The following is written by long time WrestlingClothesline.com supporter and contributor, Peter Staniforth. If you have any comments, questions, or inquiries regarding his statement, please contact him at Peterstaniforth@aol.com. It saddens me to see that the wrestling business is no different overseas than it is hear. Full of scum and promoters who just want to pass the blame. Peter, I'm behind you 100%! - Brett

Difficult column, this one. I don't like to go this route, but I feel I have to. I've worked hard the last nearly five years to be respected in the professional wrestling business. Bar one incident this year, I feel I've done well in a world full of strange politics and such. But this has been a set of events, in which I've never been around such disorganisation and unprofessionalism in a long time.

Let me get a few things straight. RBW - Revolution British Wrestling - put on a good wrestling show. Well, the wrestlers do. A good clean wrestling product. Possibly too well behaved for some, but personally my only sure fire belief for November 20th in my home town was the actual wrestling would be good. I have utter respect and some, for all those guys on the roster and in the training school. These are decent people, damn fine workers; and I've made some really good friends and friendships.

I was going through some personal issues at the time I had the idea for the fundraising show for my mother in law. I was also really shook up at the uncertainty of life, and how fragile it can be; and really distressed that my children wouldn't have the time around their 'Nanny' that they deserved. So, I looked to a company with a crystal clear reputation that I thought would put on a good show and help me with the matter of raising money towards her health care.

And what did I get? At first, it was all good. And then the cracks started to appear. Whilst calling favours, and asking around who'd work the show; I'm 'suggested' to I keep it British and no imported (American) talent. Even though I have name players willing to come over purely for their flight paid and nothing else financially, this isn't good enough for RBW.

Then, when I begrudingly do this because it's not my chequebook; and find other UK names willing to work - guess what? Yes, that wasn't good enough either; and I'm to keep it 'RBW'. For a one-off show, why is it such an issue to keep 'outside' talent out of the picture? Fear of looking disorganised to a larger audience?

So, then; for weeks I'm asking about names and matches and begging for a few bits of information so I can slow build it up on the internet and media for the full desired attention an event of this nature needs. I get blown off, constantly; and told to 'stop worrying'. The only thing I'm worrying, is this is going to go pear-shaped (a British term, for going badly wrong; for those unfamiliar with this term).

Finally, around the MONDAY of the week of the show - so, the 15th approximately with the show on the 20th - the matches are finally kind of worked out. The Tuesday, three and a half days before showtime; the posters turn up. Now, with a five year old son at school and a daughter with health problems; I think we did really to get the posters out in such a short time. But, I'm told; apparently the show bombing is MY fault.

The punchline to all this, is that apparently for a fundraising show to raise money for a dying woman; I was meant to give away - yes, GIVE AWAY - tickets for this show just so RBW saved face and had an audience. Am I the only one who thinks that defies the entire point of a fundraising show?

Apparently, I'm also 'unprofessional' for going backstage at shows. Correct me if I'm too wrong on this, but wrestlers aren't exactly shy and withdrawn personalities who daren't speak up - If any of the guys had or ever had a problem with me wandering in, I personally believe they'd say so and I would have zero issue with leaving and doing the respectful thing. But strangely, none did; so I can only assume that the problem laid with certain other individuals who had issue with someone seeing how badly organised things actually are.

We had approximately 35 people on Saturday November 20th. Mainly my family in law, so to speak; a few friends of the wrestlers (who, with no disrespect to them at all; I doubt were asked by RBW management to pay for their tickets either)- and a couple of paying customers. So organised were RBW, that my mother was asked last minute to work the merchandise table.

This company, is sadly so blinkered it's unbelieveable. I've offered them bigger names, people that hadn't heard of RBW until I mentioned them but would have considerably raised the profile of the company. I had a huge chase asked of me by RBW, for one particular promiment ex NWA/WCW World Champion, went out on a major limb to get hooked up; and was then let down over shock in reference to the price tag needed to get such a talent over to the UK.

And just one example of RBW's attitude business wise, is the example of Colt Cabana. Well respected RoH star, superb worker and excellent behind the microphone - funny, and genuinely talented. He's been over here in the UK for weeks now, with wrestling promotions falling over themselves to book a legitimate star without having to pay out flight costs and such like. Did RBW ask me to contact him in reference to just working even the one show? Of course not. This shows you the drive and determination of the company and their desire to grow and suceed.

Now, it must be said that RBW training school graduates are damn good. Riccardo Young and Bobby Hostile, for pure example's sake; have a wonderful future in this business. But is it REALLY going to damage them to have the opportunity to work outside talent? Is wrestling against an American or two going to harm their careers? Of course not. Most wrestlers, if not all; that I come into contact with love the different experiences and opportunities that this business brings.

Apparently, I don't do anything in this business. I earned EVERYTHING you see on my signature, through hard work and love of professional wrestling; for no money and through good times and very bad times. I also, allegedly; have no respect for the stress of running a wrestling promotion. I've faced losing a three day old daughter, been there for her as her father through three major operations that threatened her little life - but apparently running RBW is comparable, if not harder..... Yeah. Okay. Maybe it is if you're distinctly lacking in any kind of social skill or professional courtesy.

I am not in ANY way criticising any RBW wrestler in this. Ridiculous threats of solicitors aside, I can't think of one worker on that roster that I don't have the utmost respect for - because they do what I can't. From Sammy Ray, to Rich And Famous, to all in between - they're all superb at what they do and I have nothing but admiration for what are great professional wrestlers and class people outside of the ring also.

And now, for the audacity of daring to tell the truth; I can tell you I've been threatened with solicitors and libel and so forth by RBW. I dare RBW to find one thing in this column that isn't my word against their's. I double dare them to sue me for telling the truth, and attempting to damage the credibility of someone who legitimately loves and lives professional wrestling. Then, I triple dare you to sue me all for I've done to raise your promotion's profile and help you; all for snide comments and lack of gratitude.

And then I dare you finally to do anything at all that would financially and personally affect my children and family. If you can live with THAT, Adam Mumford; then I'm standing right here where you can see me - go ahead and sue me for telling the truth, the whole truth; and what you hate the most - nothing BUT the truth about a jumped up youngster who hasn't even lived yet but thinks he can talk down to others. You meet the same people on the way down as you tread on upon your alleged way up, and I know I can sleep clearly at night. Can you, Adam?

Peter Staniforth.
www.pswrestling.net

Peter is a UK based sports journalist, for www.pwbts.com, www.wrestlingdotcom.com, www.wrestlingclothesline.com, www.bgwwrestling.com, www.prowrestlingdaily.com, and the exclusive WWE writer for www.ukevents.net.

Peter has written for Bill Apter's "Total Wrestling" magazine, the well respected US based newsletter 'Wrestling Then And Now'; and also written press releases for the UK's WWE Euro Shop merchandise company. He was also mentioned on the credits of the cult wrestling simulation game by Adam Ryland - EWR 4.0.

Peter works for UCW (www.ucw-wrestling.co.uk) in a Talent Relations capacity, and also various USA based indy promotions. If you are a wrestler either USA or UK based, and looking for more bookings; please contact Peter.

Peter has written reviews for many wrestling video tape traders, who come highly recommended by him - including www.simania.co.uk, www.modtrom.com (the official production team for Jersey All Pro Wrestling), www.ruffneckwrestlingvideos.co.uk, www.violentjtapes.com, www.a1wrestlingvideos.com, and many more.

When using any of this information give proper credit to Cactusb and the Wrestling Clothesline at http://www.wrestlingclothesline.com

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