Showing posts with label iron sheik. Show all posts
Showing posts with label iron sheik. Show all posts
Thursday, February 19, 2009
three new WWE books
World Wrestling Entertainment has announced three new book titles due out in time for Christmas. Rey Mysterio, Degeneration X, and the Iron Sheik will all have autobiographies released between September and November of 2009. Mysterio's book will be the only of the three available in hardcover format. All three books will be ghost-written.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
New Years Greetings review: Iron Sheik - polite heel?
Wrestling fans from around the world gathered in Carteret, New Jersey last Saturday for K&S Promotions' New Years Greetings, the latest in a growing line of professional wrestling conventions. The WFB staff got our hands on one of the coveted VIP Super Tickets, which allow advanced placement in line to meet and greet the stars for those of you who aren't familiar. We'd like to say it went smoothly, but our head writer Don Bishop's personal review of the event is mixed to say the least. Read on as Don tells the world what he thinks are the pros and cons of the New Years Greetings fanfest, interspersed with his colorful recollection of personal experiences at the show.
PROS:
1. Steve and Ken, the event promoters: Despite a very busy all-day schedule, they were extremely fan-friendly. While running back and forth, both men answered questions from fans (no matter how many times they asked the same thing). Perhaps best of all, Steve and Ken even managed to keep the Super Ticket lines in numerical, single-file order for the majority of the day's events; an accomplishment that isn't easy and didn't occur at the last Legends Of The Ring or Signamania conventions. If Ken and Steve keep this up, they could easily become the next big convention for wrestling autograph hounds.
2. Price gouging? Only with a fork!: Astonishingly, only one of the many talents brought in for New Years Greetings charged extra money at the last minute. Abdulah the Butcher charged $10.00 extra for his trademark "fork to the skull" photo op, but not before informing fans that they had to supply their own fork for the picture! This begs the two-part question: How many always-prepared scouts are wrestling fans, and will they also supply me with cookies? In fairness, it should be noted that Abby's failure to have a fork on him wouldn't have been so bad except that he had been advertised "with fork" beforehand. This left many fans out of luck for their preferred picture. Again, though, this is not a complaint. With the exception of Abdulah, every other wrestler charged what was advertised and everyone else who was advertised as having their gimmick on them for this show did. That, in my book, is a huge pro for the fans attending.
Speaking of gimmicks....
CONS:
1. The Iron Sheik: Yes, the same Iron Sheik that slapped longtime rival and political homophobe B. Brian Blair last October. I considered him a friend of the blog for that. Unfortunately, New Years Greetings may have changed my mind.
Paul Orndorff was one of the stars on hand. He willingly heard me out about conducting a possible interview (which is more than a lot of others did, and I'd like to thank Mister Wonderful for being open-minded whether we hear from him or not). While speaking with Orndorff, the Sheik came over to our table with his camera crew close behind him. He politely but firmly asked me not to "bother" Orndorff with "that gimmick." I could see him thinking this was a "gimmick" if I were a wrestler, but I'm not. I'm a reporter. A reporter writing about any and every aspect of pro wrestling. Did "Iron Sheik" really think in all honesty that I was at this show to prance around in sequenced-pink tights and clock people with a rainbow-colored folding chair for a camera crew to film? Now that would be a gimmick! Not a "good" gimmick, but it'd sure be one hell of a gimmick. Maybe then I'd finally make it into WrestleCrap.
The point is, I was unobtrusively distributing WFB contact information to talent during a time when they weren't with other fans. I was told to leave by someone who wasn't security, a promoter, Paul Orndorff himself, or a direct neighbor of Orndorff's. Rather than push the issue and cause a scene, I chose to respect Sheik's wish and left the area as requested. I didn't want to help Sheiky baby make his next YouTube highlight reel.
Perhaps I'm just bitter. After all, the Iron Sheik's a wrestling legend. He's gotten himself a ton of publicity the last few years and made a ton of money doing it. He made so much, he even generously gave $10.00 of his take from this show to Robbie McAllister after the Highlanders' line slowed down (he could've gotten a fork to the skull picture for that!). I'm not nearly as famous, well-known or rich. I'm just a weak, non-wrestler writer trying to get his name and the name of his group out there. I understand the Sheik not wanting to speak with me or anyone else from WFB, but why the sudden interest in who Paul Orndorff gives an interview to? Coincidentally, this is also right around the time when convention security started watching me very closely. Which brings us to....
