EPWT.Com Redesign
The EPWT Web site is undergoing a facelift! Thanks for your patience during the transition. The new, easier-to-use format should be complete within the next couple of weeks. If you find any bugs within the Web site, please let us know!
 

EPWT On The Road: 

Les in Richmond, Virginia on March 14,15,16! Les will be doing a weekend training camp sponsored by Ground Xero Wrestling at their training school in Richmond, VA. For more information or to sign up go to www.gxwwrestling.com        Or call David McCloud at 804-356-0583.

Les Thatcher inducted into Wrestling-Radio.com Hall of Fame

As a host of the popular internet wrestling talk show, "Wrestling Weekly", Les Thatcher was named the first inductee into the wrestling-radio.com Hall of Fame in March. As voted for by the fans, Les beat out Fabulous Moolah , Jake Roberts , Jerry Lawler , Randy Savage and Jimmy Hart. Les speaks about the honor below:

" I am so honored and humbled to be a part of the first group to be inducted into the Wrestling-Radio.Com Hall of Fame. As I look at the other members of this first induction class, I would be honored just to have been a runner up to any of them or to even carry their bags, as they have certainly carved out a notch for themselves in the history of our great industry.        This is my 47th year in professional wrestling and I hope to continue contributing to its growth and in preserving its history for many years to come with the same dignity and enthusiasm as I have in the past.      I also want to thank the wrestling fans of Great Britain for joining us on a weekly basis via Internet on "Wrestling Weekly" and my hope is that we can continue to bring you an honest appraisal and view of the current industry, and add some insight from a wrestler's view. I have never been to England but would love very much to make the trip and if possible add something to the growth of the independent wrestlers there through doing a training camp and seminar.    God bless you all, and thank you again from the bottom of my heart for this honor."   Most Sincerely, Les Thatcher

Graham Cawthon, reporter for a local newspaper in the Shelby, NC area, send these articles along that appeared in their paper:

Future lords of the ring attend training camp   Graham Cawthon - Feb. 18, 2006   SHELBY - Two dozen young men and women from as far away as Boston and Las Vegas filed into the Shelby Rec Center Friday morning carrying gym bags. They all had different backgrounds but came with one shared goal: to become a pro wrestler. How do they justify the traveling? Wrestling schools and training camps are held from coast to coast. What made Friday´s all day Elite Pro Wrestling Training Camp different was its list of established veteran trainers, the reputations of which would be hard to match. Les Thatcher, who celebrates his 46th year in the business in July, formed EPWT in 2003 as a way to give back to the next generation of talent. His expertise in the industry spans from wrestling to writing, producing and doing play-by-play on TV. Tom Prichard, Tracy Smothers, WWE talent scout Ricky Steamboat and TNA talent scout Terry Taylor filled out the list of trainers. The five trainers combined have more than 150 years of experience in the industry. The rule of the day was basics: How to lock up, ring positioning and psychology. And how to take an exhibition of moves and convince an audience that the pain and agony conveyed through facial expressions and body language is legitimate. "It would behoove you to bust your ass," Thatcher told the students, noting that a good performance might result in a tryout in front of a WWE or TNA audience. Trainees took turns exchanging moves, reversals, running the ropes and jumping over one another to work on pacing and fundamentals. "If you do the little things right, the other stuff means so much more," Taylor said. Steamboat, who spent his entire career as a "babyface" (good guy), told the trainees that the most important thing is to create "heat," an emotional connection, between them and the crowd. "We could care less if you go up to the top and do a backflip," Steamboat said. "We want to see you work."

