December 4, 2003
UPW has hit its 5 year mark. In this business, that’s survival. The goal now
is to thrive, which has us focused on efforts to grow in other, broader areas.
With Chris Bell, Todd Keneley and David Marquez at the helm, we’re now putting
the finishing touches on our one half-hour pilot. In terms of production, its
top-notch and conceptually, it’s very, very unique (which I think you have to
be these days in order to have a chance of achieving any level of success).
We’re exhibiting at NATPE in Las Vegas this January, optimistic that the show
will be well-received.
Just as the Pilot has been a nearly all-encompassing effort, so has the start-up
of “Valor,” our “Ultimate Fighting” Company that will debut
in January. I feel that it’s important to “diversify” in today’s sports-entertainment
climate. That belief, coupled with the re-emergence of Mixed Martial Arts, makes
Valor an exciting venture. Working closely with the great trainers, business
people and fighters at The Shark Tank and at RAW, again, we’re forming Valor
with a very unique approach, which will be evident when we launch our website
(nearly completed) in early 2004. I expect that working in both professional
wrestling and MMA will present many synergistic opportunities.
As we segue more and more into MMA, our association with K-1 is growing ever
stronger. “Green Beret” Tom Howard and Sylvester “Predator”
Terkay are training twice a day, nearly every day and are making incredible
strides. As many people know, they both have strong amateur foundations (Sylvester
in wrestling as NCAA Heavyweight Champ and Tom in Greco Roman and Sambo). These
are two very serious athletes and win, lose or draw (and I’m betting on wins),
I’m confident they’ll both make impressive showings.
As time permits and between injuries, I’m doing my best to train for a fight
myself, which I’m planning on doing in early Summer. Call it whatever you want
personal quest, midlife crisis or just plain dumb, at 42, I basically want to
test myself and get through it. I also think it’s important to “feel”
what the fighters and wrestlers go through on a daily basis and believe me,
I’m feeling it! Besides, I know there’s a lot of people out there that would
like to see me get my butt kicked (stand in line!) so I’ll let you know if and
when it’s happening.
In working with K-1, we’re also very involved promotionally and in sponsorships
and in all sorts of miscellaneous (like getting Akeobono’s training gear made
— my God, you should see the size of the groin protector!) It’s worth mentioning
here that Stefan Gamlin is likely off the December 31 card, as he left to Japan
a few weeks back to help prepare Akeobono for his fight with Bob Sapp.
What with the TV Pilot, Valor and K-1, as well as business as usual, I regret
to say that I have not given live shows in our home base of Southern California
the attention they deserve.
For one, I basically let the Anniversary Show get away from me — not giving
an undertaking of this magnitude nearly the attention it deserves. Thus the
original date of Wednesday, December 17 has been rescheduled to Friday, February
20. This is a benefit show and has a very large budget attached to it. It was
originally put on the calendar without sponsorship being confirmed and as such,
not only was I concerned about not being able to make a contribution to our
beneficiary but was equally concerned with not even breaking even. Not to mention
it just doesn’t make sense for Tom and Predator to risk themselves 14 days prior
to their big matches at K-1, as they were booked against Sting and Ken Shamrock
for the Anniversary show and I know would have given it their all, hence the
“risk factor” concern. The February 20 date has been rescheduled with
the costs of the event being totally underwritten, meaning that 100% of the
receipts from ticket sales will go to our beneficiary. We’ll make a formal announcement
on the show itself in the upcoming couple of weeks but I can give you some confirmed
information in the meantime. As set up at The Galaxy, Ken Shamrock Vs Predator
will take place. Hardkore Inc. with El Jefe will defend their UPW Tag Team Titles
in a Tables, Ladder and Chair match against The Ballards, in what is expected
to be the final meeting between these two great teams. Borrowing from WWE, we’ll
present a Survivor Series-style match pitting Savage (Skulu, Navajo Warrior,
Ma’koa, Sabbath, Snuka, Jr., King Dabada) against The University (which looks
like Lil’ Nate, Andrew Hellman, The Miz, Tony Stradlin, Tommy Wilson & Shawn
Riddick). As set-up over the past half-year, I’ll take on Commissioner Pete
Doyle in a no-disqualification match (yet another chance to see me get my a$#
handed to me!) for control of UPW.
