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The following column is from an upcoming issue of "Wrestling Then and Now". Written by Evan Ginsberg, "Wrestling Then and Now" is a newsletter dedicated to preserving and remembering yesteryear while promotiong today's product as well.
For further information, subscription rates, interviews, and more check them out on the web at wrestlingthenandnow.com
UNSUNG HEROES OF PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING
PART ONE
BY EVAN GINZBURG
A wrestler once told me that "every bump is like a min-car crash."
As most wrestlers are NOT making a living at their art, you can conceivably
argue that all of them are heroes in a sense. They sacrifice their own
bodies to entertain you.
But there are other heroes out there as well. There's the many indie promoters
who sacrifice their marriages, relationships and even their health to
lose on 98% of the shows they promote. Simply put, it's something they
love and need to do. Some people scoff at these "marks with money,"
and admittedly many lack the basics in putting bodies in seats. But unlike
most of us, they do "put their money where their mouth is."
And then there's the sheet editors, phone hotline guys, and others on
the "fringe" of the business who invest inordinate amounts of
time in their craft with little or no payoff. They love the business as
much as anyone, even if they don't set foot in the ring.
I'm calling this piece "Unsung Heroes of Professional Wrestling Part
One" for the simple reason that there are so many others that can
be listed here. I know I'll one day be doing a "Part Two." In
fact, I urge YOU to send me your suggestions as I'm anxious to do a follow-up.
In fact, if you have your own piece on this subject that you'd care to
submit please feel free to. Maybe we can even make a series out of it.
These are some heroes of pro wrestling you may or may not know:
DOMENIC VALENTI
The NYC hotline king with some thousand listeners, Domenic provides a free line that is as in-depth as any sheet or website. And it's FREE. Not $1.29/min. Free. I call this a labor of love, while others might refer to such a huge investment of time with no financial payoff, "insanity." But day in and day out, Domenic has the up to date news, interviews with legends and obscure indie guys alike, as well as plugs for any promoters or just about anyone who needs it. In a mercenary world like professional wrestling, this guy qualifies as a saint and for over a decade he's right there everyday with a product to be proud of. Check it out for yourself at: 212-253-5157. And thanks Domenic for always being there for all of us in the "wrestling community."
MIKE RODGERS
With the exception of an elite few, none of us are getting rich off of wrestling newsletters. But $1 a copy for Ring Around The Northwest? For twenty years no less? Obviously, the guy isn't in it for the money. The interviews are dynamite, and so is an editor who can put out a quality product each and every month with no regard at all for clocking in the cash. This man represents the true spirit of zine publishing and I urge you to support what he does. $1 to 2740 SE Lewellyn, Troutdale, OR 97060. While I'm celebrating issue 150, this guy's inching toward a phenomenal 250 monthly issues - a miracle in a zine world where most folk last six issues before disappearing.
BOBBY LOMBARDI
The man who weaned Low Ki, Homicide, Hit Squad and so many others with his weekly "Doghouse Wrestling" shows, he admits publicly to losing a not so small fortune in wrestling over the years. Nonetheless, Bobby Lombardi will sit proudly at local cards these days and watch the boyz he nurtured, as they climb the ladder and make a worldwide reputation for themselves. This is a man who took street kids and turned them into champions and world class athletes and got kicked in the ass by Athletic Commissions and Community Boards alike for his efforts. In a sane world he'd get a medal for all he's done, but alas, such has not been the case. If you believe in Karma, though, the payoff's coming, because this is a quality human being who has given his heart, soul, and wallet to this business and there's plenty of folk in this area who will tell you the same.
ALLAN GREENBERG
Allan does an e-zine on wrestling called Between the Ropes. Once a print
zine, he's been publishing in one medium or the other for eleven years
now. I'm assuming Allan saw that the expenses in doing a monthly news
zine were prohibitive and it was nearly impossible to compete with the
weeklies. But being something he loves doing, he now gives it away on
the Net absolutely gratis. And I should point out that each issue is incredibly
supportive of the small indies and wrestling sheets still struggling to
make a go of. Add this all up and you have yet another unsung hero. Send
him your e-mail to get on his free monthly list at: btrrulz@hotmail.com.
You won't regret it.
FRED GEOBOLD
When you host a 50,000 watt radio show with 200,000 listeners and a worldwide
Internet audience, you could probably figure out a way to parlay it into
some bucks.
Fred has no interest.
Instead, he books unsigned or small label musicians to perform. The vast
majority have never had radio exposure. Nervous, they strum their guitars,
sing their hearts out, and for many it's the first time anyone has given
a damn about the music they're written and the words they've put to paper.
Fred also has a deep love and respect for professional wrestling. And
although we’ve had our share of wrestling legends on the now 13 year
old show, Fred also has no qualms about putting on the most obscure indie
wrestlers.
