Wildfire1324

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="TheEffect" data-cite="TheEffect" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="48618" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><p> </p><p> <strong>Riley McManus & The Casey Brothers</strong> vs. Andrew Harper, Ray Snow & Devastating Don <strong>DON MUST ALWAYS LOSE</strong></p><p> </p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> No lies detected.</p>

From NYCWrestling.net Predictions welcome! I would also like to say that I have gone back and added some graphics to this diary. Kudos and thanks go out to Shipshirt, King Bison, Parker Stiles, Historian and all the talented artists whose graphics I'm using to spruce up this story!

Location: Franklin Fumier's Apartment, Grove Street (Greenwich Village, New York) <a href="https://imgur.com/Ph0gzeI"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/Ph0gzeI.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a> <a href="https://imgur.com/xBzMpIa"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/xBzMpIa.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a> "Ugh....that's just total crap about Sammy but we can definitely rework the story. I like Art's suggestion for a replacement in the story going forward. I wasn't close with him when I was there but everyone seemed to like him. If one of the other two bigs doesn't snatch him up, I'm sure he'd be game to doing business with us. I'm glad you called though boss. I had something else I wanted to run by you. Do you follow the scene Down Under?" I wasn't sure if Steve was going to go for this idea but I thought it was worth a try. Plus I had already made initial contact and had discussed contractual terms. Better to ask forgiveness than permission I always say. "Not super closely. I know all the big companies here are dying to get their hands on Swoop McCarthy but he's locked up for several more years. Why?" For someone who loved wrestling as much as Steve does and for someone so tech savvy, he really didn't spend a lot of time checking out the wrestling sites. If he did, he would have heard all the hardcore wrestling fans gushing about the latest "can't miss" star, a promising young kid named Will Beaumont. The fans weren't alone. The SWF's database had super high grades on the handsome youngster as well. He also would have heard that Beaumont had a big falling out with RAW management as he was now currently a free agent. "I want to sign Will Beaumont. He's a really hot pros......" "A really hot prospect. I know who he is Frank. I may not live online like you do but I still know things." Steve Flash interrupted with a wink. "How much is this going to cost me? I'm sure you've already talked to him." "Well, funny you'd say that. I've been DM-ing with him on Instagram and I've already got an agreement in principle lined up. The contract is reasonable but obviously the travel is going to cost us." Steve Flash furrowed his brow at the financial implications. "Look I know you want to make a big splash Frank but that's a lot of money to spend on a kid, considerable upside or not, who really doesn't have a lick of name value here in the States. And as soon people begin to learn who he is, he'll get snatched up in no time." "We won't lose him any time soon Steve." "Why would you think that? You said yourself the SWF have a super high grade on him and I'm sure that means USPW and TCW both have him on their radar as well. For that matter, I'm sure promoters in the UK and Japan have eyes on this kid as well." "It's the lure of the Big Apple. His mother was obsessed with New York City. She watched every movie she could about it. She had photos of the skyline hanging on the walls when he was growing up. She always wanted to come here but never made it. She passed away from complications from breast cancer about two years ago. He wants to work here as a tribute to her, to finish the journey here that she couldn't. Plus, he's willing to sign a two year, non-exclusive written deal with us. That gives us plenty of time to get him up to speed with our fans and if he's the star with that "IT" factor that everyone seems to think he has, we'll make our money back and then some!" "So basically you're making this impossible for me to say no, huh Frank?" "What can I say Steve? I play to win." "Send him over the contract and I'll see you later in the week."

Location: Steve Flash's townhouse in Flatbush (Brooklyn, New York) <a href="https://imgur.com/xBzMpIa"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/xBzMpIa.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a> <a href="https://imgur.com/e6JTw01"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/e6JTw01.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a> <a href="https://imgur.com/mcBkSkk"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/mcBkSkk.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a> "No, I totally agree Art. It's a great move to bring Bobby in here. I know you two are close and we could use the help backstage for sure. Plus the kid has been doing well with the budget so we have some wiggle room financially." Steve Flash's blessing to bring in one of Art Reed's closest friends in the business, technical wrestling wiz Bobby Thomas, brought a smile to the veteran worker's face. Art continued the pitch even though Steve had already given approval. "Plus he's not quite done in the ring yet and said he's willing to work the pre-show matches for a few months to try and get a feel for some of our younger talent too. I'll text him when I get back home tonight. I'm pretty sure he can start with us down in Philly for GANG WARS." The conversation was interrupted by the phone. "Give me a sec Art. I think that might be the Thai place we ordered dinner from. Their delivery guy always gets lost but their food is worth it. You're going to love it. Yes, hello..........oh hey Sammy. What's going on?" Sammy the Shark was a recent signee, returning to where he got his start after a few years working for the SWF. He had been let go during their recent cutbacks and we brought him in to work a program with Art before moving him into title contention. "I hate to do this to you Steve but TCW just made me a big offer and my wife would absolutely murder me if I didn't take the security. So it looks like GANG WARS is going to be my last show with you guys. I'm really sorry but I will do whatever you need me to do on my way out the door." Art Reed saw the Thai food-related smile that Steve Flash had on his face quickly fade away and he braced for bad news. "No, no. I get it Sammy. You have to do what you have to do. We'll be in touch after we figure out what we're going to do instead. See you in Philly." Steve Flash hung up the phone and sighed deeply. "Packer grab him too?" asked Reed. "Nah. He's headed to TCW. I can't blame him for taking the offer but it leaves you without a dance partner after the next show. Let's give Frank a call and let him know so we can start figuring out what to do next." Art Reed looked at his phone and showed the news to the friend. "Well what about him? Looks like he's getting cut from Supreme too. He's going to cost more than Sammy and his stamina's not what it was but it might buy us some time maybe?" "Not the worst idea Art. I'll ask the kid what he thinks of him."

Thanks Historian!

Are there any cannon "dirt sheets" in the Cornellverse like the Observer or the Torch and are there any writers liker Wade Keller or Dave Meltzer that are cannon as well? I'm trying to flesh out my NYCW: Queensboro Bridge Over Troubled Waters diary (Cheap plug: Check it out <a href="http://www.greydogsoftware.com/forum/showthread.php?t=546273" rel="external nofollow">here</a>!) and didn't want to create my own if ones existed already. Thanks!

