NOTE: PLEASE READ THE INTRO BEFORE BITCHING ABOUT WHO WON WHAT!

Welcome to the DOI 7th Annual Year End Awards. This year, the DOI has seen more wrestlers and more promotions than ever before, and while our awards will be based on accomplishments in the northeast region, outside of the northeast accomplishments will be looked at.

To make things clear, we consider promotions/wrestlers from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania & Delaware as the Northeast. We do give consideration to Connecticut & Massachusetts as well, although we consider them more "New England" than Northeast.

Can you believe it's the 7th year we've been doing this already? It also seems that the more things change, the more things stay the same, as the level of a quality indy wrestler and a new indy wrestler is quite obvious.

Unlike last year and for the first time ever, we are not listing runner-ups for awards. There are several reasons for this decision this year. Here are my reasons (after all it's my party and I'll cry if I want to, wooo!):
1. Everything has been so watered down and the business sucked in 2008. There is no reason just to list names, to name names. The people who were runner-ups in previous year-end awards earned it. I feel by naming some people as runner-ups would just be a way to fill spots and they'd essentially be placeholders. I want the winners to mean something. It is bad enough I felt some awards weren't "earned" but just a given because there was nothing else.

2. I feel that it would devalue whatever value these awards may have. It was tough to come up with runner-ups in years past because of all the exciting competition, this year it would be well why not put this guy here, who gives a shit?

3. I didn't even feel confident in some of the winners of these awards. Some awards were a given just because there was no competition. A winner should be because he/she really stood out among the best, not because everything else blew donkey dick.

4. Less work for me during this busy time of the year!

There weren't many clear cut winners like years previous. Several categories were wide open either because someone either dominated or was pushed very hard or because there was no competition.

This is what I wrote last year, which basically sums up this year:

" These awards are self-admittedly JAPW-heavy. The reason for that is because JAPW is really the only top promotion in the northeast today. There are so many indy promotions that have gone out of business in the last two years. The JCW's, Cyberspaces, IHPW's, PWX's, PWElites, SSCW's, Gung Ho's and many others are gone. The NY scene is completely dead, as it's full of student promotions. Philly has two main feds in CZW & PWU but they had alot of ups and downs this year. Only JAPW stayed consisent and built throughout the year. "

I think 2008 was overall a horrid year for the indy wrestling scene. The lack of interest, at least for me personally wasn't there. The rise of ROH & TNA has dried up the indy scene. The days of 2002-2003 are gone, as today's current crop can not match up. Will it change? I'm sure it will. With the wrestling business down as a whole, it is hard for the indy scene to sustain itself, which is why only the promotions backed by serious money or the promotions with solid grounding have lasted. It is just awe-inspiring that a place like JAPW has survived 11 years. What other indy companies in the US have lasted with the big-budgeted shows they put on for this amount of time? I'm aware of the ECPW's and the ECWA's, but no other fed has put so much money into every show and been able to last. Others have tried and have literally died out, such as NWA Cyberspace. Eric Markout of PWS is knocking on that same door. There really is no money in smart mark wrestling, but JAPW has been able to stay as the exception for all these years.

Keep in mind these awards are north east awards, so it would make sense that most of these awards will acknowledge what goes on in the top fed in the northeast (attendance wise & show quality wise) JAPW. It is my opinion that JAPW is the elite of this area, although they haven't been very elite lately. However, what else is there? CZW, which was so-so all year. PWU? Which canceled more shows than they ran. NWS, ECPW or any other family fed? Mr. Big? I mean really, there was nothing else here that gave JAPW any competition which is why they were able to have an off year and still remain profitable.

However, JAPW was largely awful for the entire year, but with no real direct competition in this area, they are the top promotion by default. There is a reason so many JAPW wrestlers called Rob Feinstein when RF announced plans to help the bombing VPW promotion because the wrestlers are clinging on to the hope that RF would be able to change indy wrestling again. It wasn't meant to be. Even the King of Koolaid himself, Gabe Sapolsky, found himself looking for his old job back as a coffeeboy when he was kicked to the curb by ROH this year. It's really hard to make money and be successful in indy wrestling when times are good, it's nearly impossible when times are bad.

Just let that soak in. The biggest indy company today (unless you do count them as a solid number 3), Ring of Honor, fired the guy who was there from day one and pulled off one of the great all time sabotages in 2004. If Gabe couldn't keep his job or income in wrestling, what makes you think that all these other indy guys can?

And why am I saying indy wrestling is bad? A weak economy translates into less disposable income for fans to buy tickets and for promoters to pay wrestlers. Everything just goes down. The talent pool isn't what it used to be. Fan interest isn't what it used to be. The stuff on TV sucks ass, so nobody is actively searching for more wrestling when there is more than enough on free TV. There is no war for number 1. You have WWE that blows out TNA by far. You have TNA that blows out ROH by far. You have ROH that blows out every indy by far. Then you have a sea of crabs all fighting for the number 4 spot, and really - who wants crabs?

With not a strong field like years past, there were so many candidates/nominees for awards. Awards are all based on my opinions and you could literally make a case for any wrestler in any award category this year, as not too many people had a clear-cut killer year. In some cases, I just settled tie-breakers in my head based on how they were booked in a company.

Please realize that these awards are my opinion only and are being done to recoginize the accomplishments of the hardest working men & women in indy wrestling today. If you think these awards suck ass, feel free to write in and say so. If you think you can do better, go for it as more talk about indy wrestling the better it is for the business.

These awards were compiled by myself, but I also had several people in the wrestling business interject opinion with these awards. Everything typed in this column was typed and put together by yours truly. Hopefully Mike Zevon, as he only can, will bring the "Unofficial" DOI Year-End Awards like years previous.

With that said, enjoy these awards!!!!

