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NUTS AND BOLTS: BRET HART'S SIDE OF WATERLOO INCIDENT, MY THOUGHTS, PWG SELLS OUT ON DVD (LITERALLY), FRANCINE, TIGER MASK, HASHIMOTO MEMORIAL IN U.S., SHIMMER AND MORE

MORE HART-WATERLOO FALLOUT

Bret Hart's Sr. Consulting Manager Marcy Englestein posted the following on The Baltimore Sun's website in regard to a column by Kevin Eck writing about the Bret Hart outburst at the Wrestling Museum & Institute Hall of Fame ceremony in Waterloo, Iowa over the weekend. 

"Bret did, in fact, make his comments during his formal acceptance speech, which was in the evening; the less formal version, for fans, was in the afternoon. Bret is not the least bit concerned with what ranking Greg Oliver gave him. Greg is entitled to his opinion, like anyone else. For Bret to have been upset about how Oliver ranked him would have been petty, as some here have posted, but that is not, in fact, the case. Bret feels that Greg Oliver's books often present the writer's own opinion - (not just about Hart) as fact and that blurs the line of responsible journalism. Bret told me that recognizing Greg Oliver with an award provides him with a "credential" upon which other credentials can be built; a few years from now Greg would appear to have a 'wall of credentials' and would be called upon ( more often than he already is) as a wrestling expert by the mainstream press, like Dave Meltzer is now. And so, then someone who presents his own opinion as fact would have too much power to further distort an accurate account of the history of pro wrestling. Bret is passionate about a truthful account of pro wrestling being preserved for generations to come, no matter how he is portrayed, as long as it is factually accurate.

Bret's perceived difference between Greg Oliver and those "like him" from Meltzer, for example, is that Oliver is in it for the wrong reason; recognition. During the afternoon event, while I was busy handling an autograph session where Bret and Roddy were signing, Greg Oliver gave me a copy of his latest book to give to Bret (The Heels), but then he said, "Oh wait, let me sign that for him before I give it to him..." and he did. So, basically, Greg autographed his book for Bret. Bret feels there is some degree of audacity in that as Greg is supposed to be the reporter, not the participant. Dave Meltzer, whose landmark publication is even named The Observer, defines himself as such, without the attached ego. He was a journalism major and has, over the years, displayed objectivity and detachment from outcome which is lacking on Oliver’s reporting, and he, "...at least attempts to get it right...", according to Bret.

Bret doesn't have any problem at all with a deserving journalist being honored and inducted. He just felt that Stu would have been honored to be inducted into this particular hall of fame because it is rooted in amateur, not pro, footings and the past inductees are all distinguished and deserving people who had sacrificed much for the love of wrestling and for the business. He felt that Greg Oliver doesn’t fit that bill in that he hasn’t paid his dues and doesn’t report or write with objectivity.

I hear that Greg stated, on Wrestling Observer Live, to Bryan Alvarez, that I, myself, walked out of the banquet to tell Bret that he shouldn't have said what he said. I didn’t hear this myself but was told this in an email from Mike Lano. In fact, I walked out only because it was such an unusually awkward moment that I wanted to see what, if anything, Bret might want from me. I’ll get back to that. Before I left, I saw that the first person to stand up and give Bret an ovation after Bret walked out was Harley Race. Next to stand to show his approval was Danny Hodge. Then other legends stood up, including Roddy. None of the wrestlers walked out and no fans walked out. I left a minute or so after Bret did. Bret asked me to get his notes, which he’d jotted down briefly just after sitting down at the head table (where seats had been reserved for Bret, Roddy and myself. ( when we walked in, late I initially sat next to Bret but then I chose to sit with Harley and BJ instead so I could see better. Also, although I appreciated the compliment of my seat assignment, I’ve always preferred to be behind-the scenes and wasn’t comfortable being so visible at the head table.) Bret’s notes were not about Greg Oliver, but pertained to his speech in general. He’d left them on the podium when he walked out. I didn’t want to parade up to the podium in front of everyone so I asked Mike Chapman, the Director of the Museum to get the notes for me, which he did.