<p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Location: New York State Fair (Albany, New York)</span></strong></strong></p><p><strong><strong><span style="font-size:14px;"> NYCW SUMMER SHOWDOWN</span></strong></strong></p><p><strong><strong><span style="font-size:14px;"> June 2020</span></strong></strong></p><p><strong><strong><span style="font-size:14px;"> Attendance: 476</span></strong></strong></p><p><strong><strong><span style="font-size:14px;"> Announcers: Franklin Fumier and Joanne Rodriguez</span></strong></strong></p><p><strong><strong><span style="font-size:14px;"> <a href="</span></strong></strong><a href="https://imgur.com/Ph0gzeI" rel="external nofollow"><strong><strong><span style="font-size:14px;">https://imgur.com/Ph0gzeI"><img</span></strong></strong></a><strong><strong><span style="font-size:14px;"> src="</span></strong></strong><a href="https://i.imgur.com/Ph0gzeI.jpg" rel="external nofollow"><strong><strong><span style="font-size:14px;">https://i.imgur.com/Ph0gzeI.jpg"</span></strong></strong></a><strong><strong><span style="font-size:14px;"> title="source: imgur.com" /></a><a href="</span></strong></strong><a href="https://imgur.com/ofzeEWB" rel="external nofollow"><strong><strong><span style="font-size:14px;">https://imgur.com/ofzeEWB"><img</span></strong></strong></a><strong><strong><span style="font-size:14px;"> src="</span></strong></strong><a href="https://i.imgur.com/ofzeEWB.jpg" rel="external nofollow"><strong><strong><span style="font-size:14px;">https://i.imgur.com/ofzeEWB.jpg"</span></strong></strong></a><strong><strong><span style="font-size:14px;"> title="source: imgur.com" /></a></span></strong></strong></p><p><strong><strong><span style="font-size:14px;"> </span></strong></strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> The usually jovial backstage mood at a NYCW show was noticeably quieter and much more somber on this night. News had broken earlier that morning that the legendary Sam Strong had passed just days after his 72 birthday. While no one in the company had worked with him, many of the roster had grown up watching the legendary wars between him and Rip Chord. Dreadnought seemed to be taking it the hardest, as his father, Dread, had been the one who ended Strong's legendary four year SWF World title reign and Sam had been a quasi-uncle figure in his life for as long as he could remember. Steve and Art sensed he was hurting and did their best to console him. For as big and tough as Dreadnought was, it was easy to forgot he was still a few year shy of being able to buy a beer. Steve offered to let him take the night off with pay, a small miracle of an offer among independent wrestling promoters but he declined.</p><p> </p><p><strong><em> "Nah. I appreciate it but Sam would want the show to go on."</em></strong></p><p> </p><p> Even without any history in the company, we started the show with the traditional bell salute to the fallen icon. J-Ro requested a moment of silence from the crowd and they complied, followed by a loud, <em><strong>"Thank you Sam!" </strong></em>chant. Everyone agreed to dedicate the show to one of the irreplaceable figures in the history of the business. </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="48618" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p> <a href="<a href="https://imgur.com/lP9i7rV" rel="external nofollow">https://imgur.com/lP9i7rV"><img</a> src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/lP9i7rV.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/lP9i7rV.jpg"</a> title="source: imgur.com" /></a><a href="<a href="https://imgur.com/LfKOI5T" rel="external nofollow">https://imgur.com/LfKOI5T"><img</a> src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/LfKOI5T.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/LfKOI5T.jpg"</a> title="source: imgur.com" /></a><a href="<a href="https://imgur.com/SrfPZ4A" rel="external nofollow">https://imgur.com/SrfPZ4A"><img</a> src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/SrfPZ4A.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/SrfPZ4A.jpg"</a> title="source: imgur.com" /></a></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> In the opening match of the evening, Richie Riggins continued his winning ways, defeating Remmy Honeyman with the Body Bag powerslam in a glorified squash match. (33)</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="48618" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><a href="</p><a href="https://imgur.com/t0k0jMt" rel="external nofollow">https://imgur.com/t0k0jMt"><img</a> src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/t0k0jMt.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/t0k0jMt.jpg"</a> title="source: imgur.com" /><img src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/LfKOI5T.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/LfKOI5T.jpg"</a> title="source: imgur.com" /></a><a href="<a href="https://imgur.com/GJkD2gM" rel="external nofollow">https://imgur.com/GJkD2gM"><img</a> src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/GJkD2gM.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/GJkD2gM.jpg"</a> title="source: imgur.com" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p> The long standing rivalry between the Masked Stranger and "The Wildcard" Denny King reaches a crescendo as the Tri-State champ successfully retains his title, putting his rival to sleep with the Cobra Clutch. When his arm drops for the third time, the masked man fairly gently drops King to the mat, showing him a mercy that his foe would definitely not have shown him before climbing the ropes to soak in the cheers of the fans. (37)</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="48618" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><a href="</p><a href="https://imgur.com/BtE1OMu" rel="external nofollow">https://imgur.com/BtE1OMu"><img</a> src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/BtE1OMu.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/BtE1OMu.jpg"</a> title="source: imgur.com" /></a><a href="<a href="https://imgur.com/LfKOI5T" rel="external nofollow">https://imgur.com/LfKOI5T"><img</a> src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/LfKOI5T.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/LfKOI5T.jpg"</a> title="source: imgur.com" /></a><a href="<a href="https://imgur.com/ph91xif" rel="external nofollow">https://imgur.com/ph91xif"><img</a> src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/ph91xif.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/ph91xif.jpg"</a> title="source: imgur.com" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p> Playboy Jake Sawyer leads his powerful muscled charge to the ring and he attacks fellow young prospect Charlie Corner before the bell can even ring, leaving referee Arnie Plummer scrambling to start the match. Corner manages to get in a few hope spots but quickly falls prey to the Dread Bomb. (16)</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="48618" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><a href="</p><a href="https://imgur.com/hsp2G3j" rel="external nofollow">https://imgur.com/hsp2G3j"><img</a> src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/hsp2G3j.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/hsp2G3j.jpg"</a> title="source: imgur.com" /></a><a href="<a href="https://imgur.com/C9JNgny" rel="external nofollow">https://imgur.com/C9JNgny"><img</a> src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/C9JNgny.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/C9JNgny.jpg"</a> title="source: imgur.com" /></a><a href="<a href="https://imgur.com/4AmyVwN" rel="external nofollow">https://imgur.com/4AmyVwN"><img</a> src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/4AmyVwN.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/4AmyVwN.jpg"</a> title="source: imgur.com" /></a><a href="<a href="https://imgur.com/TTxuR4o" rel="external nofollow">https://imgur.com/TTxuR4o"><img</a> src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/TTxuR4o.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/TTxuR4o.jpg"</a> title="source: imgur.com" /></a><p> <a href="<a href="https://imgur.com/LfKOI5T" rel="external nofollow">https://imgur.com/LfKOI5T"><img</a> src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/LfKOI5T.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/LfKOI5T.jpg"</a> title="source: imgur.com" /></a></p><p> <a href="<a href="https://imgur.com/DgVoEv3" rel="external nofollow">https://imgur.com/DgVoEv3"><img</a> src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/DgVoEv3.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/DgVoEv3.jpg"</a> title="source: imgur.com" /></a><a href="<a href="https://imgur.com/9uBNQTc" rel="external nofollow">https://imgur.com/9uBNQTc"><img</a> src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/9uBNQTc.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/9uBNQTc.jpg"</a> title="source: imgur.com" /></a><a href="<a href="https://imgur.com/fpzXCut" rel="external nofollow">https://imgur.com/fpzXCut"><img</a> src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/fpzXCut.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/fpzXCut.jpg"</a> title="source: imgur.com" /></a><a href="<a href="https://imgur.com/hP617rc" rel="external nofollow">https://imgur.com/hP617rc"><img</a> src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/hP617rc.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/hP617rc.jpg"</a> title="source: imgur.com" /></a></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> Brooklyn's Finest recruited Geoff Bourne and Animal Harker for another eight man tag match against the DiMeo Family but ended up going home with the loser's share of the purse when Sal DiMeo gouged Freedom Eagle's eyes behind the referee's back and nailed the DiMeo Driver for the pin. (33)</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="48618" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><a href="</p><a href="https://imgur.com/WfzMGkI" rel="external nofollow">https://imgur.com/WfzMGkI"><img</a> src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/WfzMGkI.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/WfzMGkI.jpg"</a> title="source: imgur.com" /></a></a><a href="<a href="https://imgur.com/LfKOI5T" rel="external nofollow">https://imgur.com/LfKOI5T"><img</a> src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/LfKOI5T.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/LfKOI5T.jpg"</a> title="source: imgur.com" /></a><a href="<a href="https://imgur.com/yaRlUcE" rel="external nofollow">https://imgur.com/yaRlUcE"><img</a> src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/yaRlUcE.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/yaRlUcE.jpg"</a> title="source: imgur.com" /></a></div><p></p><p>In a grudge match, Riley McManus defeated Andrew Harper with a Small Package for the pin. (40) </p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="48618" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><a href="</p><a href="https://imgur.com/mcBkSkk" rel="external nofollow">https://imgur.com/mcBkSkk"><img</a> src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/mcBkSkk.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/mcBkSkk.jpg"</a> title="source: imgur.com" /></a><a href="<a href="https://imgur.com/LfKOI5T" rel="external nofollow">https://imgur.com/LfKOI5T"><img</a> src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/LfKOI5T.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/LfKOI5T.jpg"</a> title="source: imgur.com" /></a><a href="<a href="https://imgur.com/LehmxTr" rel="external nofollow">https://imgur.com/LehmxTr"><img</a> src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/LehmxTr.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/LehmxTr.jpg"</a> title="source: imgur.com" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p> In a short match, Sammy the Shark defeated Devastating Don by DQ when the man in the hoodie emerged from the crowd and waffled him with a chair before clamping on a painful looking submission hold. </p><p> </p><p> <em><strong>"That's the Dreadlock!"</strong></em> I yelled out as the man took down his hood. <em><strong>"It's Art Reed! Why is he doing this?"</strong></em> (35) </p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="48618" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Reed sets up the folder chair right next to Sammy's prone body and requests a microphone. <p> </p><p> <strong><em>"You know, there is one thing that I hate in this business and that is big timers coming into a company and just getting everything handed to them. It's not personal Sammy but I'll be damned if I'm just going to let you walk in here and jump the line. So here is how its gonna be son. Me and you, we're gonna tangle at Gang Wars and when I beat you, you're headed right back to the bottom of the card where you belong. See you in Philly Sammy." </em></strong>(43)</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="48618" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Tennessee William, still primping his newly bleached blonde locks, is flanked by Howlin' Mad Mort and Whitehorse Whittaker and their manager, "Big Ern" Ernie Turner. The NYCW Empire Champion cuts a backstage promo.<p> </p><p> <strong><em>"For the past month, my name has been on the lips of everyone in the tri-state area. And its not just me, they want to know if Big Ern, the greatest manager in all of professional wrestling has secured the services of the greatest tag team in all of professional wrestling, the Boys from the Yukon. Well, I hate to disappoint everyone here in NYCW but.....he has! And that puts this whole damn company on notice! The Wild Country Outlaws have the Empire title, the Tag Team titles and we got all the power 'round the parts now! Drop some truth bombs on them Big Ern!"</em></strong></p><p><strong><em> </em></strong></p><p><strong><em> "Here's the facts. Yet again, NYCW is forcing the Empire champ to face that big galoot, Brutus Milano, even though Billy here has beaten him even step of the way. That's a fact. To make things worse, they're forcing the Boys here into a six man tag match with those masked idiots the LA Stars! Stars, you're some of the best young athletes in the business but you're not the league of the Boys From the Yukon! That's also a fact. And the bottom line here is that the Wild Country Outlaws are going to take care of business tonight and that is an indisputable fact. Let's get to the ring boys!"</em></strong> (50)</p><p> </p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="48618" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><a href="</p><a href="https://imgur.com/JcUaJoG" rel="external nofollow">https://imgur.com/JcUaJoG"><img</a> src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/JcUaJoG.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/JcUaJoG.jpg"</a> title="source: imgur.com" /></a><a href="<a href="https://imgur.com/nMsDo7w" rel="external nofollow">https://imgur.com/nMsDo7w"><img</a> src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/nMsDo7w.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/nMsDo7w.jpg"</a> title="source: imgur.com" /></a><a href="<a href="https://imgur.com/HxxZQbA" rel="external nofollow">https://imgur.com/HxxZQbA"><img</a> src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/HxxZQbA.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/HxxZQbA.jpg"</a> title="source: imgur.com" /></a><p> <a href="<a href="https://imgur.com/LfKOI5T" rel="external nofollow">https://imgur.com/LfKOI5T"><img</a> src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/LfKOI5T.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/LfKOI5T.jpg"</a> title="source: imgur.com" /></a></p><p> <a href="<a href="https://imgur.com/efJ980c" rel="external nofollow">https://imgur.com/efJ980c"><img</a> src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/efJ980c.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/efJ980c.jpg"</a> title="source: imgur.com" /></a><a href="<a href="https://imgur.com/sjRRvY5" rel="external nofollow">https://imgur.com/sjRRvY5"><img</a> src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/sjRRvY5.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/sjRRvY5.jpg"</a> title="source: imgur.com" /></a<a href="<a href="https://imgur.com/TwCVkoy" rel="external nofollow">https://imgur.com/TwCVkoy"><img</a> src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/TwCVkoy.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/TwCVkoy.jpg"</a> title="source: imgur.com" /></a></p></div><p></p><p> The six rivals tear into each other from the opening bell in a wild back and forth all out match. The finish comes when Milano avoids the Tiiiiiiiiiiimber and the LA Stars dropkick the burly lumberjacks out of the ring. Brutus then clamps the Italian Backbreaker on Tennessee William, who after fighting in vain for a moment, has no choice but to tap out. (45)</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="48618" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>After the bout, the dastardly villains attack the celebrating victors and deliver a short beat down in an attempt to get their heat back. (44)</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="font-size:18px;">SHOW RATING: 45</span></strong></p></div><p></p>