WRESTLER OF THE YEAR
WINNER: KENNY OMEGA
Kenny Omega wins this award for the first time. Omega, from Canada, became friends with long-time indy stalwart Kevin Matthews during their time in Deep South Wrestling in 2005. After Omega's Deep South run, Omega was doing crappy indy shows in Canada. Kevin Matthews told Omega he could get him on crappy indy shows in the northeast, and Omega's rise to the top of a dried up scene was ready to begin.

Omega came into the the northeast with flash, fury and passion. Omega wasn't the typical northeast wrestler, using anime in his style. Omega showed he could have good matches and had a very entertaining style to watch. One of his quirks is to use moves that one would see in a cartoon show geared for a child, but fans sometimes fans pop for that. I mean after all, look at Chikara and the only thing different between Chikara & Mortal Kombat is someone screaming "FINISH HIM".

Omega would also wrestle for Eric Markout's PWS, but Omega's real claim to fame came in JAPW where he won the JAPW Heavyweight Championship in March of 2008. As of this writing (December 2008), Omega remains champion. Omega's biggest failure as champion isn't even his own, as he wasn't given any real angles or interesting storylines during his reign as champion all year. However, Omega made the best of bad situations and earned his spot as JAPW's headliner.

While the indy scene is slowly petering out and not what it used to be, some things just never change. Just like in 2002, ROH scouted JAPW and plucked from their roster in 2008. Omega is now working his way into ROH as a full-timer. It wouldn't shock me that by this time next year Omega is on TV for someone, and I'm not talking about a Saturday morning anime show.

PROMOTION OF THE YEAR
WINNER: JERSEY ALL PRO WRESTLING (JAPW)
Here's what we wrote two years ago:
JAPW wins this award for the third straight year in a row, but arguably this was their weakest year yet since we started these awards. JAPW had an up & down year, with JAPW booker Ray Sager taking shows off, shows being cancelled & storylines changing every show. However, there wasn't anything else on the northeast that much better. JAPW wins this by default due to the competition not being on their toes. The good things JAPW accomplished this year were very strong crowds, as is evident by anytime JAPW rolls into Rahway. JAPW does continue to be the place to be for indy wrestlers looking to make a name for themselves. However, something to think about is, as we approach 2007, with JAPW seemingly being reliant on ROH/TNA guys to draw, will JAPW lose the identity that took them 9 years to create?

Replace the word "third" with "fifth" and that summarizes this year again. Like mentioned above, there isn't that much competition anymore. Outside of JAPW, there isn't really too many places for smart mark wrestlers to go. NY is dead and full of student promotions. PWS is young, ran by a fucking moron and presents itself as JAPW-lite. There's no more CSWF, JCW, SSCW, IHPW, Gung Ho and other flash in the pan companies. UXW is dead. PWU had a lot turmoil and canceled more shows than they ran. CZW was up and down all year, with no real feud even going into COD. JAPW has kept on top and celebrated their 11th anniversary, albeit with a blah show to top off a blah year. Last year I wrote that "JAPW deserves this award, but it's not like they are really being challenged that much either." This year I would say JAPW wins by default.

I mean it's not like the shows are just flat out terrible. But when you compare this year's JAPW to previous years JAPW has had, the difference is night and day. Crappy talent would never be allowed in. Not even a douchebag like Eric Markout would call a wrestler the "next Teddy Hart".

I can't ever remember a year when JAPW's fans have even turned against the company. Long-time employees Cannon & Ray Sager have left the company, citing quality issues with the shows. Myself, a long-time and perhaps JAPW biased supporter have found myself not enjoying the shows as much as I used to. In fact, here is something I wrote on the JAPW message board, in response to JAPW fans burying JAPW because they are sick of JAPW not reaching their potential:

- JAPW's attendance blows out any other indy show in the northeast area.

- Many of you were around for JAPW's peak so alot of you (including myself) are comparing today's crappy JAPW with what you remembered from the past. If you were a new fan and just got into JAPW today, you'd probably love it. Likewise, if you went to an NWS show (and no offense as I like the people who work/run it) you probably would never want to go to another indy show again. JAPW is a promotion that encourages new fans to come back.

- Smart marks make up a small percentage of tickets. That is why every fly-by-night smart mark promotion goes out of biz within two years tops, depending on who the promoter can con to pay for his shows, cough Eric Markout, cough . JAPW has lasted 11 years, what other indy feds can say that outside of Kettner and Caruso?

- Everyone wants to see JAPW do good but there are too many things going on and there is no direct focus on just JAPW. JSW was a mistake. World wide tapings were a mistake. The womens fed is a mistake out of spite for Ray. However JAPW is doing well financially, but if it was better creatively it would be even bigger and make even more money. I always said the difference between ROH vs JAPW was that ROH was ran by businessmen while JAPW is ran by family men. Perhaps real life is dominating JAPW's staff time for JAPW.

- Every good booker/promoter gets burnt out after a while. Every territory switched bookers every 1-2 years. WWE has a staff of bookers. WCW and TNA go through many bookers. JAPW has had Frank for 11 years. Team Book are people all on the inside who have been friends of Frank's for years. Even when Ray was there, he was a friend of Frank. Perhaps there are many yes-men and people don't want to challenge a friendship. There are people who are in this area (only idiots would fly a booker from california) like a Simon Diamond or a Rob Feinstein who have had alot of success. Hell, even Gabe would be better than what is going on now and you know he is diehard about whatever project he's doing. By bringing in someone different, it would change stuff around and nothing would feel stale.

- JAPW staff and insider wrestlers can fake post all they want, register fake names to alter fan ballot year-end voting, but they can't change what the JAPW hardcores think. However, JAPW is drawing tremendously better than anyone else and making money and it isn't at the point where if a few hardcores leave (GSS for one) it won't affect the bottom line. Perhaps down the line, but hopefully things get better then worse.