There will likely be 9 matches in total and with 10 solid weeks of planning
time, we’ll announce matches as they are confirmed. As of now, I’m hopeful that
Sting, Roddy Piper and Evan “Joe Millionaire” Marriott will each participate
in one fashion or another. We’re looking for the right “name” opponent
for UPW Women’s Champ Erica Porter and have several solid, exciting possibilities
in the works. Frankie Kazarian will be putting up his UPW Light Heavyweight
Title against Mikey Henderson in either a 3-way Dance or 4-Corners match, hopefully
with Low Ki involved in the mix. We know that Tom Howard will be defending his
brand new, beautiful UPW Heavyweight Championship belt and are working on confirming
the most impactful challenger possible. Diane & Elaine, aka “The Twins”
will return to UPW for the first time in 2 years to make a special appearance.
Most of all, we’re also expecting a strong presence from WWE. With Zero-One
and Wrestlemania scheduling and booking that may affect several talents we’re
looking at, we’re shaking things out and will keep you informed. In the meantime,
tickets for UPW’s 5th Anniversary, February 20 at The Grove are on sale now,
at The Grove (714) 712-2700 and at all Ticketmaster locations and www.ticketmaster.com.
All tickets purchased for the December 17 show will be honored on Feb 20 or
can be returned for a full refund. The Anniversary Show, which will shape up
to be our biggest show ever, will also be shot for release on DVD and VHS.
If you’re in Southern California, please stop by and visit us at the UPW booth
at WWE’s “RAW is War” at The Pond in Anaheim on Monday, December 8
and at WWE’s “Smackdown!” at the San Diego Sports Arena on Tuesday,
December 9. We’ll likely have some updates on the Anniversary Show and through
an “enter-to-win” drawing, we’ll be giving away one pair of VIP tickets
(ringside, plus before show reception and after show party) for February 20,
several UPW DVDs, and one full scholarship to Ultimate University.
Appearing in-ring on behalf of UPW at WWE’s December 8 and 9 events are Shane
& Shannon Ballard, The Miz, Andrew Hellman, Tony Stradlin, Al Katrazz, Ma’koa
and Sabbath, as well as our good friends from IZW, UPW regulars Navajo Warrior
and Jack Bull. The Ballards have improved greatly in every way imaginable and
I’m optimistic about their chances with WWE. Of course, should they get signed,
we’ll miss Shane & Shannon, who are such an important part of UPW and Ultimate
University.
Speaking of people we miss, it’s gratifying to see Keiji Sakoda (or “Sakada”)
doing so well at WWE. Along with John Cena and Victoria, he appears headed for
the ranks of WWE “Superstardom.” I talk with Ryan (Keiji) semi-regularly,
as well as with Horshu, Chris Mordetzsky, Nathan Jones and others “in the
system.” Despite what many of what I like to call “internet knuckleheads”,
i..e smarks, like to say, I’m happy to report that each is thriving in the challenging
WWE environment. Let me go out on a limb here and make a prediction: Nathan
Jones will be in the Top 10 in the business within the next 2 years. This is
the same thing I said about John Cena, before he got his first big push and
that I continued to say after that push failed. Look where John is now. Nathan
will be there too, just as I expect Spanky and Nova soon too will have their
(much-deserved) days in the sun.
And for those we might miss…just as many UPW talent are being looked at by
WWE, so are Todd Keneley and Marty Rubalcaba. Both are very dedicated and talented
individuals and will make a valuable contribution wherever they are.
