ringsidephotos.net Blog

Ok, a lot going on, so I wanted to try and wrap up some stuff from yesterday….where was I? Saw the Royal Rumble PPV last night…the company was better than the PPV….I mentioned the CWF show, which was great….the road trip to and from Burlington was a lot of fun, and will truly be memorable, guys I had a blast!

Thomas made the official announcement Friday night in Greenville, AWA-Power Pro Wrestling will start taping on March 24th. In Burlington they mentioned AWA adding territories, the Mid Atlantic affiliate in Greenville and a new group in Michigan…AWA-PPW will recognize the Mid Atlantic Champion, and hopefully will get him to come down and defend his belt…If you know me, you are aware that I mark out over the old school “territory” stuff and the traveling champion….

Ken’s wedding is coming up on March 4th, and I have been fitted for my tux….there is a wrestling show that night in Lenoir that I am going to miss, damnit! I’m kidding of course!

A spectacular weekend! Friday I picked up my new shirts, which are just basic polo type with ringsidephotos.net on the left side…nothing fancy…courtesy of Best Lettering & Graphics in Rutherfordton,NC, call 828.286.2862!

Friday was AWC in Greenville. Thomas made the announcement about AWA-Power Pro Wrestling starting on March 24th. Very fun show…got to meet Steve Corino, who had just lost his AWA World title in Japan a few days back…it was a pleasure to shoot his match….

My camera has crapped out….I noticed it when I was shooting the SWA show last Saturday, and Friday it was getting worse…the built in flash is kaput! The pictures from Friday are a bit off you may notice…..

Saturday we left out for CWF in Burlington,NC about 3pm. Got to the show at 6. CWF (the AWA Mid Atlantic territory) has a great building that they run in….being the old school territory fan that I am, I appreciated the look they were going for…the Mid Atlantic flags displayed prominently, and then other state flags around the building…..

The Mid Atlantic Mafia were out in full force….if my camera had worked I would have gotten a picture of them….they were all displaying their mafia buttons, and Capo Cline had on the official Mafia sweat shirt….word had got to the CWF promoters that they would be in attendance and they were given their own special row at ringside to watch the show….ER and I were lucky enough to get to sit with them……great show…..good matches, got to see a lot of new faces…..the main event was fantastic…..Mid Atlantic Champ Ric Converse vs. Steve Corino…more later!

I have only missed a few days with this, but it seems like an eternity due to all the happenings! First of all, I went to the SWA show on Friday night in Forest City. Very enjoyable show. It was a great to see “my boys” back in action as a team. It was the first time I had heard their opening music in months (possibly Nov 2004, when they split?). Seeing them rushing the ring towards Team Macktion, wonderful feeling.

Thanks to Law, I have now seen my first “inflate-a-date” in wrestling. Enjoyed the match with James Drake and Shea Shea. Drake’s finisher is still awesome. The gauntlet I have already praised, and it included three of my favorite tag teams around. Thomas busted his beloved kendo stick over the back of Ethan. The duct tape over Ken was great, and his “Hulk Smash” moment was funny.

Yeyyyyy, Neeeiillll! Good match, even though those people in the crowd were sitting on their hands! The hardcore main event was fun, well for me, probably not so for the guys bleeding and inflamed. I got the two fireballs photographed that Law spit, due to my greenness though, they look very dark. The first one though has a really cool look to it I think. I love taking bloody pictures.

Thanks to Thomas, and the SWA guys for letting me shoot the show and I look forward to the next few. Thank you Kirby for passing along that compliment too.

I took about 360 photos Saturday night. Last night I was back at WWC in Greenville. Not a bad little crowd considering that Smackdown was at the Bi-Lo Center. Give me the indy shows any day. Ethan debuted at WWC last night, glad to see him branching out some.

I’ll be back down in Greenville on Friday for the AWC show. I am looking forward to it as the Underground will be back in action, along with the Macks, and Steve Corino. Saturday, I will be going to Burlington,NC for the AWA-CWF show. I found out yesterday that “amiche de amiche” – the Mid Atlantic Mafia will be in attendance! Oh yes, the rings will have to be kissed.

A now a gentle segue into more somber things. I have had a few items on my mind over the last several days and some recent events have really left a sour feeling in my stomach. It all revolves around the “business” of wrestling and not the “sport” of it. I am not cut out for the business side of this. I suppose it was just in the way I was raised. I just want to go watch some ‘rassling and get a little pat on the back for taking some “fucking fine photos”. I have decided that I am going to change a few things around in my life, and this just doesn’t concern wrestling(even though that is the lion’s share of it)- there are some personal things too.

When I first got involved with this, I knew there would be no reason for anyone to have any heat with me, but I have discovered that this is almost impossible even for someone like myself. One particular incident in these past few days went beyond what I would consider a rib, and was just down right hateful in nature and purpose. I know who my friends are, and I know who I can thank for getting me in the position I am in today.