<div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="font-size:18px;">Location: Blink Fitness (Queens, New York)</span></strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong> <a href="</strong><a href="https://imgur.com/Ph0gzeI" rel="external nofollow"><strong>https://imgur.com/Ph0gzeI"><img</strong></a><strong> src="</strong><a href="https://i.imgur.com/Ph0gzeI.jpg" rel="external nofollow"><strong>https://i.imgur.com/Ph0gzeI.jpg"</strong></a><strong> title="source: imgur.com" /></a> <a href="</strong><a href="https://imgur.com/T6bbaVe" rel="external nofollow"><strong>https://imgur.com/T6bbaVe"><img</strong></a><strong> src="</strong><a href="https://i.imgur.com/T6bbaVe.jpg" rel="external nofollow"><strong>https://i.imgur.com/T6bbaVe.jpg"</strong></a><strong> title="source: imgur.com" /></a></strong></p></div><p></p><p> </p><p> I was about to climb onto my arch nemesis, aka the treadmill, yet again when an unfamiliar number came up on my phone. </p><p> </p><p> <em><strong>"Hey.....is this Franklin Fumier?"</strong></em></p><p><em><strong> </strong></em></p><p><em><strong> "Yes, who is this?"</strong></em></p><p><em><strong> </strong></em></p><p><em><strong> "Hey.....um....my name is Joffy Laine. I'm a wrestler. I know we haven't met but I got your number from Frederique."</strong></em></p><p><em><strong> </strong></em></p><p><em><strong> "Oh, sure. I know who you are. What's up? You still down in Puerto Rico?"</strong></em></p><p><em><strong> </strong></em></p><p><em><strong> "Well, not for long I think. I had a big falling out with Puerto Rican Power last night over me accusing him of undercounting the gate and short changing the boys. We had a big blow up and I walked out of the company before he could make good on his promise to take a tire iron to my skull." </strong></em></p><p><em><strong> </strong></em></p><p><em><strong> "Oh that sucks dude."</strong></em></p><p><em><strong> </strong></em></p><p><em><strong> "Yeah, not ideal but Frederique appreciated me standing up for the locker room and slipped me your number to try and help me land on my feet. He said he knew you as a friend of a friend from the SWF. I know I'm not a big name up there but I was hoping you guys might have a spot for me."</strong></em></p><p><em><strong> </strong></em></p><p><em><strong> "Oh geez, let me talk with Steve and see what we can do. Is this the best number to reach you at?"</strong></em></p><p><em><strong> </strong></em></p><p><em><strong> "Yeah, thanks man. I appreciate it."</strong></em></p><p><em><strong> </strong></em></p><p><em><strong> "I'll get back to you soon and we'll see what we can do." </strong></em></p><p> </p><p> I pulled up the SWF scouting spreadsheet to double check and I was right. Enforcer Roberts and the rest of the scouting department were definitely keeping tabs on Laine. They didn't have him rated as an elite prospect but they liked him for sure. I had a feeling he might cost us more than we'd normally pay for a guy with limited name value in New York but he was young and could talk so there was definitely the upside of him becoming a top of the card guy for us before long. I'd have convince Steve to open the purse strings a little bit more but considering how attendance and advance ticket sales had improved under my watch, it didn't seem like a big ask. I gave him a call but it went right to voicemail. I'll go out on a limb and assume he was at the gym.</p><p> </p><p> <strong>"Hey boss, hit me back. A potential signing fell into my lap that I really think we should make...."</strong></p><p> </p><p> </p><p><strong> From NYCWrestling.net</strong></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="48618" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>We're very excited to announce that hot indy star Joffy Laine is headed to the Big Apple and will appearing a NYCW ring very soon! Be sure to LIKE, FOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE to New York City Wrestling on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube to stay on top of all the latest NYCW news and signings!</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="48618" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>We want to thank the great fans in Newark who packed the Event Center for NYCW FIRE FIGHT and helped us raise over $3000 to benefit the Newark Fire Department! Great job everyone and we looking forward to coming back next year and raising even more money!</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="48618" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Be sure get your tickets for NYCW SUMMER SHOWDOWN next month at the New York State Fair in Albany! And for you fans in Philadelphia, we are heading your way in July with NYCW GANG WARS! Ticket info available right here on NYCWrestling.net!</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="font-size:18px;">NYCW SUMMER SHOWDOWN</span></strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="48618" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>MAIN EVENT</strong></p><p> </p><p> Tennessee William & The Boys From the Yukon vs. Brutus Milano & The LA Stars</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <strong>AND</strong></p><p> </p><p><em> NYCW Tri-State Regional Championship Title Match</em></p><p> </p><p> The Masked Stranger © vs. Denny King</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <strong>PLUS</strong></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> Riley McManus vs. Andrew Harper </p><p> </p><p> Sammy the Shark vs. Devastating Don</p><p> </p><p> The DiMeo Family vs. Brooklyn's Finest, Animal Harker & Geoff Bourne</p><p> </p><p> Dreadnought vs. Charlie Corner</p><p> </p><p> Richie Riggins vs. Remmy Honeyman </p></div><p></p><p></p></div></blockquote>

Location: Newark Events Center (Newark, New Jersey) NYCW FIRE FIGHT May 2020 Attendance: 421 Announcers: Franklin Fumier and Joanne Rodriguez <a href="https://imgur.com/Ph0gzeI"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/Ph0gzeI.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a> <a href="https://imgur.com/ofzeEWB"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/ofzeEWB.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a> "Damn Steve, look at that crowd! There has to be at least fifty more people than last month up in Harlem!" Steve Flash peered through the curtain next to Art Reed at the Nero Position and a smile crossed his face. "I've seen some good traction on our social media. The YouTube numbers have been going up the last few weeks so I was hoping it would translate to the box office. I think the people are liking what's Frank's been feeding them so far. Plus the kid's a shrewd negotiator so we've actually managed to improve our talent a little bit and still turn more of a profit than we did before Larry retired. Maybe I didn't buy a pile a junk like the dirt sheets said I did." "Nah, it's still a pile of junk boss. The kid just put a shiny coat of wax on it. Don't get cocky. We still got a lot of work to do before NYCW is out of the woods." Steve Flash raised an eyebrow. "We? So I guess that means you're sticking around for good then?" "I guess so. I'm in the home stretch of my career and helping to boost up this territory for future generations is a good a final act as any to finish up with. Plus you all need some pizzaz here. Backstage is whiter than a Coldplay concert without me!" The two old friends shared a laugh as the bell rang to start the main card. A not subtle ripoff of The Godfather theme begins to play and Sal DiMeo leads his charges past Reed and Flash. "Give 'em hell Sal!" "Hey, fuggeddaboutit boss! Bada bing, bada boom! We got this!" replied Sweet Sal. "Wait, was that kayfabe Steve?" asked a puzzled Art Reed. "I honestly have no clue with those boys Art. I figure better to not ask questions to avoid ending up in the trunk of a Cadillac in abandoned parking lot in Asbury Park." "Good idea Steve, good idea." SHOW RATING: 44

