Chock Full Report 4-18-08, An April Edition! He's not dead!

[Chock Full]

"Where was Chock Full?" Where was I?!? Where was you?!? [nevermind that that doesn't make any sense or that it's grammatically incorrect...]

- Word backstage in the PJG locker room is that plenty of the members of the roster are upset that Jacob Cross was welcomed back by management, no questions asked. More so, many are resentful that it looks like he could be lined up for a high-profile feud with the fed's stars, Kian Konga and Erik Grimsson. Some were heard saying that Cross never "paid his dues" to earn that spot and hasn't done a thing to build PJG to what it is now. Don't be surprised if Mr. Cross has more than just Mr. Konga and Mr. Grimsson looking to get him.

- From the ratings, Glory seemed to a rousing success - despite the delay in the airing of the show. The pay-per-view garnered a very respectable 680,000 domestic buys.

- Guiseppe Valentine's appearance on Glory was no surprise to many as it was expected the very moment that World Pro 1 shut up shop. It's expected that he'll work an upper-level feud before going into the World Title mix.

- Johnny Axis' showing on Glory was originally supposed to be a one-off event, but RCW management was pleased with his work and the reaction of the fans. Expect to see Axis be apart of the active roster.

- UWF's woes ended finally after releasing Gold Rush X to a "great audience" (UWF haven't released the PPV buy numbers for the show). However, they have taken some hits in their roster and a good core has either left or retired at this point. From an outsider's perspective, though, this was the rough times that UWF needed to go through to drop the chaff and deadwood from the roster and take on some new blood... UWF has been very active in their search for new talent and hasn't ruled out raided other companies for their top competitors. Word is that management is unleashing the coffers for the best and brightest.

- The Wrestlebowl interfed event was well received by fans and participants alike, albeit that some parts of the production weren't as smooth as it should've been. Again, no numbers released on its buyrates, but SPW brain trust has reported "very high buys".

- Controversy occurred over the Rise From the Ashes PVW pay-per-view when SPW Platinum Title holder, The Mercenary, appeared on the PPV and apparently joined the ranks of the "Phoenix" group. This action violates Shootfire's exclusivity clause in its contractual agreement with The Merc. From my PVW spies, it appears that The Mercenary wished for a more active airtime environment, which PVW offered while SPW was down for production of Wrestlebowl. No word as of yet if the Platinum title will be vacated or if SPW will force the Mercenary to "do the right thing" and lose the title on air before leaving [since he was in violation of a contract, SPW does have the leverage for this]. However, it seems both sides wish for an amicable split.

- Jackson Kinkaid's has been said to be suffering from some fatigue as he has been active in his participation in PJG, Wrestlebowl, and Power of Pride all within a short time period. The current angle he has had in PJG has offered him some time off to handle these other event in the good name of the federation - which Mr. Kinkaid has performed well considering his Wrestlebowl champion crowning. Word's still out on the PoP event, but many say he has the inside track to win that tournament as well.

- The emerging AWA has seen three shows go out that have all been solid. Ratings are good for the local broadcast and there's been a bit of an internet buzz to the fed. However, some in the AWA management have concerns on the star power of the federation. It's no secret that - even with denials from management - that the AWA isn't going to be confined Texas alone. To meet that end, AWA has continually calling for bigger talent... however, the federation has also been rather selective as they try to find wrestlers who "interact with the fans, can be trusted on the mic, and basically fit the overall style of the federation." So far, their talent search has been mixed, mostly because of their self-imposed limitations.

- As stated before PVW's big pay-per-view "Rise From the Ashes" [geez, I miss one stinking month and every fed puts on a big show] capped off a successful first run of the fed. The success of the show was vital for the federation on two fronts - gaining more talent to support the company, which it achieved with numerous new signees post-RFtA. Secondly, the show's success was the crux on the agreement that federation would get picked up by Strickland Sports Network. Being aired on SSN should, as one PVW insider stated, "provide the visibility needed to make PVW not only a household name across North America, but also to be THE destination for the best wrestling has to offer." The deal should increase PVW's treasury as well, enough to sure up any blind spots in production.

- MW is no longer in operation. Megalopolis Wrestling President Mark Langseth stated in a press release that he had too hard a time in recruiting wrestlers and gaining permissions from the many venues of the Northeast Corridor. He found that he was exerting himself more than he had when operating Tri-State Internet Wrestling. To that end, Mr. Langseth closed the MW venture, retained the local WPHL-17 Philadelphia broadcast, and transitioned back to TIW. In the process, though, Mr. Langseth lost some of his previous TIW wrestlers. However, he still retained a core of wrestlers willing to work with the federation.

- AWA had big hopes for the Man of Steel and generated much buzz over the signing... but were massively [pardon the pun] disappointed at the shape that the Man of Steel showed up at. The head of talent relations took some heat over the signing as no physical was required and the contract was signed via fax. The federation, though, is sticking with their man and hoping to get the former star back in shape.

- Who is the man in the skull mask? PJG has been mum on the identity of the man, but my ChocK Spies over in Paradise tell me that the man under the mask is someone that fans of deathmatches would know well... Possibly King of the Deathmatches...

- Angels and Amazons is shaping up to be a landmark event in women's wrestling. The promoters have done a great job in getting the event off the ground, working contracts with the major federations with women divisions, and signing up the best in the sport to show - both past and present. The Rumble has generated a good deal of buzz as it will hold many competitors meeting for the first time, despite the closed-knit nature of the women's wrestling circuit. As well, it's got mystery entrants, which always draws a buzz. My guess for one entrant? Easy - Talia Wichzini. I doubt the promoters would have overlooked her following and performances over the past couple years. She should be a lead contender for winning the rumble, as well, if she is in good health [which is a concern for anyone competing in PJG].

And... that's all for me! A mixed bag of rumors this edition. I'll try to have more next week [or... well, that is I don't go on another bende... err... "vacation"]!

[Matt]

These are awesome.

[Codered]

That was a fun read as always!!

[Manbearpig]

good shit.

I like that I can stay current with the interesting feds I don't handle in.

Nice work.

Dan