To summarize, basically, JAPW had a bad year and that can't be denied. It wasn't what JAPW is capable of. JAPW is not going to go out of biz because they are still profitable. The shows weren't terrible when you compare them to everything else, they were just bad compared to what JAPW has done. JAPW fans have high standards because of what JAPW has done in the past and fans just want to see JAPW reach that level again.

At the 10th anniversary show last year JAPW drew 1200 fans and had a great event. There is no reason for JAPW not to be doing that every show. JAPW fans are loyal and are sticking with the company during their down times but at the same time, the fans want to see JAPW on the upswing and on top again. There's no reason to believe this can't be accomplished in 2009.

JAPW and their staff have been praised repeatedly on this site but in 2008 it wasn't all peaches and cream, this was the first time in a while JAPW was faced with fan and internet adversity. It is only a matter of time if this will affect them or make them strive to get back and possibly surpass and even shatter everyone's wildest imaginations. I have faith it can be done.

LAX had good matches with the MCMG, SAT's, Heavy Hitters, Briscoe Brothers & others. It is weird seeing a JAPW icon in a tag team, but at least Homicide is getting the fame & cash that he deserves. If Hernandez wasn't in LAX, you'd have to wonder if he'd be as sought out by indy promoters as he is. Would anyone pull the trigger with him in this area as a top singles guy?

LAX owned this area and were presented this way. They did earn this award because no other team had the run they did.

Orsini, a longtime veteran and an ECW alum, represented the WSU company all year and like an NWA champion, would defend the belt in any other promotion. Away from WSU, Orsini dominated JAPW, FTW, NWS, FCW & other companies. Orsini's mix of brawling, mat wrestling & submissions made her virtually unbeatable in 2008.

When Alicia left in 2007, everyone thought Melissa Stripes or Alexa Thatcher would take over the "Queen of NJ" role. However, Stripes/Thatcher would both be gone quickly. Orsini was a great facelift for an area that needed someone new. Arguably, Orsini has made fans forget about previous women who were in the area. One thing is for sure - Orsini sure raised the bar for womens wrestling all year and truly deserved this award.

On 12/13, Reefer was booked in a clusterfuck 7 man spot match, while Moore was booked in a 6-man clusterfuck death spot match. Reefer opened the show, while Moore main evented and took a killer MotherFNBomb from Zandig. Watching Moore land into what is basically a second rate HAZMAT site, I had to give the nod to Moore here.

Moore had a great year. 5 people may actually know that he's Eric Markout's PWS Champion. Moore had many memorable matches in IWA Mid-South, perhaps the most memorable moment being the most infamous, as it was the Mike Levy incident.

In his hometown of Philly, Moore denounced PWU & Johnny Kashmere and went to CZW where he's currently enjoying success in a main event role. I'm surprised JAPW hasn't picked up on him yet, as Moore would fit in with many of the guys on JAPW's roster today.

Johnny D. is in a line of work that is a dying breed. Promoters aren't really booking managers anymore. Sure you have your idiots like Mr. Big & Johnny Diamond who sell tickets to play wrestling, but the real managers are gone. Even the three-time winner of this award, J-Train, didn't get much work as a manager this year. The red faced pyromaniac John Shane seems to have even disappeared, and he was always solid at what he did when he wasn't lighting places on fire and sucking up to whatever promoter would keep him on.

Johnny D. has the advantage of being on the inside of JAPW's inner circle which means Johnny D. always has a spot. Alot of other managers don't have that opportunity, but to his credit, Johnny D. has become a fixture of JAPW and someone the fans love to hate. He is JAPW's guy, just like ECWA has their managers and NWS uses Tom Cusati on their shows. (It helps that Cusati lines NWS's pockets tho!)

The D-Factor is a stable JAPW once focused on but has let gone to hell. It is easier to name the full names of the cast & crew of a gang bang porno than to figure out who is currently in the D-Factor. With JAPW needing a major wrench to tighten their shows, perhaps one bolt to tighten will Johnny D.'s prescence and role on the shows. Getting a set D-Factor and making the stable feared rather than a loose collection of misfits, would be the best idea. Putting wrestlers with Johnny D. has always given them heat, so it's only common sense to build the D-Factor up and let Johnny D. weasel his crew to the top of JAPW.

This is the first time that a wrestler with TV fame has won this award. Usually this award is left for guys who have great matches night in, night out and never seem to get the respect they deserve from the fans. However, in Crowbar's case, it seems that he is having great matches night in, night out and not getting any respect by the few promoters that even matter anymore in this area. In an indy scene where many veterans take the payday, bump once and leave, Crowbar goes against all that, making sure to give it his all and do whatever he can to help the wrestler he's wrestling & promotion he's working for.

HARDCORE WRESTLER OF THE YEAR
WINNER: NECRO BUTCHER
Necro Butcher wins this award again, as he's a former winner of this award. Expect Necro's stock to jump even higher with the national release of "The Wrestler" movie. Necro competed for ROH, CZW, IWA MS and other promotions during the year. One of the craziest wrestlers to watch live, as he shows no remorse for his long-term being with his brutal matches. Many hardcore wrestlers on the indy scene burn out and don't last long due to their style, but with "The Wrestler" movie looking to be very successful, bigger opportunities and money may be in store for Necro.

Nana, who lost alot of weight from years ago, still has it on the microphone. A natural behind the microphone, Nana does get some bookings as a manager, but it is in-ring competition that Nana thrives at. A former ECWA Heavyweight champion, Nana shows that he can get real heel heat unlike anyone else on the indy scene today. There is no need to curse. No reason to do over-the-top angles, when Nana comes through the curtain, fans know it's about to get loud.

