It's been several days now everyone. Last Saturday morning, May 25th, this blogger woke up to news that was disheartening. It will also be a day that those involved with pro wrestling (wrestlers, fans and staff) in the Philippines won't forget either.
This post was difficult to do. As much as the disappointment hits, this blogger needs to be professional when doing posts like this. With a planned vacation to the Philippines coming up (late July through most of August), there's a lot of uncertainty right now. This blogger has a backup plan in the country if things don't work out as planned. Though pro wrestling is something I want to see while visiting, there are plenty of things to do there. Possibly a trip to a nearby country could be in store.
Anyway, my thoughts of what happened are below. I'll be as respectful and professional as possible. By all means, please call me out if I'm out of line through the comments on this blog or Facebook messenger.
For those who don't know me in the Philippines (or elsewhere), the path to Pinoy Wrestling was a little bit different than some of you. I first heard about two wrestling promotions in the Philippine Wrestling Revolution (PWR) and the Manila Wrestling Federation (MWF) in November 2018 while visiting the country on vacation. Living in America, this fan was totally unaware of not one, but two wrestling promotions! It was a breath of fresh air, especially with what was happening with the wrestling scene at the time in North America with WWE and a new company emerging in All Elite Wrestling.
Finding this out happened over a conversation at breakfast after a footrace at BGC ironically. A friend of mine and I were talking about WWE and local wrestling came up in the discussion. I knew about NJPW, DDT and Singapore Pro Wrestling in Southeast Asia from viewing on You Tube.
Besides pro wrestling, running is a journey I've loved over the years. You could say that in this journey, the two will always be linked since I started both around the same time. Both things have helped make this world a little better place for me. There have been a lot of friendships made worldwide.
It wasn't really until the Covid-19 pandemic when this blogger followed and studied both of the Filipino promotions on You Tube. Learning the history of the wrestlers, promotions and, even the passion of the fans, was interesting and caught the attention of this long time wrestling fan.
In 2022, after the lifting of the Covid-19 restrictions, this blogger became more involved. With a blog, watching You Tube, Discord, eventually Gank, and getting involved with the various social groups, becoming part of it all was great. In September 2022, I learned about a new promotion coming into the Philippines. That was Filipino Pro Wrestling. I was hoping to see them in 2022 but just missed them by just over a month. It would be August 2023 when seeing the promotion for the first time.
Before December 2022, this blogger would learn about two more promotions in the Philippines. There was Art Of War Wrestling and World Underground Wrestling, the latter is still active today.
In December 2022, this blogger would attend his first MWF show at the Peta Center in Quezon City. It was a great feeling being with great, passionate, dedicated and knowledgeable wrestling fans.
It would continue last year (2023) while at the PMC Spotlight Center in Circuit Makati. Though living in America, it was memorable attending two more shows in Road To Fate and Noche Buena. Also, last August, this fan was blessed and fortunate to see two other shows with two other promotions (Filipino Pro Wrestling and Dexcon). This fan wanted to say back then, and now, that the Pinoy Wrestling Community and Pinoy Wrestling is very much alive and well.
When leaving the Philippines last December, all of the fans were "on a roll" sort of speak. MWF was to reach new heights in 2024. It was definitely an exciting time for the company. Noche Buena was the best MWF show that I've seen. The PMC Spotlight Theater in Circuit Makati was electric!
However, it may have very well have been the beginning, of what was, the end of the road for a company that was approaching eight years old. Neither the kapafeds, Pinoy wrestling fans, and I knew the details of what was happening behind the scenes.
As all of you know, perhaps by now, the MWF Republika show that was scheduled in May was canceled shortly after the Kasaysayan show at UP Dillman. This fan didn't think much of it when the announcement appeared. Shows had been canceled before. I was looking forward to June and the new date.
On May 9th, one day after the announcement, this blogger decided to plan for a three week trip to the Philippines. There was no way that this trip was going to be changed or canceled. This fan was locked in! Assumingly, I felt things were okay with MWF, WUW, FPW and the wrestling scene in the country.
Two days later, there was an announcement (a post on Facebook) by one of the MWF producers, that he left the company and explained it in his own words. Honestly, it was stunning by what was said, especially when you wake up one morning and see it. I can only imagine what the kapafeds (MWF fans), the MWF locker room and staff felt. If it was stunning 7000 miles away, it definitely must have been felt in PH.
This blogger doesn't wish to get into what was said since most of you know who are on Facebook know this already. The reason is that it's not my business what transpired. My obligation with this blog has always been to focus on a wresting show and provide factual results to everyone!
