Card Subject to Similarity

It's an interesting, if not unexpected, phenomenon. A phenomenon that I can't imagine is unique just to Upstate NY's Capitol Region: a lot of the same wrestlers on multiple promotions shows. I'm talking... Literally the SAME roster appearing for multiple promotions, with a different face or four sprinkled in here and there for flavor.

There are two schools of thought here.
1.) if its the same old roster appearing for all these different promotions, then what sets your promotion apart? What makes your shows different?
2.) hey. Peoplez gotsta WORK, yo! And the more these guys get out there and hone their craft the better! And if the crowds are into it and are responding to it, then who gives a shit?

I think MY opinion falls somewhere between the two. One of the things I liked about Ultimate Wrestling EAST (FKA 787 Pro Wrestling) when they first came out of the gate was the rumors leaking that the plan was to differentiate themselves from World of Hurt Wrestling and from In Your Face Wrestling by presenting a different, unique-to-the-area roster with only a few exceptions. They have mostly delivered on that, although it seems as though with every show they veer away from that initial, reported mission statement.

Now, with Fusion Wrestling appearing on the scene... We are presented with, on the surface, a roster very similar to that which is presented by other local promotions.

I suppose time will tell on what impact this will have on local business. Ultimately, my hopes are that the different promotions use these guys differently and present the fans with matches and pairings they haven't seen before. However, it seems as though its only a matter of time before all of these promotions hit a creative wall and the local wrestling fans whose attention they are ALL fighting over is lost.

I would really love to see a promotion stick to the "this is OUR roster(in this area)" philosophy. It *would* make them special and add some zest to the area. That being said... A lot of the "same old" faces are LOCAL faces... and who doesn't like to see local up and comers on the card, right? See? I'm stuck between both opinions! Aaaaargh. Someone. Help me out.

Feel free to continue the discussion in the comments below, hit a homie on twitter, on The Facebooks or even via Paul@Wrestlefudge.com -- the feedback for the blog has been really great as of late! You keep responding, I'll keep writing!