News on RAGE Wrestling, AWA-Supreme, NWA-Bluegrass + IWU notes
On Monday, June 4, 2007 at 5:28 PM EST Tellin D. Truth sent this in:
FROM THE DESK OF:
Today Renegade Promotions, parent company of RAGE Wrestling announced that current commish Bud "Kid Rage" Lane would be stepping down from the position. However omitted from the release was the name of his replacement.
Upon contacting Renegade Promotions, we were able to reach RAGE Promoter A.L. Lane, Jr who had this to say:
"At this time all parties involved felt it was what was best for them personally as well as RAGE Wrestling as a whole. In the three years that RAGE has been in business it has been mired in controversy and for lack of a better term direction. All parties left on good terms, and we wish Mr. Lane the best in all future endeavors that come his way. Again there were no hard feelings and this was simply a matter of business. With his managerial touring schedule, obligations to other promotions, as well as events he is currently partaking in his personal life we felt it best simply to find someone that had the time that is needed to be dedicated to such a daunting role within the promotion. While we have decided to hold off on announcing the individual chosen as his replacement, I would like to be clear in saying that we believe together we can make RAGE into powerhouse of the Mid Atlantic it was always meant to be. This individual brings innovative ideas and a well calculated business strategy to the table of exactly how he intends to do just that."
**************************************************
Bud Lane Responds To Release
After several attempts we finally reached Bud "Kid Rage" Lane while on the road. He had the following to say on the subject:
"While it was my honor to not only lead the direction of RAGE from the beginning but also help establish it as a promotion that could potentially contend with the best I felt it only right when I met with the RAGE board to vacate my position. I have always prided myself on going above and beyond in everything I have ever been associated with, and I'm the type of person who refuses to settle for average. Problem is I felt like my stint as RAGE Commish was just that. I mean honestly the track record speaks for itself. The RAGE August show will mark 3 years that RAGE has been around, yet I was only able to produce a handful of events. Yes I take full responsibility for what I see as a personal failure as other avenues of business kept me from the requirements of the job. I would however like to point out another tidbit of news in that a big reason I made the decision is because I have decided that as it stands right now this will be my last year in wrestling. After 7 years I feel I have accomplished virtually everything I set out to do in this business. It has been a tough decision as the wrestling business has been all I have known since I was 16. There are still a few things I would like to do before hanging up my managerial reins. Two of those things are being able to work against the one person I have considered a mentor/advisor/friend and honestly the BEST Manager EVER to step foot in the business (this of course being Neil Sharkey), and the other standing across the ring from the person I helped break into the business (SHY). For the rest of the year though I promise to give everything I have into every match I'm a part of as I always have. It has also been decided that after our THREE YEAR feud, that for the FIRST TIME (and ONLY TIME) Crazii Shea & I will meet up one on one in a singles match. Contracts are still being negotiated so it's unclear whether this will happen at the Aug 18th or Oct RAGE show. I promised to go out in style and I intend to do just that as the only way I agreed to the match is if Shea's CAREER was on the line. I promised everyone I would rid the wrestling world of Crazii Shea and I intend to do just that as my last stand of defiance."
****************************************************
E-Mail from the NEW COMMISH
The one missing piece of this ever evolving puzzle was that of the new RAGE commish. We contacted the Office of the Commish on several occassions without an answer. We however a few moments ago received an email from his Executive Assistant (the lovely Adrienne Klein) which read as follows:
"On behalf of the office of the commish I would like to enlighten you on the actions being taken on its behalf. After many long and grueling meetings with the Board of Directors, the commish feels as if he has a firm handle on what is expected of his new position. Feeling that RAGE was founded to showcase and help build the superstars of tomorrow TODAY, he has already put into place several new elements and format changes that will take RAGE in an entirely new direction. His first concern is the lack of shows that have been ran thus leading to a sour taste in the mouth of many fans as well as industry insiders. He has already taken the steps needed to lock up financial funding needed to run a regular schedule in 2008. On top of this he has taken it upon himself to not only scout but get verbal agreements as the contracts are still being written for the following talents. Ricchochet, Chuck Taylor, Jimmy Rave, Alex Shelley, Delirious, Mike Quakenbush, Ruckus, upon many more that will be released at a later date. These top notch performers mixed with the current crop of talent illustrated within the Mid Atlantic will lead to many dream matches and help elevate not only RAGE but the entire Mid Atlantic Independent Wrestling Scene as a whole. The format changes taking place will first be visible at the RAGE August 18th event. While at the current time I'm obligated not to release exactly what that entails, I have been told to inform you that these changes are exactly what YOU the fans have been asking for. To say that RAGE will now be all about what the fans want would be putting it lightly. In 2008 the Mid Atlantic will have a new powerhouse. RAGE.
Thank You,
Adrienne Klein
Executive Assistant to the RAGE Commish
Shawn sent this in:
May 26, 2007 -- AWA-Supreme from Madison, Indiana: Country Cousin Jimbo & Sheik Aftershock beat The Classy Studs ("Classy" Kyle Kincaid & KY Stud), TV Champion Johnny Strattlin beat Josh Hardekin by submission, The Regulators beat the team of Spazz & Chuck McRoberts, Chris Blayze beat "The Perfect Specimen" Jesse Emerson, The Amazing Pooky beat The Maniac, Tag Team Champions Big & Tasty ("Sweet" William Valentine & "Iron" Mike Trusty) beat Vito Andretti & Mickey O'Dell, Nic Noble beat Eric Draven, Damien Divine beat Ricky Ruckus in a Non-Title Match.
