Rewind: A Tribute to Eddie "Umaga" Fatu

 This article was written the day after Umaga's death in 2009, by myself while working with another website. I wanted to share this piece in order to tribute a true family man and a one of a kind entertainer, Umaga.

In the world of professional wrestling, we have seen the rise and the fall of many careers in the squared circle.

Some may frown upon the sport due to it being sports entertainment and the results are pre-planned, but some tend to be blinded in their own self assurance that wrestlers work just as hard if not harder than athletes of any other sport.

These men and women work over three hundred days per year, rarely see their families, and hardly receive time off unless there is an injury or something along those lines involved.
Needless to say that these men work to the bone to entertain us... the wrestling world, even to the point of risking their lives. Life as a wrestler is not what of which we depict on television.

Pro Wrestling End of the Year Awards Official Voting

After months of thorough investigation through the Pro Wrestling circuit in the United States this past year, the Sharp Shooter Press Awarding Committee has finally decided upon the final nominees for each of our nineteen awards to be bestowed in our inaugural edition of the Sharp Shooter Pro Wrestling Awards this year. With each year we want to be different in a certain way, but we took a more systematic approach this year.

While the final say in the votes will come down to the opinions of the committee, we today are revealing the nominees for each award, along with a special poll with each of them. We are giving the loyal readers an opportunity to voice their opinions and try and get who they feel is the right choice to win the award. Depending on the amount of voters, the polls will count as a percentile on the process to determine who will be the sole winner of each award. We encourage all to vote and spread the word! Polling will go until December 20th and the finalists will be named on December 27th for superlatives and December 30th for the ten primary awards. Those will be determined this week. Be sure to vote and, again, encourage others to share their opinions!

State of Women's Wrestling Part III

Athena & Rachel Summerlyn

Velvet Sky & Madison Rayne

Welcome...Welcome...Welcome! Smooth Gentleman here for the third (Last? Maybe Not!) edition of my series on women's wrestling. During this edition I will share my thoughts on the future of women's wrestling. You can view (Part I) & (Part II) by clicking the preceding links.

I have heard quite a few differing opinions from "wrestling" fans about women's wrestling in the United States. I use the term wrestling there loosely; as I feel wrestling is wrestling, no matter the gender of those in the ring.


Yet, I have heard that women's wrestling, "Promotes violence against women," "Women have no place in wrestling," "They're just there for the boys entertainment," and a number of different opinions from other fans.

...Yeah, I know....

I won't spend anytime going over such...ignorant assessments on wrestling. While everyone is entitled to their own opinion, it doesn't mean those opinions come from a well guided source.

State of Women's Wrestling Part II

Hailey Hatred & Her Gold

Welcome Sharp Shooter Press readers, Smooth Gentleman here with the second editorial (Part I)

in my three part series on women's wrestling. As announced within the first part of the series, I will be focusing on the Joshi scene in Japan throughout this entry.

After writing my first editorial I had a very interesting "conversation" with a fellow wrestling fan that has a very unique view on women's wrestling. So, instead of jumping straight into my opinions on the Joshi scene I will provide some commentary on this conversation.

State of Women's Wrestling Part I

Welcome Sharp Shooter Press readers, this is my first article here at the website. As you might have guessed, I am a life long wrestling fan. I have been ever since I accidentally turned to a channel with wrestling when I was about five years old.

My taste in wrestling has changed as dramatically in some instances as much as it has stayed the same. I will be going into greater detail with my wrestling preferences during my upcoming radio show under my "Smooth Gentleman" tag in the near future.

Pro Wrestling End of the Year Awards New Details

As previously announced last month, the Sharp Shooter Press will be instituting the newest revolution of diverse insight and well thought out contributions through the Sharp Shooter Press, Professional Wrestling End of the Year Awards. What makes these awards special are the gathering of some of the smartest minds in the Internet Wrestling Community, who have been working very in order to determine the most accurate Pro Wrestling End of the Year awards of all. Call this our, PWI 500 or our marquee feature.

Again, our Pro Wrestling Awards is very unique. Opposed to the status quo of undeserving names winning awards solely due to working in a big time wrestling organization. Myself and the awards committee has been scouting the entire year of Professional Wrestling throughout every organization in the United States possible. From January to December, each organization will be consistently evaluated and examined for the best and most deserving men and women for awards.