The ref is a major player in the ring   Graham Cawthon - Feb. 19, 2006   SHELBY - Joel Stanley walked into the Shelby Rec Center Friday morning, gym bag over his shoulder, and stared at the wrestling ring set up in the otherwise empty basketball court. Stanley, 30, was one of two dozen trainees from across the country that participated in Friday´s Elite Pro Wrestling Training Camp. But he didn´t come to wrestle; he came to learn how to referee. "It takes three people to put on a good match," he said, noting the referee is far more important than most fans realize. Stanley´s desire to break into the industry began in December but the Charleston, S.C. resident is a longtime fan of the sport and spectacle that is professional wrestling. He remembers being about 8 years old when he saw Ric Flair defend his NWA World Title against Road Warrior Hawk on TV. During the match, Hawk put the champion´s shoulders to the mat and the referee went down for the count. One ... two ... And just as the three count seemed inevitable, the show went to a commercial break. Stanley credits the cliffhanger for him coming back for more week after week. Having to step inside the ring for the first time is intimidating enough but Stanley did so in front of an audience of world-renowned trainers, including Ricky Steamboat, Terry Taylor, Les Thatcher, Tracy Smothers and Tom Prichard, and other trainees, most of whom already had years of experience. "I´m kinda anxious, kinda nervous," he said that morning. "I don´t want to screw up." He executed drills with the other trainees, traded moves and holds, jumped off the ropes, refereed matches and paid close attention to the trainers´ advice. His timing and ring positioning needed improvement but that´s to be expected after only one day. "It could have been better," he said of his performance as he sat on the bottom row of the bleachers. Stanley said his physical conditioning needed work and planned to make this the first step in his road to becoming a referee. He said he would take two additional days of EPWT at the Highspots gym in Charlotte before traveling to Orlando and attending a wrestling school run by TNA´s Matt Bentley. "It wasn´t discouraging at all," Stanley said of Friday´s camp. "My hand is on fire, I did about 600 two-counts," he said smiling.

OnlineWorldofWrestling.Com Book Review of The Professional Wrestlers' Workout & Instructional Guide
"Even though I am just a fan of professional wrestling, and have no experience in the business what-so-ever, I still often get asked about how to break into the business. Usually I comeback with, 'How the hell should I know?' or 'When you find out, tell me please!' From now on whenever somebody asks me that question, my response will be 'Buy the Professional Wrestlers' Workout & Instructional Guide!'   READ FULL REVIEW >>

Other Book Reviews:
"Your Mother & Harley Race" by Roger LaPointe (longtime power-lifting & fitness expert whose "Atomic Athletic" has been supplying and servicing the nations strong men for years)
"The Two Sheds Review"
"The Inside Pulse Review" by Jed Shaffer
 

EPWT NEWS ARCHIVES:

PRE-ORDER THE PROFESSIONAL WRESTLER'S INSTRUCTIONAL AND WORKOUT GUIDE TODAY

<sup>A must-have book for anyone in the wrestling industry, The Professional Wrestler's Instructional and Workout Guide, written by Harley Race, Ricky Steamboat and Les Thatcher with Alex Marvez and featuring a foreword by Jim Ross is now available on pre-sale. Sports Publishing's catalog information on the title is below.

The Professional Wrestler's Instructional and Workout Guide</sup>
by Harley Race, Ricky Steamboat, and Les Thatcher with Alex Marvez; Foreword by Jim Ross

Many dream of becoming pro wrestling headliners, but few understand the hard work and dedication needed to reach those heights. Almost all top stars have trained in schools and camps with legendary wrestlers to learn how to execute key moves, put together a match, sell yourself and your opponent to the crowd, and keep fit through physical training and healthy diet. The Professional Wrestler’s Instructional and Workout Guide brings readers more than 100 years of collective knowledge and experience from three elite names in the professional wrestling industry, including two former National Wrestling Aliiance World Heavyweight Champions. Harley Race, Ricky Steamboat, and Les Thatcher share their wealth of knowledge and experience as they help the novice wrestler prepare for the long journey into pro wrestling. After reading this book, the aspiring wrestler should have the knowledge of how maneuvers are executed effectively and safely, the physical conditioning needed to perform them, and the thought process involved in piecing together an actual match. The novice should learn the "psychology" of pro wrestling both in and out of the ring as well as how to find employment on the independent circuit and maybe eventually realize their dream of wrestling on the national stage in the WWE.

For more information on this title, or to pre-order your copy today, visit the Sports Publishing Web site at the link below:

Sports Publishing- The Professional Wrestler's Instructional & Workout Guide


HARLEY RACE AND PRO WRESTLING NOAH WRESTLING CAMP DATES ANNOUNCED; WWE/NOAH SCOUTS TO ATTEND

 

^{Wrestling legend and World League Wrestling Chairman Harley Race will again be hosting a wrestling camp September 21-24 in Eldon, Missouri.}

^{The camp, which is open to current and aspiring professional wrestlers, will provide attendees the opportunity to learn from an eight-time former World Champion and be seen by scouts from World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. and Japan’s Pro-Wrestling NOAH. The camp will consist of cardiovascular, nutritional information, and weight training instruction as well as in-ring training.}

^{The WWE scout who will attend the camp has not yet been named; however, Pro Wrestling NOAH will be represented by Kenta Kobashi, KENTA, and Naomichi Marufuji.}