Location: Blink Fitness (Queens, New York) <a href="https://imgur.com/Ph0gzeI"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/Ph0gzeI.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a> <a href="https://imgur.com/xBzMpIa"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/xBzMpIa.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a> In an aesthetic business like professional wrestling, Franklin Fumier knew that the winter of his discontent, spent eating takeout and drinking Mountain Dew by the gallon, had caught up to him and as an on-camera talent, he had to remedy that. He had been eating better and was certainly more active with all the walking that New York City entails than he had been back in Tampa, but being on the cusp of dad bod was not a place he wanted to reside. Steve Flash had offered to train him at the CrossFit gym that he worked out at daily but Franklin had no desire to join that fitness cult or to try out Steve Flash's legendary workout routine. He was aiming more for "not to be embarrassed to take his shirt off" shape, and less "push his body past its limits to wrestle into his fifties" shape so he found a more mellow gym in Astoria and was putting in his time on the treadmill. Plus, it didn't hurt there were more cute guys at this gym too. Between his full time job at NY1 local news and his duties with NYCW, Franklin didn't have a lot of time for a relationship but it never hurt to look. He was grateful to see the overwhelmingly positive response and support that Duane Fry received when he came out and that always gave him hope for his future in the business. As he wiped down his treadmill after finishing his run, he saw that his phone had been blown up with notifications from one of his wrestling news sites. He quickly placed a call. "Hey boss, you see all this stuff going down?" "Well I heard from Mitch this morning. He spent the whole call complaining about all the crap Brother Grimm said about his company on Vibert's podcast. Looks like PSW and GSW aren't going to be on each's other's Christmas card lists any time soon." "No, bigger than that Steve. Cornell's leaving the UK and coming back to the States!" "Oh wow, is he coming back to finish up his career with TCW?" "Nope. He signed a huge deal with USPW!" "Christ, the rich get richer. What the hell Frank? Why didn't you try to make a play for him?" My jaw nearly hit the floor. "What.....I mean, Steve...the budget...I couldn't...." Steve Flash let out a belly laugh. "I'm just messing with you kid. Relax. I know we don't have budget to take a meeting with Tommy Cornell, let alone offer him a deal." "Plus there's more, some big news out of Japan too. Black Canvas Grappling got raided by the police yesterday and exposed a Yakuza money-laundering scheme from inside their organization. They just lost a lot of money and both Shogun TV and All Japan TV dropped both of their shows." "That's awful. I know from the times I've worked there, organized crime always loomed on the periphery. It was known but just not talked about. Any blowback on Harker? I know he takes dates there." "Nah, it's all higher up. None of the talent was implicated." "That's good. I'll shoot him a text just in case he doesn't know." "Okay, let me run boss. Sammy's calling me at noon to go over our plans for his debut and I still need to get home and shower." "Sounds good. And don't call me boss." "Sorry boss."

From NYCWrestling.net

Location: The corner of 10th St. and 43rd Ave., Queens, New York (aka The Ministry) <a href="https://imgur.com/Ph0gzeI"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/Ph0gzeI.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a> <a href="https://imgur.com/xBzMpIa"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/xBzMpIa.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a> <a href="https://imgur.com/yIu1F6u"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/yIu1F6u.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a> Franklin Fumier had seen a lot of things during his time in the Supreme Wrestling Federation. The owner climbing in the ring and working out the young talent was not one of them. The mental visual of Richard Eisen doing just that amused him greatly. But here he was at the Ministry, bright and early on a Monday morning to oversee Steve Flash passing along his decades of in-ring experience to the young talent that Franklin had signed to NYCW. Mind you most of this young talent was acquired by Franklin still having his access to the SWF scouting database. Dreadnaught was one of those signees. "Nice job kid but remember to tuck your chin on that move. You've got an upper body like a Sherman Tank but that bump will catch up with your neck sooner than later if you don't. Now get with Art and go over a few things for next month's show with him." Steve told the behemoth. Art of course was Art Reed. For someone that was helping us out on our first night, getting pressed into duty by my last minute suggestion inspired him to stick around and Steve Flash was grateful to have him as a steady hand in the ring and as a secondary road agent to help him out with the talent. Steve climbed out of the ring and asked me what I thought. "Well you were a step slow and not super crisp on some of those chain moves boss but overall not bad for a guy your age." "About the kid smartass! And don't call me boss. Seriously though, he's got a lot of his old man in him and by that I mean he halfway beat the crap of out me in a chain drill. Not really sure how that's even possible." I feigned innocence. "Oh! Of course. I mean, he's a literal monster already and he can work okay for someone that big and that young. He's definitely someone one of the big leagues will snatch up once he gets some seasoning assuming he doesn't kill someone in the ring first. I've been searching the indies to bring in someone to talk for him though. He's too green to be put with William and Ernie but he can't handle promos yet, not by a longshot. Also I think we need to do something about that mask too. It looks like he's got a jock strap on his head." "Yeah, I'll talk with him about that. We need to get him a better look before his main roster debut next month at FIRE FIGHT. Who were you thinking about bringing in? In a pinch, we could always bring Herb Stately back. He's got a knack for managing big guys. I know he's getting close to retirement age but maybe a chance to work with Dread's kid my pique his interest?" "He's on my list but I have a few other people in mind first. There's one guy who really killed it on the indies a few years back but flamed out in the bigs. I think we could make him work here though. I'll make some calls today. Also, I think I'm going to pass on bringing back T-Rex next month. His knees look shot and he could barely move in the King of New York battle royale. In better news though, I got a call from someone I knew in SWF who is was let go in the whole IRS sting. He's looking to get back in the ring after taking some time off to recharge his batteries and he wants to come back to where it all started for him. He's not cheap but I think we can make it work." "Wait, who are we talking about here?" "Well back when he worked here, Larry called him Sammy the Shark...."

Location: Harlem Armory (Harlem, New York) NYCW THE KING OF NEW YORK April 2020 Attendance: 365 Announcers: Franklin Fumier and Joanne Rodriguez <a href="https://imgur.com/Ph0gzeI"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/Ph0gzeI.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a><a href="https://imgur.com/ofzeEWB"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/ofzeEWB.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a> The show begins with Steve Flash, Larry Vessey, and Rock Downpour's family in the ring, alongside a tall item covered by a sheet. Steve announces that Rock will forever be a NYCW legend and inducts him into our Hall of Fame. He continues, "Rock's legacy was a big as his laugh and love of the business so it is only fitting that we honor the big man. Going forward the annual winner of the King of New York will receive this....." Larry Vessey pulls the sheet off to reveal a beautiful trophy, far nicer than any of the championships in the company. "....the Rock Downpour Memorial Trophy! And so help me God if any man who tries to smash this trophy over someone's head! Thank you all for coming tonight and a special thank you to Rock's family for being here this evening. Rock, we miss you and love you buddy! And now, let's get down to action in the sport that Rock loved so dearly!" SHOW RATING: 44

