Like the successful run of the CWF in Winnipeg at Le Rendezvous, PCW announced this week that they will be holding their last show at The Lid on Pembina Highway on March 20th. The Lid is closing down permanently and being renovated into a banquet hall. There is no indication if PCW will even hold an event at the newly renovated banquet hall or any other venue for that matter. PCW began holding weekly shows at The Lid, then moved to monthly last year. One thing that is for certain, is that this venue will be missed by the "boys" in Winnipeg. A lot of talent had the chance to improve their skills here, including a number of CWF Pro Wrestling Academy graduates but everything runs it's course eventually.
PCW honed the skills of guys like Mentallo who seems to be a regular in Mexico now, plus Kenny Omega, who signed a WWE Developmental deal, then opted out of it. In addition, probably the best worker to come out of Winnipeg in the recent years, Shane Madison, was one of the reasons PCW at The Lid was drawing 300 to 400 people a week in it's hayday. Madison had the body, he had the look, the tan, the gear and he knew how to wrestle, so those with no gear, no body, no tan and old running shoes, they should be using Madison as a role model, as to how they should aspire to present themselves as a true professional of the Winnipeg wrestling scene.
Another upstart promotion that came out of the trail of the defunct AWE made a stunning announcement on their website recently. "WFXwrestling.com is discontinued due to the owner of WFX not paying the website fees agreed upon with the webmaster. WFX's April show has been postponed until an unknown date." I was told that PCW and WFX had a working agreement so this could be a major blow to local Winnipeg Wrestling.
The CWF is in it's 12th year now and I do not have any plans on shutting down. I kind of gave up in Winnipeg though as it does not fit into my demographic marketing plan, however, I have been contacted by several schools and aboriginal organizations in Winnipeg for workshops seminars this year.
With an average of 50 shows a year over the last three years from BC to Quebec, plus 12 shows already run this year to date, the CWF is operated as a business, first and foremost, a tool to deliver a postive message to the next generation, next, then a wrestling show last. The CWF website is renewed for another year, although it may not be the fancy pants site that other produce, it is stable and there is no worries about the future of the CWF's financial stability.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Another Era Ends!!!
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8 comments:
Another Era may have ended at the Lid however, speaking from knowledge and not assumption: WFX Wrestling has not. World Card Cup of Wrestling and the Path to Possession: Last Chance were two very successful events, and the third is coming soon!
WFX is not in a restructuring phase. The situation that currently exists is not one that I want to speak of publicly, so I will limit what I say to this.
A disgruntled webmaster who was in charge of maintaining the WFXwrestling.com website has opted to make erroneous statement on the website. If he chooses to make his position public, I'll gladly rebut it, but until that time, I'm limiting what I say.
The company is coming off it's most successful event. April 4th has in fact been rescheduled, but that was the right decision for the company to make for several reasons. None of which were financial.
Unfortunately we are in a situation where our website is being hijacked, and we are seeking a remedy.
_________________
I am really Mike Davidson!
March 20th is the final show ever at the Lid
Although PCW started as a fierce rival to myself when I ran TRCW, I will NEVER deny that that venue was THE best venue to last as long as it did in Winnipeg in my years I have been in the business.
It started early in the Spring of 2001 when I approached Tom about bringing Wrestling to the venue (then the Palladium) I knew a bouncer (not Andrew) who also put in a good word. We finally got everything in place and the first show there was, I believe, in May of 2001 in front of about 40 people.
By week 2, thanks to posters on almost every poll on Pembina Hwy and around the U of M, heavy promoting in house by the bar, and wrestlers putting the word out, the crowd doubled
Thanks to a young hungry crew (both working the shows as well as putting the word out), good matches , good storylines, for the next few months, the crowds were always between 200-300 and very hot
In the fall the venue when under renovations and reopened to a new group called PCW spearheaded by Lid employee Andrew Shallcross (and others) with most of the same crew that was with TRCW
PCW ran weekly for 5 years then went monthly for the last few months
There were over 300 shows there with many great matches and memories.