While Mike waited for an opportune moment to go to the podium I was standing just outside the door to the banquet room and one notable after another came out and expressed support to me for what Bret had said. As what they said to me was not in a public forum, I won't betray their confidences by revealing their exact words and identities at this time. No doubt, some will call that a convenient excuse or whatever, but frankly I don’t care about that because the reason I've been around as long as I have is because I respect the honor of being trusted by these men; and I work hard and have paid my dues. One of them passionately expressed to me that there are no shortcuts in this business and that respect and honor have to be earned - and that Greg Oliver hadn't done so, in his opinion. That sentiment was echoed over and over to me by iconic men throughout the rest of the evening - and not so much that it was directed at Greg specifically, but at the so-called “wrestling reporters”, especially internet based ones, whose egos have diluted whatever objectivity they might have started out with because they seem to enjoy the pseudo-celebrity that comes with the internet a little too much.

Nowhere in this account have I expressed my own opinion of Greg Oliver; and I won’t. I’ve simply given you the facts of what happened. At CAC a couple of weeks ago, during his acceptance speech, Bret mentioned how he’d had the honor and privilege to watch and learn from Harley Race and Terry Funk (who were seated behind Bret, on the stage) when he was a kid. After Bret’s speech, while Bret was being mobbed at the side of the stage by the Japanese and European media, I watched as an emotional Terry Funk took the mic, “I speak for both myself and Harley. That kid grew up to do it so much better than we ever could. And we love him for it.” Terry Funk’s supreme compliment carries more weight than how any reporter ranks Bret.

Marcy Engelstein
Sr. Consulting Mgr.
Bret Hart/ HItman Productions"

Englestein's response above is reprinted in it's entirety.  In the response, she claimed that Hart was offended by Oliver writing for his own ego (while having never met Oliver, but having read his articles for years, he's hardly one I'd describe as that type of writer), Oliver presenting his opinions as fact (in Oliver's own book), and Oliver signing a book he gave to Bret before the outburst. 

After learning of the statement, Oliver posted on the www.wrestlingclassics.com message board, "In the inscription, I wrote a thank you for all the time over the years, and wrote what page his favorite heel was on -- the one and only Archie "The Stomper" Gouldie.  Steve [Johnson, his co-author) signed too.  I suppose I should have seen how it was a provocative, controversial move on my part."

*****

Just a few thoughts and before I go forward, these are my opinions.  Englestein's attempts to draw a correlation between Oliver and Dave Meltzer are laughable and a poorly created argument, as laughable as they would be by trying to draw a correlation between Oliver and myself, or Oliver and any other writer.  Every writer adds their own imprint and opinion to their work, consciously or otherwise.  Plus, we aren't talking about a historical article, we were talking about a book that ranked the best Canadian stars, in the opinions of the writers.  It's not like Oliver claimed Montreal was a work and had factual inaccuracies that were so blatant, they were disgusting.  He and Johnson wrote well researched bios on talents and ranked them in the manner they saw fit.    They never claimed it was the be all, end all ranking of all time.  

I've read a lot of Oliver's work over the years, mostly his historical pieces on Slam! Wrestling and his books with Johnson and he's not only a good writer, but he's one of the most researched writers anywhere covering this business.  As far as where Hart was ranked in Oliver's books, as I wrote yesterday, it's all subjective.  

Bret Hart got to have his say in his book, so why wouldn't Oliver and Johnson?  For Hart to claim they don't have the right or they didn't pay dues is ridiculous.  That's as ridiculous as me claiming Bret shouldn't be able to judge their book because the only thing he ever wrote is an autobiography.  Bret Hart has been traveling Europe putting together plans to write a book. If I think the book isn't a good read, am I wrong because I didn't pay my dues and travel Europe like Hart did? Of course not. It would be my opinion and for anyone to say otherwise would be silly.