^{Kobashi is regarded as one of the top wrestling stars in the history of the sport. He has held numerous major titles, most notably the Pro-Wrestling NOAH Global Honored Crown Heavyweight Championship and the All-Japan Triple Crown Championship, which he held three times.}

^{KENTA and Marufuji were honored as the 2003 Tag Team of the Year by many wrestling publications. When the duo’s Pro-Wrestling NOAH Global Honored Crown Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship reign ended recently, it concluded the longest active reign of a major professional wrestling championship. KENTA and Marufuji are considered by many to be the top junior heavyweight wrestlers in the world.}

^{Pro-Wrestling NOAH will award up to two camp attendees all-expense paid trips to Japan to train at the Pro-Wrestling NOAH dojo. In addition, one full scholarship to the Harley Race Wrestling Academy will be awarded. Several camp attendees will have the opportunity to compete on the live World League Wrestling card, which will conclude the camp on Saturday, September 24, with the scouts in attendance. The card is subject to change on Noah wrestling depending on their availability.}

^{The fee for the camp is $500, with 50% of the fee due upon registration. Camp attendees will be responsible for their own lodging and will be provided with a list of local hotels.}

^{Wrestling fans will have a unique opportunity to come to the camp on the afternoon of the live event and meet the Pro-Wrestling NOAH superstars as well as the WWE scout. Fans will have the opportunity to ask the guests questions and get their photos taken with them and will receive complimentary tickets to the night’s event. The $50 fee for fans to visit the camp is due upon registration, and can be mailed to World League Wrestling Inc. 119 South Maple Eldon, Mo 65026.  Please click here for Fan Registration.}

^{The deadline for registering to attending the wrestling camp is September 9th. Applicants may visit www.harleyrace.com for an online application. Email wlwmom@earthlink.net or call World League Wrestling Headquarters at (573 392-4100 for more information.}


HARLEY RACE INTERVIEWED BY WRESTLEMAG.COM
^{WLW and EPWT's Harley Race is featured in an interview by WrestleMag.Com. In the interview, Race discusses how he became involved with the wrestling industry, his stints with WWE and WCW, and his thoughts on WWE creating a new mainstream star to fill Austin and The Rock's shoes. To read the interview, click here.}

Photo credit: HarleyRace.Com
WWE SIGNS HARLEY RACE TRAINEE TO DEVELOPMENTAL CONTRACT
Trevor Rhodes (no relation to Dusty) was awarded a WWE Developmental contract, and will be reporting in a few weeks to either Atlanta or Louisville. Rhodes, over the past couple of years has had a run with TNA, and several trips to Japan for Pro Wrestling Noah. We want to wish Trevor the best of luck.

This brings the number of trainees signed by WWE since the first of the year who have built their pro wrestling foundation under EPWT Trainers Harley Race and Les Thatcher to 6.


INSIDE WRESTLING MAGAZINE FEATURES LES THATCHER IN AUGUST 2005 ISSUE
EPWT's own Les Thatcher is the subject of the "What Ever Happened To..." section of the August 2005 issue of Inside Wrestling magazine. Get your copy on newsstands today!


LES AND DOC YOUNG HIT THE AIRWAVES ON "WRESTLING WEEKLY" INTERNET RADIO SHOW
Les and Doc Young host a new Internet-based wrestling radio show at www.WrestlingWeekly.com every Wednesday evening from 9 to 11 p.m. Les and Doc will be joined by some of the biggest names in wrestling every week. Visit the Web site for more information, and to see how you can contribute to the content of the show.

EPWT SCHEDULE UPDATED
The EPWT schedule has been updated to reflect the most accurate schedule information for upcoming seminars, media appearances and personal appearances. Click "Schedule" to see how you can experience Elite for yourself!



EPWT MOURNS THE LOSS OF CHRIS CANDIDO (1972-2005)
Elite Pro Wrestling Training's trainers and staff send their thoughts and prayers to the family of Chris Candido. EPWT joins the entire wrestling world in mourning the untimely death of a performer who touched the lives of milllions worldwide during his career.

