Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: Marcus, you used to write for PWBTS and PWInsider. How did you get started with those websites and what led you to leaving both of them?

Marcus Dowling: Wow. Straight from the frying pan into the fire on the first question! I certainly wouldn’t expect anything less from the DOI. Actually, your history is wrong there, as I started on the internet reviewing Nitro, Thunder and Worldwide while a senior in college in January 2000 for a website whose name I honestly can’t remember, but was something like wulfpacrulllz316.net. From there, the “Famous Last Words” column debuted at the short-lived altwrestling.net, which was later absorbed into Rick Scaia’s Online Onslaught. That site fizzled, and, from there, I went to the third ever ROH show, and decided I wanted to get into the business. I sent these ridiculously huge and extremely well written and detailed show recaps to Gabe Sapolsky, trying to write for the ROH website, however, ROH wasn’t hiring anyone at the time. So, I told Gabe I liked writing, and he suggested working with Bob Magee.

Working with Bob was an absolute pleasure and joy, however, I honestly wanted more visibility for my views on wrestling, so through the New York City bus trips (yes, like a fool, I went from DC to NYC down to Philly…but I had a method to my madness) I met Mike Johnson, who I had been aware of since the days of the AOL Grandstand Message Boards, and straight up asked him if I could join 1wrestling.com. He flat out denied me, telling me “something bigger was on the horizon,” and about a year of waiting and wondering what the hell Mike was talking about, a week after PWInsider.com hit the web, I accepted a position there doing the column.

I left PWInsider for a myriad of reasons, the biggest personally being that through writing the column, I really began to feel that there was so much more I could offer the business. After you get person after person, both in and out of the business, telling you that you need to be behind the curtain, it really just doesn’t make much damn sense to be a “typewriter tough guy” anymore. You have to prove to yourself that you have the ability to back up your words. I’m not a man who likes making his words feel empty, and, as I always said in the column, “the darkest hour is just before dawn,” so I felt that it was about F’N time we got to see what dawn looked like!

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: Did you find that there were "internet politics" as you wrote for these sites?

Marcus Dowling: Of course there were, Sean. There’s politics everywhere. When you’re a regular stringer for a website, and you’re NOT the guy, or one of the guys in charge, there’s a bit of annoyance about how you become “a guy in charge.” It’s all so arbitrary, since in many cases it doesn’t take a Master’s degree in communications or English to be considered a major player in this industry. Sometimes it takes sitting front row at the ECW Arena. That’s not a knock, it just bespeaks the random nature of the internet side of this business. Let’s just say that the politics come from the randomness of how people achieve success in wrestling, and that now, being behind the scenes, it’s a far more controlled, yet still exciting environment.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: Is it safe to say that writing on the internet your "in" to the wrestling business?

Marcus Dowling: Not safe by a long shot. Interestingly enough, when I started writing the Nitro reviews, I had a fan of those who was trying to start a small time indy promotion in Washington, DC. Seeing as though I’m from DC, he contacted me and asked if I was interested in working with him. He had already contacted a bunch of friends of mine who were backyarding about getting trained professionally. I figured, “why the hell not,” and visited the “training school,” which was this money mark’s basement where a small time local indy “hero” was teaching the guys how to bump on a broken down gym mat held together by duct tape. I knew at this point that the promotion was garbage, however, I figured that it would make my understanding of the business as a columnist if I took all of this in. Well, over the next three years, Capital City Wrestling was an eternal side project of mine. I trained in that stank basement, became a manager, booked, did color commentary, set up the ring, went through tables, and did about five thousand other menial tasks for an indy that turned out to be bootleg and outlaw as the promoter was too cheap to promote or get a license. Because he did neither, I’ve worked a few horrendous shows in front of 8-10 people in a 100 degree gymnasium, and even seen a show that was an assembly at a high school where 1000 disinterested Ballou High School students took a heaping crap on matches where guys who were as green as the grass under my feet showed more light and exposed the business more than 100 websites, 50 message board smarks and that NBC special ever could have.

