Cross Promoting

Growing up with pro wrestling in the Territory Era in North America, there was something interesting that this blogger learned early on. 


About two years after first watching wrestling on television, this blogger first came across a wrestling magazine known as The Wrestler.  Remember everyone, back then, there was no internet! 

 

It was a shock to find out that there were actually three promotions in North America and not one!  I grew up in the National Wrestling Alliance territory and thinking it was the only one.

 

However, there were two other promotions in the American Wrestling Association (Midwest Region) and the World Wide Wrestling Federation (East Coast Region).  It would be extremely rare if a wrestler from one region back in 1968 would wrestle in another one.  The only exception I could remember early on was the WWWF's Bruno Sammartino doing a couple of shows against the NWA's Ray Stevens at the Daly City Cow Palace.

 

Things were very tight amongst the heads of the different groups back then.  Definitely, it was big business and up until the 1970s, one promotion would not "invade" another's territory.  The invasion began in 1969 when the American Wrestling Alliance invaded NWA territory with a show in the Los Angeles area (The Forum in Inglewood).  NWA was the territory back then with shows at the Olympic Auditorium in downtown Los Angeles.

 

Jumping forward a half century, in Southeast Asia, there are a few pro wrestling promotions throughout the various countries.  Unlike the days of The Territory Era in North America, pro wrestling in Southeast Asia is definitely a breath of fresh air!  The heads of the various promotions are far more receptive in a wrestler from one country visiting another.

 

This blogger has been following a recent pro wrestling tour of Japan involving Jake De Leon (PUSO Wrestling - Philippines), Shivam (SETUP - Thailand) along with Dr. Gore (SPW), Monomoth (SETUP), Chris Brookes and Masa Takanashi (SETUP, DDT Pro Wrestling, ChocoPro).  A couple of fans from abroad were able to attend the tour as well.

 

There were the Baka Gaijin and ChocoPro shows that were definitely memorable.  Then there was the legendary show at Korakuen Hall where many Japanese pro wrestling shows have taken place.  I believe the tour ends in Saitama before the wrestlers return to the respective countries.

 

Over the last few weeks, this blogger has been trying to keep up with several wrestlers.  While I was in the Philippines, Filipino Pro Wrestling's, Chino Guinto took part in a Vietnam Pro Wrestling show at the VAIB Studio.  Before this, Jake De Leon (PUSO Wrestling) and Mike Madrigal (Filipino Pro Wrestling) traveled to Malaysia for an APAC Wrestling show.  The Eurasian Dragon and a couple of other wrestlers from Ring Of Rebirth Singapore wrestled in the show as well.

Earlier in the year, Dexcon Philippines promoted a couple of shows with Zack Sabre Jr. (NJPW), Chris Brookes and Masa Takanashi (SETUP, DDT, ChocoPro) appearing. 

 

In about two weeks, September 14th, the Philippines own, Crystal, will be appearing at Middle Kingdom Wrestling's Championship Supercard show in Shanghai.  She will be taking on Yuki Kamifuku for the SPW Queen Of Asia Championship.

 

The point this blogger is making is that the cross promotion of wrestling talent in Southeast Asia is a very healthy one for pro wrestling in the region. It spurs interest, grows the industry and helps the economy.  Friendships are strengthened as well.

 

There is no question in this wrestling fan's mind that the Japan visit was a success!  From what was posted in Social Media, all of the wrestlers had a great time and were receptive positively by the fans who attended.  Definitely, there are exciting times ahead for sports entertainment in the region.  

Why No Interviews?

Recently, this blogger has been asked about why there hasn't been an interview done on this blog lately.  Will do my best here to answer this the best way possible.

 

First and foremost, there is a time difference from where I live in America to the Southeast Asia countries.  I would prefer, when visiting a country, to ask a possible wrestler and/or fan.  To me, its proper and I'm a little more comfortable doing it. 

 

Of late, there have been things that needed improving in the blog such as the content of the posts that are being delivered to the fans.

 

This blogger is hoping that on his next visit, that an interview or two will happen.  I cannot promise you, but there is a likelihood that it will happen.

1981 - A Different Time

This wrestling fan feels like he's gone full cycle as a fan worldwide.  I don't expect my readers to follow this, but if interested, I'll share it.

 

What happened with the Pinoy wrestling community and with MWF folding last weekend was very similar to what this fan experienced back in 1981.  

 

I was a huge fan, as today, with a company called Big Time Wrestling.  They provided regional NWA shows throughout Northern California going all the way back to 1961.  I became a fan in 1968 when I was 16 years old.

 

For several years, up to 1981, there was changes of television stations, announcers, and eventually a promoter who, eventually, didn't care for anyone but himself.  

 

I know that this is strong words from me, but true.  In January 1981, the last Big Time Wrestling show took place at the Cow Palace.  There was a Battle Royal along with a NWA World Championship match.  Though exciting, we knew the end was near.  Soon after that show, the promotion folded.  It wouldn't be for nearly two years when wrestling returned to the area with the American Wrestling Alliance.

 

This fan had a bitter taste for that amount of time. It was difficult to watch any wrestling on television because my "heroes" and "heels" were elsewhere in America.  Performers such as Pat Patterson, Rocky Johnson (The Rock's son) and Peter Maivia were gone.  I got over it when the AWA arrived in 1983.

 

Last Saturday was a bitter taste once again for this fan.  The difference is that I know the MWF locker room a lot more than the Big Time Wrestling talent.  The group, that I think of as friends, didn't deserve this, and I'll stand by that statement!

 

As a blogger who covers Southeast Asia wrestling, I do have contacts with most of the 16 different promotions covered.  Let me say foremost that this blogger would not wish this on any promotion in Southeast Asia or anywhere worldwide!

 

Though I follow some promotions a little more closely than others, this blogger tries as hard as possible to be objective with every promotion.  "Damn, I love wrestling, no matter the promotion, city, country or continent!"

 

The wrestlers involved here, and numerous fans, have assured this fan that the next chapter has begun to take place.  Dexcon was definitely the savior on Saturday for the wrestlers and community that follows the group.  It was emotional from the posts, reels, clips, whatever!

 

Thank you fans for reading the post "When a door closes...."  Though it is now the number one read, this blogger doesn't want it to be, and it definitely should not have been written and posted.  

 

In closing, this blogger has moved forward posting some recent promotion show results and possible future show updates.  Hopefully, last weekend's "bump in the road" will be the last one for a long, long time.  All of us need to have better days ahead.  Have a good day everyone!