The Apter Mags and the Fun of Kayfabe
2011 is here, and I know a number of people who are very glad for that. The most common thing I’ve heard in the last few days are things like, “2010 sucked, hoping for a better 2011.” Sometimes I think that people are quick to look ahead for something better, rather than seeing what’s so great about what they currently have.
Subsequently, especially in wrestling, the people involved are often too quick to idealize the past and lament the present. “Wrestling was better when –“ “I was watching [insert defunct wrestling group here] and it was so great compared to things now.” “Wrestling died when it became ‘sports-entertainment’” blah blah blah.
I can understand this kind of thinking as well. It’s much easier to lament the things that aren’t going well then to try and create a scenario that works better. That’s hard work. It’s the same way wrestling people always talk about things going in cycles, or that this month or this season isn’t good to run a wrestling show. In the end, I had to make a decision when we started Platinum Championship Wrestling in earnest…and that decision was to just run shows.
We ran a show a week, every Friday starting from January 15th, 2010 until last night. We’ll run a show every Friday in 2011. Along the way we did other shows as well, for a grand total of 73 shows in 2010. That makes me happy. So shows were very well attended, some not so much. In the end, the wrestlers got better, I got better and we figured a lot of things out. I like the modern wrestling product, and the things associated with the current state of the wrestling business.
With that said, I do miss the Apter mags in their heyday. It’s an aspect of wrestling’s past that can’t really be created, though Pro Wrestling Illustrated and a couple of other magazines are still out there. I picked up the latest PWI today. There’s a great article on Phill Shatter, and the magazine itself is nicely put together and looks great. It’s nice to see a recap from a Platinum Championship Wrestling show in there as well. It was $9.95, however…jumping Jesus on a pogo stick that’s expensive.
The things I loved most in the Apter mags were the analysis. Analysises. The analysi. Whatever. The things where they gave grades to wrestlers, or made comparisons. It seemed like you couldn’t go more than one issue without some comparison between Ric Flair and Hulk Hogan. I ate that stuff up. Even now my favorite features in magazines and wrestling stuff on-line are lists or when they compare and contrast wrestlers. Even with the ending of kayfabe, wrestlers themselves still look at the PWI 500 and hope to be there. List of the “greatest” either of all time or the year find themselves from WWE produced DVDs to the very sites where you are likely reading this.
In that spirit, I’m going to compare and contrast Platinum Championship Wrestling and our newest rivals, Mid-Georgia Championship Wrestling. At the Masquerade show on Dec. 23rd, 2010, wrestlers from MGCW, citing the article I wrote “The Prestige of the Championship Title” attacked our PCW World Champion “The Revelation” Shane Marx after he had successfully defended the PCW title in a cage. MGCW Champion Andy Anderson led the attack, a slew of MCGW wrestlers joined the attack and Eric Fields put the blame on me, saying I had practically dared someone to come test PCW and there they were.
It was chaos. PCW fans, which tend to be somewhat stand-offish, actually became emotionally involved. When things really heated up (as the MGCW wrestlers were leaving, and Eric Fields and I rushed one another to fight) the fans chanted “PCW” and got into a scuffle with some of the MGCW wrestlers.
The card, which was red hot and delivered, managed to end strong thanks to the MGCW crew, and gave us a bridge to the next Masquerade show. MGCW has a show January 15th…I think me and the crew may show up for that one.
