by Gerry Strauss
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Howdy Partners, I'm Gerry Strauss, and after a bit of a drought, I am back with another edition of "Seven Deadly Questions", the interview column where we corner someone in the wrestling business and make them squeal like a pig. As I write this, it is Monday, September 8th, 2003, and the talk of the day is the proposed legislation in the state of Delaware that may ban wrestling, especially the ultraviolent stuff. You can read about that elsewhere on this website, but I find it quite ironic that my latest interview is with a guy who is largely responsible for the recent emergence in Delaware of the exact opposite of the gruesome product that has sparked this debate. Yup, this time out, I interviewed Jeff Rocker of Delaware Championship Wrestling. Jeff has worked for the ECWA, CZW, 3PW, and various European promotions, but is now focusing on making DCW into the next big thing. Check out what he has to say about European fans, Jim Kettner, his history with Francine, and lots more, but FIRST do 2 things... drop me a line at gerrystrauss@aol.com with questions, comments, or just to let me know you have read this thing, AND log on to GERRYSTRAUSS.COM, my new website engineered by the messiah of this website, Brett Schwan. Oh, and then email me again and tell me what to improve. Or what you like. Or just to book me, lol. Ok, interview time, have fun:
1) Compare and contrast the state of the wrestling business in the U.S.
and Europe. Which is more financially stable? What other differences have
you experiences, as far as the fans, the promoters, the workers, or anything
else?
I thing wrestling is wrestling. However, in the Northeast US there are so many companies that they have to up the stakes to outdo their competitors. This means that they give the fans everything all at once. When this happens, the basic moves that build up to the high spots bore the fans because they are just waiting to see the high spots. In Europe, the fans are more like the fans in the South US where they pop for armdrags and really get into the whole match. The workers are the same. You get most of the guys who have been trained properly and respect the business, but on the other side you will get some egos and people who are just concerned about getting themselves over instead of what is best for the company. For the most part, its all the same, just a different language,lol.
2) In this less-than-thriving period in the wrestling business, what sets
DCW apart from the scores of other start-up companies that have been decimated
by public indifference?
What did you just say? lol. DCW cares about its fans, its workers, and
the business itself. Most companies out there are just a bunch of SPOPs(Self
Put Over Promoters) who put themselves in the main event and put a title
on themselves. Or you have promoters who just want to hang out with the
boys and be someone important so they lose $1000 a show just to be "one
of the boys." DCW gives the true wrestling fan what they want to
see. Great wrestling and storylines. It's a family product so parents
bring their kids and the neighbor's kids to have a great time without
worring about foul language or adult content. DCW also takes care of its
workers by providing a full buffet for us and listening to our ideas.
They know that by doing this for us, we go out there and work our butts
off for them. It's a give-give relationship. Also, look at all the companies
out there who expect their workers to shred their bodies with glass, barbed
wire and fire. DCW cares about us and would never want us to do that to
ourselves so a couple of 15 year old boys can say they like us. DCW is
Professional Wrestling.
3) As a wrestler who has crossed over into an authoritative position in
DCW, do you feel that it is easier or harder to deal with controlling
a locker room than someone who isn't thought of as "one of the boys"?
It's a lot tougher. My job is DCW school trainer and executive director of DCW. Which pretty much means I handle all the students, finding new talent, formatting the TV shows being taped, and making sure the rules are followed, and running the locker room. When I'm trying to handle my business the day of a show, I hear my name a thousand times(Jeff?, Jeff?, Jeff?). It's not fair for me or my opponent who want to put on a good match for the fans, but it's part of the position and I'm proud that DCW picked me to be the man for the job. I also take a lot of heat because people think I'm the booker, which I'm not. Whenever someone is interested in working for the company I tell them to give me a tape so I can give it to the booker. If there is no interest, for some reason they think I have the authority to make the decision. On the other end, I never get the credit that the booker Shawn Hardy gets for putting on such great shows with tremendous storylines that leave the fans hanging on the edge of their seats, workers and a few fans who think they are smarks just blame me when things go for the better of the company instead of them. To them when things are good, Shawn did a great job, when they are bad, Jeff is an ass. Just my luck I guess,lol. But I give Shawn his props whether good or bad.
