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| Tommy's Take for 14 November, 2011 |
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Tales from the commentary booth and beyond by Tommy Grace
It pleases me greatly to present my new article here on DWIProWrestling.com. I hope to offer you my thoughts, feelings, and insights on all the goings-on here in Definitive Wrestling International. It is a chance for me to open up with you from my usually unassailable position here in the commentary booth. I hope you enjoy. - TG
14 November, 2011
DWI Fans,
First, I'd like to mention our move out of Ruskin. It was necessary for a multitude of reasons, and it worked out well as far as we can see. The new venue not only opens us up to a busier area, but is also in an area more easily accessible for the majority of our fans. I, for one, prefer the location being 10 minutes from my home and not down a vacated US41 early on a Sunday morning. The people at the new building were most accommodating with us, especially once we had the crazy weather and were forced to move to the other end of the building, which was already occupied by all sorts of building materials! It proved to me that the crew here at DWI believes in what they do and will work hard to bring you the best in wrestling action.
Of course, one other thing that happened almost immediately upon our move was the crowning of a new DWI Junior Heavyweight Champion. Wayne Wonder ended Anthony Devlin's impressive 11 month reign. He successfully held the title for a period of time before beginning what became something of a hot potato with the title in the middle of the year. Only 2 weeks after winning the title from Wonder, GI Jamm was stripped due to unsportsmanlike actions at the 2nd Annual Boris Malenko Memorial Cup. Derek LeSabre then won the title in a battle of top contenders before he was dethroned by current champion Prestin Caine. On the tag team front, we saw the titles pass from the Franchise Players to the Highwaymen. The Highwaymen then lost the titles to the most unexpected team of 59 year old DWI General Manager Frank Reyes and Hardbody Rick Roberts. After injuring Roberts, the Highwaymen won the straps back from Reyes and DWI Champion Jerome Hendrix, retaining since. Speaking of Hendrix, the champ has run strong through 2011, meeting all challengers for the DWI Heavyweight Championship.
This year has also brought us a number of new arrivals and a few departures from our ranks here in DWI. Rob Venomous has been very impressive since coming to us, providing a fantastic display of agility you rarely see in a man of his stature. Edgar Lovecraft has managed to leave the music booth and get into the ring a few times, putting up a few victories in his short tenure. Wayne Van Dyke and Sage have been impressive on the singles and tag circuit. The Alliance of Darkness, Ushaka and Nathan Vain, have also formed a new and formidable tag team. Jessie Belle Smothers has also been a pure force in the women's division. By that same vein, DWI was sad to hear of the retirement of longtime fan favorite Mark Zout. Rick Roberts and Donnie Able were both lost due to injury. Most surprising, however, was yesterday's announcement that Dirk Manning was taking a hiatus after a brief and violent feud with Prestin Caine.
Those following us on Youtube have also noticed that we have upgraded our video and production facilities. We now put up all matches in HD, making it a more enjoyable viewing experience. I admit to hubris in my pride at also being tapped to call the action along with Anthony Devlin, Frank Reyes, Prestin Caine, Sage, Lightning Monroe and other guests live in the commentary booth and in our production facilities. From the first time Devlin, Monroe, and I called a match in post-production on Super Bowl Sunday I knew we were touching on something special. Orlando Macchia has been a stalwart friend and supporter, providing the vast majority of the still shots you see here on DWIProWrestling.com. Ken Fortney has been an invaluable asset to us, climbing to great heights just to get the perfect video angle. And then there are the memories. I'll never forget the time Devlin left the booth, nor my frustration with those on the technical side somehow having our video feed show up about two second after I called what I saw on the monitors. ("Hendrix with a big clothesline!" Wait... wait... BAM!)
Finally, as Thanksgiving is coming up, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our loyal fans, concession staff, video production crew, ring crew, and all of the wrestlers and others who give their all every couple weeks in order to bring you the most exciting wrestling action in Florida today. If you are reading this, you make DWI what it is and will shape its future.
Be good, TG |
