Last Saturday, 11-29-08, PWL (Pro Wrestling Live) ran a show in New Jersey that was potentially more interesting backstage and at a hotel afterward than was the show was itself.
PWL’s promoter is Bryan White, who had started off badly with his first show in Fresno a while back, a show that was canceled half way through when the wrestlers discovered he had no money to pay them. White ended up paying most of the talent for that show after the fact, and wanted to promote again.
I was involved and confirmed with White, Jimmy Rave, Tracey Brooks, Delirious, Daizee Haze, John McChesney, Bill Bax, Rob Eckos & Azrieal. TNA later also confirmed Alex Shelly, and White booked numerous others directly, too many others.
The wrestlers I booked and Shelly all received either all or most of their money. Hotels were paid as were flights. Only Delirious, Bax & Eckos are owed small amounts of money which White will pay. It is my understanding the other talent he booked is being paid too.
But the night of the show was more interesting. White was not prepared to run the show, and had booked it badly. Several were asked to help including Rob Feinstein, but night of the show Jimmy Rave took the spot.
He re-booked the show so that it ended before 11PM, saving White additional rent. He dealt with a music guy who single handedly was holding up the show waiting for Main Event music…ah the power of the music guy!!!!! From all reports Jimmy did great. Heck several have called him “Saint” Jimmy. BTW, rumors that St Patrick’s Day will now be called St. Jimmy’s Day are premature.
When it was discovered White had no money for the bottom half of the card Jimmy & Traci Brooks came up with a little money to help pay a few of the guys who had driven long distances.
The show actually had a pretty good Main Event with Jimmy Rave, Alex Shelley, “Hurricane” John Walters, and Shannon Moore defeating Justin Cage, Azrieal, Delirious, and Rob Eckos. Moore was the final winner in the elimination match coming back from a 3 to 1 disadvantage.
After the show it got even more interesting back at the hotel near JFK when White was confronted for money again. Like Vince McMahon and Bret Hart it ended with Justin Cage punching White.
Lots of folks have “weighed in” on this story at the DOI site, as they often do.
From Jimmy Rave:
In Regards To Saturday:
So I’m not going to beat a dead horse. Saturday was a crazy night. I actually wrestled for Bryan White in Cali in the first train wreck of a show. Well, this time I made sure I got my money upfront. The first show Frankie Kazarian and I (along with Bill Behrens), told this guy never to run a show again without paying everyone upfront.
So I get there Saturday and he asked me to run the show (after everyone turned it down). He had 10 matches all going over 10 minutes long and I wasn’t down with that. Plus, the people just had watched a whole show and we had to be out of there by 11pm. I didn’t know a lot of the younger guys there but it was great to see some old friends. I rounded everyone up and said, “if you haven’t been paid don’t leave until you have”. I didn’t know that was 17 people at the time. The sound guy decided to hold up the show because he didn’t have music for the main event so I went out to tell him we didn’t give a damn what music is played people paid to see wrestling. So that held up the show a little….
All the guys busted their butts. I was very impressed with the guys I hadn’t seen before and believe they deserve a lot more than they got. When I went out for the main event I told them to not let Bryan leave until I got back. When I finished I got the news…. No money. I had a few words with Mr. White and then just felt like it was going no where. Alex Shelley and I went to our wallets but we don’t carry cash. Traci Brooks came through with some cash and everyone got a little pay.
I know these guys drove and worked hard they deserved getting something. I was that guy once and know how it feels. We did what we thought was right and expect everyone to be paid in full like promised.
– Jimmy Rave
For lots more detail on this show and all the many players visit:
http://www.declarationofindependents.net
