Now that you know the inspiration of the title. Lets get with the blogging! I’m up at 1am my time and it just feels right to drop a blog; Kid Cudi’s sophomore album on blast in the background. My new year of matches has started and so far, so good. The rest threatened to make me lazy, but I guess you can’t keep a playa down when it comes to this ring stuff!
And what a first match of 2011 it was….
Rich Swann of the group Ronin, who’s blazing the ranks of Dragon Gate USA, vs. the Mayor of All The Air himself in my Force-1 (http://www.force1pro.com) debut. Early December of last year was my last match and it just felt good to get back out there in front of a rabid crowd and it turned out to be quite a good time. I’ll be back in effect their next event vs Samuel (Some call him Sami :p) Calihan. I look forward to the challenge as his work has only gotten more solid since I was first introduced to him as he rose through the ranks of IWA-Mid South. I don’t expect a technical affair and I’m down with that.
Speaking of non-technical affairs……
Brodie's idea of chiropractic work at CHIKARA's season opener. Photo courtesy of http://getlostphotography.smugmug.com
Ouch. I know. A still shot from the CHIKARA Season opener at the ECW Arena where The Throwbacks rode again against The Roughnecks. If Brodie Lee ever promises you a instant cure to back pain, DON’T BELIEVE HIM. That match was extremely physical and it looks like me and the big man will be at it again in Reading, PA for CHIKARA; this time Big Rig to Ballhog.
Anybody got that brick Craig used to knock out Deebo on the movie Friday? No. Ugh, guess we’re at it the hard way.
In the midst of booting Bieber lookalikes in the grill and brawling with bearded brawlers; my journey to Philly was also one of learning. I had tagged along with the Highspots crew (Kaboom! Check these hard workin’ cats out at http://www.highspots.com; buy something ya?) the week prior to check out the Ring of Honor shows in Virgina and North Carolina and I made it a point to check out both TV tapings they had the next week as well. What I saw was a dedicated crew of wrestlers and staff who take their product so seriously, that their survival since 2002 is of no shock.
A good wrestler always makes it a point to check out the matches and there was plenty to learn watching 4 events worth of Ring of Honor, my personal favorites being Cole/Bennett from Virginia, Hero/Davey from North Carolina, King/Claudio from the TV tapings on Friday, and O’Reilly/Elgin on Saturday’s tapings for the Top Prospect Tournament. HDNet is truly losing a special product in Ring of Honor, but their loss will be another lucky networks gain. It was a pleasure to observe their product first hand as well as see how it all flows together on the backstage end of things. As for familiar faces I vibed with and new ones I got the chance to with, hopefully travels will lead us back to some more laughs and experiences!
The ring for ROH's training school in Bristol, PA.
There was more learning to be had later on at ROH’s training school in Bristol, PA. Now some of you may ask, “Well I thought you were already trained, Shug?”. Well I am, but a common mistake made among wrestlers is their belief that there is nothing more to learn.
Always remain a student. Always.
ROH’s school challenged me with 2 hours of drills, holds, transitions, and other odds and ends that made every drop of sweat worth it. It’s definitely a worthwhile school to cut your teeth in (if not the CHIKARA Wrestle Factory) and I’ve learned a number of new holds and transitions I look to apply in the near future. I definitely intend to return to see what more I can learn in hopes of challenging and improving myself. I promised you guys I had hopes of being the best wrestler I could be and I don’t break my promises.
Randomness…..
– Every time the Lakers lose, an angel gets its wings and there was a lucky angel last Sunday when the Celtics put foot to butt. Lets keep that pushing until playoffs, yea? Meanwhile, Lebron completed his heel turn by helping to decimate his old team in convincing fashion. The NBA picture is looking mighty healthy and you know I’m gonna be trying to take in as much as I can.
-Some would tell you that you shouldn’t take gestures by the fans too close to heart.
A warm welcome back to Rampage Pro!
Sorry. Can’t help it. I recently made my return rounds to Georgia companies Platinum Championship Wrestling (http://www.platinumchampionshipwrestling.com) and perhaps one of the most underrated, hot indies anywhere Rampage Pro Wrestling (www.rampageprowrestling.net). It was at Rampage that my return match with Aaron Epic was met with a crazy “Welcome Back” chant. After the show, I caught up with JR Spires, a cool dude who was a vocal supporter and always asking when I’d be back with the company; and got this picture with him. He was kind enough to let me nab his sign.
I wanna tell you I appreciate you bro and that made my week. This very sign hangs in my room, so your boy is ALWAYS welcomed back when he comes through the door :p.
-The White Stripes are breaking up? Ugh…….if Lupe Fiasco’s new album didn’t already have a release date (Lasers, March 8th. NAB IT) I’d be in musical depression at the moment. Some like to hate on em’ because they both were weirdos; but since when has that ever effected musical quality? They gave us 6 albums of incredible work and it’s a shame it comes to an end. -Blasts “Why Can’t You Be Nicer To Me”-
-No matter what you do, make that time for the little things in your life. We get so caught up in chasing money, dreams, whatever that we forget about the little stuff that humanizes us. Things that keep us grounded. I’ve had to shuffle my schedule to make sure I’m getting time to just do ABSOLUTELY NOTHING (one of my favorite pastimes) and spend time with some great family and friends. I’ve been so much happier and centered since. I promise, if you make that time, you’ll never regret it.
-As announced on popular podcast The Programme, I’ll indeed be co-hosting the reboot of Pantsless Radio with the lovable Canuck, Wiggy. Pantsless is NOT wrestling based. It’s also not PG-13. It’s a very grown folks kind of radio show about relationships, dating, and other adult topics. I do suggest giving it a lesson because Wiggy and I will be offering a fusion of informative-raunchy-humor you just can’t get on any other podcast.
The return episode will be on 7PM and hosted on cardsubjecttochange.blogspot.com; which also features a number of other great podcasts for your auditory pleasure. Hope you give us a listen and enjoy what you end up hearing. Feel free to add “Pantsless Radio” as a friend on Facebook by the by. I’d mention MySpace, but does anyone MySpace anymore?
…..
…….anyone?
-sugardunkertonbro@gmail.com. Bookings, concerns, marriage proposals, hate mail, investment plans based in Nigeria? You know where to send it.
In closing….we got CHIKARA round the bend and a few more surprises I hope to spring on you guys. You’ve been hanging in there for a wild journey and I’m hoping we can take it higher then even I expect as the months fall off the calendar. My mojo is quite active and there’s a feeling in the air I just can’t describe. I don’t want to jinx it, but at the rate it’s going; last year’s impossibilities are becoming this year’s “who knows?”
So with that, I leave you with this $5 Wrestling clip, which in no way is meant to get you to go to http://www.highspots.com and buy both volumes of their entertainingly bad brand of pro wrestling…what kind of man do you take me for?! -smile-
KABOOM!
-DUNKS
Sugar D's Halfcourt Lounge 