 - IWS; Le Skratch Bar; Laval, QC
18 - All Star; Fairgrounds; Cloverdale, BC
18 - ICW; 3420 Parthenais; Montreal, QC
18 - CPW; St. Joseph Rec Centre; Hull, QC
19 - ECCW; Tornado Joe's; Chilliwack, BC
Vid Vain & R.A.G.E. vs. Disco Fury & Rico Cajones
Vance Nevada vs. Shawn Morgan
Scotty Mac vs. Dropkick Murphy
Gorilla Marilla vs. Canadian Superstar
19 - National Enterprise Wrestling; 7111 Maple; Montreal, QC
Adrian O'Ryan vs. Fantastic Rod or Jimmy Stone
Samson vs. Gaven
Steve McFly vs. Sanushi Tanaka
Flick Montana vs. El Jugador
Bobby vs. Blitz
22 - River City; Stock Exchange Hotel; Winnipeg, MB
22 - CWF; Coyote's Night club; Winnipeg, MB
23 - River City; Zen Cabaret; Winnipeg, MB
23 - CWF; Northwood Hall; Winnipeg, MB
23 - Main Stream; Doo-Little's Bar and Grill; Dartmouth, NS
23 - Premier; The Stratosphere; Winnipeg, MB
24 - ECCW; Croatian Cultural Centre; Vancouver, BC
WAR GAMES Cage match: Team Vance Nevada vs. Team Scotty Mac
Ladies Choice vs. Rocky Dellaserra
Madison vs. Avalon
Dropkick Murphy vs. Shawn Morgan
Abbadon vs. MR2
Adam Firestorm vs. Shane Madison
24 - CyberFights; Vancouver
25 - NCW; NDR Centre; Montreal, QC
Chase Ironside & Franky the Mobster vs. Manuel Vegas & Jayzon Reaper
25 - Stampede; Brooks, AB
25 - ICW; 3420 Parthenais; Montreal, QC
25 - CWA; Bogey's World; Montreal, QC
25 - CyberFights; Vancouver
25 - Neo Spirit; Polish Hall; Niagara Falls, ON
25 - MWF; Villemaire school; Laval, QC
26 - CyberFights; Vancouver
27 - CyberFights; Vancouver
29 - River City; Stock Exchange Hotel; Winnipeg
29 - CWF; Coyote's Night club; Winnipeg, MB
29 - EWE; Etomik Night club; St. John's, NF
Larry Angel vs. Nexus in an evening gown match
$DC$ Money vs Jonny Chaos in a Kendo Stick match
Lance Romance vs Wally Garvis vs Freddie Youngblood in a ladder match
KO vs. Kilfoy (special guest referee, eWe owner Mr O'Neil)
30 - River City; The Zen Cabaret; Winnipeg, MB
30 - CWF; Northwood Hall; Winnipeg, MB
30 - Main Stream; Doo-Little's Bar and Grill; Dartmouth, NS
30 - Premier; The Stratosphere; Winnipeg, MB
31 - CWE; Unison Bar & Grill; Montreal, QC
RECENT MATCH RESULTS
Oct 10, 2003 - Stampede Wrestling; Bowness Sportsplex; Calgary, AB:
Randy Myers b. Kirk Melnyk ... Kid Nicholls b. Jason Carter ... Nattie
Neidhart b. Belle Lovitz & Danny Myers - Handicap match ... T.J. Wilson
b. Duke Durrango & Johnny Devine by DQ (3-way) ... Harry Smith &
Apocalypse b. Dave Swift & Karnage by DQ
Oct 11, 2003 - Northern Chapionship Wrestling; NDR Centre; Montreal, QC:
Chase Ironside & Jayzon Reaper b. Manuel Vegas & Mobster ... Binovich
Fouranov & Gorgeous Mike b. Jagged & Shane Matthews ... Dan Paysan b.
Chris Stevens, Alex Price, Steven the Sweet Boy, & Nick Blade (5-way) to
win the NCW Cruiserweight title ... Dennis Sensation b. El Diablero ...
Blaze b. Kazuko Yeroshima ... Raid b. Black Eagle ... Nova Cain b.
Stalker by DQ ... Julie the Red Fuxxx b. Flat Face Jeremy - Inter-gender
match ... Jackal & Bishop b. Kenny the Bastard & Takao
Oct 12, 2003 - New Scott.com; Halifax Forum; Halifax, NS: Mike Hughes b.
Duke MacIsaac ... Scott Savage b. Sonny Roselli ... Gary Williams b.
Tony Armstrong ... Bobby Rude b. Lincoln Steen ... Bobby Rude b. Gary
Williams ... Scott Savage b. Mike Hughes ... Bobby Rude b. Mike Hughes
to win the first annual Maritime Cup tournament ... Non-tournament
match: Legion Cage b. Skott Phoenix
Oct 12, 2003 - Monster Pro Wrestling; Alberta Avenue Hall; Edmonton,
AB:Kris Knight b. Bobby Sharp ... Brady Roberts n.c. vs. Tommy Striker
... Chris Raine & Matt Richards b. Kenny Omega & Evan Inferno ... Johnny
Handsome b. Winston Flynn ... J.D. Michaels n.c. vs. Shawn Houston ...
Massive Damage, Big Jess & Johnny Wiseguy b. King Lau, Chi Chi Cruz, &
Boris Von Fit