There are not too many authentic heels like Prince Nana on today's indy scene which makes Nana's work stand out even more. He is a classic old-school heel who can wrestle in today's current style of wrestling.

Orsini & Martinez feuded throughout 2008 and produced three top-notch matches. Side feuds were spun off the feud between Orsini & Martinez. The feud has gotten to the point where a cage match was set for the 2nd week of 2009. Womens wrestling is very underappreciated and perhaps because some of it isn't very good. However, Orsini/Martinez makes you forget about gender and you will be caught up in the story they are telling through their tremendous athleticism. The two are approaching the year mark in their feud, something that you rarely see anymore on the indy scene. A feud is successful when it brings attention to a promotion, makes money, produces great matches and has fans interested in what's going to happen next. Orsini/Martinez exceled in every department here.

COMEBACK WRESTLER OF THE YEAR
WINNERS (TIE): DAN MAFF & B-BOY
Last year we had a tie in this category, as both Crowbar & Becky Bayless were deemed co-winners. This year, two JAPW wrestlers have been named co-winners. Originally this award was Maff's to lose, but due to terrible booking, Maff's stock crashed faster than the real stock market. B-Boy came back and got hot in JAPW as well as in his first northeast home-fed, CZW. Due to B-Boy's CZW return, coupled in with B-Boy's JAPW return and the fact that JAPW shit the bed with Maff's return, we feel that both wrestlers made an even-keeled impact when they returned to the ring this year.

Dan Maff had a harder and longer return road to the ring. After a personal incident with Homicide, Maff left the wrestling business during the peak and perhaps prime of his career. You know Maff must wake up everyday thinking "What if?" Would've he gotten a ROH/TNA/WWE contract? (Smart money is on yes.) Would've he been the most sought out indy wrestler making nice paydays every weekend? (Most likely.) Instead Maff had to sit on the sidelines and think about the decisions he made. Aside from a shot in Puerto Rico, Maff was never even seen at a wrestling show during his 3 year hiatus. Where as you always thought B-Boy would come back down the line, in the case of Dan "Mafia" Maff, the man was truly gone.

Maff was the man in 2004 and early 2005. He was the face of JAPW during JAPW's peak years. Fat Frank booked the company around him. After being part of one of the most dominant and successful indy tag teams with Monsta Mack in Da Hit Squad, Maff and Mack split ways. Maff would go on to find great success in ROH with new partner BJ Whitmer, and did what Mack & Maff as a team couldn't do - win the ROH Tag Team Titles.

When Maff returned after his three year hiatus, he got a huge pop. Instead of soaking it in, JAPW tried turning him heel against Danny Demanto. I like Demanto personally, but if I had the biggest indy wrestler return of the year, my plan wouldn't be to put him against Demanto, nor have him lose to Demanto on his third show. As the Demanto feud continued, Maff's stock dropped. Maff went from an instant main eventer with credibility to just another guy, similiar to whenever a WWE guy jumps to TNA. Demanto losing to Bandido Jr, a wrestler that is 3 times smaller than him, just negated all the wasted months of the Maff/Demanto "feud".

Of course, the natural program would've been Maff vs Homicide, but it is thought that emotions would take over. Of course that's what people want to see, but the match remains too personal to put together right now. An indy dream tag match is Whitmer/Maff vs LAX. Could we get that? First JAPW would need to get their act together first and make people care about Maff again. There is a reason why many guys jump on the RF bandwagon whenever RF announces something because alot of people feel RF can get the most potential out of the wrestlers.

Maff has done everything he's been asked to do for JAPW but if you asked anyone who knew anything about Maff, one thing would be agreed on - his return would've been the biggest return all year. Maff has already turned heel-face more times than Lex Luger and more times than Ray Sager has wiped out a Chinese Buffet. Sadly, that spark needs to be reignited for Maff in JAPW, which is the booking team's job, not Maff's, and there are plenty of things JAPW can do to make Maff mean something again. It is time to make Maff the major player he should be, rather than just a phantom.

B-Boy, after announcing his retirement last year, returned to the ring after spending 10 months away from the business. Unlike Maff, B-Boy jumped right back into the swing of things, working for many companies, as opposed to just one.

In his short comeback, B-Boy has already proved himself as a JAPW main eventer, nearly defeating JAPW champion Kenny Omega. If it wasn't for at traditional JAPW main event fuck finish, B-Boy could've been JAPW champion.

Away from JAPW, B-Boy made his return for CZW, the same promotion that gave him northeast fame so many years ago. Since his return, B-Boy has looked crisp and hasn't lost a beat. B-Boy looks rejuvenated after his time off.

One thing can be taken from all of this and that is with the business so down, and a lack of quality emerging stars, wrestling fans are lucky to have Dan Maff & B-Boy back. Congratulations to both of these men in returning to the sport they love.

MOST INSPIRATIONAL WRESTLER OF THE YEAR
WINNER: ROLLIN HARD
Rollin Hard, a long-time wrestler from IWA Mid-South Wrestling, was diagnosed with cancer over a year ago. After beating it initially and sending the cancer to remission, the cancer came back. Rollin has been fighting the cancer, but the last report about his health was not a positive report. Rollin, known for his crazy matches in IWA, has given inspiration for many, who want to see him overcome the cancer. Here is what Rollin wrote in March of this year, after announcing his cancer returned:

First and formost I would like to thank everyone for there thoughts, prayers and well wishes. My myspace page and my sidekick has been blowing up with comments, messages and emails with well wishes.

It hurts me to get on here and give the results, but since I promised and had a lot of people worried, here goes.

The cancer has spread to the linning of my abdomin. I will begen chemo treatments on April 2. After my 4th treatment, and everything is looking better, they are sending me to a specialist for some type of new surgery. I will be cut from the bone down and they are gonna go in and find the cancer and implant some kind of chemo injections.