May 19, 2007 -- AWA-Supreme from Madison, Indiana: CM Sigmon beat Travis Sawyer, Tag Team Champions Big & Tasty (“Sweet" William Valentine & “Iron" Mike Trusty) lost by DQ to Roger Blade & Live Wire, TV Champion Johnny Strattlin beat Donovan Daniels (w/Dawg Ogle) by submission, American Eagle beat The Tibetan Strangler by DQ, Eric Draven pinned Supreme Champio! n Billy Maverick in a Non-Title, Hair vs. Hair Match, The Regulators defeated Joey Bravo & Tommie “T-Dogg" Foreman, Mid-America Champion Ricky Ruckus defeated Nic Noble & Damien Divine.
Bret Morris sent this in:
KENTUCKY
SALYERSVILLE - NWA-Bluegrass from the Community Center: Hillbilly Deluxe defeated Southern Justice, T-N-T, and Ricky Taylor & Brian Faith in a Tag Team Scramble to earn a shot at the NWA-Bluegrass Tag Team Titles ... Billy Maverick beat Devin Davis by disqualification ... Mentel Matel defeated JD Santos ... Brent Albright pinned Osamu Nishimura ... NWA Bluegrass Heavyweight Champion Kris King beat Jay-Ten Lyons & Sal Rinauro in a Triple Threat Match ... NWA National Heavyweight Champion Chance Prophet pinned Jimmy Rave to retain the title.
(6-02-07)
Kingdom James sent this in:
STATE OF THE UNION #1
IWU News for 03 June 2007
HEADLINES
~The Union is reborn!
~Debut show announced, former ECW champ signed
~New champions to be decided by tournaments
THE UNION IS DEAD. LONG LIVE THE UNION!!!
The staff and management of the Union of Independent Professional Wrestlers would like to announce that as part of its return to the indy wrestling scene, the promotion is undergoing a name change. Going forward, the group will officially be known as the INTERNATIONAL WRESTLERS UNION. The IWU, based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, will promote shows throughout Southern Ontario featuring a roster of some of the world's finest independent wrestling talent.
Our new website is now open. For more information on the past, present and future of the International Wrestlers Union, including information on how you can bring an IWU show to your community, please visit http://www.wrestlersunion.ca.
UNION'S FIRST EVENT TO BE HEADLINED BY "KING OF OLD SCHOOL"
The International Wrestlers Union presents "BORN AGAIN" on Saturday September 8th 2007 starting at 7pm at Royal Canadian Legion Hall #101 in Toronto, Ontario. Doors open at 6:30pm. The Legion Hall is located at 3850 Lake Shore Blvd West, midway between Dixie Road and Brown's Line and directly adjacent to both the Long Branch GO station and the TTC's Long Branch Loop. The venue has a fully licenced bar so fans are reminded to bring valid ID and use public transit if they plan to purchase alcohol. Seating is strictly limited to 200. Tickets are on sale now.
Today, the International Wrestlers Union is pleased to announce that it has reached an agreement with STEVE CORINO to join the promotion's roster. Mr. Corino, a four-time world champion and the only wrestler in history to hold the ECW, NWA and AWA World Heavyweight titles during his career, will wrestle in the main event at "BORN AGAIN".
And in the first match we can announce for "BORN AGAIN", American indy sensation STERLING JAMES KEENAN takes on Canada's own luchadore superstar, EL GENERICO. Generico hopes speed, agility and a home country advantage can help him defeat his foreign foe. The obnoxious Keenan has been making a name for himself throughout the United States and Europe and has just completed his first tour of Japan. How will he fare north of the border? Join us at "BORN AGAIN" to find out.
Tickets are on sale now for $20 (general admission) and strictly limited to 200 seats, so buy yours today before they sell out. You can be amongst the first to gaurantee your tickets by purchcasing them securely online via PayPal in the store at www.wrestlersunion.ca.
NEW UNION CHAMPIONS TO BE DECIDED VIA TOURNAMENT
The Union first promoted events from April 2003 - April 2004 in Erie, PA. During that time, four men held the Union Heavyweight title: SEBASTIAN DARK, CHRIS HAMRICK, "MDOGG20" MATT CROSS (who beat JERRY LYNN in a "top contender's" match after Hamrick was stripped of the title) and, finally, JOHN "FABULOUS" McCHESNEY.
As part of the promotion's rebirth, the International Wrestlers Union will hold tournaments over the next few months to crown inaugural champions in three divisions: World Heavyweight, World Tag Team and Northern Lights. (The Northern Lights Division will features the Union's cruiserweight wrestlers, ie: wrestlers under 200 lbs.)
The first of these tournaments will take place this November when the Union's World Heavyweight title will be up for grabs in a one-night, eight-man slugfest. Union officials are working to hammer out agreements that would see the Union Heavyweight title defended on shows in the United States, Europe and Asia on a continuing basis, solidifying its status as a true World championship.
CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS
Saturday September 8th - BORN AGAIN
Saturday October 6th - STATE OF SHOCK
Saturday November 3rd - CHAMPIONSHIP EVENT 2K7 (featuring the Union World Heavyweight title tournament)
The INTERNATIONAL WRESTLERS UNION is an independent wrestling promotion based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada maintaining partnerships with promotions in Canada and around the world. For more information about THE UNION, please visit the official IWU website at www.wrestlersunion.ca or on the web at www.myspace.com/wrestlersunion.