Let me start this off properly: Greetings from the man underneath the 5-Gallon Heineken bottle.

The DOI Ref Hanson Shoot Interview has made quite a stir on the indy scene. The first batch of shoot interviews that were made sold out, and we're working on a second batch right now. All the feedback received has been positive, as it is one of the most realest shoot interviews on the market today. Check out Fabe Lover's review of the shoot on the DOI main page for a comprehensive review of the interview turning heads all over the indy world.

And for those who asked, the next DOI Shoot Interview to be released will be with Carmine Sabia. I'll have more on Carmine's shoot at a future date.

While I'm shilling things, let's talk about Danny Demanto's eBay auctions. Danny is currently eBaying his shit-filled underwear that he wore when he wrestled New Jack at last week's JAPW event. I also hear he's selling a few tapes too, but enough of Mr. Hogsplash.

There are alot of shows this upcoming Saturday, on 9/17, but the show that looks the strongest to me is PWU's event. The return of the Briscoe Brothers is more than enough to sell me on this show. Not only will the Briscoes be there, but there will be a 6-man tag team street fight, and if you've seen a PWU street fight, then you know it's really going to be in the streets. Philly wrestling needs all the support it can get, so if you're looking for something to satisfy your violence appetite, check out PWU this Friday.

NY Giants 1-0. Philadelphia Eagles 0-1. Too bad you can't make the playoffs on Week 1. The NFL season looks like it will be another fun season full of surprises. Who would've thought the Jets would've got ass raped by a bunch of Indians in Kansas City? Also, who would've thought the fish would slap the horses like bitches in Miami? WWE likes to say anything can happen, but that motto applies better to the NFL than the WWE.

I got alot of interesting feedback on the TNA column I posted earlier this week. The general consensus is that fans would like to see TNA run house shows. Some suggested spots were the ECW Arena in Philly, The Georgia Dome in Atlanta and select locations in the Carolinas. Either way, from what I gather, the fans want to support TNA, so it's up to TNA to really start supporting TNA and letting the company grow. TNA really has a chance to change wrestling on a national level. Instead of watching snooze or big man main eventers like Batista, Cena (Who has just become pure gimmick) and JBL every PPV, TNA may force the WWE to change their main event scene to feature more athleticism. Especially when TNA is putting on main event bouts such as Samoa Joe vs Christopher Daniels vs AJ Styles. What the fuck is WWE thinking these days anyway? After HBK's biggest match in a long time, they stick him against Chris Masters? Hogan to Masters. That's like winning the Superbowl one year and the next year sitting on the bench in the CFL.

Since I got alot of positive feedback last time, and since I got a bunch more questions, welcome to another edition of "Ask The MiC"

1- What are the top five shoot interviews you've seen?
I'd say the top five interviews I've seen, in no particular order, are:
1- "Behind Closed Doors With..." Jake The Snake
2- Bill Watts
3- The Honky Tonk Man
4- Bret Hart
5- New Jack
Also, I have to give honorable mention to the DOI Ref Hanson Shoot, because what all those five RF Video shoots have in common with the Hanson shoot are pure honesty. All six people tell it like it is and aren't afraid of anyone or anything and just voice their opinions, whether or not their opinions are popular or not.

2- How come the DOI doesn't cover PWG?
We can only cover what is sent to us. Once in a while we'll get their press releases and put them up. If anyone really is PWG diehard and like to see them get more press, just send in your show or DVD reviews, and we'll post them.

3- Outside of the DOI, who are your favorite wrestling opinion writers to read?
I enjoy Chris Hyatte's work alot. I think he brings something no else has. I also make sure to read every "Maniac Minute" posted by Frank Goodman, as they are always full of stupid shit that makes me laugh.

