What up everyone and welcome to another McPinions column here on the DOI site. This time I'll be looking at Pro Wrestling Unplugged, as they debut their first show.

PWU has been covered here on the DOI site, and we have given all the news that has come from the promotion. PWU is being run by Johnny Kashmere of the Backseat Boyz. Kashmere has surrounded himself with a great crop of talent for his debut show. Now, on September 25, PWU will debut their first live show. The show is being promoted as a "scrimmage" meaning that it's a first run, and assumingly PWU will find out whatever problems there are with running a show, correct them, and come back strong when they run their first arena venue show. This first show, which is also being followed up by a second scrimmage show, will be held at the Berwyn Tavern. It promises to be a fun atmosphere. Before I go any further, here is all the information on the show that is available:

Sat, Sep 25th, 2004 2:00 PM PDT

Jam Session #1
Berwyn Tavern
Lancaster Avenue
Berwyn, PA 19312
http://www.theberwyntavern.com
Price: $22.00
First in a two part series of two events to take place at The Berwyn Tavern in Berwyn, PA.
Directions and maps found at www.theberwyntavern.com . Tickets available online.
250 capacity. This event will be taped, preorders for the video will be taken through email in the upcoming weeks.
Bell time is 6:45, but dont miss "Happy Hour"
with The BackSeat Boyz and Ian Knoxxx from 2pm untill 5pm, food and drink served.

The Return of The BackSeat Boyz
The Return of The Technician Tom Carter vs. Julio Denaro
Ian Knoxxx and ??? vs Rockin Rebel and Greg Matthews
BBoy vs Dan Maff
Teddy Hart vs Jack Evans
SAT and The Amazing RED

Red Carpet Arrival Countdown show/Happy Hour:
-- hosted by Big Mac Smack and Gary Michael Capetta (starts at 2:30)
-- Video Game Tournament featuring THE FANS VS. The Briscoe Brothers/Jack Evans/The SAT/Julio/BackSeat Boyz/Ian Knoxxx/RED and BBoy! FANS BRING YOUR MEMORY CARDS!!!!
-- Tickets on sale for Oct 23 AND Nov 5
-- Band: Shake Dancer
-- Brand New Unplugged Merchandise goes on sale...T-shirts, pictures and MORE!!!
-- MANY SUPRISES...........
---Drink Specials and Food

Obviously without running a show yet, it's hard to be definite, but PWU looks to be catering to the fans, and making the whole show an interactive experience. As someone who enjoys a good brew, cough, once in a while, the fact that the event is being held in a bar makes it even more merrier. With the promotion hyping up a happy hour, it looks like there were will be a lot of designated drivers that day as well!

The matches on the show look solid. PWU's roster includes international wrestlers as well as the top indy names going today. With the whole gimmick of being overly fan friendly, this is a good show for any fan looking to meet wrestlers, get pictures or autographs, etc.

An interesting feature of PWU is their "Penalty Box". PWU's Penalty Box is described as a place where the wrestlers finally take back the power. If your name is on the list, you are unwelcome at unplugged events until a formal apology has been made. Every wrestler on the Unplugged roster can nominate. . . at any time. Unruly fans, unfair reporters, and those with a general lack of integrity will be the first people to make the list.
Hopefully, I can last one show without making it, because with alot of alcohol flowing at that show, there is always a chance of unruliness! In all seriousness, this concept is innovative, and it should be interesting who makes the list. Maybe starting off with Carmine Sabia would be a funny first entrant.

As of right now, the promotion isn't hyping up any championships or tournaments. The show will consist of great matches featuring great wrestlers.

I think PWU is doing a wonderful job of hyping up the promotion with all these gimmicks and fan interactivity. One thing that should be fun is the red carpet entrance. It will be like Grammy or I guess to be corny, "Slammy" night at PWU, as PWU papparazzi hit up the red carpet this Saturday.

Hacksaw Jim Duggan, who is part of the PWU executive team, will not be at the inaugural show, but will be appearing at the first arena show, scheduled to take place on November 5th in Philadelphia. Looking ahead, it should be interesting to see how that show does with ROH being the same day, featuring Jushin "Thunder" Lyger in the Boston area. Will fans make the long drive, or stay home? I'm guessing depending on the quality of the first two Jam Sessions, that is when we will know for sure.

Another thing, while looking ahead, that interests me will be how Johnny Kashmere does as a promoter. He's done a great job of being a wrestler, but being a promoter is a different breed. He has to expect some relationships to flourish with wrestlers, as well as diminish. Kashmere will have a full plate in the upcoming months.

Of course the first show is this Saturday on September 25th, but here is the information on the shows after that date:

Sat, Oct 23rd, 2004 2:00 PM PDT
Jam Session #2
Berwyn Tavern
Lancaster Avenue
Berwyn, PA 19312
http://theberwyntavern.com
Price: $20
Tickets on sale at the Berwyn Tavern on Sept. 25th!
! Details of this show are coming soon.
This is going to be a Halloween party like none other. . .

Fri, Nov 5th, 2004 7:00 PM PST
Grand Opening
Juniata Boys Club
NorthEast Philadelphia, PA
Price: $15
Tickets for this event will go on sale at the Berwyn Tavern on September 25th!

"Hacksaw" Jim Duggan innaguration The BackSeat Birthday Bash
Much More announced soon......

For more information and to preorder tickets for this show check out http://www.prowrestlingunplugged.com

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey
BULLSMC@aol.com