I would hope all local fans who have ever supported local wrestlling will be able to come down for this show
As for all the workers that ever worked in that venue, hopefully you can all be on hand that night, and maybe see Tom and Andrew and shake their hand and thank them for all the years of hard work they put into bringing wrestling to the venue
This is definately an end of an era and that venue (as we all know it) will be missed by the Winnipeg wrestling community
Bobby J
Thursday night, March 20, 2008 will be perhaps the most important night in local wrestling history. This will mark the last PCW event at The Lid Nightclub.
Due to renovations The Lid is closing its doors after many years. Eventually it will become a banquet room for formal events and I am told that PCW will one day return to 2935 Pembina Highway. However, in the meantime, who knows what PCW’s fate will be.
I went to the Palladium years before PCW existed. I am 30 years old so I remember the “glory years” of the Palladium and I’m not some “Johnny-Come-Lately”. I remember $1 shooters on Mondays, university Wednesday nights and the weekends were always crazy. In fact, if I recall, I had my 19th birthday there in 1996. I have always supported The Lid and I was there long before PCW (and TRCW before that) were even around.
The first wrestling show at The Lid was on Thursday, May 14, 2001. I still have the poster and I was a big part of that show. We drew a dismal 35 people. Bobby Jay (TRCW promoter) scored a pretty big coup in securing the Palladium because this wasn’t some shithole bar we were accustomed to performing in. We weren’t all totally sold on the idea after looking out to the crowd and seeing 35 people but we all worked hard because we wanted to build the place up.
On July 26, 2001 I wrestled TJ Bratt in front of maybe 400 people (videotape does not lie). I remember Chris Raine coming over years later after houses dropped and watching some old tapes and he asked where this match was held. I told him that it was at the Palladium and he was shocked. In a matter of mere months we built the place up due to creative storylines and motivated performers. Local wrestling was cool for the first time ever and the Palladium was the place to be on Thursday nights. A tradition was born.
In addition to the piss smell, lack of toilet paper, broken hand-dryer, gum stains on the carpet, plastic cups, and lack of air conditioning in the summer (or heat in the winter!) I will always fondly remember wrestling and hanging out at The Lid. I met a lot of people there, had many matches, picked up a lot of broads and drank a lot of booze.
It is 100% true that the local business would not look anything like it does today without PCW. We were the first to bring in a real name in his prime, Eddie Guerrero, for PCW’s Commencement of Cool on March 3, 2002. After that show, many others (Don, Tony, Bobby, Ernie) followed suit and each brought in names. But we were the first and the new measuring stick. It was a good time to be a wrestling fan.
However, what people also have to understand is that local wrestling would not be where it is today without a regular venue that was used to ply our trade and improve. I personally feel the boys made the promotion but the promotion helped make the boys as well. Tom Manos and Andrew Shallcross were kind enough to go to bat for the guys (even though Tom’s father Nick was not interested in being known as the “wrestling bar” especially after the Palladium was renovated into the Stratosphere in late 2001). Because of this Tom and Andrew will always be one of the boys.
The first PCW show at The Lid (then the newly renovated Stratosphere) was actually on Sunday night, February 24, 2002. This was a test run for Commencement. And now, over 6 years later, on Thursday night, March 20, 2008 this chapter will come to a close.
There are many times in this business when we take ourselves too seriously. There are petty arguments, ego conflicts, backstabbing, politicking and useless squabbles. Everyone, myself included, has been guilty of being involved in this. But for one night only I ask that everyone put aside their differences for the good of the local business and come down to The Lid to celebrate 6+ years of quality professional wrestling.
If there was no PCW (or The Lid) Kenny Omega may not be JAPW Champion. Adam Knight may not have gotten a chance in Japan and Mentallo may not have gotten to Mexico. Many guys, me included, have given much of our adult lives and grown up wrestling at The Lid and it is only fitting that we go out with a bang on March 20th. I know John Nguyen would not have it any other way.