4) For many years, the Delaware area has been dominated by Jim Kettner and the ECWA. Was there any reservations about starting up Delaware Championship Wrestling within an hour's drive of ECWA territory? Has there been any issues, distention, or communication between the 2 promotions?
I agree and disagree with your first statement. ECWA dominated "North" Delaware, and in my opinion, still does. DCW dominates central Delaware at present, and continues to grow. DCW is a very respectable company and would never think of invading ECWA's territory. This is because we provide the same product, family entertainment. There has never been any issues or communication between the 2 companies. However, there has been some communication with DCW and some ECWA workers. DCW believes that ECWA is in a totally different market. DCW has asked some "independent" workers who work for ECWA if they would be interested in making an extra payday by working for DCW on days when ECWA is not running. Their answers were all the same and went something like "Kettner won't use us if we work anywhere in Delaware." Now please let me remind everyone that nobody in DCW office ever heard Kettner say this. This is from workers that DCW asked to work for the company so it may be true or it may not. I have personally had experience with Kettner. I am proud to say that I started in ECWA and was trained in the ECWA school by Simond Diamond. I looked to Kettner as the person to guide me in this sport for he had my respect. After graduating his school I told him that I have worked really hard and I want to work more then 10 shows a year(ECWA only runs about once a month) He said it was no problem and he asked me not to work anywhere in Delaware. I happily agreed. Then I was talking with a federation that was based out of Sewell NJ at that time. This company was causing a lot of problems for other federations because of the type of shows they were putting on. Because of this company, a lot of venues would not allow wrestling, a lot of insurance companies would not insure federations, athletic commissions were now getting involved and charging more money from the promoter. Like I said, it was causing a lot of problems for legitimate wrestling companies. I was very new and had no idea of the problems this fed was causing for others or the politics involved. I was a man and out of respect I asked Kettner if it was OK to work for this company. He said it was not a problem, then I was written out of ECWA because I did what he said was OK when I asked him. In my opinion he should have said "Jeff, for reasons that I don't want to get into as a promoter, it is not OK for you to work there." I would have said thank you and I trust you and not worked for them. I still think Kettner is one of the best minds in the business and ECWA has a great product. I just wish he would have taught his student the right thing to do.
5) You are in the unique position of currently shopping around for TV
exposure for DCW's "Intense TV." Describe the process in looking
for a television slot. What factors are you looking for in a TV affiliate,
and how much interest is there from the stations to air wrestling while
the business has hit a bit of a low?
Well, TV is very difficult. You have to spend a lot of money to get it taped for TV quality. You have to leave space in between matches for commercials but yet you don't have sponcers yet because you don't know what to charge them because you don't have a network signed yet. You cant get a network until you send them a tape but the tape isn't done because you don't have the commercials in them yet,lol...it's tough! Though, I think with the DCW product, there will be a lot of interest because fathers can watch it with their kids and not worry about sexual content or a bloodfest breaking out. As I said before, DCW is great family entertainment for the true professional wrestling fan.
6) DCW is one of the few promotions to semi-regularly employ the services of ECW's Queen of Extreme, Francine. Describe your experiences (personal, professional) in dealing with ECW's premier "extreme diva."
I cannot say this from a more deeper part of my heart...Francine is one of the greatest people I have ever known. Let me start with professional opinion first. Francine started it all for female mangers. She went through brutal training(training that most men can't handle) to get to where she is. Everything she has achieved in this business, she has earned. Nothing was given to her. I have seen her offer help to so many girls and guys who were just starting in the business. I have had blood red eyes from long days and no sleep while traveling with Francine and she would be just as tired and yet after we got paid and could have left, she stayed behind and offered help and her knowledge of the business. She is very fan friendly and appreciates her fans as much as they appreciate her. She is a benefit to any company. Now on a personal note. Francine and I have been good friends for a long time. We have shared problems with each other and talked each other through them. I know that when this business has passed me by and I don't even remember it because of getting dropped on my head so many times, Francine would always be just a phone call away if I ever need a friend.
7) Name 5 top rules in running a successful wrestling promotion.
Take care of your workers.
Listen to the fans.
Be honest .
Do what's best for the company before your own personal gains.
Hire Jeff Rocker,lol