That, mixed with writing the column helping me out with making connections with folks in the Northeast, is how I forged my “in” to the wrestling business.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: You are now involved with WAW in Washington D.C. What is your role there?

Marcus Dowling: The website lists me as a “creative consultant,” which would mean that I’m on the booking team. As well, I do all internet publicity, contact workers to bring down here, figure out venues to run, and a bunch of other related stuff. As my friends outside of the business say, I do more than I should which to me in many cases is not even close to scratching the surface of being enough.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: Who is the promoter of WAW and where did the WAW concept come from?

Marcus Dowling: Torri Hughes is the promoter. Quite simply, Torri is a wrestling fan from the DC area who’s had enough. He’s 27, and grew up like I did with the WWF, NWA, UWF, World Class, AWA, USWA and Georgia TV we had as kids, and now, as an adult, he notices that wrestling fans no longer have an alternative that really makes them proud to be wrestling fans, and to have a truly entertaining product to call their own.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: What kind of product does WAW offer?

Marcus Dowling: If Torri were answering these questions, he’d say that “WAW is an uncouth, often politically incorrect wrestling group that features the most high flying, charismatic and action packed wrestling ever seen in the Mid-Atlantic area.” My answer would be that WAW is the bastard son of Mid-Atlantic wrestling, TBS from the Techwood Drive studio, hours of Bruiser Brody and Stan Hansen tapes, the ghost of Roddy Piper on Piper’s Pit in the early 80s, and a healthy mix of the electric atmosphere surrounding staged violence and passion that was ECW.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: What can fans expect from your involvement in WAW?

Marcus Dowling: Man, oh man…great question. Just realize this. I started off as a fan just like all of you. I’ve spent more hours in more Greyhound depots than I care to mention. As well, I’ve traveled for over 36 hours just to see good wrestling. If you’re from DC, I too remember the golden years of wrestling on channel 50, and I remember Superstars of Wrestling on channel 5. If you’re from northern Virginia, we share those memories, as well. If you’re from Maryland, I feel sorry for you, as you’ve gone from having more wrestling than you can shake a stick at to just having one group and WWE shows, including one where you had to watch Vince and Stephanie fight each other. And, for those of you in Delaware, you’re a part of a great wrestling heritage there, and I think you’ll be more than happy to welcome the World Alliance of Wrestling with open arms once you catch a glimpse of what we’re going to give you.

Back on topic, people can expect the same type of hard work, dedication and diligence that I put into the column into WAW. Also, people can expect me to not be standing next to the guardrail or being so damn vocal. : ).

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: You are a known Ring of Honor mark. Will you be incorporating some things from ROH into WAW?

Marcus Dowling: Wow Sean. You’re one perceptive guy : ). Actually, ask anyone I know and they’ll tell you that what I’ve really become a mark for in the past year is Desperate Housewives. Hell, I can miss a Ring of Honor show every now and then. But, man. The only way that I made it to the 12/26 show in Philly was when I realized that Desperate Housewives was a repeat. I love the Rottweilers, the Embassy and those crazy handshakes as much as the next good wrestling product starved individual. But man, oh man, do I love Eva Longoria and Nicolette Sheridan more. And yes, to get back on point, ROH has men in tights and shorts rolling around in a ring. WAW will too. ROH is ROH and WAW is WAW. They will be as vastly different as humanly possible. Any and all similarities in product are completely incidental and will be profusely apologized for.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: You are using some wrestlers from the North East area in your Mid Atlantic promotion. Why did you choose the DRS as the first wrestlers to bring to DC?

Marcus Dowling: When I first got offered the position to help out with WAW, the DRS were at the top of my list, even though I knew Blade was hurt. As I’ve said before, a key element of WAW’s success in my mind is going to be dealing a lot with the mix of a new breed of the Mid-Atlantic era and old time Techwood Drive studio stuff. If there are any two people out there who can work that style, you can't go wrong with those two. EC Negro and KC Blade remind me of a cross between Michael Hayes and Jimmy Garvin. They’re tremendous talents.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: What are WAW's short term plans?