The other day, the DR said that this cancer is treatable but not curable, so today I asked what my life expectancy is, and he gave me 18-24 months depending on how the chemo treatments go.

Now, theres 2 things I can do. (a) I cansit around for the next 18-24 months and worry myself and the ones who love me, or (b) I can live my last days to the fullest..

Im choosing b, so if i want to go do somthing, im gonna do it, if i want to go play golf, im gonna do it, if there is a wrestling show close enough to home, guess what Im gonna go to it,.

This shit might get me in the end, but as of right now, I have control over it and Im gonna take full advantage of it.

Im gonna LIVE HARD till i cant live anymore.

again, thanks for the prayers and well wishes, and if feel u wanna send anything else, be my guest, it will only cheer me up.

The Food Stamp Champ
Rollin’ Hard

As a result, IWA Mid-South tried to raise money for Rollin. No figure was announced of what they donated. "Barrmark" of the CZWFans.com message board also took up a donation for Rollin to help pay for medical bills. As of press time, no figure was announced of what was collected and donated. Despite what money is given to Rollin, the issue here is enjoying life, which Rollin planned to do. He didn't give up and hopefully he can kick out at two one last time. For a man who has a wife and kids, this is the last thing he needs and is more important than anything wrestling related.

The above was written on 12/18. I have been working on these awards for the past two weeks, doing a write-up and research for each winner every day to make this task of putting these awards together easier. As you may know by now, Rollin Hard passed away on 12/26. The cancer took away a young mans life at the age of 34. Throughout this whole ordeal, Rollin lived every day to the hardest, and gave off a positive aura. It seems for the third straight year in a row, someone has died during the DOI Year End awards, such as Jimmy Hustler & Doug Gentry. I know the Hustler & Gentry families are still grieving over their loss and I can't imagine how the family of Rollin Hard is dealing with this during the holidays. A man has left a wife and 2 kids behind because of cancer. This is truely a tragedy and the DOI sends our condolences to the friends, family and fans of Rollin Hard.

Here is IWA MS's statement about Rollin Hard's passing. As I'm typing this, this news JUST HAPPENED and just so sad to hear:

From: http://iwamidsouth.proboards19.com/index.cgi?board=IWA&action=display&thread=5303

Owen Funeral Home
5317 Dixie Hwy
Louisville, KY 40216
(502) 447-2600

Visitation will be held on Sunday December 28th & Monday December 29th from 10 am - 9 pm eastern time on both days.

Funeral will be at noon on Tuesday December 30th

You can send monetary donations directly to the funeral home to help pay for the cost of the funeral instead of sending flowers. That would be of a greater help to Angie and the kids in this time of need. You can make checks payable to Owen Funeral Home and include on the memo line that it is for the Roland Montgomery funeral. If you send it in a card, they will make sure that Angie receives the card.

Emphasis on making sure that you add Roland Montgomery's funeral to the memo line on the checks and add:

C/O ROLAND MONTGOMERY'S FAMILY to the address on the envelope so there is no confusion as to who the card goes to and what the check is for.

Jim Fannin, long-time IWA-MS manager, wrote the following about his friend:

There is no amount of time that allows you to prepare yourself for the inevitable when you want to hope against hope for a different outcome.

I can't even begin to put into words the heartbreak that I am feeling right now over losing a friend and yet another former member of the Fannin Family over the years. I could take a little solace in knowing that in a matter of moments, Chris Candido/JProdigy/Rollin will be winning the 6 Man Tag Championship in Heaven. However, the true solace comes from knowing that my friend got exactly what he wanted: Christmas at home with his family and then an end to all the pain and agony that had filled his life.

Rollin Hard was a fighter right until the end and that is why he will always be a champion and role model in my eyes. He fought this thing for so long and so hard that he became an inspiration to many. Hopefully everyone on this board and other wrestling boards is a little more aware of colon cancer and will be getting checkups to make sure that they don't have to endure what my friend has. Early detection can be a life saver and that would then make Rollin a life saver.

Rollin will always have a special place in my heart. When I started in wrestling, Mitch Page and myself always talked about how I would manage him while we were doing security and setting up the ring. I started managing Ian at first to break in so he could give me on the job training and help me from anear. Since I was good friends with Ian, it almost felt like I hadn't "earned" it just yet since he was leading me and showing me the way.

It was when I made my break away from Ian and got to manage on my own that I felt like I had begun to "earn" my spot. The first two people that I managed were Mitch and Rollin. Rollin was my first heavyweight champion after the two Ian won with me as a manager. I will always remember how excited and thrilled Rollin was when he won the IWA title. He took all kinds of pictures at home with the belt and I hope Angie and the kids still have those pictures to remember that great time in Rollin's life.

I'll always remember the IWA softball team and how Rollin along with Corporal and Cash were like the only good players and Rollin was the only one to hit a home run over the fence on the team. The games were on Monday nights so the guys would still be sore as hell and beat up from Saturday night but it was such a fun time for all of us even though we lost every time we didn't play the Dixie Highway Fire Department.

I'll also always remember the last time I saw Rollin. Mitch and I went to visit him and watch the UK/Florida football game a couple of months ago. It was a perfect visit where we could talk Cubs, Bears, UK sports and just have a normal day.

Rollin was an inspiration and a hero and one of the toughest men that I ever got the honor to meet. He will be sorely missed.

I love you Rollin and I'm so thankful that I got to meet you and to know that you are in a much better place and finally feeling no pain.

RIP and say hi to JProdigy and Candido for me behind the pearly gates.

Rest in Peace Rollin Hard, you were an inspiration for many.

STORY OF THE YEAR
WINNER: GABE SAPOLSKY SENT PACKIN' FROM RING OF HONOR
There were many different stories that occurred in pro wrestling this year, but perhaps the most shocking and unexpected was Ring of Honor firing Gabe Sapolsky in the fall of 2008. After 4 years, it turns out that all the fake posts on the DOI message board by Rob Feinstein the fake posters were true!