For Hart to attack Oliver for some deep-seeded interest in protecting how the history of the business is being recorded and preserved is also equally illogical in my view.  In my mind, there are only a handful of writers who go out of their way to shine a spotlight on facets of the history that would likely be forgotten otherwise.  Greg Oliver and Steve Johnson and others like them, such as Scott Teal, should be the writers Hart should want to assist in doing so, not tearing them down because it's not the way he sees things should be.  No writer is ever going to make everyone happy with their work, just as no wrestler is ever going to impress every fan that watches their matches.  That's what art is all about.

I personally think Terry Funk is the greatest pro wrestler of all time.  Does that make me 100% correct?  Of course not.  Someone else might say Dory Funk, or Lou Thesz or Bruno Sammartino.  There are some who think Bret Hart sucked in the ring compared to Shawn Michaels (I don't).  However, it's all opinion and Hart crapping over Oliver, in a public forum, in front of Oliver's family members no less, over HIS OPINION, showed poor judgment, at best, in my view.

Finally, Englestein wrote that Bret was offended that Greg Oliver and Steve Johnson signed their book for him - a book they gave him as a gift.  Think about that for a second.  He was upset with a gift, because, according to Englestein's statement, they were beneath bestowing one upon him, because he's a wrestler and they are writers.  Somehow, by signing a book, they were trying to be as important as the people they write about.  I don't quite get that logic, at all, but perhaps it's just me, because I'm a writer that never paid any dues by running around the world wrestling.  To me, it was two authors who were proud of their work being nice enough to sign a book.  Hey, after all, what type of research has Bret done in regard to ranking wrestlers?  If he did such a book, it would be as flawed to others as he thinks their book was - because it's all subjective, just like the rest of professional wrestling and all other works of art and entertainment.  This isn't a math equation and there's no perfect answers, just different ways of looking at the same thing.

I can respect how deeply Bret cares about his legacy and the careers of what his family gave their lives to.  However, if there was an issue, it should have been handled privately between the two of them.  Bret obviously had ample time to do that at any point during the day.  He had no problem grabbing a clump of hair and ripping it out of Shawn Michaels' head, but didn't want to approach two writers?  Come on.  Bret decided to attack them to embarrass them in my opinion.  Englestein's statement does nothing to change that fact.  It's one thing to make comments during an interview or a radio show, but to do so during an event where others, not just members of the Hart family, but others, are being honored, simply sours the whole experience.  Why should those who had nothing to do with Hart or Oliver have their day, their events soured because Bret thought he should make a stand and waited for his moment to do it.  

Englestein wrote that Hart's ranking (#14) in the Canada Hall of Fame book had nothing to do with the issue at hand.  Well, why does the statement close with comparing Oliver's ranking of Bret to what Terry Funk said at the Cauliflower Alley Club a few weeks back in Las Vegas, then?  

In my opinion, Hart should apologize, publicly, to the other honorees and then take up whatever issues he has with Oliver and Johnson privately.  Hart likes to talk about how he carried himself with dignity during his career.  Just because his career is over, doesn't mean he should stop.

Again, just my opinion.

*****

PWG SELLS OUT 

The first Pro Wrestling Guerrilla DVD "PWG Sells Out" hits stores shortly and can be ordered from our friends at www.highspots.com.  The three DVD set is pretty loaded with strong wrestling:

BOLTS

The original Tiger Mask, Satoru Sayama, will return to New Japan Pro Wrestling under that guise for the first time in 25 years on 8/26 in Tokyo's Korakuen Hall.  He appeared as "Tiger King" a few years back.  New Japan's next tour kicks off on 7/5.

Dave Prazak's SHIMMER women's promotion will tape two new DVDs for future release this Saturday in Berwyn, IL with SHIMMER Champion MsChif , Nikki Roxx, (TNA's Roxxi), Sara Del Rey, Daizee Haze, Allison Danger, Cheerleader Melissa, Ariel, Amazing (Awesome) Kong, Mercedes Martinez, Serena Deeb, the "International Home Wrecking Crew" of Rain & Jetta, Portia Perez  & Nicole Matthews, Jennifer Blake and much more.  I can't put over the product enough, as every DVD has featured some really great matches.  For more details, visit www.SHIMMERWrestling.com.