Marcus Dowling: Short term is to draw a consistent fan base to the DC and Delaware areas. As well, I’d love to see some tremendous matchups that will capture the fans’ imaginations.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: What are WAW's long term plans?

Marcus Dowling: Long term we want to recreate a territory for the Mid-Atlantic region and create a standard and mark of excellence that anyone who runs in the DC/VA/MD/Delaware region should aspire to meet up to and compete with.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: Does WAW hope to implement a womens division?

Marcus Dowling: Absolutely. We have twelve of the most legitimately eye catching and vivacious women in independent wrestling working with us. Of course they’re going to have issues that will need to be settled in the ring.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: What wrestlers are on your roster? Who are your champions?

Marcus Dowling: Mana the Polynesian Warrior is the WAW Champion. He’s managed by Andy Vineberg, who worked behind the scenes with Paul E. in ECW and with Court Bauer in MLW. In WAW, he’s finally getting the chance to stand up in front of the camera and excise fifteen years worth of demons and anger. On February 20th, we’re crowning Tag Team Champions, as the Slackers w/ Larry Kennedy Phillips take on the Ghetto Mafia. As well, the Cruiserweight strap will be on the line in “Cruiser Mayhem,” where eight cruiserweights, including Prince Malik, Alex Lunar and The Dynamic Sensation will be in a fast paced match where a new wrestler will be introduced after the last one was pinned until one man is left standing. Also, for the American title, we’re having a TLC match between Supreme Lee Great, Julio Dinero, Chance Prophet and Chris Nightmare. Furthermore, we’ll see in action Dean Jablonski, Genesis, Ricky Landell and Alex Law, the aforementioned DRS, Tank Thomas and Davey Andrews, Shane Hagadorn and Anthony Franco fresh from the ROH training school.

Plus, for the tallywhacking hornballs in attendance, at some point or another in the next four months, you’re going to see Jade, Noel Harlow, Crystal Carmichael, Vanessa, Talia and a calvacade of other beautiful and talented females.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: For fans of the Northeast who are not familiar with WAW, what wrestlers really stand out in WAW and why do you think they can make an impact on the wrestling scene?

Marcus Dowling: Man, oh man. I could be here all day. The Maryland area is criminally underexposed in independent wrestling these days because of the demise of MCW and MEWF being seen as a sham, mockery and blemish on the business. Just from there alone I’ll first mention The Slackers, Dino Divine and Chad Bowman, and their manager Larry Kennedy Philips, who could work anywhere for anybody and draw great money as an old school heel tag team. As well, there’s Chris Nightmare, a junior who improves every time I see him, and guys like Crazy Shea who is so graceful in the air but has great intensity, Alex Lunar who I see big things for, and Genesis and “The Italian Eagle” Antonio Ferrari who are two rapidly improving big men.

As well, we’re finally going to get to see some expanded roles in WAW for Ricky Landell and Alex Law who I believe are going to be big names about two years down the line, and there’s the ROH “top student” Davey Andrews, who I think will do things for us that will make everyone forget that he’s a rookie.

Plus, there’s Mana, SLG, TDS and well, just about everyone else. WAW is a place where the underutilized and criminally underexposed will become highly respected superstars.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: What are the politics like in the Washington DC area?

Marcus Dowling: Well, our mayor almost botched the Expos. Marion Barry is back again after smoking crack. And, we’ve got a lot of congressmen and the pr…oh, now I get it. There are none. We’re the only game in town outside of WWE running, so the pretty relaxed with us. Don’t expect weapons of mass destruction or anything, but if somebody bleeds, I don’t think anyone’s going to get too freaked out. As far as Delaware is concerned, I sincerely hope that we get along with Jim Kettner and the ECWA, as their almost four decades of excellence are to be commended, and DCW draws for what they do and gives the guys and girls a place to work, so that’s wonderful too. We won’t hit Maryland for a little bit, cause the commission there is a bear to deal with, but EWA is there as you won’t find a more hard working and decent promoter than Jim Christian anywhere in the area.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: Does WAW have any plans on expanding their shows in other states such as maybe Maryland and even NJ?