Whether you like or hate Gabe personally or was a fan or wasn't a fan of Gabe's booking, the decision to give Gabe the boot was a big one. Of course, bookers get boring and stale after a while, but to just fire the guy and not even give him an office job leads you to think the decision to get rid of him was a personal one.

This story could be even bigger next year if ROH goes out of business. The new booking team doesn't seem as devoted nor live for the product like Gabe. Many people think Gabe is a piece of fucking shit who should've been flushed a long time ago but even his biggest detractors have to admit that he worked hard for ROH and would sacrifice his personal time for the company. Since the firing, Gabe has tried to feel if there was interest from WWE only to be denied. It should be interesting if he can use his time in ROH to springboard to another job in wrestling or if he goes the way of every other indy guy who couldn't get a job in wrestling. Then again, if Court Bauer could get a WWE job, you'd think Gabe would at least get a shot.

SHOW OF THE YEAR
WINNER: HIGHSPOTS.COM SPOT SHOW WITH RIC FLAIR & HULK HOGAN

For years, all we've ever heard is that you could have Hulk Hogan & Ric Flair on your show, but if no one knows about it, you will still draw crap. That's kinda what happened when Highspots.com presented a show featuring Ric Flair managing his sons, Reid & David against the Nasty Boyz, with Hulk Hogan as special ref. The undercard also featured The Midnight Express vs the Rock N Roll Express and a match featuring Ricky Steamboat Jr. With two of the biggest names ever in wrestling, a great nostalgia tag team match and perhaps the future of wrestling, you'd figure a show like this would draw huge numbers, especially since it was in Flair Country. Well you could figure yourself fucked, as the show reportedly drew anywhere from 300-500 paid, which is downright pathetic considering the star power at this event. Just think, there are shows with Honky Tonk Man vs an NWS ticket seller or Superfly vs The Metal Maniac that have drawn the same amount of people.

Whether it's the economy, Flair being seen everywhere in a little amount of time, or not enough time to hype up the show, drawing less than 3000 people for Hogan and Flair seems like a catastrophe. Then why does this show win the Show of the Year award? Frankly, because there wasn't anything else particularly great either. This show was historic, as it was the first indy event to feature Flair & Hogan under the same roof in the same ring. For that, Highspots.com deserves credit. There were no BS press releases or false advertising, as Highspots came through with what they advertised. Hogan did do the show for free as a favor to Flair, but for Flair to choose this show, out of all the shows/promoters that have been throwing money at him, really says something. While the show may have not drawn what it should've, history was made here.

What does it say for pro wrestling that neither TNA, ROH or a spot show featuring two of the biggest names ever, can't draw 1000 consisently? If TNA, ROH or Hogan/Flair can't bring the asses to the seats, how does any indy promoter expect to have a quality show that is profitable? Calling SUMO or any other money mark can only last for so long.

Here is the complete show report, which was featured on the DOIWrestling.com website, courtesy of CarolinaIndependentWrestling.com:

Highspots.com Presents "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair & "The Immortal" Hulk Hogan
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Vance High School
Charlotte, NC

1. Charlie Dreamer defeated George South

2. "The Obsession" Caleb Konley defeated "The Infamous Icon" Joey Silvia

3. Dylan Eaton defeated "The Asian Sensation" Mike Lee
- Dylan Eaton is the young son of "Beautiful" Bobby Eaton from the Midnight Xpress

4. The Rock 'n' Roll Express (Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson) defeated The Midnight Xpress ("Beautiful" Bobby Eaton & "Sweet" Stan Lane) with "Big Cheese" Sal Corrente
- In a departure from almost every Rock 'n' Roll Express match, Robert Gibson took the majority of punishment here until he made the hot tag to Ricky Morton and finished with the double drop kick

- At the end of intermission, Ric Flair came out and thanked the crowd for being there and pointed out Bonnie "Steamboat", mother of Ricky Jr. and several members of the Flair family. He talked about Hulk Hogan calling him, telling him that he wanted to be involved with Reid's first match, and that Hogan had paid his own way to be at the show. Flair became emotional several times talking about his son's first match. The cameras from Flair's reality show were also there at ringside.

5. Ricky Steamboat Jr. defeated "The Man Scout" Jake Manning
- Steamboat Jr. is a dead ringer for his Dad and is definitely starting to show promise. He finished with a picture perfect high cross body off of the top rope.

6. Reid & David Flair with "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair defeated The Nasty Boys (Brian Knobbs & Jerry Saggs) with "Mouth of the South" Jimmy Hart with "The Immortal" Hulk Hogan as special referee
- Reid did the majority of the work for his team, with David spending little time in the ring. At the end, both Reid & David had the Nasty Boys tied up in Figure Four Leg Locks as Hart got into Hogan's face. Hogan gave him the three punches and the big boot, but as he started to go for the leg drop, he stopped and motioned Flair into the ring; turning his back and covered his eyes. Flair strapped in the Figure Four on Hart and Hogan made the three count.

After the match, Ric got out of the ring and let the two younger Flairs and Hogan have their moments. Hogan even tried to get Flair to come into the ring, but Flair waved him off and motioned for them to go ahead and celebrate.

Hogan was incredibly gracious all night, even heading out to the concession stand himself to get a hot dog, chatting to fans along the way.

WINNER: HOMICIDE VS TEDDY HART VS EDDIE KINGSTON
From: JAPW
Date: 1/19/08
Location: Jersey City, NJ

Unlike years past, I don't think there was one blow-away match, like there have been with past DOI "Match of the Year" winners. As mentioned throughout this report, the quality of indy wrestling and the people running some promotions is down. There really is only JAPW in this area. Watching DVDs of some of the the Philly promotions, nothing special really stood out. However, after going through all the matches in JAPW this year, Homicide vs Hart vs Kingston stood out the most, for the most elementary of reasons.