(The previous editorial from Stephen Platinum can be found as a previous post on our site)
In the spirit of the Apter mags, I’m going to do a comparison between MGCW (www.mgcwnow.com) and PCW (www.platinumchampionshipwrestling.com) in this War
Unity
Mid-Georgia Championship Wrestling
As the attack on Shane Marx shows, MGCW has clearly rallied in preparation for this conflict. Led by MGCW Champion Andy Anderson, a group of wrestlers that either had no affiliation with Anderson or actually wrestled against him in the past came together and showed up at PCW’s December 23rd show, had one another’s back and laid waste to PCW’s champion and hijacked the entire show. Eric Fields found a strong voice in explaining the attack and rallying the MGCW wrestlers into a focused assault, much stronger than his presence on MGCW shows. If indeed “the enemy of my enemy is my friend,” MGCW has learned this and have become, very quickly, a unified fighting force. If they can circle the wagons in a similar fashion at their own events against the inevitable PCW retaliation, not only should it portend good things for them in the War, but great things for MGCW in 2011. Grade: A+
Platinum Championship Wrestling
The reaction of the PCW locker room to the attack on Marx was very telling. PCW wrestlers that tend to hold a similar ring philosophy to Marx came to his aid, but in a disjointed, unorganized fashion. The Konkrete Gorillaz weren’t there. Mason wasn’t there, and couldn’t seem to leave fast enough to leave Marx to the MGCW wolves. The Vandal and Kurt Killgore weren’t there. Any number of other PCW personalities weren’t there. Between that and the fact that PCW has begun using some wrestlers that MGCW fans would be very familiar with, and it becomes clear that not only does PCW seem to have trouble getting a unified front together, there may already be turncoats and corruptors within PCW that MGCW have planted, or that could be sympathetic to MGCW’s cause in this War within PCW’s ranks. Grade: C
The Women
Mid-Georgia Championship Wrestling
MGCW doesn’t have a number of women working their shows regularly. However, they do have Marti Meadows, a woman with a great deal of power in MGCW and an ability to get talent at the drop of a hat. She’s been focused on making MGCW Champion Andy Anderson’s life hell…but if she focused her power and ire at PCW, it could tip the balance of the War. Grade: B-
Platinum Championship Wrestling
The female presence in PCW is the strongest in Georgia by far, if not the entire Southeast. Pandora is billed as the “pound-for-pound” toughest woman in wrestling, and it would be hard to dispute the claim. Rumor has it that the January 14th PCW card will feature the return of the mysterious chair-wielding Conscience, and the infamous Miss Quinn, who have wreaked havoc in PCW in completely different ways through 2010. Along with Rachael Tension, Iesha Sunshine and a host of other female personalities and MGCW simply comes up short with a strong female presence in this War. Grade: A
The Frontlines
Mid-Georgia Championship Wrestling
MGCW runs their shows about once a month in front of an audience that varies from a low of 100 people to highs around 4-500. Their annual show in June that centers around the Wargames does incredibly well, and MGCW have been running their shows faithfully in the same general area for quite some time. Their fanbase returns for show after show, and they’ll provide the moral support needed, especially on MGCW’s home floor. Grade A
Platinum Championship Wrestling
Platinum Championship Wrestling has been doing its thing for about year. And in that time, they’ve run more shows than anyone else did by far, in a variety of places. Their fanbase is widening, but they don’t draw on a show-by-show basis as much as MGCW does. MGCW chose the monthly Masquerade events to attack PCW, and something interesting happened – the PCW’s fans reacted strongly. Perhaps when this War spills into the Academy Theater Friday shows, or in future Masquerade shows, PCW will indeed have a strong home court advantage. Grade B+
Soldiers for the War
Mid-Georgia Championship Wrestling
MGCW’s roster perhaps isn’t the most talented, but they are certainly one of the toughest. With a hardcore title (current champion the brutal and chiseled Deadpool) and usually some kind of all out hardcore match on each card, MGCW has a host of wrestlers that brutalize first and look for wins exclusively through knocking their opponents out. Most of MGCW’s roster wouldn’t win a bodybuilding pose-off, but they’ve got size and Those traits serve well in a war like the one between MGCW and PCW. Grade A-
Platinum Championship Wrestling
PCW’s roster varies widely in terms of experience and body types. From the small and the quick to proven battle tested warriors like the Konkrete Gorillaz, PCW has a large variety of wrestlers and wrestling styles on its roster. While that might make for a diverse and interesting wrestling card, in a war like this one the smaller, technically oriented wrestlers become virtual cannon fodder. Grade B
The Champions
Mid-Georgia Championship Wrestling
Andy Anderson won the MGCW title in a hellacious match and has defended it faithfully since. His pride in his title and MGCW was evident by his attack on PCW Champion “The Revelation” Shane Marx. He’s powerful, with a one-two power punch of a crushing spinebuster rivaled only by David Young, and a Sharpshooter submission that spells a quick end for anyone caught in it. Andy Anderson is powerfully built, moves effectively, and seems eager to prove his worth on the Georgia wrestling scene. Grade A-
Platinum Championship Wrestling
“The Revelation” Shane Marx had an amazing 2010. From technical masterpieces against the likes of Davey Richards, Adam Pearce, Xavier Woods, Chip Day and Michael Cannon to all out wars with the Konkrete Gorillaz, the mammoth Geter and every other nefarious wrestler with big dreams. Marx has been through the ringer. But he’s never truly had a chance to do anything but chase then defend his PCW World Title. He seems to relish this opportunity to not only defend his title but PCW as a whole. He’s big, agile, and can brawl with the best of them. Grade: A
The Leadership
Mid-Georgia Championship Wrestling
Eric Fields in conjunction with others behind the scene call the shots at MGCW. Eric easily adapted his role in MGCW into a fire-and-brimstone General Patton type in the attack on PCW. He clearly provides the emotional and physical rallying point for MGCW in the initial stages of this war. It’s no secret that MGCW has a number of other, less public people in charge. Will this help MGCW’s cause, or create a layer of bureaucracy and internal politics when quick, decisive action is needed? Only time will tell. Grade A-
Platinum Championship Wrestling
Stephen Platinum found himself in the proverbial catbird’s seat to witness MGCW drawing first blood on his company and champion on December 23rd. Sitting at the commentator’s table, Stephen seemed stunned at the event and didn’t act for quite some time. When he finally did say something, it wasn’t to calm the situation down, nor was it to rally his PCW troops. It was to rush down and join the fray. PCW needs true leadership in this fight, and there’s a question whether Stephen Platinum will be able to lead PCW effectively in this War, or even wants to. Nonetheless, Platinum clearly is the strong, singular leader of PCW and is able to move quickly to do what he thinks should be done. January 15th at the MGCW shows should provide some answers, but for now the jury’s still out. Grade B+
Intangibles
Mid-Georgia Championship Wrestling
MGCW is a group that had a good 2010, but has recently made rumored changes to get even better and have a great 2011. They’re battle-tested, and this War may provide the perfect rallying point to unify the league and give them a bigger level of exposure that they’ve secretly craved.