This final show is entitled PCW Culmination of Cool and I can’t think of a more fitting name as we’ve come full circle. I’d encourage everyone to put aside personal issues and show up next Thursday and participate in at least some capacity. If you don’t I am sure you’ll regret it later on when it’s too late.
Personally, I am really looking forward to this show and the magnitude of it is starting to set in for me. I have a long and storied history with The Lid and PCW. I remember the matches, characters, the history, the hilarious stories, the good times and the camaraderie between the boys. Nothing lasts forever and I am looking forward to seeing some old friends and having a good time.
Will March 20th be an “End of an Era” or the beginning of a new one? Only time will tell.
See you next Thursday.
Shane Madison
The remedy is simple, pay him what he is owed.[/quote]
_________
I've debated whether or not to do this, but I've decided to post this, to show that WFX did make an offer to our webmaster, to pay him what he is owed. I'll make my notes in caplocks and brackets throughout the email.
This e-mail is my e-mail to him and his response, please read notes.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:08:20 -0500
From: mike@wfxwrestling.com
Subject: WFX Website
To: (NAME TAKEN OUT, WEBMASTER)
Hi (WEBMASTER),
I was going to talk to you about this at the event, but unfortunately the chaos of the event didn’t allow me the opportunity.
I’ve appreciated everything you’ve done for WFX to date, but unfortunately, there has been a lot of concern about deadlines of updates and priority of making our website as successful as it needs to be.
In saying this, (OWNER OF WFX) has instructed me to not issue any payment until you and I can come to an understanding and agreement of how to position our website appropriately. Last event not having a paypal link up, infuriated him and he was direct in telling me to solve this problem.
I recognize that you recently had an addition to your family, congratulations on that. I also recognize that you haven’t been paid since January. But there has never been a time where our website updates were done in the timeframe that we need them to be. And unfortunately, with the amount of money we spend including our website into the advertising (WHICH WILL BE USED TO QUALIFY SPECIFIC DAMAGES IN THE SEVERAL THOUSANDS IN COURT), we need to ensure it’s up to par.
So, depending on how you feel, we can resolve this quickly and to both of our satisfaction. (OWNER) will not authorize payment over (ONE MONTHS FEE). He just doesn’t believe that the website was done to the best standard to ensure the success of our company. He and I are both willing to authorize (ONE MONTH FEE), which can be paid after March 15th (when I receive my expense account). But I’d like to see a commitment on your part to make this website an industry standard with constant updates, that is appealing for our fanbase to interact with.
I want you to become a bigger part of the team, but the ball, or in this case keyboard is in your hands.
Thanks
Mike
(TO WHICH HE RESPONDED, THE FOLLOWING)
What I'd like to understand is who I'm working for exactly. I'm told to make things my primary concern which I did, then I was told that you'd get some info to me which you never did or waited a couple of days to do so. Then (PERSON WHO WORKS FOR WFX OTHER THAN ME) expects me to completely redesign some aspects of the site, expecting it to be done in a day or two...not as easy as it sounds.
That and I haven't even received website updates for quite some time already other than the redesigning of the website that (PERSON WHO WORKS FOR WFX OTHER THAN ME) wanted me to do, rather than advertising the show which you wanted (again, not knowing who I should take orders from). Maybe if upper management was a little more organized it would be an easier work environment...as I understand, I was supposed to go in the office to get work done on the website...not printing out portfolios for hours on end.
I remember you promising me (MONTHLY FEE PLUS $100 GREATER THAN WHAT WAS AGREED UPON) pay with a possible raise and having me work on your sponsors' websites, so far I've received one check for (ONE MONTH'S FEE) and you owing me (2 MONTHS OF FEE + $200). I was also told that a column I wrote would be published in the magazine...instead another was chosen. I understand (PERSON WHO WORKS FOR WFX OTHER THAN ME) doesn't like me but that shouldn't really affect the business of your website. I've been told from the get-go and have had the feeling that I wasn't liked, that's ok too as it didn't bother me and instead got (PERSON IN WFX OTHER THAN ME) a little pissed off at the office, I guess he has your temper.
