AS I SEE IT
Bob Magee
Pro Wrestling: Between the Sheets
PWBTS.com
As usual, wrestling tribalism runs rampant online.
Battlelines are drawn 24/7/365 by wrestling fans of AEW and
WWE. Each Thursday afternoon, wrestling websites and social
media are the battleground for the viewership and rating AEW
Dynamite did this week, or the ticket sales for ALL IN, with
stans and trolls abounding with some of us who are just
wrestling fans trying to get a word in edgewise. The same is
true for mid-week for RAW, then NXT, then Collision.
A case in point is the discourse regarding drops in
viewership, because of the Olympics airing on the Xfinity
(NBC/USA/Peacock family of channels/streaming. The reality
is that viewership dropped 22% overall combined for ALL
wrestling shows.
Here's how it works: when numbers for one's favorite
promotion are affected, Olympics are "an explanation" (as
they are and should be considered to be for all). When it's
the other company, it's deemed "an excuse". Apparently,
some who spend all day online don't realize millions DO work
and can't watch the events live. While those fans will know
who won certain races or competitions, they want to see
their favorite (primarily US) athletes/team...especially if
they won a medal. In the case of Dynamite, despite a 23%
Olympic drop Dynamite finished #2 behind Olympics coverage
on USA, as well as being affected by NBC's coverage that
drew 13 million. But the stan/troll attacks were out in full
force. So the trolldom can be a bit exhausting (especially
when we already see it in politics).
But like pretty much everything to do with wrestling...if
you want an answer about something in it, you go to the
words of Terry Funk, who I've thought of recently as we
approach the first anniversary of his passing.
His quote, cited a year ago in part by Renee Paquette during
ALL IN's Zero Hour pre-show last year seems appropriate for
everyone who's a wrestling fan...everyone:
"Wrestling is not a love story, it's a fairy tale for
masochists. A comedy for people who criticize punchlines. A
fantasy most can't understand, a spectacle no one can deny.
Lines are blurred. Heroes are villains. Budgets are cut.
Business is business. But it can also be a land where Dead
Men walk. Where Honor makes you Elite. Where Demons run for
office. And Rock bottom is a reason to rejoice. WOOOOO! It's
an escape. A reason to point the blame at anyone but
yourself for 2-3 hours. An excuse to be a kid again, and
nothing matters except the moment we are in. Wrestling is
not a love story, it's much more. It's hope. And in a world
surrounded in hate, greed and violence, a world where
closure may never come. We all know a place that has hot and
cold hope on tap. For better or for worse."
I think Terry would say it's a fairy tale for all of us.
It's also a place where the fairy tale writers and
performers use their talents to help others. More on that in
a minute.
According to WrestleTix as of July 31, 44,646 tickets have
been distributed for ALL IN so far with 6,668 available
tickets out of a current set-up of 51,314 with 2,491 sold
since the last update 9 days prior. in a nice touch, a
number of tickets were made available at a discount to first
responders, as happened at last year's ALL IN.
Here are the matches announced thus far:
* Title vs. Career match for the AEW World Championship
Swerve Strickland (with Prince Nana) defends against Bryan
Danielson
* AEW Women's World Championship
"Timeless" Toni Storm (with Luther) defends against "The
Glamour" Mariah May
* AEW "American" (International) Championship
MJF defends against Will Ospreay
* TNT Championship
Jack Perry defends against Darby Allin
* TBS Championship
Mercedes Moné (with Kamille) defends against Dr. Britt
Baker, DMD
Tony Khan acknowledged on Twitter Friday that he was in
Paris: " It's my first time ever in Paris! I'm grateful
to be here, thank you @wbd @TNTdrama @TBSNetwork!" Maybe we'll finally get some news very soon.
Now....after talking about Christmas in July this past
month... looking down the road to the season of giving,
there are already 36 charity shows/events announced,
beginning the process of helping their communities for the
Holidays.
* Big Time Wrestling returned to Newark, CA on August 2,
school backpack drive benefiting Family Giving Tree
featuring an appearance by Rikishi and their second annual
Back-To-School
Backpack Drive with Family Giving Tree, for new, unused
backpacks and school supplies for local kids in need, grades
K-12 at the show.
* Capital City Championship Combat returns to Ottawa, ON at
the Preston Event Center on August 16 for Fighting Back:
Wrestling with Cancer with DIJAK vs. Speedball Mike Bailey,
Josh Alexander, and more. Since 2011, as a community, nearly
$600,000 has been raised for the Canadian Cancer Society,
through annual Fighting Back: Wrestling with Cancer events.