Yes, things continue to be very busy. We’re currently consulting on two feature
films, each that revolves around pro wrestling to a various degree. We also
just wrapped production on a popular episode of TLC’s Award-Winning “Faking
It.” Tom Howard and Hardkore Kidd did tremendous jobs with the one month
they had mentoring the show’s star. Predator and Andrew Hellman, along with
UU Students Kjell Hansen and Pete Zwissler all participated in the “Final
Test” and Ric Drasin and Cheerleader Melissa were the judges. The Final
Test was taped the same day as the “Valor Kickboxing” event at Gotham
in San Bernadino. The show should be really entertaining. We’ll keep you informed
of air dates on TLC.
ZERO-ONE continues to be as active as ever for UPW wrestlers. Mike Knox and
Mikey Henderson are the two most recent foreigners to get over with ZERO-ONE
fans and each look to be regulars there. Hardkore Kidd recently had his first
outing with the company (at last!) and looks solid to go back for many visits.
New UPW giant Apocalypse is currently in Japan for the first time for ZERO-ONE.
Although he (self)admittedly has much to learn, he has a tremendous physical
presence, which counts for a lot in this business(!) and has an awesome “I
want to learn” attitude. This bodes well for him in Japan and elsewhere.
Murphy McDermott continues in his role as UPW Webmaster. After much tireless
work, upw.com has recently re-launched it store, which features DVD and VHS
titles such as our Discovery and Learning Channel documentaries, the UPW/UU
Training Series and the shot-on-film “Fresh Blood” VHS (which features
a bizarrely hilarious skit with “Prototype” John Cena) as well as
a huge variety of UPW logo items.
Ultimate University is enjoying a sizeable, promising “Freshman”
class. New standouts include Kjell Hansen, Kevin Martenson, John Jones, Jason
San Felipo and Brendan Hill, who is profiled now on upw.com in Les Honig’s “Student
of the Month” column.
UU re-starts its “UPW Lite Show” on Saturday, December 6 at Ultimate
University/RAW. This is where we first get new wrestlers live match experience,
prepare for WWE tryouts and ZERO-ONE tours and look at wrestlers new to the
area and for UPW Entertainment Overload shows. It’s a no-frills show, beginning
at 7pm each Saturday. Admission is free.
Beginning January 10, UPW will present “Monthly Mat Wars” at UU/RAW.
Taking place every fourth Saturday, this will be a limited production, full
gimmick show, built around continuing storylines. Admission is just $5. I’m
excited about Monthly Mat Wars, particularly as it’s a “Team” effort,
with UPW Wrestlers and UU Students Shannon Ballard, James Lukash, Erica Porter,
Andrew Hellman, Tony Stradlin, Antonio Mestre, Ma’koa and Antwon Offutt involved
in the effort. Each show will feature at least six matches, with cards announced
in advance on both UPW and on www.socaluncensored.com.
The January 10 show, aptly named “Creation,” will feature an intriguing
match-up between Mikey Henderson and Skulu.
I recognize the importance of doing more shows, especially to keep everyone
as active as possible (in a day where true “territories” just don’t
exist) and to increase their experience and performance levels. I think we’ve
found a way to do this by running shows that will be fun, easy to produce and
very, very good in-ring. In speaking with the Team, we’re looking forward to
weekly outings with regulars Ruckus, Outlaw Marshall Knox, Lil’ Nate, Tommy
Wilson, Drunk Irishman and many others, out of town visits with the likes of
Kyra, Mike Modest and Derek Neikirk as well as hopefully, appearances by B-Boy,
Matrix, Funky Billy Kim, Lil’ Cholo, Joey Ryan, Supa Badd, Scott Lost and more.
Watch www.upw.com and www.socaluncensored.com
for updates!
In addition to our Anniversary Show, the Lite Shows and Monthly Mat Wars, we’ll
continue to book “Entertainment Overload” shows at concert-clubs like
The Galaxy as well as continue to run Casino shows.
Of all the professions in the world, pro wrestling may just be one of the most
challenging. Nonetheless, it’s been an incredible five-year haul and I’m happy
to say that I really enjoy the business these days. Thank you all for your support.
–Rick Bassman
