QUOTE

Is there anything more pathetic than a self loathing wrestling fan?

I write this of course in reference to the recent release of the book entitled "Ring Of Hell". Now go ahead and begin condemning me because if you read that book and liked it, you aren't going to agree with my opinions in the least.

This is a book penned by Matthew Randozzo V and is being sold as the "tell all story that will shock the wrestling world to it's core!" and includes allegations of behavior that would horrify Joe Public.

I find it absolutely disgusting, but not really surprising because sleaze sells and a tabloid style look at wrestling, especially in a post-Benoit world, I'm sure will be a big seller to the morbidly curious.

So while I'd like to slap the fucking taste out of Mr. Randozzo's mouth, the likelyhood that we'll ever cross paths is slim to none and frankly, I've already been to jail once and have no intentions of returning and a guy like that would most certainly take me to court.

The people I take real issue with in regards to the response this book has received are the wrestling "knowitalls" who claim to be fans. I often peruse message boards (which is a mistake in the first place I know), skimming at the hot topics of discussion, and when I see comments to the nature of "I don't see how anyone can still be a wrestling fan after reading this", or the consistant condescending comments from people that claim to be "wrestling fans", yet do nothing but put the industry down, or even worse people who claim to be "workers" demeaning their own business.... well it makes me want to send The Rejects to their house and at least give them a reason to hate wrestling personally.

Are there some fucked up people in and around pro wrestling? Absolutely! But it's nothing more than a mirror of society. For every psychotic family murderer, you also have people like Jerry Palmer, who I don't even fucking like, but there's a guy that will go out of his way to raise money for people with unfortunate circumstances that he doesn't even know. A guy who gives back to the community in every concievable way, but a guy like that doesn't make headline news because good news doesn't sell and people would rather read about someone's steroid addiction, drug use, sexual escapades, or death.

And let me make this an open shout out. Wrestling fans of Cornelia, GA. This may be the only time you ever hear me pat you on the back so listen up. YOU are real wrestling fans. I hate your guts, and you hate mine and I'd have it no other way and make no mistake about that. But, when there is so much vomit inducing dreck spewed forth about wrestling from so called "fans", it does allow me to step back and if only for a brief second, appreciate you for the fact that you love wrestling for what it is, the good and the bad and you know there is both, but none of us would be here if the good didn't outweigh the bad.

And something like this could only happen in wrestling. Do you think there was ONE, even ONE Motley Crue fan that said he was done with rock n roll, because of what was written in "The Dirt"? Well if there was he didn't have the balls to tell anyone he knew, and you so called "wrestling fans" can only do it through the anonymous bravery of a wrestling message board. I can barely stomach calling you "fans" in quotations even, because you aren't. You exist to look down your nose at what we do and live to do nothing but pick it apart to such a meticulous degree you can't even enjoy it, all while claiming to be a "fan".

I'm not painting all "smart" fans with this broad brush, as I've met several intelligent guys who've seen the good and bad and take them both as they come and are certainly critical at times, which they are certainly entitled to be as paying customers, and can still support wrestling as a whole while recognizing it's flaws but continue to support wrestling because they do enjoy it more than they find themselves disgusted with it, but most importantly don't blame the entire industry for the actions of a few.

Personal responsibility is something severely lacking in the world as a whole today. We would thrive in a much more productive society if people would simply take responsibility for their actions. That goes most certainly for the wrestling business. I've been doing this for 9 years. My uncle has given his life to this sport. He's bled on multiple continents, a career spanning nearly 60 years and as of today is the oldest active pro wrestler in the world, because he fucking loves it. Has he done some wild shit? Hell yeah, more than I could imagine. Have I done some wild shit? Hell yeah. Did the "wrestling industry" put a gun to our heads and tell us we had to do any of it? Hell fucking no. I admire Gypsy Joe so much for many, many reasons but one of the main ones and examples I've lived my life by is that he did it on his terms and his terms alone and everything he ever did, he was man enough to take responsibility for it. I've also learned that the success you have in this sport is directly linked to how badly you want it, and what you make of the opportunities presented to you. True talent and drawing power can't be ignored, but you have to put in the work on your end to succeed and your ultimate success or failure lies on YOU. If I make a million dollars or wind up in the poor house, either way, at the end of the day I'll have no one to blame but myself.

So, Mr. Randozzo, when your doing Ring Of Hell part 8, and you're telling the story of the night I punched out a ref for knocking me off the apron and tearing my ACL, only to find out it was someone else, be sure to call me and get my side of the story and you'll find out I apologized to the innocent party, took responsibility for doing it and moved on. I'm sure some of my peers that you committed slander against in Ring Of Hell part 1 would've appreciated the same courtesy, and maybe, just maybe, they'll sue your ass for everything you have and justice will be served in it's most ironic form as the money you made off the blood of the wrestling business would go right back into the pockets of the men whos careers and reputations you are trying to destroy.

See you in hell....

The Reverend