This match re-ignited a feud that was one of the hottest ever in indy wrestling in Hart/Homicide. Eddie Kingston, who should've won the match to help boost his level, was victim of a rough JAPW booking year. Despite that, these three turned in an incredible performance with the highlight being the Hart/Homicide dynamic.

A match of the year is very hard to choose. There are many matches that could've been listed. Basically what I looked for was a match that had a great feud behind it (Homicide/Hart), the wrestlers didn't take it easy, a match that the crowd was very into (The crowd was on their feet for most of the match), pure intensity (all three delivered) and a finish that left fans talking (Hart winning had fans either very upset or very happy). This was as a complete of a match that JAPW put on all year.

Here is what I wrote in my live review of this match:

MAIN EVENT
Teddy Hart d. Eddie Kingston & Homicide

An explosive brawl. At one point Homicide called Hart's uncle a faggot. I don't know which one he's talking about.

These guys went all out here, fighting all over the building. I know some people aren't fans of these matches as it's hard to see, but these make for really good DVD matches and it's 100% realistic. If you hate someone, four loose ropes shouldn't be able to hold you.

The mid-point of the match saw the guys go to the corner of the building. Hart is just insane and will do anything to please his fans. Hart moonsaulted off a pull-up pole, which was a spectacle, as he had literally inches to maneuver and somehow hit it perfectly on Homicide. Stuff like that really makes you appreciate what these guys can do.

Homicide found some empty beer bottles, I don't know where he'd find such a thing, especially near the DOIVideo.com table. Homicide broke a bottle and wanted to stab Hart with it, but Kingston and Hart brawled back to the ring. During this commotion, Chris Hero's merchandise table was broken by King & Hart.

Eventually all three made their way back to the ring after tons of weapon shots, a bloody Hart, and death defying moves. Hart wound up pinning Kingston to win the match, with Homicide looking from afar.

This was a great way to close the show, as nothing was going to top this and sent the crowd home happy. However, Kingston is in desperate need of a big win. He finally had his main event match in JAPW, and delivered, but JAPW has dropped the ball on stables in the past, and as a fan, you don't want to see the same thing happen to Kingston's JAPW version of BLKOUT.

It's funny now, because as of almost a year later, the ball on BLKOUT was surely dropped in JAPW and the ending did confirm my suspicions. Booking aside, all three wrestlers delivered in this match and that is why it has been named the DOI Match of the Year For 2008.

As a manager, Joe Panzarino in his "Dapper Johnny Falco" gimmick

Joe Panzarino's entry into pro wrestling wasn't because pro wrestling was his first love. Roller Derby had Joe's heart. Joe spent many years in Roller Derby when Roller Derby was hot, where he made his money as a promoter. Eventually, Roller Derby cooled down, and Joe took his entertainment business experience from Roller Derby and entered the pro wrestling business. of course, nothing was like the pro wrestling game, but Joe Panzarino adapted to the new animal. (No the animal wasn't Gino Moore!)

Joe would hook up with Gino Moore, Fred Rubenstein and Dennis Coralluzzo under the NWA New Jersey banner. Eventually, like all business relationships in wrestling, a wedge was formed, with the sides becoming Moore/Panzarino vs Coralluzzo/Rubenstein. Both parties would fight over the ownership of the NWA name. However, Dennis unexpectedly died, taking all the remnants and whatever little power NWA NJ had left with him to the grave. Rubenstein lost an ally and would eventually take care of his personal life and massively reduce his role in the wrestling business. This left Moore & Panzarino with the pie for themselves, and everyone knows how much Gino loves pie. (I'm only doing Gino jokes to give Joe a laugh when reading this.)

With Coralluzzo deceased and Rubenstein out, Moore & Panzarino would form NWS, a fresh company that they would build up. Together, the two would create their own "mini-territory." Anyone who's talked to Joe on the phone knows how he is and how protective he is about "his" towns such as Brick, Manville, Long Branch, etc. Joe runs the promotion as old school as one can get which many of his competitors don't understand, especially when those competitors break the unwritten code of promoters.

While Gino financed the company and does the music, it is Joe Panzarino who is on the phone all day and flyering all the towns. Both Moore & Panzarino treat wrestling as a full-time job, as it surely is, and devote their life to it. However, when Moore is on the phone ordering pizzas, it is Joe who is making deals with buildings and sponsors and debating if a wrestler is worth paying $20 or $25!

All jokes aside, Panzarino is one of the hardest working and most dedicated promoters I know today. I do wish he'd stop calling me at 7am when he had a question about something, but that is because Panzarino is up all day and night for wrestling.

There are alot of seedy promoters out there. There are promoters who don't know what they are doing. There are promoters who live for this and have no life. While all that applies to Eric Markout, none of that applies to Panzarino. Panzarino does have his distractors/haters, for whatever reasons. Some complaints about Panazarino are his use of ticket sellers. Well this is not a new concept. Many promoters use them. Another complaint is working with a man who once said "Your mouth is saying one thing, but your body is saying another." To me that shows loyalty and true friendship to stick by a person when everyone is kicking them when they are down.

For the people who know Joe, you gotta love the guy. He is one of the funniest people around. As someone who's done business with Joe for now 5 years, I've never had a problem with him. He is a man of his word. What he says is what you get, and there is no horseshit, which does plague the indy business. Joe has great stories about everyone in wrestling and hopefully one day that is captured all on a shoot interview.

