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

WIn what would have been an unthinkable move back in the 1970's and 1980's in British wrestling when kayfabe was fiercely protected (and I miss those days, but begrudgingly accept they're gone), major television channel ITV have chosen to produce a programme entitled 'Celebrity Wrestling'.

Except the 'celebrities' are D-list celebrities, if that. Even a lot of English people would struggle to know a lot of them by name, let alone Americans who read the press releases; and the participants who are known border on barely worth mentioning. With the alleged stars including an ex soap opera actor, and a 'page three girl', and so on - it almost makes you wonder if Vince McMahon is funding or encouraging it.

What's sad is ITV have shown NO interest in wrestling for years now, the last shown was a run of NWA/WCW from 1990 to 1994 approximately; which was shunted around timeslots from 1.30am in the morning to a Saturday teatime spot on through it's predictable death. And now they choose to get involved, it's only to parody and embarrass the business that many of us hold dear.

On the wrestling side (as in actual wrestlers), they couldn't seemingly get a legend; so they got Roddy Piper. Since Piper has apparently been bordering on senile for a few years now, one can only fear the worst of him behind a microphone again. D'Lo Brown could, I guess; be considered the star of the show but in reality is a midcarder that WWE couldn't really do much with and that's the light that most casual viewers will see him in. Oh, and there's Joe Legend. If anyone outside of a more hardcore (not that kind of hardcore, I mean as in seriously interested) fan knows who he is here in the UK, well I'm welcome to be surprised. His WWF/E stint forgettable, his time in TNA overshadowed by his constant verbal digs at Jeff Jarrett (right or wrong, half of what he says borders on unnecessary for public consumption); was this the best that they could do? Or was it just most wrestlers had more common sense than to be involved?

Already, we have groups and organizations coming out of the woodwork claiming it's bad because 'children might copy it'. My view says this is up to the PARENTS to actually do a decent job in their parenting. Whilst I'm not enamoured with this programme, I still feel the business needs defending; so let me clarify something for the lovely censors and people who claim all wrestling needs to be banned for fear of people copying.

As an example, when Wayne Rooney, England soccer international; behaves like a spoilt brat on a football field - no-one says ban football. I have a five year old son, and a two year old daughter. Both adore wrestling. My son has already grasped the concept that wrestling can be dangerous if not performed properly. My daughter watches CZW highlight reels and laughs, calling them 'silly'.

They LOVE WWE, they love indy wrestling. The only thing I don't like them involved with at whatever age is the utterly tasteless CRAP that Vince McMahon considers worthy of storylines and angles. But they know when to stop, because I've made sure. If my children ever wanted to learn to wrestle properly (and I kind of hope they don't, what with the UK scene being somewhere between a complete mess and a joke; with barely old enough to drink 'promoters' acting out wet dreams of wanting to be a McMahon), then they have a ton of wrestling 'uncles' and even 'aunties' who will teach them the RIGHT way.

And that's all it takes, a bit of parental thought and care. Mind you, I think any parent who loves their children that much won't let them watch 'Celebrity Wrestling' anyway, for the sake of their child's sanity! Both of my children would rather watch TNA's X-Division, or some old school NWA, or the slightly calmer side of CZW; so I'm onto a winner no matter what!

Wrestling hardly has a high social standing or much respect anyway here in the UK. That goes back to the WWE, and their antics; but that's a seperate issue. This 'Celebrity Wrestling' will only make it worse. Mind you, here in the UK; what with the FWA's rather unhealthy dominance of the scene as the only 'big' game in town (see WWE) and promotions that have a respectable in-ring wrestling product but have shockingly immature, xenophobic and professionally challenged management (Revolution British Wrestling - that means you), or people that are barely old enough to tie their shoelaces up and think they can run shows ensures that British wrestling will long struggle and the rare promotion that does try to do it the right way will realistically just muddle through and not be noticed in a sea of mediocrity.

So let's just hope that 'Celebrity Wrestling' goes the route I expect.... where it barely lasts the series and gets cancelled due to poor ratings.

On a sad note, 'Pistol' Pez Whatley passed away recently. He was someone I watched in his NWA spell, and always liked. My best wishes to his family and friends, and once again wrestling loses a good guy. And on a happy note to finish, much love and congratulations go to my good friend formerly of the IWA-MS; American Kickboxer and his missus, on the birth of Christian Dylan Thomas; a gorgeous baby boy to be very proud of. And that's that for me this time, feedback is always welcome but remember to add the cheque as well; it gives me more incentive to reply!

Peter Staniforth.
www.pswrestling.net

Peter is a UK based sports and music journalist, for www.pwbts.com, www.kayfabememories.com, www.wrestlingdotcom.com, www.wrestlingclothesline.com, www.bgwwrestling.com, www.prowrestlingdaily.com, www.thesuplex.com, and the exclusive WWE writer and music reviewer 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 has 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. This also applies to wrestling promotions in the USA or UK, if you're looking for independent workers; please contact for more details on wrestlers, prices and availability.

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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