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  1. Les Thatcher is coming to The Monster Factory! By Joseph Feeney III There are plenty of seminars in the pro wrestling world, going on every weekend, all over the country. Recently, I attended an “Everything BUT the Wrestling” seminar hosted by “The Quintessential Studmuffin” Joel Gertner, of ECW and TNA fame, at the Monster Factory. Mr. Gertner did an excellent job teaching the attendees a little about everything, including promos, backstage etiquette, when to speak up for yourself, the differences in wrestling on TV, and so much more. The next upcoming seminar, to be held at the Monster Factory the weekend of Friday September 26th to Sunday September 28th, will be ran by none other than world famous wrestling trainer Les Thatcher! I am told the seminar will utilize every section of the Factory, including the wrestling ring, the amateur mats, and the world class gym area. Les Thatcher became hooked on pro wrestling when he was eight years old, while watching with friends. Throughout his youth, he played baseball, football, basketball, and of course, he wrestled. He began amateur wrestling at his local YMCA when he was twelve years old. When he was nineteen years old, he began to train to become a pro at Tony Santos’ wrestling school in Boston, Massachusetts. He made his professional debut in July 1960. For the next decade, Thatcher worked many territories, and was known for his technical wrestling prowess, and the highest flying dropkick of the time. He won several regional singles and tag team championships. In 1974, Thatcher began to host and produce Southeastern Championship Wrestling. He continued his broadcasting duties for such companies as Mid Atlantic Championship Wrestling, Georgia Championship Wrestling, and Smoky Mountain Wrestling. In the late 80s, Thatcher became interested in bodybuilding, and he also had a hand in the building and managing of two Cincinnati area gyms between 1987-94. During this time he took his interest in bodybuilding to the professional level, and in fourteen contests, he placed first in five, and in both second and third three times each. Starting in 1995, Thatcher opened “Les Thatcher’s Main Event Pro Wrestling Camp,” and also began to promote shows under the Heartland Wrestling Association banner. After Brian Pillman’s untimely death in October 1997, Thatcher and HWA promoted the successful “Brian Pillman Memorial Shows.” As a trainer, Thatcher has trained and graduated the following notable names: Dean Ambrose, Charlie Haas, Nigel McGuinness, BJ Whitmer, Umaga, Johnny Stamboli, Jimmy Yang, Shark Boy, Chad Collyer, Jamie Noble, Shannon Moore, and Elix Skipper. HWA was also a WWE Developmental territory for a time, from the late 90s to the mid-00s. In 1999 Thatcher was immortalized in the MTV True Life series, as a part of the episode “I Want to Be a Pro Wrestler.” He began to take part in the world of wrestling audio on a program called “Wrestling Weekly” with Doc Young in 2005. That show is now available as part of a subscription audio feature on F4Wonline.com, and Les also does shows on PWInsider.com. Last but certainly not least, Thatcher is also on the board of the prestigious Cauliflower Alley Club. Les Thatcher has dipped his toe in every facet of the pro wrestling world; in ring competition, broadcasting, training, announcing, magazine publications, promoting, and podcasting. He is well known for his no nonsense training abilities, and is so well renowned, WWE chose his school and promotion as one of their first developmental systems. As stated earlier, he is also a champion bodybuilder, and an expert in physical fitness. He is coming to the Monster Factory to impart the wisdom he has incurred in his five plus decades in the wrestling business. For just $150, pro wrestlers of any experience level can spend the weekend with this pro wrestling legend, a man who has thrived in and survived every change in the wrestling landscape since 1960. The $150 fee will include not only the once in a lifetime opportunity to train and learn with Mr. Thatcher for three days, but it can include lodging at the Monster Factory for those travelling from out of town (and who have references.) If anyone is flying into Philadelphia, rides from the airport to The Monster Factory may be available. Also, The Monster Factory has air conditioning, showers, and ample room for all. The Friday session will include a Q & A at 6 PM sharp. Saturday and Sunday’s training sessions will run from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM, ensuring that if any of the attendees have local bookings, they will have plenty of time to make them once the sessions end. There is another added bonus; exposure for all who attend, as the highlights of these training sessions will be airing on the Monster Factory’s Roku channel, which will launch in the fall! For those interested in reserving a spot (which are quickly filling) and attending, further information is available in the following ways: Please visit www.monsterfactory.org Email [email protected] or Call Monster Factory Owner/Head Trainer Danny Cage at 609-471-7904 Call the Monster Factory at 856-423-2212 The Monster Factory is located at 541 Mantua Avenue, in Paulsboro, New Jersey.
