By Excalibur
With everyone clamoring for a statement by EPIC, I’m here to disappoint. For those not familiar with EPIC’s origins, the idea came together when myself, Disco Machine, and Gary Yap wanted to book American Dragon vs. Super Dragon, and didn’t have a place to do it. As things progressed, more and more people were brought into the fold, pretty much becoming a “who’s who” of SoCal wrestling. Then as the card for International Collision came together, the promotion became less about AD vs. SD, and more about becoming a replica of ECW. It’s no coincidence that like ECW, EPIC has spun wildly out of control, hit some financial hard times, and is seemingly at it’s end.
Because of this, I’m here to offer a few apologies. First and foremost, I’d like to apologize to Ultimo Dragon, Condotti Shuji, Second Doi, the entire Toryumon Company, and all those involved in bringing them to the United States. What occurred this past Sunday is in no way indicative of the entire Southern California Wrestling scene, and I would certainly hope that you would not judge the wrestlers and promoters of SoCal for the actions of one man. Gary Yap thought he had everything under control, when it became painfully obvious that he did not. As a one-time member of the EPIC staff, I feel there must have been something I could’ve done to make Ultimo Dragon’s comeback tour start as successfully as I’m sure the rest of the tour will go.
Secondly, I would like to apologize to all the wrestlers and staff who showed up either at the LA Entertainment Center, Anaheim Marketplace, or were stuck in their hotel rooms. A disaster of this scale is unheard of in Southern California, and I sincerely hope this will not sour your views on the SoCal Scene, whether you’re from LA, San Diego, New Jersey, Mexico City, Tokyo, or Bombay. Again, I hope that you do not judge the entire region on the actions, or I guess, inaction of one man.
Finally, I’d like to apologize to the fans. For as much as I hate each and every one of you, you guys are the ones that make it possible for us to go out and wrestle. If you’re just an EPIC or XPW fan who only comes to check out the “big shows,” please, in the words of Scrub, Support Indy Wrestling. Check out PCW or WCWA that are coming up this weekend. But please, do not write off Indy wrestling in general. For those fans who are “hardcore” and attend quite a few smaller shows, do not let this dampen your spirits. Continue to support Indy wrestling, because without you guys, the scene would not flourish like it has in years past. There will be “big shows” in LA again, whether EPIC attempts some Lazarus-type shit, or someone else starts up a “super group,” so do not be disheartened.
Some may be asking why am I apologizing? What do I have to be sorry for? I’m sorry that the wrestlers, staff, and fans were treated with such utter disrespect by a group that I’ve worked so hard on to make successful. I’m sorry that all I could do this past Sunday was sit back and watch as Rome burned. Most of all, I’m sorry that a vision of many turned into the vision of one, and it lead to a terrible disappointment and embarrassment not only for myself, but many others involved.
And finally, a word to Gary Yap. You and I have butted heads almost constantly throughout the course of EPIC, and whether I was constructive or destructive, we ended up, as Disco Machine so eloquently put it, “In the middle of the street in front of some shitty building in LA with Ultimo Fucking Dragon standing right next to me.” Because of that, it’s now your time to step up and take this like a man. Don’t lay down like a bitch and let wrestlers sit in their hotel rooms, waiting by the phone, or where ever else they may be waiting to hear from you. If you plan on continuing with EPIC, then you’ll find it much easier to regain the trust of those who were once loyal if you are honest and up front with them right now. Then again, you may have missed your window. Oh yeah, call home. Your fiancé and kids are worried sick about you.
-Excalibur