Exclusive Interview: Former WWE Superstar, Lance Hoyt talks NJPW, Plans Abrubtly Ending in WWE, and More!

When one thinks of a true big man athlete and a tag team specialist with a passion for the business, one can only think of former WWE and TNA Superstar, Lance Hoyt. Working as Vance Archer in WWE for a short stint as well as a long run as Lance Hoyt/Rock in TNA Wrestling, Hoyt has finally found his true home overseas in Japan.

Following his last run in WWE, Hoyt moved on to New Japan Pro Wrestling, finding a new passion for the business, like never before. The former TNA Tag Team Champion now brings his sheer athleticism, ability, and passion for Professional Wrestling.  Luckily, I was able to catch up with Mr. Hoyt and discuss his career in the United States as well as his new found career in Japan.
                              

Pro Wrestling End of the Year Awards Details

Wrestling awards in October? No! However, this is the introduction to the information regarding Pro Wrestling's End of the Year Awards brought to you by your friends at, The Sharp Shooter Press. This article is to provide all information necessary to inform you of the best of the best in the industry in the year of, 2011.

Although we are two months away from 2012, founder and administrator of , The Sharp Shooter Press, DJ Rallo is currently forming a committee of some of the smartest wrestling fans the Internet has to offer in order to converse about all the different awards that Sharp Shooter Press will be introducing and handing out this year. From Pro Wrestling radio show host to writers all over to even some of the smartest Twitter accounts out there, ten of the best minds will come together to form the most in depth awards piece ever presented.

Impact Wrestling: Bound for Glory Results and Review

Welcome to live coverage for TNA Bound for Glory, 2011. I will be providing live coverage of all the happenings of this year's, Bound for Glory PPV event as it goes! The following is the advertised match card for the event...         

   

WWE/TNA Tales: The Rise and Fall of Jeff Hardy and Other Sombre Cases

When I began watching wrestling in 1998, I was relatively new to the sport when World Championship Wrestling began exploiting Scott Hall’s demons on television.

Hall was a longtime alcoholic and at times, WCW would allow Hall to wrestle intoxicated. Despite the fact that it ruined Hall's marriage to his wife Dana, Eric Bischoff and WCW Management allowed Hall to continue his destructive antics.

The angle disgusted thousands of fans to a point where his wife Dana wrote a letter about Scott and his employer.

Flowing with emotion and anger, Dana pleaded with WCW to end this angle and claimed that Scott’s alcoholism ruined their marriage, future, and future with his kids.
Dana asked that Scott’s friends help him overcome his addiction for the sake of their kids.

NexGen Interviews: A Very In Depth Talk with Longtime Indy Veteran, Damian Dragon

 All over the world, there are many wrestlers who have unlimited talent, who never receive quite the amount of exposure, they deserve. One of those men, Damian Dragon. Being a 15+ year veteran all over the Indy wrestling scene, Dragon brings a unique in ring style that never disappoints his viewing public. Dragon is a decorated champion and is a current reigning tag team champion, in, Fusion DS. 

Recently, I was able to talk to Mr. Dragon on a variety of topics. Dragon made sure to express all his feelings in this very in depth conversation. He talks about independent wrestlers in the PWI, tag team wrestling, and so much more. Whether you know of him and his underrated legacy or you are reading of him for the first time, you will not regret reading this interview. Dragon is a very entertaining star with much to look back on and smile about. Once again, I hope you enjoy this interview as much as myself and Damian did!

Rallo: First off, I'd like to thank you for taking the time to conduct this interview. My first question is, how did it all begin from, Damian Dragon? Could you give us some insight as to who introduced you to wrestling? Who were your biggest influences in and outside of the ring? Who were your biggest supporters in life to pursue this career and at what moment did you believe that this was the right career choice for you? Did your family support this or was this a dream your pursued on your own?

Rebuilding the Frontier: How to Make Impact Wrestling a Competitive Promotion

In the words of the legendary, Vladimir Kozlov, "I want competition," (Imagine it in a Russian tone where your not 100% what the last word was). Following this week's edition of, Raw, I have learned that the WWE product is not, "cool again," but at its stalest in months. What's worse? They gave us no reason to watch the WWE, with the ratings juggernaut, Monday Night Football, coming back next week. Essentially, unless WWE makes the next few weeks their most captivating in over a decade, they will be crushed in the ratings.