Anywhere, I didn’t mean to get to serious there, but you know I’m 30 years old. There are times I don’t feel like running around the “playground” and engaging in all this namby-pamby, infantile, bullshit!

Went to AWC in Greenville last night…soon to be AWA-Power Pro Wrestling. Looking forward to next week, with Corino, the Macks, the Underground. It will be the first time I have been able to see Ethan and Ken together since they reunited. Enjoyed the show last night, Michael Freeley had new gear and instead of the rod-searing orange, he has went with the cone-frying green…You all know I’m a Nitro mark, so I don’t have to go into his match with Thomas, it was good. The main event tag match – first time I have ever seen Shelby Goodwin, Nathan Starr and the American Phoenix (time for a new name)….Phoenix is good, he’s in good shape, appears to have the basics down. Small crowd, but we all had a good time. Got to meet the “Porn Star” Robbie Boyette last night, good to meet ya!

I read the Chief’s newest “Sport of Kings” and was sort of surprised by the news of APW’s impending hiatus. Of course, you always hear rumblings (honestly I hear rumblings at every show), but it was still a bit of a surprise. Will APW be back? I have no doubts that it will.

Anyway it’s raining here at work…good day to nap….My friend Eric needs a job, anyone hiring?

Read Boomer’s predictions for 2006, funny – stranger things have happened! ER continues to grate on my nerves and continues to stir the pot, oh….one day…..I’ma gonna knit a double fishermans knot on your fasch!

Sitting at home, watching “The Daily Show” and they are talking about “taints” in Congress. I missed the WWC show last night, ER said it was a good show. I finished uploading the pics from Saturday’s WWC show last night.

I have ordered myself some shirts with “ringsidephotos.net”. It may be a bust, but I wanted to see how they would work out. Sort of give myself an identity other than that “camera guy”.

I do a good bit of surfing online, and most of it has to do with the local wrestling scene. I would say at least 75% of my time online is spent with the locals, the other 25% is pure porn.

I was at work the other day looking through the MySpace pages, which are all the rage now, and noticed a good bit of my work on them. It gives me a good feeling that so many people like the pictures and use them for their personal sites, etc.

I have made a lot of new friends doing this little weekend “thang” and I appreciate them all. I got an email from a guy who complimented my work and said that it keeps getting better, and he was in Texas!

Well anyway, I’m rambling…Back to Greenville on Friday night for AWC, soon to be AWA-Power Pro Wrestling! Which I think is really cool, that there is going to be an AWA affiliate here. Saturday is SWA in Forest City.

This past weekend was phenomenal! Left Spartanburg in the ER Expo along with Thomas Simpson, the Mack Brothers, Kirby and TJ. Destination: Sanford, NC and the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center for Live Action Wrestling.

The entire trip there Kirby kept complaining about his tapeworm and how it keeps him from gaining weight. Got there about 3pm. Met Chris, one of the owners. Got to meet CW Anderson – it was his first night back in the ring after some medical problems. Huge crowd for LAW.

ER couldn’t keep his eyes on the road wanting TJ to show him his toe again.

The show was great, lots of new faces. A few familiar ones too – Darrell Kelly, Dustin Abrams, Steven Walters, Tom Williams, Myric Moore, KLONDIKE!!!, and Jaime Tucker.

Kirby and TJ had the match of the night. I ain’t just blowing smoke either, it was spectacular.

The highlight of the night was where we stayed. Went to a truck stop to eat with Matt Hardy. And then we stayed the night at his house. Can you believe that shit? I told ER that if you had told me this was going to happen six months ago, I don’t think I would have believed it. Matt was as down to earth as someone who lives right here in my hometown. We watched some parts of the online “Matt Hardy Show” which were great, it was the first time I had ever seen the “Show”. Got to meet “The Legend” – Papa Hardy. Dragged myself up to bed at 5am, and was up at 8.30. It was a good kind of tired though……

Left out from Hardy House at noon, stopped at Golden Corral for lunch. If you have read ER’s blog you know that I thwarted an attempt at gucking up my drink…Blake ain’t afraid to ask for another drink.

The trip back included a spinal injury when I nearly fell out of the truck while doing my Su Doku puzzles. You younguns should really be nice to your elders…if you are I’ll knit you some nice toilet paper cozies.

Got back to Spartanburg at 4.30, had to run some errands and then went to the WWC Saturday Night Live show. Good crowd, about 65 people. I was very happy to see my cuz Ethan Cage come down to the show. Afterwards, we all headed back up to Spartanburg and had a meal at Pancake House.

Thanks again to Thomas, Kirby and TJ for allowing me to be a part of the trip. Thanks to Matt for letting us crash at your house. Thanks for Chris for letting me shoot the show, I hope to be able to come back.

Still very tired…AWC on Friday night in Greenville, then SWA on Saturday night in Forest City.

I’m sitting here at work, watching the Young & the Restless….big weekend planned….Leaving tomorrow morning to head over to Sanford, NC for the Live Action Wrestling show.…I’m very thankful that I don’t have to drive…I believe the ER Expo will be hauling us all down…..Hope to be back in time for APW on Saturday….

