BEHIND THE BOOTH by Tony SpicoliThis is an article I wrote for a league bulletin. I took on the role of Tony Spicoli, a sports announcer, and my job was to promote the happenings within the league itself by either having them spotlighted by Spicoli, or for Spicoli to give his opinion on them.
_____ Hey fans! Hope you are enjoying another cycle of great MRL action! As the summer begins to heat up, the action in the Mid Atlantic just gets hotter! I am really looking forward to the Clash of the Champions XV! I’m not one for hyperbole, but I really feel it like this has the potential to be the greatest night in the history of sport! It all starts with the main event, the War Games match between the Horsemen and The Sultry Sojourn Enterprises. I cannot think of a better way for the Finals of the War Games tournament to turn out. When the tournament started, I really was hoping the Horsemen side would get into the Finals. Nothing epitomizes the Mid Atlantic more than the Four Horsemen, in my opinion. There is no doubting the toughness of the Horsemen. Each member of that group has been in their share of bloody battles and I believe that they are perfect to compete in a match that will surely feature a level of violence yet unseen in the Mid Atlantic. The fact that they added a decorated veteran in Kirk Hennig and Lex Stevenson to the group just makes them all the more interesting. Stevenson has had to endure taunts, in recent weeks from the likes of Bob Norton and Iron Mike Schultz. They have accused him over being a pretty boy and a girlie man, which has got to bruise any man’s ego, and I am curious as how he will react to that in the War Games match. Surely, if there’s one match to prove your toughness, it is undoubtedly the War Games match! On the other side, you have a team of men who at first glance are a team composed of some of the toughest and craziest men this sport has to offer! Who wouldn’t want to see Calamity Jake in a War Games match? The fact that he is teaming noted tough guys like Dick Tater, Bob Sweetums, Matt Worne, and of course, former MRL World Champion Dickie Hamhock! Do you think there will be any bad blood between Hamhock and Hennig over Hamhock losing his belt to Kirk’s father? Hamhock might say otherwise, but, I would have to say that he might look forward to gaining a small measure of revenge on Barry Hennig by inflicting such punishment on his son in the War Games match. The wildcard in all this is the Milkman, Jake Milliman. He’s not as battle tested as the other men on his team, and one has to wonder if he will be able to turn up the intensity for a match the magnitude of a War Games. I am sure this is something the Horsemen have noted and are likely to take full advantage of. You also have three title matches on the evening. I am particularly intrigued about the Culture Coterie vs. Tongan Terror Squad match. The Coterie recently set the record for longest reigning Mid Atlantic World Tag Champions, and one has to wonder when their luck might run out and they lose the titles. The Tongans have certainly proven to be tough to take down since coming here to the Mid Atlantic, and they will most certainly prove a very tough challenge for the Coterie in their quest to retain the belts. I have to wonder if the Culture Coterie have met their match at the Clash. I would also have to mention that this will be a big month for the MRL, as, in addition to the Clash, there is also a World title match to look forward to. Barry Hennig has taken on all comers since winning the title, defeating both former champion Dickie Hamhock and Calamity Jake in recent weeks. This time around he’ll take on the “Emperor” Gary Lawler with the belt on the line. I have to give Gary credit where it’s due. He showed a lot of fortitude in his winning of the piledriver challenge, and, has, in recent weeks, picked up a number of good TV wins to rise up the World title ladder, but, at the same time, I am growing sick and tired of the antics of Lawler and his new pal Iron Mike Schultz. Lex Stevenson dubbed the duo the “Peanut Gallery” and I’d be apt to agree. These two have been shooting off at the mouth as of late, and, if you'll excuse my lack of professionalism for a moment, I must say that, in my honest opinion, I hope they “get theirs” when they face off against real professionals like Barry Hennig and Lord Gigantic. For weeks now, Schultz has berated yours truly at every opportunity, and I would love to see nothing more than watching these two get what's coming to him during their title matches! I will be there, front and center, party hat on my head, celebrating watching these two get pinned for the one, two, three. Also, recently, there has been some debate in the back offices and among you, the fans, as well, about the recent uptick in the use of profanity among some of the wrestlers here in the Mid Atlantic, and I felt the need to give my opinion on such matters. Personally, I feel like the use of profanity needs to be toned down. There are many ways to say what you mean to say without resorting to such common vulgarities. As an announcer, I always remind myself that there are children watching, and we here in Mid Atlantic Wrestling have a responsibility to the fans to keep it as clean as possible. The great fans of this league don’t need to hear such talk during the dinner hour! Speaking of things I find abhorrent, I was disgusted to see Dustin Roads turn on his father! Seriously, Dustin, what are you thinking? That man’s your father, your flesh and blood. Is some kind of professional jealousy worth viciously attacking the man who raised you from when you were young? I was taught to respect your parents no matter what, and I feel such a lack of respect for a good man like Dusty is just over the line. I, for one, hope Dusty shows his son the meaning of respect, even if he has to beat it out of him! Finally, I would like to touch on the fact that this is looking be something of a golden age for the Mid Atlantic. Ratings are high lately, and I can’t help but notice the influx of new talent who have trekked here to compete from all over the United States and Canada and from such far off places as Japan, England, and Australia. It certainly has me very excited about the future of the league. I am really impressed by new arrivals such as Brickhouse Black and recent signings from the Stampede promotion up there in Western Canada. I believe these fellows have a bright future in this the Mid Atlantic, and, while, they’re unknown to our fans now, they will shortly be opening up many eyes throughout the region, and I foresee a ton of gold in their futures. The sky’s the limit! Well, fans, I’ll be heading off now! Looking forward to a great month of action, topped off with what is sure to be a wonderful Clash event! See you next month! |