POWW Meets Resistance

The world of independent professional wrestling can be odd at times.  Sometimes it is a brotherhood of strong bonds.  Other times it is filled with high school drama.  Friends are competitors.  Competitors are friends.  Sometimes neither is true.

When I first started covering indy wrestling, I went to a lot of events.  I found a home in Resistance Pro and have stayed there for over five years.  While I have seen a few other shows over the years, RPro has been my main focus.

It's not a knock on the other companies.  Mostly, it is a matter of me loving RPro and not having much time for others.

Once in a while, the worlds collide.  Such was the case a few years back when POWW's Jimmy Blaze, Stonewall and GQ Greeko Suave attended an RPro show.

At first glance, it could like the the start of an invasion angle.  To the skeptic, it might have looked like one company scouting the other.  In fact, the truth was far less interesting, but pretty cool.

The trio just came to see friends in action and to have a relaxing night where they weren't working.  I always love the picture below, because it could have been taken at numerous POWW shows, but it was taken at an RPro show.

In the end, they're all just people.  Rivalries happen, but usually get worked out.  There is room for all to work and make fans happy.

Jimmy Blaze, John Giannis, Stonewall, Scott Beatty and me in Chicago, IL-November 2012.

Reflections On Stonewall

Stonewall was an independent wrestler I first met at POWW.  The former college football player (at Illinois and Georgetwon) was young, big and strong.  He was quiet outside the ring and devastating inside it.

One of my former interview partners used to have a running gag that Stonewall was undefeated with his win total climbing every time.  Of course, that was wrestling hyperbole at its best, but Stonewall had a bright future.

Unfortunately, Stonewall got injured.  My memory fails, but I thought it was shoulder problems.  He rehabbed, but never really made it back.

Of course, life also intervened.  He married and had a family.  Life goes on and it seemed to be going on well for Stonewall.

I am sure thousands of young men have similar stories to Stonewall.  Are the stories sad or hopeful?  I suppose that depends on your perspective.

Life as an independent wrestler is rough.  The pay is minimal (often barely covering gas money, if that).  The ring is a thin layer of padding over wood planks.  Wrestlers work through most injuries, chasing their dream of going to the WWE.  Unfortunately, the odds of making it to the WWE are beyond miniscule.

The movie "The Wrestler" with Mickey Rourke nailed it, but his character was once a big time wrestler.  Most indy wrestlers will never reach that level even.

I haven't seen Stonewall in a long time.  I hear he's doing well and I'm happy for him.  He was a great guy.  Sometimes the bad break turns into a lucky break.

Stonewall and me in Chicago, IL-Summer 2014.

On the Beat with POWW Entertainment

We are taking a brief break from our Wizard World coverage to bring you coverage of POWW Wrestling.  Scott Beatty and I took in a great POWW show on 8/18/12 in Fox Lake (IL).  The action was intense and the crowd was very into the action.  It was one of the funnest POWW shows overall.  Even spending the whole evening with with my Wrestle Beat co-host could not ruin the night.
Scott and I combined to produce interviews with six of the talented wrestlers.  Every time we attend a POWW event, we hope to keep getting bringing you more interviews with these exciting wrestlers.  For now, we hope you enjoy the following interviews.
One thing Scott and I agree on is Ruff Crossing.  We are Ruffians to the core.  For more info on Ruff, check out the Ruff Crossing Facebook page.

We also got our second interview with Stonewall.  This time we talked a bit of college football, along with wrestling.  Check out Stonewall's Facebook page to get all of the info on him.

Scott handled the interview with Mikey Wild of Threat Level Black.  In the intro interview, Wild talked about his wrestling idols, his dream match and more.  You can get info and updates on him at the Mikey Wild Facebook page.

In another introductory interview, Scott talked to Will Jacobs.  Will discussed his start in the business, his wrestling dream match and other fun stuff.  To follow him and get updates, check out the Will Jacobs Facebook page.

Scott once again took the lead in interviewing Steve Amani for the first time.  In this intro interview, we learned about Amani's wrestling heroes, his dream match and more.  Check out Steve Amani's Facebook page for all of the info and updates.

I was finally able to regain control and I interviewed Brawn the lumberjack for the first time.  Up in the rafters (surrounded by wood), we talked about his career, football and lumberjack matches.  To learn all about the man in flannel, check out Brawn the Lumberjack's Facebook page.

Everyone at POWW, from Jimmy Blaze to Mr. Ricolo to the entire wrestling roster and even Chaz Moretti give maximum effort to put on a great event.  Their next show is Saturday 8/25 in Elk Grove Village.  Don't miss it.  Johngy's Beat will be there, too.