NWA officials Bob Trobich, Dave Marquez and Ed Chuman were in attendance at last weekend's Ring of Honor events in the Mid-West as part of the company's working agreement where ROH is recognizing Adam Pearce as the NWA champion.

Former ECW star Francine is now booking for Women's Extreme Wrestling when they tape their regular PPV events in Philadelphia at the former ECW Arena.  Among the talents that worked the most recent tapings are former WCW star Daffney, Bobcat (the one time WWF Hardcore champ as the "Hardcore Ho"), Simply Luscious, Amy Lee, Missy Sampson, Angel Orsini (aka the ECW Prodigette), Mercedes Martinez, Roni Jonah (who has popped up in OVW in the past) and Amber O'Neal.  They did a deal where Bill Alfonso, who is working as the General Manager here, made Daffney, Amy Lee and Bobcat wrestle each other in the Bridesmaid's outfits from Francine's wedding since he wasn't invited.    Former ECW promoter Dan Kowal has left WEW.

Former WCW, WWF and ECW star Don Harris was profiled on The 700 Club this week.

For those of you who enjoy discussion on independent wrestling, I have a 90 minute conversation with NECW promoter Sheldon Goldberg up now in the PWInsider.com Elite section for Elite subscribers.  Some of the topics discussed include NECW, the New England wrestling scene, talent that deserves a look nationally, Goldberg's appearances on the A&E Network's wrestling specials, criticism of their Unreal Story of Pro Wrestling documentary, other wrestling documentaries, setting up the Michinoku Pro six man tag for the first ECW PPV, suing the Great Sasuke and winning, Sasuke's political success, the old Mat Marketplace Newsletter, wrestling memorabilia, the late Tony Rumble, the advent of women's wrestling at the forefront of the business again, creating the first Internet-based wrestling TV series, changes in technology that the wrestling business can take advantage of, the importance of maintaining the history of the business, the WWE Hall of Fame, utilizing international talent, insight into running and maintaining an independent promotion, Goldberg's new radio project in the Boston area and much, much more.

Steve Corino's 3KWrestling announced details of their 7/11 Shinya Hashimoto Memorial Tournament in Limerick, PA.  Scheduled for the first round are ZERO-ONE United States heavyweight champion Ricky Landell vs. Guillotine LeGrande, Jerry Lynn vs. Jake Manning, 3KWrestling Openweight champion Ricky Reyes vs. Josh Daniels, and King Kaluha vs. CW Anderson.

The one and only ECW Zombie will be stomping through Puerto Rico this Saturday as Tim Arson will face former WWE developmental and TNA star Nuevo Gran Apollo for PRWA in Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico.  Jose Perez does a great job covering the Island regularly on www.pwinsiderxtra.com.

Nick Gage vs. Drake Younger for the CZW title and Chuck Taylor & Sonjay Dutt vs. Pinky Sanchez & Sabian headline the 7/12 CZW return to Philadelphia, PA.  One of my favorite Death Match wrestlers, Brain Damage, is on the undercard, facing DJ Hyde.

Allison Danger appears on the latest podcast from Rumble Radio, which you can listen to by clicking this link: RUMBLE RADIO: PUNK WINS! + SHIMMERS ALLISON DANGER.

Complete details and press releases for many of the events written about here can be found daily at www.PWInsiderXTRA.com.

That's all the Nuts & Bolts for now.  Come across something interesting?  Mike Johnson can be reached at Mike@PWInsider.com.

If you enjoy PWInsider.com you can check out the AD-FREE PWInsider Elite section, which features exclusive audio updates, news, our critically acclaimed podcasts, interviews and more by clicking here!

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