Tickets are on sale at Vertigo Records and The ODDs & SODs
Shoppe, as well as the C4Wrestling site. 100% of profits
will be donated to the Canadian Cancer Society.
* Supreme Pro Wrestling teams up once again with Alex's
Lemonade Stand Foundation to lay the smackdown for its
annual fundraiser against childhood cancer on August 18 at
the Soccer World Indoor Arena in Elk Grove, CA. ticket
information available soon.
* Come join Empire State Wrestling for a family filled day
for a great cause! We are hosting a Chiavetta's Chicken BBQ
Party in conjunction with P.U.N.T. - a foundation associated
with Dawson Knox of the Buffalo Bills that supports families
coping with pediatric cancer. Along with the barbecue
chicken, there will also be a basket raffle, 50/50, bounce
house, face painting, vendors, and more. It will take place
at the Rapids Fire Hall in Lockport on Saturday, September 7
from 1- 6 p.m. Pre-sale tickets are $15 and enter you into a
chance at winning a door prize. They can be purchased at
ESWTIX.com (where service fees apply), Venmo, Cashapp or
emailing eswpuntbbq@gmail.com. Tickets will be available at
the door, but only pre-sale tickets will enter you in for
door prizes.
* IWF Media LLC and North Arlington Board of Education
present: IWF Wrestling: Unstoppable on Saturday, September
21, with a 7:00 pm bell time at North Arlington High School,
222 Ridge Road, North Arlington, NJ to benefit Michael
Robert Cammett Jr. Memorial Foundation. Tickets & VIP on
sale now for IWF UNSTOPPABLE September 21 in North Arlington
with Dark Oracle Sage, Kevin Knight, Hellraiser Dracko,
Atkins Brothers, Justin Adams, East Side Dave, KC Bonilla,
Glenn Burgess, Ken Reedy, Aaron Hobbs, Patrick Sanchez,
Janko Sons, Rico Gold, Prince Naj and Michele Dee.
* United Wrestling Coalition holds its second annual
Scholarship Fund Benefit Show at the New Egypt American
Legion, New Egypt, NJ for the 2nd Annual Scholarship Fund
Benefit Event. This is the second of five planned annual
events to help raise scholarship money for New Egypt
resident and UWC member Shelby, who collects toys for the
annual scholarship money for New Egypt resident and UWC
member Shelby Begley. Promoter Lois Thomas said “I made a
promise to Shelby’s dad before he passed away to do
everything in our power to ensure Shelby would have the
means to open doors to her future, and in honor and memory
of our dear friend John Begley, we are very excited to
announce this second annual event.” Please join the entire
UWC Family, including Shelby and her mom Barbara as we come
together to show our continued support for this beautiful
family.
* Journey Independent Championship Wrestling returns on
September 22 in Martinsville, IN for the Austin Fury
Memorial Tournament to benefit Suicide Awareness.
* Crossfire Wrestling returns to The Merritton Lions Club 7
Park Avenue St Catharines, ON. SUNDAY September 29, 2024 for
FIRED UP 2024! 4pm bell time. Partial proceeds will go to
The Niagara Peninsula Foundation for Children. Tickets are
available at https://www.ticketscene.ca/events/48825/?
fbclid=IwY2xjawEUwC9leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHWGi5k_YfFFqtYTwLbAaq45
Gf6ibVKUKex1piHLFWr1kcHpFKlu-d-
QK0w_aem_iFub2HIKRXai8K6tVk3CuQ
* Great Canadian Wrestling will hold their fall and winter
series of shows and Comic-Cons, collecting food for the
local community food banks in each locality in which they
run events; collecting non-perishable and food items
including kids school snacks, juice (boxes and large),
canned veggies and fruit, canned pasta, cereal,
toothpaste/soap/toiletries, pet foods, diapers and baby
supplies. Shows scheduled thus far are: Kinmount Fair,
Kinmount, ON /August 31, Barrie ON/September 7, Belleville,
ON/September 8, Aurora, ON/September 14, Peterborough,
ON/September 21, Kingston, ON/September 22 and Cobourg,
ON/September 28, Fenelon Falls, ON/October 5 , Whitby,
ON/October 20, Batawa, ON/October 26, Bowmanville,
ON/October 27, Peterborough, ON/November 9 , Lindsay,
ON/November 10, Belleville, ON/November 17, Aurora,
ON/November 23. Angus, ON November 24, Newmarket,
ON/December 7
* It's that time once again... as One Fall Entertainment and
Pink Heals in Sheboygan return to Seton Catholic School for
PINK HEALS 2024 on October 5 !! In the last 3 years, we have
already raised nearly $33,000 for those that have been
affected by cancer in the Sheboygan County area, and we are
looking to continue to kick things up a notch. This event
could NOT be possible without the help of our sponsors, our
fans, our roster including our special guests, and so many
more people!! Who knows which special guests will be here to
help us out this year? Who would you like to see? More
information to come in the near future. Don't miss out on
this EPIC event
Tickets available at https://www.ticketsource.us/onefall?