2. Convention Security: I've never been reverse-profiled, but according to security, I can't leave my business card with a potential interviewee for an interview that would happen at a later date, not on the convention promoters' dime. When I asked why, the only response given was that the talents have representatives I should go through. When I asked for the name and/or contact information of such a rep in order to go through the so-called proper channels, I was told to "check MySpace."
I could understand security following me around if I was stealing from the vendors or if I was giving the wrestlers raunchy limericks, but I leave the dirty poetry around here to our good friend Lanny Poffo. "Some wrestlers might be offended by the nature of the blog" one could argue. That's a fair point, except that New Years Greetings also featured appearances by Chris Kanyon and Big Vito, who was dressed in drag. If Vito in a dress is less offensive to someone than receiving our contact information, then someone needs to get their homophobic priorities straight.
AMUSING SIDENOTES:
1. Fork you: Abdulah the Butcher conveniently "forgot" to return my acquaintances' prop fork to him until asked to do so several $10.00 poses later. After a brief discussion back at the WFB newsroom, we decided the poor guy probably should have charged Abdulah a rental fee. Or at least presented him with the fork by jabbing it into him wrestling-style and running like hell.
2. Better Class of Losers: Longtime enhancement talent Barry Horowitz revealed to me that he's a fan of Alan Jackson music. Over the years the country star won more awards than Horowitz did matches. Maybe Jackson's song I'll Try inspired Barry that fateful match against Skip?
All in all I had a great time. As you can see, most of my gripes weren't with the event itself or the promoters. I'd highly recommend this convention to everyone next year if K&S Promotions continues to consistently put on such a high-quality show.
-Don Bishop
PROS:
1. Steve and Ken, the event promoters: Despite a very busy all-day schedule, they were extremely fan-friendly. While running back and forth, both men answered questions from fans (no matter how many times they asked the same thing). Perhaps best of all, Steve and Ken even managed to keep the Super Ticket lines in numerical, single-file order for the majority of the day's events; an accomplishment that isn't easy and didn't occur at the last Legends Of The Ring or Signamania conventions. If Ken and Steve keep this up, they could easily become the next big convention for wrestling autograph hounds.
2. Price gouging? Only with a fork!: Astonishingly, only one of the many talents brought in for New Years Greetings charged extra money at the last minute. Abdulah the Butcher charged $10.00 extra for his trademark "fork to the skull" photo op, but not before informing fans that they had to supply their own fork for the picture! This begs the two-part question: How many always-prepared scouts are wrestling fans, and will they also supply me with cookies? In fairness, it should be noted that Abby's failure to have a fork on him wouldn't have been so bad except that he had been advertised "with fork" beforehand. This left many fans out of luck for their preferred picture. Again, though, this is not a complaint. With the exception of Abdulah, every other wrestler charged what was advertised and everyone else who was advertised as having their gimmick on them for this show did. That, in my book, is a huge pro for the fans attending.
Speaking of gimmicks....
CONS:
1. The Iron Sheik: Yes, the same Iron Sheik that slapped longtime rival and political homophobe B. Brian Blair last October. I considered him a friend of the blog for that. Unfortunately, New Years Greetings may have changed my mind.
Paul Orndorff was one of the stars on hand. He willingly heard me out about conducting a possible interview (which is more than a lot of others did, and I'd like to thank Mister Wonderful for being open-minded whether we hear from him or not). While speaking with Orndorff, the Sheik came over to our table with his camera crew close behind him. He politely but firmly asked me not to "bother" Orndorff with "that gimmick." I could see him thinking this was a "gimmick" if I were a wrestler, but I'm not. I'm a reporter. A reporter writing about any and every aspect of pro wrestling. Did "Iron Sheik" really think in all honesty that I was at this show to prance around in sequenced-pink tights and clock people with a rainbow-colored folding chair for a camera crew to film? Now that would be a gimmick! Not a "good" gimmick, but it'd sure be one hell of a gimmick. Maybe then I'd finally make it into WrestleCrap.