<div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Location: A rental car traveling on I-78 East, somewhere between Allentown and New York City</span></strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong> <a href="</strong><a href="https://imgur.com/Ph0gzeI" rel="external nofollow"><strong>https://imgur.com/Ph0gzeI"><img</strong></a><strong> src="</strong><a href="https://i.imgur.com/Ph0gzeI.jpg" rel="external nofollow"><strong>https://i.imgur.com/Ph0gzeI.jpg"</strong></a><strong> title="source: imgur.com" /></a></strong></p></div><p></p><p> </p><p> I had just dropped Joanne Rodriguez off at the train station and was making the long drive back to Queens. I would have loved to put back a few with the crew at the casino after the show but I had to get back for an early morning NY1 work assignment tomorrow. I'd be lucky to get a couple of hours sleep but the long drive back to the city was good for clearing my mind. I felt deeply relieved that the first show I booked and announced went off without a hitch. </p><p> </p><p> The big angle I had planned, moving Ernie Turner out of the booth and into a pairing with our biggest star, Tennessee William worked very well. Removing one of the best color guys in the business out of the booth was a risk but I was gambling that pairing the two best talkers in the company could lead to some real heat with the NYCW crowd. There were a couple of a decent talkers and some pretty good workers in the company but no one combined the package the way that William can so he was the logical choice to build our main storyline around, at least until one of the bigger companies made their inevitable run at him. </p><p> </p><p> While the angle had gotten off to a hot start, we needed to keep it going with the King of New York show coming up. I already had some ideas on what would happen next and since I didn't bankrupt the company after one show even with bringing in the COTT World Tag Team Champions, Steve was willing to open up the purse string a little bit. Not much mind you, but enough to add a name talent for a short run with the company.....</p><p> </p><p> </p><p><strong><span style="font-size:14px;"> From NYCWrestling.net</span></strong></p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="48618" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>"The Jurassic Power" T-Rex has inked a deal to join the company and the former USPW World Champion will appear at NYCW THE KING OF NEW YORK! Be sure to LIKE, FOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE to New York City Wrestling on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube to stay on top of all the latest NYCW news and signings!</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="48618" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>NYCW is very excited to welcome the host of the wildly popular Behind the Curtain podcast, Joanne Rodriguez to the company where she will join up with our new lead announcer Franklin Fumier to form our new announce team! Look for her debut at NYCW THE KING OF NEW YORK in April!</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="48618" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Be sure get your tickets for NYCW THE KING OF NEW YORK next month at the Harlem Armory as we induct the late, great Rock Downpour into the NYCW Hall of Fame and you fans in Albany won't want to miss NYCW's Fire Fight in May! Ticket info available right here on NYCWrestling.net!</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="48618" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="font-size:18px;">NYCW THE KING OF NEW YORK</span></strong></p><p> </p><p> </p><p><strong> MAIN EVENT</strong></p><p> </p><p> 10 Man King of New York Battle Royale</p><p> Winner gets an Empire Title shot at NYCW Fire Fight</p><p> Sal DiMeo</p><p> Brutus Milano </p><p> Freedom Eagle</p><p> Hawkeye Calhoun </p><p> Richie Riggins</p><p> Art Reed</p><p> Andrew Harper</p><p> Geoff Bourne</p><p> Riley McManus</p><p> and making his NYCW debut, T-Rex!</p><p> </p><p> <strong>AND</strong></p><p> </p><p> Tennessee William in an open challenge for the NYCW Empire Championship</p><p> </p><p> <strong>PLUS</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p> Denny King & The Boys from the Yukon vs. Masked Stranger & The LA Stars</p><p> </p><p> The Casey Brothers vs. The Problem Solvers</p><p> </p><p> The New York Doll vs. Tank Bradley</p><p> </p><p> Animal Harker & Crockett Tubbs vs. Devastating Don & Ray Snow</p><p> </p><p> and more!</p><p> </p><p> </p></div><p></p><p></p></div></blockquote>

Location: Allentown Memorial Casino & Events Center (Allentown, Pennsylvania) NYCW BEASTS OF WAR March 2020 Attendance: 363 Announcers: Franklin Fumier and Ernie Turner <a href="https://imgur.com/Ph0gzeI"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/Ph0gzeI.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a><a href="https://imgur.com/05SeQbb"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/05SeQbb.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a> "Well Steve, I have to give you credit. You've managed to upgrade the preshow pizza from terrible to mediocre. Kudos I guess." I was surprisingly nervous so busting Steve Flash's chops about the pizza in the catering section was my attempt at calming my nerves. This was my first night as the lead play by play guy for New York City Wrestling and my stomach was in knots. I had done the pre-show for last year's Supreme Challenge for the SWF and I wasn't nearly this anxious despite that broadcast being seen by exponentially more people than will ultimately see the clips of this show on our YouTube channel. But the difference is, this was my baby. I was the Peter Michaels and the Jerry Eisen of this show all rolled into one. I was calling the action and the action was my vision for what would happen with NYCW. Steve Flash has placed a lot of faith in me, hopefully a faith that was well placed. I bumped fists with Steve, Art Reed and Joanne Rodriguez, who drove up from Philly to watch the show and get a feel for the company before starting in the both next month. I made my way down to ringside to join Ernie Turner. It was going to be a big night for both of us. Steve Flash and Art Reed watched Charlie Corner from the Nero Position behind the curtain with a collective shrug. Steve observed, "I mean the promo was pretty good considering Charlie is barely old enough to shave." Art Reed interjected, "Yeah but the kid is all knees and elbows in the ring. He hasn't even grown into his body yet really and his footwork is a disaster. Ray did all he could to carry him but Charlie is going to be a project with a capital P." Show Rating: 37

Location: NY1 Offices, 9th Avenue (Manhattan, New York) <a href="https://imgur.com/Ph0gzeI"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/Ph0gzeI.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a> I was sucking down my second iced coffee of the day at at NY1's office and trying my best to look busy at my desk, when my iPhone lit up with an incoming text message. "Yo Frankie! You got me. I'm in. Just text me back and let me where to show up next month and have Steve send over the paperwork. I'll call you later in the week to prep. ~ J-Ro" I bristled. Frankie is what my mom always called me. Hearing that brought back memories of her calling me that in front of my suitemates on move in day, freshman year. Needless to say, it stuck, which was not great for someone who wanted to reinvent himself in college. Painful flashbacks aside, this was good news. I had poked around for some other potential broadcasting partners the last two weeks while she made up her mind but J-Ro was the one I wanted all along. She was freshly retired but still young and was the most popular podcaster in the business this side of Phil Vibert. Plus she was easy on the eyes, perfect for the male demo that's the lifeblood of most wrestling companies, especially since I had just relieved the other two women in NYCW of their duties. When it came to their jobs, Fern Hathaway and Cheerleader Nicki were both......fine. Neither of them were anything special and for a company on a budget, not really giving us any bang for our buck. Their releases barely caused a ripple on our new social media accounts. Nor did my signing of Remmy Honeyman, not that I expected the signing of a steady hand with nary an ounce of charisma to generate any buzz. That said, I've worked with him before in the Florida indies and even recommended him for a one shot with the SWF when they came through Florida, leading to him getting a nice payday in exchanging for taking a beating at the hands of Angry Gilmore that made the superstar look like a million bucks. Remmy was the perfect in-ring coach for a lot of the green young talent I've been talking with, developing them in dark matches while we groomed them for our main shows. The other big signing we had made was a bolt from the blue. Referee Baby Jamie had a sudden falling out with USPW management and left the company. I quickly cut ties with our secondary referee Arnie Plummer and locked up Jamie to a two year written deal. It put a crimp in our budget but to get such a quality referee was a godsend. Normally the refs on our level are total weekend warriors. I mean, Arnie was a decent ref and was definitely reliable but Jamie is a big upgrade for us. Now, between him and Michael Bull, we're pretty set at that slot and I don't have to worry about the proverbial third man in the ring ruining a big match. I fired off a text. "She's on board Steve. Email her over the paperwork. I'll see you in Allentown next weekend."

<p><strong><span style="font-size:18px;">From NYCWrestling.net</span></strong></p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="48618" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><strong>Cheerleader Nicki and Fern Hathaway have been released from their NYCW contracts, while reliable veteran Remmy Honeyman has inked a deal to join the company. Be sure to LIKE, FOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE to New York City Wrestling on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube to stay on top of all the latest NYCW news!</strong></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="48618" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><strong>NYCW is very excited to have the COTT World tag team champions, Storm Spillane and Marvel Malloy, the America Cobras, in for a big match at next month and we look forward to more COTT talent making appearances in the Big Apple in coming months as well. Who will be the first NYCW grappler to challenge the legendary Pablo Rodriguez for the COTT World Heavyweight title? Only time will tell!</strong></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="48618" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><strong>Be sure get your tickets for NYCW BEASTS OF WAR next month at the Allentown Memorial Casino & Events Center and you won't want to miss NYCW's KING OF NEW YORK show this April as we induct the late, great Rock Downpour into the NYCW Hall of Fame. Ticket info available soon right here on NYCWrestling.net!</strong></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="48618" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="font-size:24px;">NYCW BEAST OF WAR</span></strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong> </strong><strong><span style="font-size:14px;">MAIN EVENT</span></strong></p><p> </p><p> <em>NYCW Empire Championship Title Match</em></p><p> </p><p> Brutus Milano © vs. A Mystery Opponent </p><p> </p><p> <strong>PLUS</strong></p><p> </p><p> <em>COTT World Tag Team Title Match</em></p><p> </p><p> The American Cobras © vs. The LA Stars </p><p> </p><p> Riley McManus & Masked Stranger vs. Andrew Harper & Denny King</p><p> </p><p> Sal DiMeo vs. Hawkeye Calhoun</p><p> </p><p> Freedom Eagle and The Casey Brothers vs. The Problem Solvers (Machine Gun Marino and Meat Cleaver Pirelli) and Luca Sacramoni</p><p> </p><p> Richie Riggins vs. Animal Harker</p><p> </p><p> Ray Snow vs. Charlie Corner</p><p> </p><p> The New York Doll vs. Crockett Tubbs</p></div><p></p><p></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> *predictions welcome</p>