Trust me when I tell you that nobody's knocking down the doors to publicize
some of the guys we've featured. For many it was their first ever interview.
Simply put, there are very few purely unselfish people in the radio and
wrestling businesses. Fred is that rarest of individuals.
An intellectual, a Bohemian, and one of the most politically aware people
you ever want to meet, Fred Geobold is first and foremost a good human
being.
It is an honor to call him "friend."
"GARY FROM SUNNYSIDE"
When you do a free hotline and feature interviews with legends like Killer Kowalski, Danny Hodge, Kamala, Dan Severn, and others too many to name, listeners don't think about Gary's footing the bill for these lengthy long distance calls. And he's not selling a damn thing on the line either. Gary generates enormous long distance bills for his art and it stems from a pure love of wrestling as opposed to capitalism. Imagine that. A referee and wrestling historian, few know the game as well as Gary, and you should check out and support the line at 718-707-1052.
THE MAMBO KING
This 36 year old Jersey based wrestler has taken tough street kids and put them in the gym, taught them discipline and respect, and has done this on way too many occasions to even fathom a head count. In a selfish world, here's a guy who has given back to his community in a big way. I've seen other workers laugh at his sometimes tiny teenage workers, but they can "go," and when they start to leave their mark on the business you'll be hearing The Mambo King's name more often. The Mambo King's a big guy with a big heart. And with a Mil Mascaras tattoo on his arm, he certainly lives and breathes pro wrestling! All hail to the king.
DR. MIKE LANO
If you mention any given wrestling charity, there are two givens. One
is that Dr. Mike Lano is part of it and most likely even behind it, and
two - guys like Wade Keller and Bruce Mitchell aren't. There are givers
and takers in the world and it's as simple as that. Whether it's collecting
funds for Johnny Valentine, Billy Graham, or providing free dentistry
to wrestlers and boxers who can't afford it, the good doctor is just that,
a good human being. I'll never forget sitting in his California office
waiting for him while he was working and overhearing him say over the
phone, "No problem if he can't pay."
You get an awful lot of that in the medical profession, don't you?
Mike Lano's another unsung hero of pro wrestling. Bravo.
BRETT SCHWAN
Brett Schwan has dedicated countless hours to supporting his beloved
indies. Now with one of the top indie websites in the world, www.wrestlingclothesline.com,
he interviews those individuals who get little if any publicity and champions
their cause, getting their names out there beyond the local promotions
they work for.
And, of course, there is no money in covering indie wrestling. I mean
no money.
But Brett clearly loves what he does and his "Ten Questions With…"
series is a great intro to the superstars of tomorrow.
All I can say is keep up the good work. And never change, brother.
-------
PRESS RELEASE
FROM EVAN GINZBURG, EDITOR WRESTLING- THEN & NOW
WRESTLING THEN & NOW PROUDLY PRESENTS 3 MILESTONE PUBLICATIONS
WT&N, now in its 13th year, is proud to continue our preservation of wrestling history and support for today's indies. Produced on a shoestring budget, we nonetheless have quality production value in our magazine format publications that feature tons of rare photos & clips. These are our three latest releases. We truly appreciate any publicity from the wrestling media and reciprocate with ads and plugs of our own. Thank you so much.
THE WRESTLING THEN & NOW 2002-03 ANNUAL
Each issue AUTOGRAPHED by Don "Dr. Death" Arnold
Don Arnold interview/tribute
Lou Thesz interview/tribute
SuperStar Billy Graham interview/tribute
CWA/Memphis Memories
The 1st Japanese Wrestling Star in the US- Tokugoro Ito
Ref Rick Knox in the ring with legends Volkoff, Iron Sheik, Tony Atlas,
WWE's Rico & more…
Rare merchandise listings
Original Artwork
84 packed pages
$15 US/$20 overseas
1980s CLIPPINGS SPECTACULAR
Packed with original clippings from all the great territories with all
the legendary superstars
Bruno vs. Zybysko cover
Each clip computer enhanced to look like new!
60 packed pages
$10US/$12 overseas
WRESTLING THEN & NOW ANNIVERSARY ISSUE #150
Fred Blassie Tribute with loads of rare clips & photos & artwork
Johnny Valiant on the Original Sheik
Nikolai Volkoff on Sailor Art Thomas
Interview with hardcore icon Lowlife Louie Ramos
Interview with promoter/wrestler Kid USA
WWE Live card review
Merchandise reviews
And much, much more!
40 packed pages
$6US/$8 overseas
All orders to:
Evan Ginzburg
PO Box 640471
Oakland Gdns Station
Flushing, NY 11364
More info:
www.wrestlingthenandnow.com