Even the legend wrestlers talk about Panzarino and his legendary below normal paydays. Joe has never stiffed a wrestler ever, as he's always upfront about what he's going to pay you. The wrestlers will do Joe's shows for cheaper because they know Joe will always be there and because the money will always be right. Joe keeps the guys working and there is no doubt if the payday is coming. Guys like Honky Tonk Man have joked about Panzarino in his shoot.

NWS is a family promotion. While there might be stuff on there that will make you want to rip your eyeballs out, the fact is the business model NWS has used has been financially successful and one that no one does better. Is it hokey at times? Of course, but if you can watch it with an open mind, you can't help but laugh. NWS has given us great characters and sometimes deplorable people over the years like Saddam Insane, Team Tsunami, Tom Cusati, "The Wrestling Clown", Hammy, The Purple Bomber, Steve Zapf, Eric Simms, Wayne Plogfart and King DoIStink (no not Gino Moore brother!)

Panzarino has been an asset to independent pro wrestling and has given wrestlers work and fans many shows for the last decade. Even Panzarino's wack pack of stooges have funny stories. Panzarino has done a great job for wrestling and with that we are proud to honor him and enshrine him with the likes of Bobby Lombardi, Afa "The Wild Samoan", Jim Kettner, Frank Goodman, Jimmy Hustler & Doug Gentry with this DOI Lifetime Achievement Award.

What can be said about Joe Panzarino that he hasn't already said about himself. Once a famous star of Roller Derby, he has transformed his skill from chasing people around the Derby Track to having people chase him around the wrestling ring (literally).

Honestly, Joe is one of the smartest men in the wrestling business. He has surrounded himself with people who know the value of teamwork and are willing to help him whether it be putting up signs, setting up chairs, helping the ring guy set up and break down the ring. It doesn't matter, he is smooth enough to get people to do his work and make the National Wrestling Superstars the largest independent promotion on the east coast (well, except for the company with the big "W" outside their building in Stamford).

Joe is the hot dog king. Just ask Tom Brandi who has a special way of keeping count of how many hot dogs he eats during a show and can recall the building by the number of hot dogs Joe devoured. It's funny while refereeing a match when Tom will say "the mother fucker just finished his 15th hot dog".

Joe doesn't believe in sleeping late. Ask anyone who has received a phone call from him at 7 in the morning asking "how many tickets do you have sold for (fill in the blank) building. Or in my case, "we need to get the posters done for (fill in the blank) show" or "we need to get a letter out because I have a potential sponser waiting for it" (like waiting til 10 o'clock will make a difference).

Over the years, Joe has actually started to listen to people on ideas for the shows. I remember while traveling to Tower City one year, we were talking about Hasheem Ali's character and how to put him over as a bigger heal. somebody blurted out about giving him the knickname "Chemical" and he not only went with it, but came up with two other characters, Saddam Insane and Moehoward Gottheheaves al-getz. Shortly thereafter, he came up with other characters to be known as the Baghdad Bullies, using Prince Cameltoe and indy manager Matt Kaufman who he dubbed King Air Of Fat Under The Bar Eating Slop Yes I Do Stink. When first used, Balls Mahoney had one of the funniest lines for the King, saying during the middle of a match "What Kind Of Jew Are You Playing An Arab?". This is what makes it funnier because when Joe and his crew come up with an idea, someone will always run with it to make it better.

Joe's yearly picnic's are a blast, having wrestlers who he considers loyal come to his house and relax while feeding them good food and great drinks. And he always has a good word (or two) to say about everyone who is there, including Eric Simms who he tried charging admission before he could get into the party.

Joe, unlike many other promoters, rarely attends other company events (including two held at the NWS Mid-Jersey Pro Wrest ling Academy in November). However, he was on the phone with Gino asking "what's going on?" "how many people?" "are any of our regulars there?"

A lot of other promoters acuse Joe (and Gino) of doing things to hurt their events. I can honestly say that, to my knowledge, he has never done any of the things that he was accused of and wonder if its jealousy or some other reason that these promoters put stories out about him to make him and the NWS look bad.

Enough about the jokes (bad as they may be). Now time for some serious points.

Joe has given many guys a start and push in the business and that shows his loyalty back to those who have helped him. Many of the people he uses today got started by helping out either as ring crew or fans who were interested in the business. He even decided to open a school this past November, despite the economy being in the toilet. He knows its a place for those he uses to get more experience and the experience they receive at the school will translate into better shows because they will become better workers.

As much as people say about Joe (and we know, if you've ever read DOI Forums how much they say about him), he is very loyal to those who are loyal to him and I am proud to consider him not only a close associate, but over the years a close friend

Kevin Redding
(aka Ref Kenny Edwards)

I would like to congratulate Joe Panzarino on his DOI Lifetime achievement award. Few independent promoters work as hard as Joe does to promote a town. Joe is part of a dying bread of old school promoters.

Congratulations
Eric Simms
ESS PROMOTIONS

Let's just hope that bread isn't stale!

Joe Panzarino is a man amongst men. He along with his legendary partner, The Big Kahuna, star of stage and screen, Gino Moore, continue to have the most successful and trend setting indie professional wrestling company of the modern era. Joe is a true legend, father, husband, neighbor, pal, bosom buddy, you name it, he's done it, he's simply THE GREATEST! just ask him, he'll tell you! But the one thing that really stands out about Joe the most is how he's become a true connoisseur of fine cheeseburgers & hotdogs cooked to perfection at all the armory's, vfw's, church hall's, and lion's clubs across the state of New Jersey. If you ever have a question about who makes them the best, he's the guy to go to. On numerous occasions, Joe has been sited with many a plate piled high above and beyond one man's possible consumption. If it was a drug, he would've OD'd many a year ago! Congratulations Joe, YOU'RE THE GREATEST!

Any feedback or changes you would've liked to see in the awards can be emailed in. If you want your response printed, feel free to say so by emailing:
Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey
BULLSMC@aol.com

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