Tonight Southern California remembers two legends in Dynamite D and Cincinnati Red, with Memorial shows honoring these two great contributors to SoCal Wrestling. Lucha Underground is on hiatus? For how long? Also did you hear about the Olympic Auditorium Project? Also updates to the United Wrestling Network and this weeks schedule of events.
Dynamite D Memorial
Inspiration, which is what tonight’s Santino Brothers show will be all about tonight. The inspiration to “Keep the Dream Alive,” is what led to the creation of the SBWA and that vehicle has launched some of the top tier talent in Southern California. That doesn’t happen without Darren “Dynamite D” McMillian. April 11th 2015 marked the eighth year that SoCal lost an integral part of our scene. Darren McMillian touched many lives while he was a wrestling radio show host, mixing it up in the ring, or training the next generation of wrestlers in Southern California, his touch is still felt on the scene and that mostly because Kaos and the Santino Brothers Wrestling Academy have worked very hard to teach wrestling the way that Dynamite D did. .” There is a touching tribute that the Santino Brothers have up on their website that I definitely suggest checking out, to remember how well loved D was. In 2011 Dynamite D was inducted posthumously into the SoCal Wrestling Hall of Fame and was inducted into the Hall by Joey Kaos and Kris Kloss. It was a very touching moment where Dynamite D’s mother accepted the honor. Tonight the SBWA with a heavy heart will do it for Dynamite D.
The Big Hardcore Memorial
At 40 years of age, Greg “Cincinnati Red” Daves suddenly and unexpectedly passed away, of a massive heart attack. Only a few weeks have passed and both the Empire Wrestling Federation and Alternative Wrestling Show have been working to collect donations his memorial fund. Tonight much like the Santinos, a bittersweet night of wrestling will take place. EWF has put together an inspired card to remember their friend Red. For those who would like to contribute to his funeral expenses. Along with making donations at the appropriate shows, there is a crowd sourcing website set up to help with their goal of raising the money. YouCaring.com has raised as much as $1,164 of the $2,500 with only 7 days left to donate. Any little bit will help and would be much appreciated.
Lucha Underground
It would seem that Lucha Underground has drifted from the role of cult following into the mainstream consciousness. It’s not every day that the Los Angeles Times writes about a wrestling promotion that isn’t the WWE. If you haven’t heard yet, Lucha Underground is more than likely to start taping again in September, but are on hiatus until otherwise specified. I know the television taping I attended will likely air in the middle of July. The Underground also taped four episodes (or so) over the last weekend, which includes the season finale. Some of the talent involved with Lucha Underground are now accepting bookings, which means you’ll probably see some familiar faces soon at your favorite wrestling show.
The Olympic Auditorium Project
I recently learned about The Olympic Auditorium Project. Produced by GenPop, this group is dedicated to celebrating the Olympic and the old school entertainment it housed in those sacred halls. If you thought the Olympic was just where ECW ran their only show or as where XPW ran, you’re sadly mistaken. Originally constructed in 1925 and was home for the boxing events in the 1932 Summer Olympics, the Grand Olympic would later become home for Boxing, Roller Derby, Concerts, and of course Wrestling. The Grand Olympic was inducted into the SoCal Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2001 along with the likes of Freddie Blassie, Chavo Guerrero Sr., Roddy Piper (all of whom bled in that very venue). Steve Bryant wrote an excellent article about the Olympic and its history with pro wrestling, in the early days of SCU that you can read here.
Next Thursday, The Olympic Auditorium Project will be part of an exclusive photographic sale and exhibition celebrating the classic boxing and wrestling in Los Angeles through the lens of Theo Ehret. Curated by Steve DeBro and William Ford. From the mid 1960’s through the early 1980’s, Theo Ehret was the house photographer at the Grand Olympic Auditorium. His evocative work captured the enormous personalities of the era, Muhammad Ali, Andre the Giant, Roberto Duran, & Countless Others. Limited Edition, Signed, Authenticated Prints will be available. There will also be clips from the upcoming documentary about the Olympic. For any long time Southern California Wrestling aficionado, this is the event to be at.
UWN on Patreon
One of the best values in wrestling is the United Wrestling Network, Powered by Patreon. Nearly 32 hours and growing every week of the weekly Championship Wrestling from Hollywood Television Taping that is exclusive to KDOC TV and YooToo America. If you’re out of those markets or just don’t have a DVR, this is the best way to stay up to date with CWFH. Episodes start as far back as July and are being updated all the time with the shows before they air on KDOC or YouToo. The latest update also included episode 206 which aired Sunday at 3am. The matches featured the debut of Brutale Bouffon, the return of the English Import Saxson Huxley and the CWFH Television Title Match featuring Scorpio Sky vs. Vermin’s Kevin Martenson (formerly Johnny Goodtime). Occasionally they will post matches that have never aired on television that apart of the CWFH/NWAPro Wrestling Vault. Currently available for streaming are; RockNES Monsters defending the Hollywood Heritage Tag Titles against Natural Selection with Percy Pringle III and Los Luchas from June 26th 2010 in Yuma Arizona, Daniel Bryan vs. Sean “X-Pac” Waltman from November 11th 2007 in Peth Australia, and AJ Styles vs. Trent Barretta on June 14th 2014 at Port Hueneme California.
This Weekend’s Events in SoCal
EWF: The Big Hardcore Memorial Supercard in Azusa, FRIDAY @ 8:00 PM
Santino Bros: The Dynamite D Memorial Show in Bell Gardens, FRIDAY @ 8:30 PM
Meet Former WWE Star Paul London in Huntington Park, Saturday @ 11:00 AM
IWL Presents “IWL and the Devastation Device” in Baldwin Park, Saturday @ 5:00 PM
AWS & QPW SuperShow in South Gate, Saturday @ 7:30 PM
MWF Lucha Libre in Los Angeles, Saturday @ 8:00 PM
Free Lucha Libre Event in Santa Ana, Sunday @ 2:00 PM
CWFH TV Taping in Port Hueneme, Sunday @ 3:00 PM
LLVP Lucha Libre in Cudahy, Sunday @ 5:00 PM
The views and opinions expressed in Jay Cal’s View are those solely of the author. These views do not necessarily reflect the views of the website. As always please Jay Cal with any questions, comments, or concern.