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WRESTLER'S EYE VIEW: DONALD TRUMP RESPONDS TO LES, REMEMBERING NELSON ROYAL AND MUCH MORE

I picked up the mail the other day from the EPWT post office box and was surprised to find an envelope with the return address of “The Trump Organization” New York City. I had no earthly idea what this correspondence might be about, and was even more surprised when I opened it.

Inside was a copy of my PWInsider column of 6/25 with the paragraph highlighted where I questioned the LONG TERM value of the Trump/McMahon scripted sale storyline. I asked what it had accomplished and stated that it didn’t make any sense to me, and again I repeat LONG TERM. Also in the envelope were copies of Marc Graser’s column in Variety and a press release from USA Network both covering how well the ratings of Raw went over the two week period when Donald Trump bought and then resold the brand back to Vince McMahon. The headline on the Variety piece was “Trump stunt boosts WWE ratings; Mogul’s “Raw” skit draws 6.8 million viewers”. Above that hand printed with a Sharpie was the notation “It didn’t make sense”- Check out the ratings (and don’t go into business)” this was signed by none other then “The Donald”, that’s right that Donald…Donald Trump!

Let me first say that I will no longer say that the column is probably not widely read, and second let me say that I am indeed honored that some one of that stature would read, and then personally comment on my opinion be it pro or con.

I would like to point out to Mr. Trump (if he actually ever sees this) that first my comment in the column of 6/25 was questioning the long term value from a pro wrestling standpoint in terms of how would it help future ratings of the weekly program, and would it help the buy rates for future pay per views and or house show attendance as those had declined in recent times.

I was totally aware that it would spike the show ratings for that two week period, but I also think you will find that it had little or no effect on the three categories that I was questioning; future Raw programming without your involvement, and pay per view grosses and house show box-office, although I didn’t make that totally clear as I can see from reading the column once again.

I am not adverse to celebrity involvement which had been done over the years, and most times does show a spike or short term increase in business and or television ratings. However my feeling then as currently is that our industry needs much more solid, logical pro wrestling type storylines to gain long term increases in the declining buy rates and house show attendance since that has been the foundation that paid off over and over.

Sir, I am in total awe and admiration of your accomplishments in many fields and as you suggest I would never enter into those businesses. My only hope is that you will afford me the same respect and not attempt to train and teach any young athletes the art of professional wrestling. If you don’t mind I will also keep this letter and the autograph as a souvenir and remembrance that someone of your stature in the business community would bother to read my ramblings and actually take the time to comment. I thank you, and the best of luck to you in your future endeavors.

Ever heard the old expression “They couldn’t see the trees for the woods”? Well I find that applies to the current professional wrestling scene at every level but most of the entire top tier.

A reader e-mailed me asking if I read about seven thousand buys for a TNA pay per view, and that the big man over at WWE is edgy due to the lack of depth and experienced talent on their roster. Yes I read about both those and as discussed and kicked about previously it’s fact that it isn’t a short term fix nor extremely easy, but, and I know I have mentioned this a time or six hundred; going back to some simple basics, common sense, and actually dance with the one that brought you…It’s called PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING 101!

Please allow the wrestling people to actually put training the developmental athletes to be pro wrestlers and not characters as a priority, expand that division, put qualified people out to scout for future talent, and give your competent trainers more say so in bringing talent up to the main rosters among other things. Before bringing them up give them ample time to work with seasoned veterans to get some idea of pacing, timing, how to tell a story and how to lead and call a match (instead of releasing solid performers such as Val Venis keep them on to have match with and help educate the new kids as we were doing back in the early 2000’s) When they are brought up, make it because they actually can work in ring and then concern yourself with building off the wall characters if you just can’t live with talented wrestlers. New talent should be close to the top of your priority list for the future success of the company.

As for TNA if they plan to be around they too should have some sort of development program in place, and should have started being the alternative instead of the also ran years ago; but for right now just please actually do something that makes sense. Any writer/booker on any independent roster could conceive having a massive brawl of all your wrestlers. You have so much great talent that is wasted on a weekly basis, and their value for drawing money diminishes with every head scratching match, skit, and segment. Your main concern should be improving the product you present weekly which needs your full attention, and not the social lives of your employees.

As is, it seems both companies are working for the easy pop, plus both are trying hard to reinvent the wheel with vaudevillian infusion and not long term productivity and it shows. Please let me reiterate here once again that just because I disagree (I didn’t always agree with my parents and couldn’t have loved and respected anyone more) I don’t hate anyone, or I’m not mad at anyone. This is just my educated opinion

Nelson Royal was inducted into the “Hall of Heroes” this past weekend in Charlotte at the NWA Fanfest and all I can say is it is about time he was afforded such an honor.

“Nellie” was a dear close friend for many years, my tag team partner in the Knoxville territory, and maybe the very best baby face match (good guy against good guy) I ever had was with Royal in Richmond, Virginia. In that bout we went almost forty minutes working holds, and building to the finish which saw Nelson throw the one and only punch and only illegal move of the entire match for the finish, and then almost have to fight his way to the dressing room. What did I do to add to the match? I listened to this master ring general call every move and spot, and added my facials, timing and body language, and just maybe asked him to tell me a spot again once or twice as I didn’t hear it correctly. He was one of the greatest ring generals I have ever had the pleasure to work with, and one of the classiest sincere human beings I have ever had the privilege to know.

Everyone talks about Ric Flair having a match with a broomstick and making it look good, my buddy Nellie was second to no one in that department either.

Was Royal a legitimate tough guy? All you had to do was watch him wrangle the stock on his ranch in Mooresville, North Carolina (He was a legit cowboy not a gimmick) just north of Charlotte, or better still watch him ride a 1500 plus pound bull out of the shoot in a rodeo arena and you knew that pound for pound this was one of the saltiest gentleman you would ever meet; but he never pushed that side of his character. Wrestling against him was a day off, and as his partner a sweet easy night at work where you continued to go the school of pro wrestling and learn the true art of the business.

I loved Nelson like an older brother, and continue to think of him often and mention his talents in my training camps. He was a champion human being and I along with the wrestling business miss him and his kind more all the time. I am so happy and proud for him to get the recognition he did this past weekend in Charlotte.

If you have cowboy needs the Diamond R Western Store is still open in Mooresville, NC run by Nelson’s wife and son Karen and David. So stop by and tell them I sent you.

Train hard and master your craft.

Till Next Time,

Les

Les and Harley Race form Elite Pro Wrestling Training along with the principles left by former staff members Ricky Steamboat and Dr. Tom Prichard. For details on the company go to www.epwt.com . To book an EPWT seminar, camp, or trainer contact Les at les@epwt.com .