Location: Yonkers Auditorium (Yonkers, New York) NYCW EMPIRE STATE February 2020 Attendance: 349 Announcers: Ron South and Ernie Turner <a href="https://imgur.com/0hb23FD"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/0hb23FD.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a><a href="https://imgur.com/05SeQbb"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/05SeQbb.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a> "So what's plan B if J-Ro doesn't change her mind? Ron is headed down to Florida to cover spring training in a few weeks so he won't be able to do commentary for a while." "Well I thinking I could give Emma Chase a call and see if she'd do it. She really liked me when I was with the SWF. I took her to this really hot gay bar to go dancing one night after we did TV in Miami." Steve Flash's eyes bugged out of his head at the mere mention of the consensus best color person in the business. "Wait...what? You think she'd do it?" I laughed. "No, not a chance. Even if she was free contractually, she'd cost more than all the tickets we've sold tonight. But it was great to see your face light up with hope there for minute boss." Art Reed laughed. "He got you there boss." "Both of you stop calling me boss." Art and myself replied in stereo, "Sorry boss." Steve Flashed scowled. "I hate you both. But I guess in a pinch I could always sit in the booth with you Franklin." Art Reed interjected. "I don't know if that's a good idea for you medically Steve!" "Medically?" "Yeah man....I mean...you still haven't recovered from that charisma bypass you had years ago!" I stifled a laugh for a long as I could before all three of us started to laugh together. "You know this isn't Rib on Steve Flash Night, right? But you make a point, maybe I wouldn't be the best choice. We'll talk about this some more after tonight's show though. You jerks are buying the first two rounds though for being a bunch of smartasses." Again in unison, "Sorry boss." Show Rating: 36 Editor's Note: I've been running of couple of prelim matches before each show but I'm opting not to post those results in order to preserve the surprise of the main card debuts of some of the youngsters I have under contact.

From NYCWrestling.net *predictions welcome

<div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Location: Joanne Rodriguez's apartment in Fishtown (Philadelphia, PA)</span></strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong> <a href="</strong><a href="https://imgur.com/Ph0gzeI" rel="external nofollow"><strong>https://imgur.com/Ph0gzeI"><img</strong></a><strong> src="</strong><a href="https://i.imgur.com/Ph0gzeI.jpg" rel="external nofollow"><strong>https://i.imgur.com/Ph0gzeI.jpg"</strong></a><strong> title="source: imgur.com" /></a> <a href="</strong><a href="https://imgur.com/ofzeEWB" rel="external nofollow"><strong>https://imgur.com/ofzeEWB"><img</strong></a><strong> src="</strong><a href="https://i.imgur.com/ofzeEWB.jpg" rel="external nofollow"><strong>https://i.imgur.com/ofzeEWB.jpg"</strong></a><strong> title="source: imgur.com" /></a></strong></p></div><p></p><p> </p><p> <em><strong>"I'm sorry, who did you say you are again?"</strong></em></p><p><em><strong> </strong></em></p><p><em><strong> "Franklin....Franklin Fumier. We met when Enforcer Roberts was on your podcast right before Supreme Challenge last year?"</strong></em></p><p><em><strong> </strong></em></p><p><em><strong> "Oh....you were his booking manager right? The young kid?"</strong></em></p><p><em><strong> </strong></em></p><p><em><strong> "I mean, yes.....no I mean, no I wasn't his booking manager but that was me. I'm an announcer and backstage worker for SWF. I mean, I used to be back then but then that whole IRS mess happened and I'm not working there any more. But I was wondering...."</strong></em></p><p><em><strong> </strong></em></p><p><em><strong> "I'm really sorry but listen Frank, I understand losing your gig sucks. It happened me plenty of times in my career but I don't do shoot interviews on Behind the Curtain. I'm not interested in embittered employees shooting on the Eisens." </strong></em></p><p><em><strong> </strong></em></p><p><em><strong> "What? No, no...that wasn't what I was asking about! I landed on my feet and I'm working for New York City Wrestling now....."</strong></em></p><p><em><strong> </strong></em></p><p><em><strong> "You went from the SWF to NYCW? Now I'm really sorry kid!"</strong></em></p><p><em><strong> </strong></em></p><p><em><strong> "I get it but Steve is going to do a great job rebuilding the company now that he's running the show."</strong></em></p><p><em><strong> </strong></em></p><p><em><strong> "Wait, what happened to Larry?"</strong></em></p><p><em><strong> </strong></em></p><p><em><strong> "Steve bought out the company from him. Larry is off enjoying retirement."</strong></em></p><p><em><strong> </strong></em></p><p><em><strong> "Wow, I hadn't heard that yet. Good for Steve. He's one of the best guys in the business. Boring ass interview on my podcast though."</strong></em> J-Ro said with a laugh.</p><p> </p><p> <strong><em>"Yeah that's Steve alright. Not exactly loaded with charisma but I think he's the right guy to finally make something out of NYCW. I think everyone has always been waiting for them to grow but it just never happened. I'm going to be taking over the lead announcer spot and I'm going to be booking the show as well so hopefully I can help make this happen."</em></strong></p><p><strong><em> </em></strong></p><p><strong><em> "I heard about Rock's passing. So sad."</em></strong></p><p><strong><em> </em></strong></p><p><strong><em> "Everyone in the company was hit pretty hard by it. I have some big shoes to fill, literally and figuratively. But that's what I wanted to talk with you about. How would you feel about joining me in the booth?"</em></strong></p><p><strong><em> </em></strong></p><p><strong><em> "Thank you but I'm doing really well with my podcast and I wouldn't want to take Ernie Turner's job. He's one of the best in business at color commentary."</em></strong></p><p><strong><em> </em></strong></p><p><strong><em> "No doubt but we have big angle with Ernie coming up soon, that's why we're looking to add someone else to the booth. Please give it some thought though. It's won't take time away from Behind the Curtain and if we can grow like Steve and I are hoping we can, you'll have plenty of the biggest indy talent coming through to have on your podcast. Plus I think we'd be great together so please just think about it and I'll call you again next week."</em></strong></p><p><strong><em> </em></strong></p><p><strong><em> "I'll think about it. But no promises Frank."</em></strong></p><p><strong><em> </em></strong></p><p><strong><em> "Fabulous. I'll talk to you soon!"</em></strong></p><p> </p><p> I hung up with J-Ro and immediately placed a call to Steve Flash. </p><p> </p><p> <strong><em>"Hey Steve.....no, she didn't say yes. But she didn't say no either. I'm supposed to give her a call next week so we'll see. I'm still hopeful but if not, we'll go back to the drawing board. I just wanted to touch base with you quickly. I'm looking at a couple of apartments in the West Village today and I still need to place a few calls to some of the kids on the SWF master list. We still meeting for dinner tomorrow night? I want to go over the new website I built and the new social media accounts I've started. Okay great. I'll see you then boss. I know, I know. Don't call you boss. Art told me to say that."</em></strong></p><p> </p><p> My next call was to my dad. A few more white lies on my ledger weren't going to kill anyone. </p><p> </p><p> <strong><em>"Hey dad. Yeah I'm just looking at some apartments today. Hopefully one of them pans out so I can get off of Anthony's couch. I can't wait to get started with NY1 next week! You know, I think this is just the new beginning that I needed."</em></strong></p>

