"Shootin' With The Snapshot"
by Eric Simms

I was at 2 shows this past week. The first show I was at was the NWS show in Nutley, NJ this past Wednesday. I hooked up with my good friend and NWS commisioner/ co owner Gino " The Big Kahuna " Moore. We met at a meeting point and I took the Kahuna mobile up to the show. That is his van. It is always a thrill to ride in his van as the entertainment is non stop. The usual crew was not in the truck due to it being a mid week show and everyone having real jobs and having to work. As is standard in his truck the oldies station is on as he likes that. I happen to like it also. I have had a lot of memorable moments in that vehicle. In the past coming from a show from some far out place in PA, Jerry the King Lawler decided to psycho-analyze me. It made for one of the best van rides ever as everyone in the van was in stitches laughing so much. Other van rides had such notables at one time as Jim Duggan, KAMALA, Papa Shango ( The Godfather ) & Mr. Hughes. That was one of the best van rides ever. I can't mention what went on in the van but needless to say everyone was having a good time. Back to this trip, once I got into the van I was told that I was working the show. More on that later. As is the highlight of every van ride I get to listen to Gino tell his stories. Gino is one of the best story tellers I know. Everyone that has met Gino knows what he is all about. I happen to like Gino and consider him one of my closer friends and confidants. I always talk to Gino about a lot of issues. Gino would make for a good psychiatrist. Deep down he is one of the better people of this business and a person you always want on your side. We arrive at the fair grounds and I have double duty that night as I had to help set up the music and do security. I was actually put on the payroll for this show. This was a sponsored show that had 4 matches. The OFF BROTHERS worked in one of them. I am a fan of the OFF BROTHERS. They are a bunch of young kids that have a ton of charisma. They are great for the family style shows with all the kids. As the show went on the crowd gradually picked up in size. Patriot had his usual match with Sadamm Insane. Big Harry knows how to work the crowd and his body dimensions are the key to his success. Who ever told him to do that deserves a gold metal as its a great gimmick. Roman, Kevin Knight, & Damian Adams had a great match as well. All are great athletes and good performers. After the show was over we stayed for the concert which featured the Duprees. The king of oldies Gino was in all his glory listening to this. After the show we got a bite to eat and headed home. Another fun night of NWS.

This past Saturday was the XOW wrestling show which is about a mile from where I live. I decided to stop by the show before heading to the Blue Claws game later that night. That is the minor league baseball team that is in my area. For $9 a ticket it is a great buy and good entertainment. Especially watching NWS ring announcer Eric Finkel " The Penguin " do his stuff. Eric ring announces for NWS in the off season. They even made a bobble head doll of Eric. I showed up right about showtime as this was an outdoor show and didn't want to bake in the heat. I didn't know who the promoter was until someone told me who it was. It was one of Ron Posts ( EWA ) guys. I went over to the ring truck where I found TNT and his lovely wife who was doing the ring rental and the Patriot. We chatted for a while and I decided to stay in the shade and watch the show from there. This show which was reviewed elsewhere not favorably was heavy therapy for me. I consider all bad shows as therapy. The reason the sound was coming from a car stereo was that the sound system due to the heat malfunctioned. The Doi crew came out and was sitting in the back row having some fun. I think they were there to see Pinky Sanchez wrestle. It got so bad that Rob Eckos had asked me to come out and manage him for his match. Keep in mind that his normal manager Mike Winner was there and not used. You just have to love the wrestling business. This was a holiday weekend and instead of doing the traditional thing of BBQ or whatever you do on the 4th of July weekend you had a bunch of us at this show. There was some good talent hanging around such as Josh Daniel's, young and up and comers in Danny Demanto and Kevin Mathews and the Internet favorite especially on the USAPRO message board in Bravado. I felt bad for the kid running this show. With some more experience and someone to teach him the right way to run a show he might actually have a good show. With a 7 match show the norm is 4 match go to an intermission and come back with 3. This show had the reverse in 3 matches intermission and come back with 4. Considering the first 4 matches were good therapy for me and the NWS crew that was sitting with me. Damian Adams and Scotty Charisma had a good match. After that I had enough not to mention it was getting time for me to go to my minor league baseball game. I missed the last 2 matches but after reading the reviews I am glad I missed them. I am a big fan of Rob Eckos and Jay lethal. I am sorry I had to walk out on there match with Archadia.

Just in case anyone does not get it. The edgier stuff I do in my writings is just a work. It is designed to poke fun at the other side of the business. The side that no one wants to talk about but exists. Some say I am going overboard but I just like to take things to the edge but not go over the edge. I try and not bad mouth anybody in my columns unless you really piss me off and deserve it. I just love all the responses on the message board. Thank you for all the good press. I especially want to thank Anthony the Funker for taking the time out of his busy corporate life to bestow upon his vast wrestling knowledge on an alleged failure like me. While Anthony, your allegedly making your supposed $10 -$20 pharmaceutical deals to enhance others lives or as your known in other peoples lockerrooms as the money mark that dishes out the candy. Maybe you should be named the candy man. It must take a lot of great accomplishments for you to mark out for promotions so you can hang in the dressing room and feel like one of the boys. Just in case you still don't get it, my columns are for the average fans and not geared for the smart/dumb money mark like you that can walk around with your chest out in someone's dressing room knowing that you paid for the stars to be there and never not once will you get credit for it. So say it loud and say it proud " I AM A MONEY MARK AND IF I WAS A BROAD I WOULD BE ON MY BACK WITH MY LEGS UP IN THE AIR BECAUSE EITHER WAY I AM GETTING FUCKED. " Just in case you want to take legal action against me my attorney I. FLEECE-EM CAN BE REACHED AT THE LAW OFFICES OF DEWEY,CHEATEM & HOWE.

I also just read some post about an old Iron Shiek story about me at an SSCW about 4 or so years ago. Tommy Fierro can take all the cheap shots he wants at me and fake post, but at least I am not a drunk and a drug addict. Also Carmine can bad mouth me and fake post all he wants and think he knows how to promote and run wrestling but the attendance at his shows speaks wonders for his promoting ability. Even though Tommy is the originator of the wrestling convention some new guys are doing it just as good or better. Check out the Wrestling Reunion autograph show next weekend with Don Muracco, Vince Russo, & the Warlord at the Holiday Inn in Cartaret, NJ. At the end of the summer check out the Legends of the Ring wrestling convention on Aug 28 at the Palmer Inn on rt. 1 in West Windsor/Princeton NJ. On this show we have some great guests as 3 territories main champions of that era will be in attendance. Those legends incldude Bob Backlund ( WWE ), Harley Race ( NWA ), & Nick Bockwinkle ( AWA ). Personally I think that is huge.

Finally, I would like to recommend a restaurant to you. I had the pleasure of eating at Carraba's Italian restaurant the other night and must say this place is major league. The food was excellent. I ordered one of my favorites in chicken parm and it came out perfect. The bread is the best part as it was delicious. I am giving this place 4 stars.

Eric Simms
ESSPROMOTIONS.com
ESS316@aol.com