Why should we care about WWE? There is no good way to go about the CM Punk/Nash/Triple H saga, because there is no surprising outcome that could possibly happen. We've gone down every single possibility, and all are predictable and stale. The NWO reunion idea, especially makes me cringe. Honestly, if anyone wants to see the NWO in WWE or another power struggle angle, you are a hypocrite. If you complain about it in, TNA, but not, WWE, you are a hypocrite. Sorry to break it to anyone. Continuing on....

Unity: The Necessities of Building Success in Tag Teams

Welcome to the first true, analysis piece for, The Sharp Shooter Press. Something I've always felt was very imperative to the wile world of , Pro Wrestling, is a simple tactic known as, variety. Wrestling fans can not be exposed to the same thing continuously over and over, otherwise, the product becomes stale. In, 2011, wrestling fans all over the world, who tune into the mainstream product, seem to lack variety in regards to the, in ring product.

Over the years, WWE has provided so many types of matches that offer individualism, different ways to progress storylines, and to entertain the fans in more ways than the basic one on one match.  All over the world, different gimmick matches do help develop different companies. For example, CHIKARA presents the King of Trios, a tournament for all six man tag team matches; something we do not see in WWE as prominently. Other companies pride themselves on all different kinds of matches, but one of the core match types that has really seemed forgotten in, WWE, is the tag team division.

Exclusive Interview: Zack Gowen Talks Path to Sobriety, JCW, WWE Experiences, and More!

Throughout the years, Pro Wrestlers have been defined as some of the best athletes in the world today. Pro Wrestling is also home to some of the most controversial news as well as some of the best feel good stories in the history of sports. One of those feel good stories is the, one legged sensation, Zack Gowen.

Growing up as a wrestling fan, Gowen seemed to be just like any other fan, except for one thing; his cancer that caused his leg to be amputated at age, 8. No matter, Gowen went onwards with his dreams in full throttle and became a WWE Superstar at age, 20. Zack's life is not short of rough patches, but he has come over each and every one to become one of the most inspirational wrestlers of all time. The one legged wrestler has proved anything is possible and I was able to catch up with Zack for a few questions. Hope you enjoy reading this as much as I did, conducting it.

Rallo: First off, I'd like to thank you for taking the time to do this interview, my first question I'd like to ask is, where did this passion for Professional Wrestling begin? Could you tell us of when you really started taking an interest in Pro Wrestling as well as when you really decided this was a career you wanted to pursue? Wrestlers do seem to watch from a younger age, but when you had your leg amputated at age 8, an age that wrestlers ordinarily may start watching, did you feel it was something you still wanted to pursue or something you'd rather just watch than take part of? Did your passion to become a wrestler grow since that tragic event? Also, who were some of your biggest inspirations in and outside of the ring?

NexGen Interviews: Introducing Alex Avgerinos

I'd like to welcome everyone to the inaugural edition of, "NexGen Interviews." What that is, is a project dedicated to helping out the true up and coming stars of the wrestling industry and giving them some spotlight and exposure as they grow and develop into becoming the next generation of Pro Wrestlers.

The first young man I am going to introduce to the world is one, Alex Avgerinos. A 17 year old athletic young talent who is all over North Carolina territories, "AA2" is a fan favorite amongst every territory he has been in and he did win the Krazy 8 Tournament held in North Carolina, a very prestigious honor for such a young competitor.

Today, I was able to talk to the youngster as he discussed many topics. I hope you enjoy this interview and learn something new about one of the newest young stars in Professional Wrestling today, one, Alex Avgerinos. 

Rallo: First off, I'd like to thank you for taking the time to do this interview. My first question is quite simple. For those unaware, tell us a little about where Alex Avgerinos comes from. Also, where does your passion for wrestling come from. Where there any names you watched growing up that inspired you to pursue this career? When deciding to become a wrestler, who did you have as your biggest supporters and or doubters? Were there any important people in your life that helped you especially in terms of your wrestling dream? Who motivated you in and outside of the ring?

Exclusive Interview: Nigel McGuinness talks TNA Run, ROH, CM Punk, and More! (August, 2011)

Every organization features their, “Founding Fathers.” These men that build the foundation and up for where they work. In Pro Wrestling, WWE can thank the likes of, Hulk Hogan for revolutionizing the organization as a whole. In one organization, Ring of Honor, there have been a set of men who built and revolutionized the art of, Pro Wrestling. 
 