The point is, I was unobtrusively distributing WFB contact information to talent during a time when they weren't with other fans. I was told to leave by someone who wasn't security, a promoter, Paul Orndorff himself, or a direct neighbor of Orndorff's. Rather than push the issue and cause a scene, I chose to respect Sheik's wish and left the area as requested. I didn't want to help Sheiky baby make his next YouTube highlight reel.
Perhaps I'm just bitter. After all, the Iron Sheik's a wrestling legend. He's gotten himself a ton of publicity the last few years and made a ton of money doing it. He made so much, he even generously gave $10.00 of his take from this show to Robbie McAllister after the Highlanders' line slowed down (he could've gotten a fork to the skull picture for that!). I'm not nearly as famous, well-known or rich. I'm just a weak, non-wrestler writer trying to get his name and the name of his group out there. I understand the Sheik not wanting to speak with me or anyone else from WFB, but why the sudden interest in who Paul Orndorff gives an interview to? Coincidentally, this is also right around the time when convention security started watching me very closely. Which brings us to....
2. Convention Security: I've never been reverse-profiled, but according to security, I can't leave my business card with a potential interviewee for an interview that would happen at a later date, not on the convention promoters' dime. When I asked why, the only response given was that the talents have representatives I should go through. When I asked for the name and/or contact information of such a rep in order to go through the so-called proper channels, I was told to "check MySpace."
I could understand security following me around if I was stealing from the vendors or if I was giving the wrestlers raunchy limericks, but I leave the dirty poetry around here to our good friend Lanny Poffo. "Some wrestlers might be offended by the nature of the blog" one could argue. That's a fair point, except that New Years Greetings also featured appearances by Chris Kanyon and Big Vito, who was dressed in drag. If Vito in a dress is less offensive to someone than receiving our contact information, then someone needs to get their homophobic priorities straight.
AMUSING SIDENOTES:
1. Fork you: Abdulah the Butcher conveniently "forgot" to return my acquaintances' prop fork to him until asked to do so several $10.00 poses later. After a brief discussion back at the WFB newsroom, we decided the poor guy probably should have charged Abdulah a rental fee. Or at least presented him with the fork by jabbing it into him wrestling-style and running like hell.
2. Better Class of Losers: Longtime enhancement talent Barry Horowitz revealed to me that he's a fan of Alan Jackson music. Over the years the country star won more awards than Horowitz did matches. Maybe Jackson's song I'll Try inspired Barry that fateful match against Skip?
All in all I had a great time. As you can see, most of my gripes weren't with the event itself or the promoters. I'd highly recommend this convention to everyone next year if K&S Promotions continues to consistently put on such a high-quality show.
-Don Bishop
Friday, April 11, 2008
Brian Blair opposes "Day of Silence."
The state of Florida has a very rich history when it comes to professional wrestling. From the days of Dusty Rhodes to a Heyman-run ECW on the Sunshine Network to the modern-day Impact television tapings at Universal Studios, Florida has always been a hotbed for the pseudo-sport. Less than a month ago Orlando wrestling fans were treated to a live WrestleMania pay-per-view broadcast. World Wrestling Entertainment has even established a developmental territory in the Sunshine state-Florida Championship Wrestling. Brian Blair, a member of the WWF's "Killer Bees" tag team in the 1980's and the current Commissioner of Hillsborough County, Florida, referred to the WWE's new territory as "great for the economy."
One thing Commissioner Blair doesn't find great is the "Day of Silence"-an April 25th event intended to bring attention and awareness to the bullying and harassment of homosexual students in schools. In an e-mail excerpt warning parents about the proceeding, Blair wrote "I have always believed that all citizens are equal and should be treated accordingly. On the other hand, no group of citizens should be given government sanction and support to promote their social and sexual agenda upon the rest of us and especially, on our children. Considering the fact that the same school system does not want to allow just one Minute of Silence in the classroom for God, this is preposterous. Can you imagine asking for a 'Day of Cheer for Heterosexuality?' If no action is taken to change this policy, then perhaps it is time for another surgical strike from the majority; 'A Day of Abstention' from school participation might be considered."