Also, this fan is well aware of the Pinoy wrestling history over the past 10 years. There have been some good moments and struggles. I've heard this from fans in the country. There have certainly been peaks and valleys. As a fan, I'll always appreciate what FPW, WUW and MWF, the fans, wrestlers and staff have done for me. They've welcomed me with open arms, been professional and communicative in the nearly two years of being involved.
Moving forward, about two weeks later, on Wednesday, May 22 late in the evening my time, I received some very unfortunate news that TBT, the producer for MWF shows were going to pull out of Gank, efffective on July 1st. It was noticeable this when going into Gank, there was no MWF content when doing some research regarding past Republika shows. As far as this fan was concerned, July 1st already happened from what I saw. This fan sensed that the end of the promotion was very near.
Then, after waking up early last Saturday morning my time, the news came out that the Manila Wrestling Federation would cease operations and the upcoming June 9th show would not happen. Though sensing that the end was near, the timing of the announcement seemed, let's say, "very fishy." The stunningness I had became a hurt one and actually bitter! I want to say, at this point, that I was also thinking of the MWF locker room, the kapafeds and those who wanted to keep doing what their passions and dreams leads them. This fan know knows here that he's certainly not alone.
It would be very easy for me to point fingers, continue feeling bitter and feel negative about a wrestling promotion that I loved. The same situation happened to this fan back in 1981 when Big Time Wrestling San Francisco, a National Wrestling Alliance production, shut its doors to the wrestling community in Northern California after 20 years. The news then was very ugly and painful for a few days. Eventually the wrestling fans and I got over it and moved on!
It's much different in this case. Maybe being involved much more with the Pinoy wrestling scene than the experience of what happened over 40 years ago tells this fan that the following quote applies. "When a door closes, another one opens!"
Moving forward, this fan wants to remember the memories and the friendships made over all the years. From this blogger, both will never go away. Also, reading some posts from the wrestling community assures this fan that Pinoy Wrestling has started a new chapter amongst those formerly with MWF since it's been shut down. Definitely, this is encouraging news!
A number of fans reading this have invested 10 years of Pinoy Wrestling in the modern era. Some fans may have tickets for the June show that is now canceled that they weren't able to use for last weekend's Dexcon show. For the last sentence, please check the Manila Wrestling Federation page on Facebook on how you can receive a refund.
In closing, this blogger wants to thank Veronica, William and Tarek of MWF for the conversations we've had and the memorable times. Because of you, the wrestling enjoyment has never been more fun. Though disappointed at the outcome, my best to all of you in any future endeavours.
To the former MWF locker room, hopefully we'll meet again. The feeling is that everyone involved wants to go on with Pinoy Wrestling someplace. Whatever the decision, please don't let this "bump in the road" deter you from your dreams!
Since I'm on a pro wrestling story in the Philippines, it hasn't been "a piece of cake" for Filipino Pro Wrestling either.
This certainly is not a knock on FPW, Red Ollero, the staff and the performers, but the promotion had a serious setback very early this year. It was stunning back then as well. At the time, I felt for the promotion, the FPW locker room and the staff. The concern was if FPW would have shows again. My thoughts and hopes then were that FPW would get stronger from what happened.
The promotion has apparently moved on from it, and has provided a couple of shows so far this year. The FPW Academy appears to be working okay in getting new wrestlers to be part of the promotion. This blogger thinks about the wrestling community in the Philippines on a daily basis, no matter the promotion. It means that much to me. Soon, hopefully, they'll have another show or shows. It will be exciting to see the likes of Mike, Ralph, Chino, The Yolo Twins and Robynn once again. When it comes to pro wrestling, in my world or bubble, you're never left out of the conversation. This blogger will try and get more posts about FPW soon!
Back to, what is now formerly the MWF locker room, and what does the future hold? Honestly, I cannot speculate, but again, there is a saying and will quote this:
"When one door closes, another one opens!"
For those of you who went to the Dexcon show on Sunday, hopefully, all of you had a great time! The show was to celebrate 10 Years Of Pinoy Modern Wrestling. The focus needed to be on the events at Brawl Pit Bulusan and nowhere else! As it turned out, the weekend was special with the Meet And Greet on Saturday and a great quality and emotional show on Sunday evening! Thank you to everyone involved in the wrestling community whether you were there or following what was happening. From Dexcon, to the wrestlers involved, to the fans. All of you contributed in making certain that Pinoy Wrestling is alive and well!
Certainly, Dexcon will not let Pinoy Wrestling die nor will Filipino Pro Wrestling and World Underground Wrestling. The Pinoy Wrestling community, fans and wrestlers alike, won't let it happen either. Certainly, as long as I'm alive, it won't either!
A new chapter and "challenge" has begun amongst a portion of the wrestling community in PH. The feeling is that the bar was set last Sunday night for future shows.