One of these men, is, Nigel McGuinness. McGuinness was one of the most talented wrestlers in the entire world. Known for his technical ability and brutality in the ring, on top of his whimsy charisma, Nigel has traveled the globe. Known also, as, Desmond Wolfe, in, TNA Wrestling, too many. Today, I got to talk with Nigel on a variety of topics. Enjoy!



Rallo: First off, Nigel, I’d like to thank you for taking the time to do this interview! First, I must ask where your passion for the Professional Wrestling began? Growing up in the, United Kingdom, who were some wrestlers you watched and admired that ignited your passion for Professional Wrestling? When did you decide you wanted to pursue this career and who were your biggest influences, in and out, of the squared circle?

Exclusive Interview: A.J. Kirsch Talks Tough Enough, Working WWE Matches, Andy Leavine, and More! (August, 2011)

Recently, I was able to talk to A.J. Kirsch, a competitor on this past season’s, WWE Tough Enough broadcast. A.J. was eliminated in the 8th episode of the show, which was eventually won by, Andy Leavine. However, A.J. is not a wrestler to be overlooked. 

One of the more seasoned contestants on Tough Enough with a match on, WWE Superstars now under his belt, A.J. is the first Tough Enough contestant from this past season to appear on WWE broadcasting. This past weekend, I was able to talk to A.J. in terms of Tough Enough, his career past and present, and much more! Enjoy

Exclusive Interview: Adam Cole Shares Thoughts on Going to WWE, Being a Singles Wrestler, ROH, and More! (August, 2011)

ROH Tag Team Wrestler, Adam Cole

Recently, I was able to speak to Ring of Honor talent, Adam Cole. Cole is one half of one of the most young and unique tag teams in the world alongside his partner, Alex O’Reilly. Both are incredibly talented individuals who bring their exciting in ring abilities to ROH’s prominent tag team division.

The current CZW Junior Heavyweight Champion is also going to be one of the many great tag teams capturing the minds of many on ROH television, presented by the Sinclair Broadcast Group. Now with a deal on TV, Cole and O’Reilly will bring tag team wrestling to a whole new level, one which WWE and TNA have not seen in years. I got to speak with Cole about a wide array of topics and hope you enjoy this interview!

Rallo: First off, I’d like to thank you for taking the time to conduct this interview! My first question is, why did you become a Professional Wrestler? Who were inspirations you watched that you felt motivated you to pursue this career? Where did the passion and the drive to wrestle come from and who were your biggest inspirations in and out of the squared circle?

Interview with Former WWE Star, Shawn Spears: WWE, Favorite Experiences, and More! (August 2011)

Shawn Spears, Pro Wrestler. Formerly, Gavin Spears in WWE

Recently, I was able to interview former WWE Superstar, Shawn Spears. Known as, Gavin Spears on WWE’s version of ECW in, 2009…there is more that meets the eye than what the WWE Universe has seen on their televisions in 2009. 
 
Spears is a very passionate talent who has been able to work all over the world in a plethora of different performers. One of the best performers wherever he goes, Shawn Spears was kind enough to let me conduct this interview with him. Hope you all enjoy!

Exclusive Interview with Former TNA Talent, Shark Boy (June 2011)

This is an interview I just conducted with one of my favorite TNA Originals of all time, Shark Boy. Dean Roll, played the role of Shark Boy and captured the imagination of the TNA fans for years. From the inception of TNA until his untimely release this past March, whether known to the fans as the lovable loser or “Shark Boy 24/7,” he always entertained any crowd he was put in front of. I hope you enjoy this interview…


Rallo:  First off Mr. Dean Roll (Shark Boy), I would like to thank you for taking the time for this interview. Over the years, you have been one of my favorite Superstars to watch on Impact. The first question is, how did it all begin? When and why did you even want to be a part of this profession?

Shark Boy: My earliest wrestling memory was tuning in to the WWF episode where “Rowdy” Roddy Piper blasted Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka with the coconut when I was about 10 or 11 years old.  For some reason, I had never been so fascinated by anything in my life.  I was hooked and almost immediately started telling people that someday I was going to be a professional wrestler.