When Brian Blair won political office, it's quite possible that wrestling fans helped vote him in. It's also possible that a percentage of those same wrestling fans were gay, lesbian or bisexual, or at least knew of someone that was. Maybe non-fans called those people "queers" for enjoying a Killer Bees/Hart Foundation match. Maybe those fans grew up and contributed to Florida's economy by buying tickets to WrestleMania this year. Maybe they were just as disappointed as I was when I found out one of my childhood wrestling heroes, the Ultimate Warrior, was a homophobe in real-life. Maybe those wrestling fans-young or old, gay or straight, Florida residents or non-oppose Commissioner Blair's opinion on the "Day of Silence" issue. Maybe they wish they could give Brian Blair a piece of their minds.
They can.
I am calling on my fellow wrestling fans worldwide who support the "Day of Silence" to voice their opinions. I have provided verified contact information for Brian Blair below this blog entry. Now you can tell Jim Brunzell's lesser-half personally what you think of his idea to discontinue a day which symbolizes that hate crimes will not be tolerated and that education about those different than yourself doesn't matter.
After expressing your displeasure, why not take it a step further? Tell Florida's other Commissioners and other representatives of Congress that you won't vote for them if they side with Brian Blair on political matters. Then inform any and all wrestling organizations, including WWE's Florida Championship Wrestling, that we fans won't support a wrestling company that in any way books, helps to promote or supports the endorsement of Brian Blair. Contact bookstores and Web sites (including wrestlingclassics.com) with requests to stop carrying Brian Blair's 2000 book Smarten Up! Say It Right, an insider's view of professional wrestling (ISBN 0-9707490-0-7). Most importantly, if you aren't already, register to vote and vote against Brian Blair whenever possible.
After all, I don't think Commissioner Blair should force his agenda upon the rest of us and especially, on our children. Ironically, Hillsborough County where Blair commissions promotes itself as "an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer."
Before you take action, you must please remember and be aware of a few things.
1. We do not want the false idea that pro wrestling fans are comprised of uneducated rednecks to continue. You must remain coherent, diplomatic and tactful if you want someone to listen to your opinion. Please take the time to spell check your message(s) and remember to be courteous.
2. Do not threaten Brian Blair in any way. Not even in your best Iron Sheik voice. That type of silliness is what the "post a comment" button on this blog is for. You can even post Lance Storm-like serious replies if you want. The point is, don't do it with Blair. We may disagree with Mister Blair on this matter, but the man is still a powerful member of the United States government-one of the most hated in the world. If you threaten him, even jokingly, he won't find it so funny and you'll likely get into serious trouble.
3. Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public-records request, do not send electronic mail through the automated form I will supply you with at the bottom of this post. Instead, contact the offices by phone or in writing.
4. If you're going to call instead of write, you'll probably have to leave a message. Remember to be concise, to the point and still to be considerate.
TO WRITE, PHONE OR E-MAIL COMMISSIONER BRIAN BLAIR:
Commissioner Brian Blair (District 6)
C/O Hillsborough County Commissioners
P.O. Box 111o
Tampa, FL 33601
Phone: (813) 272-5660 AND/OR (813) 272-5730
TTY: (813) 301-7173
Fax: (813) 272-7053
Automated E-mail Form where you can contact ALL of Florida's Commisioners: http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/bocc/about/contactus.cfm
Sources for this entry:
http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/bocc/about/contactusblair.cfm
http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/bocc/commissioners/blair.cfm
http://www.tampabays10.com/news/local/article.aspx?s=rss&storyid=77748
http://www.sptimes.com/2008/02/22/Citytimes/Learning_the_ropes.shtml
http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/bocc/districts/distmap.cfm
http://www.bbrianblair.com/
One thing Commissioner Blair doesn't find great is the "Day of Silence"-an April 25th event intended to bring attention and awareness to the bullying and harassment of homosexual students in schools. In an e-mail excerpt warning parents about the proceeding, Blair wrote "I have always believed that all citizens are equal and should be treated accordingly. On the other hand, no group of citizens should be given government sanction and support to promote their social and sexual agenda upon the rest of us and especially, on our children. Considering the fact that the same school system does not want to allow just one Minute of Silence in the classroom for God, this is preposterous. Can you imagine asking for a 'Day of Cheer for Heterosexuality?' If no action is taken to change this policy, then perhaps it is time for another surgical strike from the majority; 'A Day of Abstention' from school participation might be considered."