  2. REVIEW: Joel Gertner Seminar at The Monster Factory By Joseph Feeney [email protected] I had the distinct honor and pleasure of attending a tremendously informative seminar this past Saturday at the world famous Monster Factory, headed by former ECW and TNA talent, Joel Gertner. Joel is best known for his stint as the manager of the Dudley Boyz in ECW, and his always entertaining, profanity and innuendo laced pre match promos. He was also the commentator on ECW on TNN alongside Joey Styles. The Monster Factory is an extremely impressive venue, full of wrestling history. I was personally greeted by the owner/trainer, Danny Cage, and each of the wrestlers there made sure to come up, shake my hand, and introduce themselves. Mr. Cage then suggested I take a look around. There was memorabilia and autographed photos from a veritable who’s who of wrestling history, including the impressive list of the Factory’s alumni. This includes Bam Bam Bigelow, The Big Show, Sheamus, Raven, Chris Candido, Balls Mahoney, and a host of others. Mr. Gertner spoke to all the attendees for quite some time, ensuring everyone got their money’s worth and more. Subjects he touched upon included, the wrestler personality type, the importance of always being on time, moments when it is worth the fight and when it’s not, the wolf vs. the sheep, knowing your audience, the importance of standing out, protecting your opponent, and getting experience at all costs. He also gave a speech about knowing your worth as a performer, which should be transcribed and handed out to indy talent. The second part of the seminar involved a crash course in promo work. Mr. Gertner made sure every attendee got a chance to show their stuff, and handed out personalized exercises for each. The highlights included “Good News” Tim Hughes celebrating his fortune as the new #4 contender (in a 7 contender field) and Monster Factory Tag Team Champion Clutch Adams explaining just who he is and what his goals are. This was worth every penny of the $25 I paid, and more. I would highly recommend Joel Gertner to any wrestling school or indy promotion interested in having him come in for a seminar. Every one of your students and regular performers will come out of that experience as a better wrestler and a better personality. I would also highly recommend The Monster Factory for any aspiring wrestlers out there. Owner/Trainer Danny Cage, from what I saw, is an excellent teacher, not only in ring, but outside of it as well. I personally saw him advise a student who had a tough choice between working that night, or showing his face at Ring Of Honor, who he had previously tried out for, that evening. He clearly cares about not only making his students better wrestlers, but also better people. His fellow trainers are two ECW Originals, The Blue Meanie, and Bill Wiles (Bilvis Wesley.) The Monster Factory’s next seminar is a 3 day weekend with legendary trainer Les Thatcher, from September 26th-28th. I am told that free lodging can be arranged for those who are coming in from out of town. In my opinion, this is an incredible opportunity for up and comers to learn from one of the best trainers out there. They also run events monthly, to get their students experience in front of a crowd. I attended a show back in January that featured Colt Cabana, Cliff Compton, Rhett Titus, and The Blue Meanie. There were a lot of kids in the crowd, and I could see each of them had the night of their life. The guys all interacted with them, while the students shone as well, with their work inside the ring and out. Their next event is this Saturday, August 16th. It will feature both the Monster Factory’s Heavyweight Champion Luis Martinez, and their Tag Team Champions, The Factory’s Finest (Adams & Spanos.) For more information, please visit: www.themonsterfactory.org www.twitter.com/mxwwrestling (Joel Gertner’s Twitter)
  3. Name the most talentless slug you've ever seen pushed by an indy promotion... I'm gonna go with... "The Complete" Pete Hunter from PWU (Pro Wrestling Unplugged) in the mid 2000s...just absolutely awful, gassed up slug who looked clueless almost at all times.
  4. Since both of these books are now available on the Kindle, I was going to buy one for some weekend reading. So, if you had to choose, which book would you read? JJ Dillon or Ole Anderson?
  5. I distinctly remember the build to Hulk vs Andre drawing me in, in early 1987. I was 5 years old. I lost interest in the beginning of 1993, and stayed away until Hogan's heel turn in summer 1996. From there I slowly got back into the WWF as well, and discovered a late hour show called ECW. I was hooked on all three of the "Big 3" during the apex of the Monday Night Wars. I started to lose interest again sometime after Benoit won the title at Mania 20, and my interest was totally gone with the death of Eddie Guerrero. CM Punk's pipebomb promo brought me back.
  6. Randy Savage Sid Vicious JBL Sable Demolition Shane Douglas
  7. But I'll bet Douglas isn't 6 figures in debt, either. I believe he is also happily married as well.
  8. He also told several pointless, rambling stories about getting drunk and staying up all night. It's like having a college freshman on the panel.
  9. Planning to watch from Survivor Series 96-97 PPV wise. It's so weird to see that Furnas/Lafon push. Also of note so far is Leif Cassidy/Al Snow killing himself to get over in the opening match of the It's Time PPV against Flash Funk, and how over SID was in MSG against Michaels.
  10. Supposedly Rude was training for a return to the ring when he died, so it's possible. And it was for a return to the WWF to supposedly feud with Austin, if the rumors are true.
  11. Didn't he say they beat all those teams in a one night tournament in Atlanta? Something like that. I believe it was House Party '98 but I could be wrong.
  12. Two of my favorites that immediately come to mind are: 1. The FBI (Guido, Rich, Smothers) coming to the ring with a bowling trophy saying they are the World Six Man Tag Team Champions, and Rich rattling off names of teams they'd beaten, including The Von Erichs, Dusty & The Road Warriors, and The Koloffs & Krushchev. 2. Lance Storm coming to the ring with a urine sample to submit for drug testing, only to, of course, have it poured into his face after a DDT by Tommy Dreamer.
  13. I see. In what State can a sixteen year-old get a wrestling license? Kozina's even more of a jerk than I had previously thought, and that was based on meeting him a few times. I'd like to see him try that crap with someone that knew how to fight back. It would be dwarf-tossing 101. What's the story here?
  14. Lol mostly lurked on the old board yes. Davey not popular here? I'm just not that familiar with him.
  15. With the recent controversy with Davey Richards and him leaving Roh, some casting aspersions on his character, etc. It made me more curious about the wrestler. Was the hype Richards used to receive warranted? Are there any of his matches I should seek out? Does anyone have any knowledges of the accusations of a bad attitude being thrown his way, and does he deserve them? And finally, will he get a shot in WWE/NXT, or has he risen as high as he ever will?
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