What WOHW Needs...

World of Hurt Wrestling returned with an explosive show in May 2012 and almost two years later the hits have just kept coming. Whether they brought in "names" or just went out and put on entertaining matches standing on the merit of their mostly-homegrown talent, WOHW has filled their venues to the brim with excited and engaged wrestling fans.

On paper... Their formula needs no changing. But to me, the cynical, over analytical uber-fan, I see a promotion rife with potential to do something truly dramatic and powerful.

Let's first look at a few of the many things they do RIGHT every time:

-- exciting matches. This goes without saying. Those guys go out there and they LEAVE it out there. Is every match perfectly polished? No. But they are typically high octane and tell a story.

-- characters. Whether home brewed or honed elsewhere, World of Hurt is overflowing with outrageous, over the top and unique characters.

-- fan interaction. This, of course, is something most local promotions excel at; mingling with the fans (when it makes sense to do so) at intermission, autograph signings and posing for pictures. Independent wrestling should really be all about access. And one can't say they don't give it to you!

So all of those things are all well and good... But what are they missing? What can be improved?

-- storylines/feuds. I touched on this a few months back when I fantasy-booked their "Once in a Lifetime" event but other than a few exceptions (Starr/Danger vs Pure Dynamite, Heavyweight Title beefs, and Eric Alden vs Adam Badger) there really haven't been many feuds or consistent storylines for fans to invest in and/or follow. To me this is the greatest growth opportunity this promotion has before them. Obviously not EVERY worker on the roster needs to necessarily be embroiled in a heated rivalry or blood-fueled feud... But I think this can be improved upon. The heel turn of Danger at the last show is a fantastic start on the path to communicating to the fans that "something cool can happen" every show. They need to keep at that. It doesn't need to be world shattering stuff. It can be subtle... but it, overall, is certainly lacking on your average WOHW show. They bring in HUGE crowd every show... Give them something to latch on to... A storyline or four to care about... I love throwing two great workers at eachother and ringing the bell and saying "have at it"... But let's get a little heat behind it! A dominant heel stable would be an interesting, easy start in this direction, because so many feuds and stories can be built off of them. They sort of have the Frat Pack... But in name only, really. Commit to the group and see what happens.

-- new/different faces. Don't get me wrong. I love the old faces (and I know "everybody" wants to get booked at WOHW). However, one thing that made 787Pro/Ultimate Wrestling EAST exciting for their few months of existence was the inclusion of performers you "can't see" at an IYFW or WOHW show. That variety, I felt, was vital to wrestling in this area and WOHW has an opportunity to really jump on that idea and inject that variety in their shows. As noted on our Facebook page a day or two ago, rumors are swirling that a handful of 2CW performers might appear at the Rumble Royale event in a few weeks... And I heard just today that fans might expect a surprise appearance from an IYFW performer who doesn't typically appear in Whitehall... This kind of exciting variation in roster can really invigorate a locker room and, again, send a message to the fan that "you never know who you'll see" at a WOHW event.

I want to stress that I dig the WOHW product... But if they want to rise to a new level, I think these are a few easy things that could put them over the top.

Thanks for reading! Any feedback/suggestions, send to Paul@Wrestlefudge.com!

State of the 'Fudge -- February 2014

Here is the long and short of it, True Believers!

We decided, as we have annually, to take the holiday season off from our (mostly) weekly live video program. And boy did we. Our holidays were awesome, thanks for asking! Family time is important time and we truly value the flexibility we arbitrarily allot ourselves.

As the holidays unfolded, the work load of our respective "day jobs" expanded and morphed. As one half of our broadcast team's business grew by leaps and bounds, the other has jumped back into a managerial role in HIS profession which has sapped and bled much of our mutual creative juices.

As things stand... We are hopeful that, as our "day jobs" stabilize, we will be able to refocus our efforts (and, yes, funnel our mutual creative juices) back towards this particular project.

Shooting for a late February/early March return to general regularity.

In other news, we have decided to go "public" with the decision we have made to discontinue our coverage and free promotion of In Your Face Wrestling once and for all. It's been an on again, off again internal struggle between your intrepid broadcasters and after much discussion and deliberation we have decided this is the right thing to do. The ONLY reason we are tackling this matter in such a public way is to hopefully stave off the onslaught of inquiries made by the workers (nearly all of whom we both have a deep respect and appreciation for) and the small group of fans wondering "are you still covering IYFW?"

We aren't going to go into the specific reasoning behind this choice -- we assume most of you are aware of our history and our repeated attempts to "be the bigger people". But in light of recent attempts by one half of said-promotion's ownership to smear and negatively impact the ability for a noted friend of the 'fudge to "get work"... We have decided it is past time to cut ties.

That being said... What some might see as the "hardest part" of this whole ordeal - and maybe ONLY reason we have "held on" as long as we have - is the undeniable fact that we have formed true friendships with some of the fans and wrestlers of this promotion. These wrestlers, and some of the fans, know little else than that steady booking and/or appearance of IYFW in regards to "independent wrestling" in our area. There is also the very real fact that IYFW is absolutely THE promotion that prompted and inspired this page when it was little more than an irregular, albeit quite passionate, blog. That fact is certainly not lost on me. That fact is actually what makes the cutting of this particular tie the absolute hardest.

I want to publicly thank and commend the work and efforts of the men and women of In Your Face Wrestling for their blood, their sweat, and their tears. I can't possibly imagine the work and the struggle that has gone into keeping this promotion alive and mostly vibrant over these years. I do appreciate you. I just, simply, wish things were different.

I love the booking of IYFW - although I may not agree with it all and/or every time - because, despite all else, there is always a STORY to be told. The World of Hurts and the Ultimate Wrestling Easts (if such things even exist) should take heed of that. Stories are fucking important, damn it. And Maxx Burton has always known this. And I trust him!

I love the passion of the performers. And will miss it. The true interaction and personal touch. They awakened the fan in me. And I will never forget that. You know who you are. I hope.

I love the venue. The BACC is a great place to see an indy wrestling show. I have lived less than a block away from said-venue for over a year and haven't gone to a show there since moving here and it does/will drive me a little bit crazy. Because I respect the SHIT out of nearly all but one of you.

I love you guys. Keep doing what you're doing. I sincerely wish the promotion well, despite my every instinct and deep-seeded emotion. I just can't talk about you anymore. Every time you are referenced by us... it validates his agenda, his pockets. And after recent revelations, we can't do that in good conscience. And it hurts.

We hope you all understand... And that you have the confidence to spread your wings beyond your "comfort zone". We will support you.

Onward and upward.

Coming soon to Wrestlefudge.com:

-- a preview of our next WrestlefudgeTV LIVE...
-- what World of Hurt Wrestling needs to do to break through the TRUE next level...
-- an illustrated diagram on how Will Cena mixes his drinks...

All this and MORE... Or LESS... Here on Wrestlefudge.com!