I understand you guys are running out of money too, I noticed there were no cameras taping this show, you didn't have your expensive entrance curtains, and didn't even announce the April show (which I'm guessing is being cancelled). Your website hasn't been updated for 2 months because I was waiting for a check and didn't see one, I expressed my concerns and nobody gave a shit...guess I'm just another "fucking mark"...you tried hard to be respectful despite you not liking me...didn't work because I could read right through all the bullshit.
The updates I was expected to completed in such a short time frame with PCW's site and others on the go along with another job I have kept me pretty busy...WWE and TNA have TEAMS that work on their site...not just one person. You can write a blog about me, how pissed off and how terrible I apparently was as a web designer, but the truth is...you gave me a bunch of empty promises and instead of being a "fucking mark"...I did what anybody would do in my situation and not work if I wasn't getting paid, plain and simple.
If there ever is another WFX show...good luck on losing money on that show too. If there isn't...I'm not totally surprised as you've just rehashed the AWE again with a WWE-light, which nobody really wants to see over and over again if they can get it for free on television. I thought you may have learned from your mistakes the first time but I guess not, it was a good short unsuccessful run and better luck next time.
I'll save wasting my time updating that site and do ones that will stick around and actually pay me what they promise. Thanks for the opportunity, it was great meeting and getting to know the names a little more on a personal basis. PCW will still give me a good opportunity to do that though, and they all will still be able to wrestle because they're not old.
__________
We have chosen to initiate legal action against this person for damages in making an erroneous statement on our website. In that statement he referred to "Where WE will crown the WFX Heavyweight Champion between Chris Masters & Wavell Starr." We would suggest that he is making the statement on behalf of WFX Wrestling Inc, which he has absolutely no authority to do so. He further states that currently WFX is "restructuring" which is untrue, and he knowingly did this to attempt to damage the company.
Note that in his e-mail to me, he acknowledges choosing not to do website updates because he didn't want to take direction from an unnamed person who works for WFX. He further acknowledges he didn't perform website updates because he was waiting for a cheque and didn't receive one. If he didn't do the work for two months, he would have absolutely no right to seek compensation. Therefore his effort to sabotage our website was done to invoke damages and we will seek a court remedy. Additionally he has changed the passwords to the site so we can't even make changes.
It's unfortunate that coming out of our most successful event to date, we would have to deal with the unprofessional actions of one individual who rather than communicate in a professional manner has opted to take this action. We fully expect and hope that he seeks a legal solution to money he has claimed to be owed, but the reality of his own words indicates he never provided the service that he is seeking compensation for.
WFX has opted to move the show from April 4th to a date in early May. It was done to better prepare the event, as it will be major for us to crown our champion and we wanted our best foot forward. It also allowed us some wiggle room in negotiating with a "surprise talent" who is unavailable for April 4th. It has nothing to do with financial consideration at all. The event did not have cameras and lighting because we failed to secure an outside generator to act as a power source, and therefore the U of M didn't feel comfortable with us using their power source which AWE blew in October 2005. That was not a financial consideration at all. His statement on the website is misleading because it infers that WFX is acknowledging not paying it's bill to the webmaster, and further suggests we are restructuring and are at risk of closing our doors. I can tell you that I know of nothing that would suggest that, and I'm closer to WFX's day-to-day operations than anyone. If the person in question had done the work that he would always say would get done in a timely manner he would have been paid. Plain and simple with absolutely no headaches. But when he opted to not do the work, it's not ethical for him to hijack the website and expect any kind of payment whatsoever.[/b]
_________________
I am really Mike Davidson!
Thank you for the kind words Ernie.
Mecca
Wow Ernie, commenting as different people on your own blog. You really are a pathetic loser.
I copied some posts on a message board about the PCW show and and about WFX, then posted them. They are publicy posted elsewhere, just reference the name of the person who made the comments. You should know that you are probably one of those with a fake ID on the site.
Also, Mecca made that comment, I just copied it and posted it. Ask him if you wish.
Have a nice day.
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