Finished with my safe driving class tonight at Isothermal Comm. College here in lovely Columbus. I’m a safe driver now!

I am so ready for this weekend….Eric and I went to Asheville today…bought the classic “Airplane” on DVD…..bought “Superstar” Billy Graham’s bio at Barnes & Noble….

Back to work tomorrow..

“Beat you retarded!”

I got into bed at 2am this morning, after going to Dennys to eat. And for those of you in the know – my Denny’s boycott is back on!

I thought about going through the pictures from AWC today, but there is some stuff on TV I want to watch, and about 40 winks to catch. Sorry K.

Actually I’m stuck at work. I may start on them tonight.

I won an the “Photographer” of the year at APW. I do appreciate the thought, thank you. The other nominees were the pre-teen/teen girls at ringside with their cell phone cameras.

The awards were fun, I had a good time last night. There was one award I did not agree with and that’s because the “winner” is a friend of mine, and I think it was a bit undeserved.

Sandy told me that Sharon is out sick with the flu, so if you read this I hope you recover soon.

I talked with ER early this morning before I went to bed, he had a great time at Anarchy – very good show show he said.

The Sirius satellite radio is working fantastic! I love it…I had stopped listening to the radio (other than morning talk) a long time ago. You can always find something to listen to on there. Howard Stern debuts on Sirius tomorrow, and I am going to try and catch some of that.

I am becoming even more self conscious about the top of my head. It’s like the hair is just giving up. I’m considering getting a high military cut? Which with my frame will give me the appearance of a pin head…but if the hair keeps going I will eventually run out of hair to cut…thank God I still have my physique…..

So it has been a few days since I last posted. There has not been really a whole lot going on, so I have had nothing to write. I am back at work today.
I went to the AWC show in Greenville last night. I left work about 10 minutes early and got there with a bit of time to spare. Of course I stayed within the speed limit. I will miss this weeks WWC show as I have to be in my Safe Driving class at 5.30pm that night. I have no one to blame but myself, and I have had several warnings over the years, so it’s about time.

AWC was short last night, but I had an enjoyable time. I had absolutely no worries other than just taking pictures and I really enjoyed that. There was nothing being stolen in the back, no soap opera. I did receive my second death threat in wrestling last night though…I don’t think I’m worried…gulp…the Marriott Cabal reaches far…their eyes and ears are everywhere….most of the time.

Got to see Steven Walters and Tom Williams for the first time last night, they won the tag belts from Thomas and TJ.

My pictures from the show will be up sometime…I have been busy honing my Jedi lightsaber skills here: http://www.ebaumsworld.com/games/jeditrainer.html

The main event was great, Neil Nitro vs. Krazy K. They did a spot where K pulled Neil’s leg over his head and sort of locked it there (just look at the picture when I get it posted), the crowd was roaring over it…I will bet that not just anyone could pull off a move like that. I shared ringside with TJ during the main event, and he kept going on and on about his toe…ER, was there something wrong with it? K and TJ, I had fun, and I appreciate it.

I have gotten some very nice comments about my pics from the NWA Anarchy show, thanks to all of you who have contacted me and also to all of you who have stolen them. No worries, I don’t mind. The owner has invited me back to the shows and I do plan to make the trip. It’s just that at least for a couple of months, I will have to work the first and third Saturdays of every month, which sucks.

ER will be debuting tonight in his official capacity as the NWA Anarchy ringside announcer. I must say I’m proud of him, he has an excellent voice for the job and I know he will do well. He is another one that I can add to my list of “People I knew when”. Good luck you fat bitch.

I talked with Ethan and Ken about the HVW show. Had a bigger crowd there last night than the week before. Is it because the UnderGround got back together? I say yes. I understand the Jessie Black had to be taken to the emergency room after his bloody finale in the match. Not being there, I don’t know the extent of the blood in the building. I hope Jessie is doing Ok. I wondered after hearing this news if an absolute bloodbath is necessary for a crowd of 30-45 people. I think not. It is just my opinion, and I am not going to pretend like I know how things go inside the ring. I have never had that performance “rush”, I know my place on the food chain. For the life of me though, I don’t see the point in the risk if there is no firm ground for it to be on. The end of a feud, the start of one, a big show – good reasons I suppose. It could be said that last night was the return match between the EOD and the UnderGround from November 2004, so that would warrant it.

I got word that Shane’s show in Bowman has 60+ people in attendance. I’m happy for Shane and for Viper. I want anyone to succeed in wrestling. I hope the crowds keep coming back.

Poor mans lunch today….bologna sammich and Pringles……

2005 Awards will be presented tonight at APW…I may go out afterwards, it just depends on what time the show ends.

Looking forward to next weekend, the 13th – 14th…I’m not going to say anything else, but once you see the pictures you will understand….da da daaaaa! Mysterious, ain’t it?

January 21st, I will be back at SWA in Forest City. The UnderGround will be making their AWC debut on the 27th!