fbclid=IwY2xjawEUoB1leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHb8SljxnHEnKKfadcy_H61G
IQiSLCvczT3yUL2DsR-60-Rm-
EtNqBL0Iiw_aem_jUJT7S36ghI6H4c8yxXvHw
* Lehigh Valley Apparel Creations presented Steelstacks
Smackdown II at SteelStacks in Bethlehem, PA on October 5 as
a benefit to raise money for New Bethany. Money raised will
go toward supporting Southside Bethlehem-based New Bethany’s
mission to get resources and housing to local people
experiencing poverty, hunger and homelessness. Please bring
a non-perishable food item as well to help Bethany's work.
* Midwest All-Star Wrestling presents Women of Nations Grand
Slam 6 on Saturday October 26 bell time of 4:00 PM at North
St Paul Senior High, North St. Paul, MN for our biggest
event of the year! Last year's event raised $73,100. Help us
beat that goal this year! Tickets available now at
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/womenofnations/1255489?
fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR2z2ynIIhX30K0W9g4NHclQkqqCS3E_fXA
agHqfby8SN4HK7X0adp2CmdY_aem_GlQDN8VFk1912sQE0QlPVw
* IWA Productions presents its 12th annual Wrestling for a
Cause show in Mount Vernon, IL on October 26, raising funds
for the mammogram department at Crossroads Hospital.
* Independent Pro Wrestling presents Hammering Cancer 5 on
November 3 at 869 King St E, Hamilton, ON. Mark your
calendars now to join us for our annual event to raise money
and awareness for the Juravinski Cancer Centre with the goal
to raise $5000! Already confirmed to be part of this great
event: IPW Grand Champion Jon Jon Tavious, The Superstar of
David Tomer Shalom, Igor Sonovavich, The Asian Nightmare
Kwan Chang, KC Andrews, Matt Burns, Big X, IPW Openweight
Champion 1star Cayden Felix, and the Co-Host Toster! More
names to be announced soon!
* United Wrestling Coalition holds its Holiday Food Drive
show November 2 at the New Egypt American Legion, New Egypt,
NJ
* Journey Independent Championship Wrestling returns on
November 30 to Martinsville, IN for its annual Toys for Tots
show.
* KSWA Wrestling presents its annual Toy Drive/Fan Fest 2024
at 6:00pm on Saturday, December 7, at the American Legion
Langley Post 496, 2863 Chartiers Avenue, Pittsburgh PA
* United Wrestling Coalition holds its 28th annual Toys for
Tots Pro Wrestling Toy Drive show on December 7 at the New
Egypt American Legion, New Egypt, NJ
So it's time to ask if those reading this blog can send me
any information on holiday themed charity shows scheduled
from now through the New Year at my bobmagee1@hotmail.com
account or to message me through my Facebook at
https://www.facebook.com/bob.magee.180 or direct message me
at https://twitter.com/BobMage70323520
Speaking of doing as much good as we can...well-known East
coast wrestling photographer Christine Coons recently
suffered a major stroke; and Tanya Christine Coons has
organized a GoFundMe for her. Here are the particulars:
"Christine Coons is going through it right now! She has
suffered a stroke. She has very limited movement from her
right side. She is currently in the hospital awaiting news
of where she will go for rehabilitation for the stroke. On
top of the stroke, her heart issues have also come back. So
she is fighting the fight. Frustrated but day by day she's
fighting.
She will be in the hospital/rehabilitation for some time. No
one is sure when she will be able to go back to work. And
she already has hospital bills piling up. Anything anyone
can donate is appreciated. Just reading this is
appreciated!!
Please continue to share and donate. We have to do a lot of
repairs and updates at Christine's house in order for her to
go back home and continue to get better. Every dollar
counts. We will continue to update her process.
To donate, please go to https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-
christine-overcome-her-health-battles?
attribution_id=sl:d85b78af-db54-449b-b609-
ffea1a231e22&utm_campaign=man_sharesheet_ft&utm_medium=custo
mer&utm_source=facebook