4- How are you able to maintain friendships with people in the wrestling business when sometimes you trash them in your reviews? How do you interact with wrestlers in your life?
First off, I think there is a difference between "trashing" and criticizing. Most people who know me know who my friends are, so it isn't fun to write critical about them, but it something I've done with no problem. I know people who hate that I'm friends with some people will always look to see what I see about my friends, to see if I'm writing about everyone fairly, so that's why if anything, I criticize my friends extra harder in reviews, than people I can care less about.
The people who remain your friends are the ones who have thick skin and realize there is life outside of wrestling. It's amazing how many wrestlers think real life is wrestling all day long. People don't know how to turn off wrestling in their after-hours life. They'd rather bring heat to a bar, then sit back and relax and forget about wrestling. It's ridiculous and sad.
Just the other day, I was talking to one of my real friends in and out of wrestling, and he was telling me how someone he knew was mad at me because of something I wrote 5 months ago. The best part is I don't remember what I write half the time. People put too much stock into what I say (and I'll talk more about that in the next question.) I guess it's good that people value my opinion to get legit angry about something I wrote 5 months ago. Long story short, the person who was mad, despite me saying something to the lines of "he had an off night", still hasn't said anything to me. It's funny how mad someone can get about something as silly as a review. Even better was that was the first time I've ever really criticized that person's work as I've given him hundreds of positive reviews in the past.
The people who are most successful are the ones who read the reviews for what they are but don't let it affect their business. Everyone knows I'm friends with Frank Goodman, and I think I've buried his shows more than I praised them, but that's never been a problem. Why would he worry about what I say when he's drawing 600+ per show and making more money combined than almost every NJ promotion (outside of JAPW) put together? Maybe that's why I tend to be better friends with successful people, because successful people are usually straight shooters and not babies who entire life revolves around the internet. Successful people know how to turn off this little world, and know how to kick back, relax and party. And that's what I'm all about too.

The wrestling business is full of fake people, that's why I surround myself with a select few people. It's also why I respect someone like Ref Hanson to the moon, because you know what he's always thinking. Not to shill again, but if you watch the Ref Hanson shoot inteview, you'll get a better insight of what I'm talking about.

5- What are your thoughts on Ref Hanson saying in his shoot interview that people put too much stock into what you, Mike Johnson and other writers say?
He's right. Wrestlers shouldn't let writers affect their style. The people who let writers affect their wrestling should quit because they won't go anywhere, if they are on the internet all day and not in a gym. It's usually small time wrestlers who worry about what the internet writers say anyway. I don't think HHH sits in a corner or IMs whoever he's driving around for the week and says "Oh my god Meltzer trashed me!" People need to relax and take reviews/reports for what they are. It's one person's opinion. If you're getting booked every week and getting trashed by writers every week, who's right and who's wrong, considering that you're getting paid every week? If you're getting trashed/criticized by writers, and not getting booked every week, than maybe you need to look in the mirror, lose your gut, and work/train harder. The only words a wrestler should worry about are the words of a booker or a promoter, because those are the people who affect their future the most.

6- What has been your favorite indy match this year?
This is a tough question. I can't pinpoint one, but off the top of my head the following three stick out:
1- Jay Lethal challenges Dan Maff for the JAPW Heavyweight Championship. This was the best match of Maff's title reign, because of his opponent. The finish of the match also kicked everyone in the nuts and drew legit hate for Dan Maff. And unbeknownst to anyone at the time, it was Dan Maff's last JAPW match.

2- Chris Candido vs Homicide from an April 2005 UXW show- This was Candido's last major indy match. (He went on to wrestle in a tag match the next day in NWA NJ, before passing away 4 days later.) This match took the best ex-WWE guy on the indies against the best indy wrestler today. It was really one of the best matches UXW has put on all year. It's a shame that there won't be a rematch. It was arguably one of Homicide's best matches of the year too.

3- Terry Funk vs Shane Douglas vs Sabu from Hardcore Homecoming- this was the real main event of the ECW weekend. These three busted their ass when they didn't have to, and gave everyone closure on the death of ECW. This match was very emotional and all three did a great job.

7- What is your pet peeve while watching wrestling?
When wrestlers don't look like wrestlers. Here's a bold statement, but I know I can beat up 50%, if not more, of the people who call themselves wrestlers today. I might be able to beat up 1% of the guys on the WWE roster. Wrestlers are supposed to be special. Baseball fans aren't better than the people they are paying to watch. Ditto Football, Hockey and Basketball. Fans of boxing and UFC can't beat up the actual boxers and fighters. In indy wrestling, there are times when there are stronger and better people in the crowd than in the ring. I also hate watching rip-off gimmicks like Poco Romeo and his Rey Misterio Mask and the Smoke who does a Rock gimmick.

8- Who is Eric Cooper?
I got this question PM'ed to me on the message board after a thread about Eric Cooper chaueffering Jay Lethal around. If Cooper is driving people around for bookings, I'm not aware of it, because outside of AWA and occassionally, JAPW, I don't see Cooper booked. Eric Cooper is an indy wrestler, who plys his trade in AWA. He delivers a good little spinebuster, but aside from that, there is much to be desired. His outfit is kind of humorous, as it looks like he's wearing a blue cookie monster suit with Tyson Tomko's tattoos stitched all over it. He's definitely someone who's used World Wide to his advantage as the popularity of World Wide has made his name grow. As far as having a future in the wrestling business, he definitely needs to improve his look. He'd be wise to seek advice from someone like an EC Negro or a Kevin Matthews, as those two are both guys who were mediocre wrestlers, but rededicated themselves to the sport, and can both main event any indy show that's not named ROH. It also wouldn't hurt Cooper to watch some Simon Diamond tapes, because his promos are lacking, and in my opinion, Simon delivers some of the best promos on the indies.