Location: A booth in the back of Astor Bar and Grill, Montgomery Street (Jersey City, New Jersey) <a href="https://imgur.com/Ph0gzeI"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/Ph0gzeI.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a> <a href="https://imgur.com/xBzMpIa"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/xBzMpIa.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a> <a href="https://imgur.com/e6JTw01"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/e6JTw01.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a> "Okay kid, so you booked your first angle. Now tell us where we go from here since you're done with the business and headed off to that cushy job with NY1." "That was dirty pool Steve and you know it! You knew that once you got me in the door I'd get all the old feels in the stomach!" "To be fair, that might have just been that lousy pizza Steve brought in from our sponsor at the quote catering station." interjected Art Reed. The show had ended a little while ago and I was putting a few away at a booth with Steve Flash and Art Reed. Some of the other boys were partaking in post-show festivities in the bar as well. "Seriously, you just knew I wouldn't be able to help myself Steve!" Steve Flash winked at his old pal Art and faux-innocently said, "I have no idea what you're talking about Franklin! I just figured I'd give you a little excitement on your way out of the business. I'm thoughtful like that." "I say this with all due respect Steve.....you're full of crap. So let's talk about how we can make this work. I still need to take that NY1 job or my dad will murder me. And when I say murder me, I don't mean he'll be mad. I mean there will be a bounty on my head. That being said, I can work part time during the week for them and still have my weekends to announce and book for you." "I think we can work with that. Sounds like we have a deal." "Hang on Steve. I have a couple of things I need. One, I have to be able to tweak this product and style a bit. This company needs modernizing in the worst way." "He's got a point boss." "Don't call me boss Art. And I agree with that idea Frank, but not anything too dramatic here. I don't want to be doing garbage wrestling or sports entertainment nonsense." "Two, I want final say on the booking. If this is going to work for me, it needs to be my vision we put out there. Obviously I'll listen to what y'all have to say..." "I'm sorry, did he just say y'all?" "Pretty sure he said y'all Art." As hard as I try with my diction, sometimes the southern upbringing sneaks out when I least expect it. "Look there are some things that even graduating with honors in Communications can't pry out of a person!" "We're just busting your chops Frank. You can have complete say over the book. But speaking of communication, what about announcing? Ron told me tonight he can do one more sure as the lead announcer but he says once spring training starts, he won't have the time to properly prepare to do full time play by play. He'd still be available for supporting roles though if we want to use him." "That's fine. It will give me a month to really formalize my plan and familiarize myself with the roster before I take over. And speaking of the roster, I want control of personnel for the company, at least as it relates to the ring." "No offense kid but why should Steve let you decide the talent? You're barely old enough to shave. How are you supposed to know who can work and draw money? "Well, I've been working in the business for the last six years, four with various indy groups in Florida and a little over a year with the SWF who thought enough of me to put me right on the main roster and not send me to Rhode Island." "We know you have talent Frank but that doesn't mean you have any skills in picking talent." "Well I did some work with Enforcer Roberts in the scouting department, mostly data entry but I learned a lot from him in a short time. Plus I have this...." I open up a file on my phone, and show it to Steve Flash and Art Reed. "A spreadsheet?" "Not just a spreadsheet Steve, but an in-depth database of all the young wrestling talent, both here and abroad, that the SWF has their eyes on for the future. And thanks to good old corporate bureaucracy, my login still works just fine so I get to see all their updates. But I have a backup of the file just in case they realize their mistake too." "Does that list have any of our boys?" "If we're speaking anyone that they might remotely be imminently interested in, just Tennessee William really, although I know they're keeping an eye on the Stars for the future, not any time soon though. So the Eisens might not be that interested in picking out the next great technical wizard but they have a penchant for finding guys with that "It" quality. So we can use this list to get a jump on some of these guys and maybe create some stars for us and maybe sell some tickets. What do you think?" "Well that seems a little bit sketchy but for the wrestling business, that would barely make a ripple with all the immoral things companies do. I saw the other night that some fans of IPW tried to start a rumor on Twitter that GSW was actually owned by a Satanic cult! So yeah, let's do it. But I stay have final say over the purse strings. We have to be fiscally responsible here. It looks like we'll actually make a few bucks tonight but we can't go spending like a drunken sailor." "And my final request, and this one is non-negotiable Steve." Steve Flash sat straight in the booth and braced for some outlandish request. "You have to, I repeat have to.......get a better pizza sponsor. I ate terrible Florida pizza for four years in college and that slice I had tonight was poor even by Florida standards." Art Reed busts out laughing and Steve Flash manages a relieved smile. "I'll see what I can do. He already headed home for the night but let me give you Ernie Turner's cell number so you two can get to know each other before you start in the booth together." "Actually I would like to be able to pick my own broadcasting partner. I have someone in mind already. Also, I have bigger plans for Ernie too, I think." "Who did you have in mind?"

Location: Jersey City Armory (Jersey City, New Jersey) NYCW RUSH HOUR January 2020 Attendance: 350 Announcers: Ron South and Ernie Turner <a href="https://imgur.com/0hb23FD"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/0hb23FD.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a><a href="https://imgur.com/05SeQbb"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/05SeQbb.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a> "Okay so I want the Stars to create the movement for you two but Ray, I'm counting on you to hold this match together. These kids have a lot of talent and athleticism but they don't have the ring time you do." "Wait, what do I do then?" "You just stand there and look pretty Don. Or in your case, just stand there." "Awww screw you Reed!" I chuckled as I walked past Art Reed going over the match plans with the LA Stars, Ray Snow and Devastating Don. For an organization without much of a track record of success and had just suffered a tragic loss, the mood was surprisingly upbeat. Sure the boys probably wanted to impress their new boss, but they also didn't want to let down a friend, mentor and colleague who has invested his own money in them to try and take New York City Wrestling to a new level. "Not quite the glitz and glamour of a Supreme show huh Franklin?" said Steve Flash with a smile as he extended a hand to me. "I worked south Florida indies Steve so I've seen worse. Well, maybe not worse but equally bad." "Well hopefully this is the start of something bigger and better for us. Thanks for coming though. Why don't you grab something from the catering spread before Don polishes it off and then come on over to watch the show with me and Art over in the Nero Position. The last few prelims are finishing up and the main card is just about to start." Backstage, off camera: Eagle and Harker help a clearly hobbled Hawkeye limp over to the medical station. He gingerly hops up on the exam table and the doctor quickly determines its nothing too serious, just an ankle sprain that should heal up in a week or so. Steve Flash breathes a sigh of relief and tells his young star, "When you get home, be sure to elevate that ankle and ice it, twenty minutes on, twenty minutes off. You'll be as good as new in no time kid. And bring back these crutches next time. We don't have the budget for you to keep them!", he says with a wink. Backstage, off camera: "Okay William, let's get a big showing tonight. This is a big moment for you!" Steve Flash was talking to the most promising young talent on the roster, embittered blues musician turned grappler, Tennessee William. "So after you make the cover....". I was baffled by this booking and I just shot off my mouth without even thinking, "Wait, you're putting the title back on him tonight? Didn't he just drop it to Brutus? Not to be rude Steve but what the hell was the point then?" A wry smile came over Steve Flash's face. "So what do you think we should do then kid?" I'd walked into his trap. He knew that my juices for the business would start flowing eventually while I was at the show. "Mr. Reed, I'm pretty sure I know the answer but do you have your gear?" Art Reed cocked his head sideways as he looked at me. "Son, you know damn well any wrestler worth his salt always, ALWAYS brings his gear with him. What do you have in mind kid?" Show Rating: 37

Location: Steve Flash's townhouse in Flatbush (Brooklyn, New York) <a href="https://imgur.com/xBzMpIa"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/xBzMpIa.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a> <a href="https://imgur.com/e6JTw01"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/e6JTw01.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a> "No, no....I get it kid. I'd probably take that job with NY1 too rather than throw in with this ragtag bunch. Hopefully I'll see you on my TV soon and I can tell people I knew you back when. But hey, as long as you're coming up here this weekend to apartment hunt, come to Rush Hour as my guest backstage. My wife is visiting her sister down in North Carolina so you can even crash at my place if you'd like.....okay, great Frank. I'll see you then." He hung up the phone. "No luck boss?" "Don't call me boss Art." "Sure thing boss." Steve Flash had known Art Reed for decades, dating back to their time working together up in Canada, and the man was an Olympic caliber ball buster. Without Larry Vessey helping to run the show backstage, he knew he needed some organizational help backstage with Rush Hour and just by a stroke of luck, his old friend was in town to do a signing at a convention in New Jersey. While Art had more matches behind him than left in his career, he still felt like he had plenty left to contribute to professional wrestling. An incredible athlete with a lifelong commitment to physical fitness (something that the two men bonded over when they first met and quickly became workout partners), he figured he could stave off Father Time a little bit longer to work the occasional match while learning the ropes behind the curtain at the same time, before fully segueing into a backstage role when his time in the ring was up. "He's not done with the business. His words are saying no, but in his heart, he wants to take the job. I can tell. I figure if he comes to the show, it will become clear to him that he wants back in. Ron says he can handle the play by play this month and maybe for another month or two at most before he has to focus on spring training. So even if Franklin still says no, that will at least buy me a little time to find someone to fill Rock's giant shoes." "Yeah man, we're all gonna miss that big goofy bastard. I remember that time a few years ago when I did a one off in Yonkers for Larry and Rock set up a damn waffle station backstage, saying he wanted to help the boys "carb up" before the show. Meanwhile no one wanted to hurt Rock's feeling but they also didn't want to be barfing up maple syrup halfway through their matches either so I remember he ended up with a big stack of waffles left over when I hit the ring for my match with Roger Cage that night" "I remember that match. You two nearly tore the roof off that little craphole. But anyway, yeah, that was Rock man. His heart was always in the right place but he was so oblivious at times too. It all worked out in the end though. Don ate every last one of those waffles and then borrowed three bucks off me to get a Snickers bar and Diet Coke out of the snack machine." "A Diet Coke? Devastating Don had a Diet....nevermind. I don't even want to know man. Let's take another pass at this card we've been working on for Rush Hour before it gets too late, shall we?" (Predictions welcome!)