Marcus Dowling: We’ll expand when we’re ready. As far as New Jersey is concerned, we’d be insane to. Aren’t there about 5000 other people that run there too : ).

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: What is the Washington DC commission like? Is it anything like the NYSAC or PSAC?

Marcus Dowling: The DC commission has been an absolute pleasure. They’re very relaxed, and not as persnickety and reactionary as New York or Pennsylvania. Nobody really runs here, so I guess they have no reason to be.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: What are WAW's greatest strengths?

Marcus Dowling: Do you have all day? WAW’s strengths are very interesting actually. I’ll present the most interesting of them first. WAW will present legitimate, tall, muscular, hulking heavyweights who wrestle well. Also, WAW will place a high importance on tag team wrestling. There will be no fat men in overalls or awkward looking behemoths in WAW. As well, there will be no makeshift teams of over babyfaces or heels. WAW recognizes a failing in independent wrestling, and we try to fix it immediately. As well, we have very big egos at WAW, and we want our fans to as well. Therefore, we will present nothing in the ring that could ever be potentially brought back to us as embarrassing or inherently ridiculous. We’re professionals, and will only treat our shows as such. Furthermore, a WAW show, if it goes over three hours, would be amazingly insane. We want wrestling to be a part of our fans’ day, and not a whole day exercise as it is with many other groups. We tell a story, and make it interesting, but will not fill our shows with filler matches or excessive garbage.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: What are WAW's greatest weaknesses?

Marcus Dowling: Exposure. We run shows in the most criminally underrepresented wrestling area in the nation. We had ROBOCOP in DC, dammit. And in Baltimore, sheesh. Do you have fifty years? There was once a time and place in this business that running a show in the DC area meant something. Now, it means nothing. It’s an enclave on the grand map of wrestling. We’ve got to overcome that image and recreate from the ground up the tradition and meaning of wrestling to the Mid-Atlantic area.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: What kind of responsiblity will you have in WAW? Will you be an on-air character?

Marcus Dowling: Responsibility wise, I’m on the booking team. I make damn sure that things make sense that happen in the ring. As far as being an on-air character, I’m the color commentator for WAW’s home DVD and video releases as Mr. Marcus Donovan, the name I used when I managed. I’m not taking any bumps for anybody though, as from my VERY brief time in the business I have a very bad lower back and a permanently dislocated left middle finger that pops in and out of joint when it wants to.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: Why should any fan go to WAW in February?

Marcus Dowling: Go to WAW on February 20th in Seaford, Delaware to be thoroughly entertained. If you’re a tape mark, think back to all those hours of Techwood Drive footage and Mid-South/UWF goodness, and realize that it’s LIVE and in living color, with some new wrinkles. If you’re a live event freak, realize that this will be the damndest three hours of wrestling you’ll ever see in your life. Also, if you’re a parent, and you’ve got kids, BRING THEM. There’s something for everybody. And, last but not least, if you live in Maryland, DC, Virginia or Delaware, you can quit hiding your face in shame when you make that three, four, five or six hour drive to see wrestling that doesn’t make you want to vomit profusely. GOOD WRESTLING IS HERE FOR YOU! WAW! GET REAL! : )

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: What do you want to say to anyone reading this?

Marcus Dowling: Thanks to anyone and everyone who ever read my column, and to anyone who was a fan of the column, or a fan of how I saw the business, please take a look into WAW. Contact me at marcuskdowling@hotmail.com, and visit WAWDC.com and let me know what you think. Trust me. You’ll be glad you did as my involvement in WAW is merely an extension of the same values I preached there. Also, to everyone I’ve met along the way who profoundly affected me and gave me opportunities that they never had to(and all of you know who you are), I thank you so very much and I am so appreciative every day I breathe for your support. And, to the DOI, thanks for supporting indy wrestling, and realize that reading your message board is almost as fun as going to the shows! In final, support WAW, and the darkest hour is no longer before dawn, dawn is February 20th!

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: Thanks for this interview and good luck with your work in WAW.