When Brian Blair won political office, it's quite possible that wrestling fans helped vote him in. It's also possible that a percentage of those same wrestling fans were gay, lesbian or bisexual, or at least knew of someone that was. Maybe non-fans called those people "queers" for enjoying a Killer Bees/Hart Foundation match. Maybe those fans grew up and contributed to Florida's economy by buying tickets to WrestleMania this year. Maybe they were just as disappointed as I was when I found out one of my childhood wrestling heroes, the Ultimate Warrior, was a homophobe in real-life. Maybe those wrestling fans-young or old, gay or straight, Florida residents or non-oppose Commissioner Blair's opinion on the "Day of Silence" issue. Maybe they wish they could give Brian Blair a piece of their minds.
They can.
I am calling on my fellow wrestling fans worldwide who support the "Day of Silence" to voice their opinions. I have provided verified contact information for Brian Blair below this blog entry. Now you can tell Jim Brunzell's lesser-half personally what you think of his idea to discontinue a day which symbolizes that hate crimes will not be tolerated and that education about those different than yourself doesn't matter.
After expressing your displeasure, why not take it a step further? Tell Florida's other Commissioners and other representatives of Congress that you won't vote for them if they side with Brian Blair on political matters. Then inform any and all wrestling organizations, including WWE's Florida Championship Wrestling, that we fans won't support a wrestling company that in any way books, helps to promote or supports the endorsement of Brian Blair. Contact bookstores and Web sites (including wrestlingclassics.com) with requests to stop carrying Brian Blair's 2000 book Smarten Up! Say It Right, an insider's view of professional wrestling (ISBN 0-9707490-0-7). Most importantly, if you aren't already, register to vote and vote against Brian Blair whenever possible.
After all, I don't think Commissioner Blair should force his agenda upon the rest of us and especially, on our children. Ironically, Hillsborough County where Blair commissions promotes itself as "an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer."
Before you take action, you must please remember and be aware of a few things.
1. We do not want the false idea that pro wrestling fans are comprised of uneducated rednecks to continue. You must remain coherent, diplomatic and tactful if you want someone to listen to your opinion. Please take the time to spell check your message(s) and remember to be courteous.
2. Do not threaten Brian Blair in any way. Not even in your best Iron Sheik voice. That type of silliness is what the "post a comment" button on this blog is for. You can even post Lance Storm-like serious replies if you want. The point is, don't do it with Blair. We may disagree with Mister Blair on this matter, but the man is still a powerful member of the United States government-one of the most hated in the world. If you threaten him, even jokingly, he won't find it so funny and you'll likely get into serious trouble.
3. Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public-records request, do not send electronic mail through the automated form I will supply you with at the bottom of this post. Instead, contact the offices by phone or in writing.
4. If you're going to call instead of write, you'll probably have to leave a message. Remember to be concise, to the point and still to be considerate.
TO WRITE, PHONE OR E-MAIL COMMISSIONER BRIAN BLAIR:
Commissioner Brian Blair (District 6)
C/O Hillsborough County Commissioners
P.O. Box 111o
Tampa, FL 33601
Phone: (813) 272-5660 AND/OR (813) 272-5730
TTY: (813) 301-7173
Fax: (813) 272-7053
Automated E-mail Form where you can contact ALL of Florida's Commisioners: http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/bocc/about/contactus.cfm
Sources for this entry:
http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/bocc/about/contactusblair.cfm
http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/bocc/commissioners/blair.cfm
http://www.tampabays10.com/news/local/article.aspx?s=rss&storyid=77748
http://www.sptimes.com/2008/02/22/Citytimes/Learning_the_ropes.shtml
http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/bocc/districts/distmap.cfm
http://www.bbrianblair.com/
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