MGCW hasn’t organized their fanbase, by and large, but are taking steps to do that.
MGCW’s commentary team of Mark Danger and Dave Willis not only bring an old-school sensibility to MGCW, but have a presence through their internet radio show and podcast to properly state and assert MGCW’s position in this war.
MGCW has not been shy about bringing in big talent to beef up their cards and give them a different look. Mr. Hughes, Boogeyman and others have found their way into MGCW rings.
In short, MGCW has the pieces in place to fight a sustained and successful conflict with PCW, though they haven’t had a fight quite like this in their leagues history. Grade: B+
Platinum Championship Wrestling
PCW is clearly a group on the rise. Doing more shows than anyone in 2010, and pulling off the biggest show of the year with Sacred Ground: Chapter One, they’ve gotten their ducks in a row, have gotten knocked down and gotten right back up.
They’ve effectively garnered a strong internet presence with their own fans, have a battle plan as a company, and are rumored to be looking to expand their presence and influence.
The talent on the shows have improved immensely not only as the homegrown PCW talent have improved, but as wrestlers from around the area start to actively wrestle for PCW as well. Rumored future appearances from the likes of Kyle Matthews and Vordell Walker, Andrew Pendleton III, Dany Only and Enoch Tsarion as regulars signal great things. Visiting wrestlers such as Davey Richards, Samoa Joe, Amazing Kong, NWA and ROH champions, etc. on PCW shows in the past allude to the ability of PCW to get the people that they need in situations where it’s warranted.
On the surface, this War would seem to be ill-timed. Just as PCW had really found a handle and a larger audience at the Masquerade shows, MGCW stuck. But PCW seems energized by this conflict and the potential of a sustained campaign against MGCW. Grade: A+
In conclusion:
Mid-Georgia Championship Wrestling
Overall Grade: A-
MGCW is ready for this War. They are a company looking to make big changes to capitalize on an already strong promotion, and this War is providing them the means to rally themselves and gain a strong identity in the process. They have the leadership structure in place, and learning to quickly eliminate the weaknesses within their own organization, and have shown that when they strike a blow as a group it can shake PCW to the core.
Looking ahead, the challenge for MGCW is to sustain the momentum and show that they can take a punch as good as they deliver one. In terms of sheer firepower, they have it. But PCW is, perhaps, a more complex entity with a wider variety of ways they can attack and defend, and that boils this conflict down to the one thing that will win the War for MGCW – can they impose their will and way of doing things on PCW, or will PCW impose their will on MGCW?
Platinum Championship Wrestling
Overall Grade: B+
While PCW as a wrestling company is very strong, there’s a question on whether they simply can afford to have another iron in the fire with a War with MGCW. Whereas MGCW runs a show a month and has all the time and resources to attack and repel attacks from PCW, PCW themselves run at least 5 shows a month and are in the midst of looking to expand and increase their presence in the Atlanta area. Their resources are perhaps stretched too thin for a War with the angry, unified and determined MGCW.
In short, PCW has to get their own house in order quickly and be prepared for a War, not simply to deal with another wrestling-related issue. MGCW is hungry to prove their mettle and seem to be gathering strength from their early victory.
Can PCW regroup and build morale? Or did MGCW’s quick, decisive strike end this War before it starts? MGCW’s January 15th show will tell us a lot about the future of this War, as will the next PCW show at the Masquerade on January 27th. Of course, PCW’s weekly show each Friday at Academy Theater could provide other insights and answers…as well as other places for MGCW to bring the fight to PCW’s doorstep. It’s going to be fascinating to see where this goes, that’s the only certainty in this War.
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