<p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Location: Just Outside Dos Toros Taqueria, Terminal B, LaGuardia Airport (Queens, New York)</span></strong></p><p> </p><p> <a href="<a href="https://imgur.com/Ph0gzeI" rel="external nofollow">https://imgur.com/Ph0gzeI"><img</a> src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/Ph0gzeI.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/Ph0gzeI.jpg"</a> title="source: imgur.com" /></a></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <strong><em>“Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in.”</em></strong></p><p> </p><p> My father's favorite movies were the Godfather trilogy and he watched them incessantly when I was growing up so of course the words of Michael Corleone circled in my head as I walked through the airport. I put down my luggage and newly acquired quesadilla before plopping down into a chair in the Southwest Airlines waiting area. I had come to New York City seeking a job opportunity and was heading back to Tampa with not one but two offers. My interview with NY1 went swimmingly and I charmed the pants off the interviewer. Metaphorically speaking of course. He wasn't my type. I had gotten out of the building and was barely a few blocks over when they called to offer me the job. Maybe it wasn't my dream job but how many people seriously get a dream job once, let alone twice? It was a good job that paid okay and presented me with a future that would put my communications degree to good use.</p><p> </p><p> The problem with that future however, is that my past unexpectedly came calling. With the sudden passing of Rock Downpour, New York City Wrestling, already in a state of flux with the ownership change, were now without their lead commentator of twenty something years. I had literally run into Steve Flash a few days ago, fresh off his purchase of the beleaguered wrestling league and we hit it off. We even swapped cell phone numbers before Steve had to rush to the hospital after Rock's heart attack. I figured we might swap the occasional text message to talk about the business, assuming I ever even heard from him again.</p><p> </p><p> Instead, he had just offered me the lead announcer position for NYCW and also wanted me to help him book the promotion until he could get his head straight again. I'm not even sure why I'd be remotely considering this offer. If I ever was to return to the business, it sure as hell wasn't going to be with a hole in the wall promotion like NYCW, no matter how much of Steve Flash mark I was. Someday I'd turn up in USPW, TCW, CWA....somewhere visible, somewhere that I could make the SWF regret tossing me aside like yesterday's garbage, but not for a literal dumpster fire like NYCW. </p><p> </p><p> A quick search on Alta Vista pulled up their website, NYCWrestling.net. Dot net? Who the hell has a dot net site in 2020? Their site slowly loaded up and I actually laughed out loud, startling the hell out of the elderly couple sitting near me. My mom, who still has an AOL email account mind you, could build a better site than this and on top of that, it hasn't been updated in so long, it has Roger Cage, the Ring Generals and Animal Harker listed as their current champions. </p><p> </p><p> As I closed my laptop, I couldn't help but shake my head as I turned my attention to scarfing down that quesadilla. I finished eating and prepared to board my flight back to Tampa. NY1 was a good job, a better job than a lot of people I had graduated with had managed to score based on what I had seen on their Facebook pages. Plus I was getting a fresh start with a chance to live in the Big Apple, a definite step up from the land of strip clubs and steak houses that is Tampa Bay.</p><p> </p><p> I even managed to catch a few winks on the flight and arrived at Tampa International Airport fairly refreshed from my whirlwind trip. My bags arrived safe and sound this time and I lugged them back to my car which was fortunately unscathed in the long term parking. Maybe things were finally turning my way. I got in the car and quickly realized I was still dressed for January in New York City, not January in Florida which was 73 degrees today. I cranked up the AC on my Prius and stripped off the hoodie I was wearing. As I pulled out of the airport, I pulled into the drive-thru Starbucks on the way home to treat myself to an iced latte to celebrate a successful trip when my phone buzzed with a new text message.</p><p> </p><p> <em><strong>"Hey Frank, it's Steve again. Rush Hour is coming up next week so let me know what you're thinking......."</strong></em></p>

Location: St. Michael's Cemetery (East Elmhurst, New York) </a> <a href="https://imgur.com/xBzMpIa"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/xBzMpIa.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a> <a href="https://imgur.com/7wkk2WK"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/7wkk2WK.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a> "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me..." Steve Flash was physically there at Rock Downpour's gravesite but his mind was a million miles away. He barely could even feel the cold January winds whipping through the cemetery. Looking beyond the trees, long reduced to a seasonal collection of barren branches and sticks, he could see the skyline of New York City in the distance. While surveying the city brought back some good memories of all the wonderful dinners in Little Italy with Rock and the other boys, it filled him with an incredible sense of failure as well at this moment. He had tried to get Rock to improve his eating habits. He offered to train him at the gym. He encouraged him. He scolded him. He pleaded with him. Nothing worked and Rock just got bigger and bigger. He'd make jokes to deflect from his size but for someone like Steve who made fitness such a big part of his life and was such a major part of his success and longevity, it ate him up inside to be unable to help Rock. Now he was burying his friend far too soon. In a business historically full of people succumbing to "their demons", this was an aberration. Normally it was the bottle or the pills or the drugs that did people in. Rarely were the demons pepperoni pizzas, dirty water hot dogs and Dr. Peppers. ".....we commend to Almighty God our brother Ricky and we commit his body to the ground, his final resting place...." The man was clearly loved though. The entire roster had turned out, along with a numerous alumni from the promotion and other people from across the business. Normally seeing old cohorts like Whistler, Black Hat Bailey, Man Mountain Cahill and others would lead to a late night filled with stories, drinks and assorted mischief but this was far from a normal time. Burying a friend that was only in his late fifties wasn't normal and Steve Flash needed some time alone once this was over and pleasantries had been exchanged. He felt a hand on his shoulder, a hand he instinctively knew belonged to Larry Vessey. "Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. Amen." "Amen.", the gathered crowd repeated back to the minister. As the family dropped white roses on to the casket as it was lowered, Larry Vessey whispered to Steve Flash, "Wasn't expecting to see you again so soon, especially not under these circumstances. How are you holding up? I know you and Rock were close." "I don't know Larry. I just don't know. I mean, his youngest boy was graduating from NYU this spring. Rock and Darlene deserved the chance to take pride in their children's accomplishments and to enjoy being grandparents and to grow old together. Now that's all gone. It's just not fair. I know life isn't fair but geez man. I don't get it." Steve and Larry took a few moments to express their condolences to Rock's widow Darlene before individually saying their final farewells to their longtime friend. "See you in the next life brother" Steve Flash softly stated as he wiped a tear from his eye. Larry stoically stared at Rock's final resting place for a several moments without shedding a tear before making the sign of the cross and walking over to where Steve was standing. "I hate talking business on a day like today but I just wanted to let you know Marv gave me a call last night. He offered to help, not knowing that I had sold to you yet. They're keeping him busy down there in MAW but he told me to pass along that's he'd make the time to come back up here and handle the booth for a few shows while you sorted out which direction you wanted to go in." "That's a nice gesture and please thank him for me. I have an idea about what to do there but I'm not sure if it's even possible yet. If I get in a pinch, I might have to take him up on that offer. Hell, it wouldn't hurt to have his booking mind here to help me a bit. I honestly have no idea how I'm going to put together Rush Hour and it's only a few days away now." "Who are you thinking of? I always liked that Terry Smith kid from up north and I'm sure he's looking for work after all the upheaval that's gone on in the Canadian scene the last few years. I bet you could convince Peter Michaels to come here for one last run too." "You know the books better than anyone Larry. We don't have Peter Michaels money for the booth." "I know....but at least it's not my problem anymore", he said with a wink. Did grumpy old Larry Vessey just crack a small joke? Retirement was already agreeing with him and honestly, good for him. Today more than ever was a painful reminder to cherish the time with loved ones. "Actually by pure chance, I ran into that you kid from the SWF the other day, the one from the pre-show that we both thought was pretty good. He got burned by the Eisen IRS scandal and he might be over the business but I want to give him a call anyway. He seemed pretty bright, plus I bet he'd work cheap too." "Cheap you can afford. Let me know if I can do anything else to help Steve." "Just go home and hug that beautiful wife of yours who's honestly out of your league. I'm going to go for a long drive and clear my head. It's what I need right now. I'll talk to you some time next week." The two men parted ways and Steve climbed behind the wheel of his baby, a navy blue 2018 FIAT 124 Spider convertible. He debated cranking up the heat and putting the hood down but it was already pretty chilly so he opted against it. He hit the road and headed east, racing down the highway before ending up where he always went to think, the boardwalk at Robert Moses State Park on the south shore of Long Island. While the boardwalk was mostly empty this time of year because of the cold and the oceans winds, the sun was bright and the sky was clear, almost as if the universe gave Rock one last beautiful day. The sight of the ocean waves crashing upon the beach and the smell of salt water air invariably helped cleared his mind a bit. He pulled out his phone, a Samsung Galaxy Note10, and snapped a few pictures of the scenery. As a bit of a tech nerd, Steve Flash was decidedly pro-Android and anti-Apple. He pulled up the condolence text he had gotten from Franklin Fumier a few days prior and placed a call. "Hey kid, you got a few minutes to talk?"