by Gerry Strauss
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Happy Holidays, people...Gerry Strauss, back with yet another edition of "Seven Deadly Questions" for ya... our latest subject is Pete Van Orton (PVO for short), owner, booker, commentator, performer, client, president, you name it for International High- Powered Wrestling, or the IHPW, an independent promotion in North NJ. The IHPW relies heavily on local indy talent mixed with more well- known guys like Steve Corino, Little Guido, Ken Shamrock, Gangrel, Danny Doring, Crowbar and others, all of whom have worked for them in the past year or so. The IHPW is currently preparing to enter the world of cable access programming, and have been running monthly TV tapings in Lyndhurst, but what are the ultimate goals of PVO? Read on to find out, but first as always, if you have any questions, requests, comments, or just wanna say hi, please drop me a line at djg4evr@aol.com...we should have some really good interviews coming up soon, but let me know what YOU want to see. No more squawking, onto the talking...
1) As "PVO", you have taken a "McMahon"-esque role
in IHPW, as the controversial owner who gets involved in the action. In
addition to your
participation in the ring, you are also the host and lead commentator
for your TV show. What's the motivation for so much PVO, and do you think
that it can negatively affect your ability to focus on RUNNING these complicated
tapings?
Too much of anyone individual can destroy a product. My only problem
is finding reliable people that can help express the angles that I am
trying
to get over. So sometimes the only person to rely on is yourself. As a
commentator it is my job to focus on what we are trying to push on TV,
and
truthfully the other commentators might be handed a script but they will
never be able to adjust to decisive improv in case need be. It however
does
take a lot away from me running the show. That is why I have started booking
Inferno to run our locker room. He is my eyes and ears of the locker room.
2) What factors go into the talent you choose for shows? Do you have
minimum training or age requirements, and what other things do you require
or look for?
I like a wrestler to look like a wrestler. If not I like a wrestler to
be able to wrestle very well. I pretty much have a list of never, no way
and
possibly. I am really not against booking anyone. Sometimes the wrestler
might have an outstanding look, but just have nothing more to offer than
that. Sometimes that wrestler might have a lot of baggage and sometimes
it's easier to just avoid hiring those guys. I really like to go on advice,
and technical skill and size I suppose. For instance, I am looking to
2003 and I am thinking that a guy like Shawn Sheridan might be perfect
for IHPW. I might bring him in as a newcomer. Possibly even a guy like
Paul E. Normous, just a huge wrestler with awesome ability.
3) Is there any wrestler that you have worked with or booked that you would never, ever hire again? If so, why?
Good question. There are two. One I will mention is Chris Candido. Probably
the most gifted wrestler in the entire world. But he caused a bit of a
scene on my first show that I didn't feel was necessary and it kind of
ruined the spirit of the first show. The other one is from that same show
whom I really don't want to name. But, he agreed to one price, saw what
appeared to be a bigger house. Even though he agreed to no matter what
the house was he still had the balls to come up and ask me for more money.
I gave him $20 more dollars and that will be the last he receives from
me.
(Comment/Question by Brett Schwan: Why is it that he can mention Candido by name but doesn't mention the "scene" yet in the other case he can't mention the wrestler but can mention the "scene". Either have the balls to name all or don't name any)
4) Between IHPW, SSCW, JAPW, JCW, PTW and PCW, among others, New Jersey has no shortage of independent promotions who run shows on a regular basis. What is your feelings on all of these companies, and how are your relationships with these other NJ promoters?
I think competition is good for any business. However, I am not for backstabbing,
lies and all that other bullshit that goes along with being on
the indies. I try to keep my word with everyone. I try to offer inter
promotional deals between the indies to keep us working together. The
more
we are divided, the more larger sized indies like NWA-TNA gain more and
more exposure off of us. There is no reason for any of the companies you
mentioned to not be up there with TNA. The egos, jealousy on all parties
prevent us. There is a much larger picture than a small building in Jersey.
Until we all start putting aside differences we will never obtain those
goals. I really like JAPW, I really like JCW, I am friends with CJ Sabia
from SSCW, the other 2 I haven't really seen that much, but have heard
good things. ECPW and ISPW are other great promotion. I try to remain
friends and be honest and not do sneaky tactics.
5) On the same topic, a weak economy has left most people with less money to spend on entertainment, and with so many wrestling events being held on a regular basis, fans are forced to pick and choose. In your view, what would make an IHPW show a good choice to support over other shows, especially considering the fact that many of these cards have a lot of the same talent?
I think what it comes down to is truthfully the athletism is there amongst
the wrestlers no matter which indy show you see them on. And truthfully,
JCW, SSCW and JAPW all put interesting storylines together. What seperates
IHPW from the other 2 is the unpredicatability of our shows. You may start
off thinking a story is going one way and than from out of nowhere a major
change or return will happen. I think IHPW offers the fans everything
they ever wanted the WWE to do in their stories. I think that is our niche,
and the beauty of it is. You can never copy unpredictability, because
it might change at a drop of a hat.
6) You run IHPW, you commentate, you manage, you even occasionally step in the ring when called for, you have taped a pilot for a wrestling related TV talk show...what are the true ambitions of Pete Van Orton? Is the IHPW somewhat of a vehicle to put yourself over as much as possible so you find some sort of niche in the entertainment world? Are the extracurricular activities a way to elevate the status of IHPW? What are your personal goals, and where do your priorities lie?
Another good question. I would say my main priority is to help elevate IHPW into a great regional indy promotion. From there we'll see where it goes. Personally if the WWE saw my pilot, or saw me commentate, I would leave for there in a heartbeat. Everyone of us in the indies in some way have the goals to be a part of the WWE. It has been a childhood dream to be up there in some way and I would jump at the opportunity. It is the same with most of my wrestlers, so it shouldn't be too shocking to hear. However,neither Vince McMahon nor Stephanie have called me recently so my main goal lies in awesome story lines, new venues, tv for IHPW, PPV's for IHPW, merchandising for IHPW, until we are at the next level a fed could be at.
7) Finally, IHPW TV is supposed to start up in the beginning of 2003,
the result of 3 tapings already in the can... as a promoter, what advantage
to
your promotion does being on cable access provide, besides being able
to say your fed has a TV show? How expensive is a venture of this magnitude,
and does it MAKE any money?
It can very much so make money. We are working with SSCW to gain revenue off of advertising. Additionally I plan on speaking to Ricky O about the same thing. Interpromotional angles and all sorts of goodies could expand all of our viewing audiences. Cable Access is regional, I have been looking for something National. So has everyone else. Cable provides me a way to promote what I have coming up in the area. Instead of spending lots of money on a television commercial if I had a show, that gained viewers, I could do free advertising on my own show. IT does cost a bit to do it, but hopefully your advertising will fix that.
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Gerry Strauss has been working with a variety of quality independents
in the tri-state area for a couple of years as a commentator, interviewer,
and/or ring announcer. He lists companies like PCW, PTW, IHPW, 3PW, KAPOW,
and SmartMark video as among those who have given him valued opportunities
to contribute, and now, in an effort to try something different, has come
up with a unique spin on interviews.
Previous Columns:
Billy Reil
Matthew Hendrickson
Chris Hamrick
Kevin Matthews