9- Who do you think is the best indy booker right now?
As far as the northeast goes, I'd have to say Ray Sager of JAPW hands down. JAPW's storylines flow and there are alot of great matches in the process. JAPW has also gone through alot this year, with no-shows, but JAPW has been able to make it work. Good booking leads to big attendance numbers, and JAPW has had both this year. Some might look at Gabe Sapolsky as a candidate, but when you got all the money in the world and all of the best talent, it's like managing an all-star team. If you put Low Ki vs AJ, or Low Ki vs AmDrag, it doesn't matter because either way, it will be a great match. I think Ray (and JAPW's office) has had to overcome more problems, headaches and has created (or pushed) more stars than anyone on the indies right now.

10- Would a strictly all indy womens show (Not a T & A) show be successful in the northeast?
I'm sure the women wrestlers who read this site will be disappointed with my answer, but I'd have to answer this question with a big bold NO. Indy womens wrestling is a tough draw. Most female indy wrestlers aren't that good. The good wrestlers that are out there are already working in other promotions, so there would be no uniqueness to it. The biggest women wrestling fans are the ones who get to take pictures of them. The fans who say they love indy womens wrestling always have a camera in their hand, so I think they appreciate their photographs more than the action in the ring.
With wrestlings demographic being young males, it is obvious that if you'd like to draw and make money off an all women show, you'd have to run the event in a strip club or a seedy bar, and provide T & A with wrestling. Once you get the fans to see the tits and ass, they'll stay for the wrestling, and hopefully then, they can appreciate the sport of it. DWOW had a good thing going with their formula, but they've been quiet for most of this year.

That concludes "Ask The MiC" for this week. You can keep emailing your questions if you'd like to see this feature continued.

A big writer from a major site is thinking about jumping over to the DOI, as long as we don't edit his columns. Unless we receive legal threats, like we do from time-to-time, from HONORable companies, this writers work won't be edited. If this writer does come to the DOI, fans of this site will be exposed to a whole new dimension of wrestling.

Is anyone pumped to see Sycho Sid at NWS in the upcoming weeks? Sid has always been one of my favorite big man wrestlers to watch as he brings unbridled enthiuasm and extreme intensity to the ring everytime. I wonder if he can still go, after that freak broken leg injury.

Masato Tanaka will wrestle for UXW on 11/26. He will probably have match of the night honors, as this guy can make shit look appetizing.

Do some of these 100 pound wrestlers think they will get a shot with the WWE? Some wrestle for the love and sport of it, and that's respectable, but it won't pay your hospital bills if you get hurt.

How come WWE's upcoming DVD releases look better than their current PPV line-ups?

How sad is it, that a cross eyed freak moron is obsessed with Eric Walker? That's worse than a 60 year old lawyer from California being obsessed with a video tape seller from Philly. This cross eyed maroon and this lawyer (who be on his deathbed soon, due to his old age) really need to get lives and stop obsessing over others. These two jackoffs are on message boards more than Frank Goodman & Jac Sabboth in their heydays!

Speaking of Jac, isn't it time for him to start putting out UCW/ICW press releases again?

Now that Joe vs Rhino is in the books, are there any indy dream matches left?

I really hope Dave Nelson succeeds with his new project, because he's making alot of big promises. These are Ricky O sized promises too.

Robert Payes needs to get a job with National Geographic if he's going to devote so much of his free time taking pictures of retarded chipmunks.

Hands Mahoney, ha ha ha.

Is anyone else looking forward to the return of Wef Wimmy Wames?

Who do you want to see the DOI do a shoot interview with? Send in your feedback to the email address at the end of this column. The DOI has plans to release shoots with the Backseats, Frank Goodman, Kevin Kelly & Jasmin St. Claire, in addition to Carmine Sabia, in the future.

Aside from the Sandman, is there any entrance in indy wrestling better than New Jack's? The second you hear the first beat, you know someone is in for it.

Check the DOI for lots of DVD reviews soon in the upcoming weeks.

I'm off to party like it's 1999.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey
BULLSMC@aol.com