Candido's family has asked that instead of cards or flowers, donations be made to a scholarship fund being established by Candido’s high school in his name. For those of you who would like to donate to the Chris Candido Scholarship Fund, the address is:

The Chris Candido Scholarship Fund
Bank of New York
3rd Avenue & Washington Street
Spring Lake, New Jersey 07762


CATCH THE KING HARLEY RACE AT UPCOMING WLW LIVE EVENTS
Harley will be at these World League Wrestling events. 4/22 Shenandoah, IA.
4/23 Clinton, MO. 4/30 Norwood, MO. 5/6 Sedalia, MO. 5/7 Ozark, MO. 6/4
Eldon, MO. and check soon for dates on another 5-day camp in Eldon including Pro Wrestling Noah coming in August. For details on all these events go to www.harleyrace.com.

LES AND DOC YOUNG HIT THE AIRWAVES ON WRESTLING WEEKLY RADIO SHOW; DEBUT SET FOR MID-MAY.
Les and co-host Doc Young should be up and running with a new Internet talk show by the middle of May titled “Wrestling Weekly” on a site by the same name from 6 to 8:PM EST on Sunday evenings.


LES THATCHER ANNOUNCED AS MEMBER OF CAULIFLOWER ALLEY CLUB BOARD OF DIRECTORS AT 2005 CONVENTION
At the 2005 Cauliflower Alley Club Convention, Les Thatcher was elected to the board of directors for the CAC. As a new member, Les will work to recruit young grapplers from across the country as CAC members in an effort to boost youth involvement with the organization. EPWT.Com congratulates Thatcher on this accomplishment.

MORE EPWT.COM PHOTOS FROM 2005's CAC CONVENTION
Please click on thumbnails for full-size photos

Left: Alice Thatcher, Les Thatcher, and Gloria Lovell, member of the Cauliflower Alley Club board of directors. Middle: "The CAC Future Legends Couple, Cheerleader Melissa, 2004 honoree, and the 2005 Future Legend honoree, Frankie Kazarian. Right: Les with the Chicago Connection, at the CAC's Saturday night banquet and award ceremonry, from left to right Travor Blanchard, Les, Brandon Bishop, and Adam Evans


Photo used with permission from Cauliflower Alley Club Web site
JAMIE KREISLER OF SLAM! WRESTLING REVIEWS 2005 CAC CONVENTION AT THE OFFICIAL CAULIFLOWER ALLEY SITE

The 2005 CAC Convention has came and went, and it was a very enjoyable and successful gathering at the fabulous Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. Jamie Kreisler of Slam! Wrestling reviewed the Reunion, the full text of which (along with excellent photos) can be found. Here is an excerpt of Kreisler's review, discussing Les Thatcher's award presentation at the Saturday evening banquet and award ceremony.

The eight time NWA Champion of the World, Harley Race, presented Les Thatcher with the Art Abrams Lifetime Achievement Award. "A lot of people have been honored and each one deserves it," commented Race. "This man here has dedicated his entire life to wrestling." Thatcher revealed that he will be celebrating his 45th anniversary in the business on July 4. Often overly talkative, Thatcher admitted to being a little stuck for words. "To be honored by your peers, nothing is greater than that," he confessed. He dedicated the award to his wife, Alice, for understanding that he has a mistress in pro wrestling and Tony Santos, the man who got him started. Currently a trainer with Elite Pro Wrestling Training and also responsible for the seminars held at the CAC for young wrestlers, Thatcher said he was blessed to have been around so many great people and that everyone was considered to be a part of his extended family. He encouraged the future stars of the business to pursue their dreams and stick with them.

To read Kreisler's review of the entire convention, please visit the official Cauliflower Alley Club Web site here.

SLAM! WRESTLING VISITS LES'S MARITIME MEMORIES
SLAM! Wrestling's Jason Follett revisits Les Thatcher's Maritime Memories as the two discuss his upcoming Art Abrams Lifetime Achievement Award. The article details Les's beginning years in the wrestling industry, and Les shares some of his memories from the Maritime Years. Here's an excerpt from the story:

"It wasn't like I was dead-set against being a heel or anything like that it just never came up," he noted. "And not that I was pretty -- then, now or anytime -- but I just looked more like a babyface and that was my strong suit. Nobody ever tried to change me.

"Again, Rudy, up there knowing the lay of the land, that I wasn't going to be accepted initially and we'd work it into where I would," he said. "I had the first, last and only opportunity to ever work heel."

During his stay in the Maritimes, Thatcher was moved from the ring to the announcers booth after the unexpected departure of regular match caller George "Crybaby" Cannon.

To read the full story, please visit SLAM! Wrestling by clicking here.

MARK CURTIS MEMORIAL SHOW ANNOUNCED FOR MAY 7, 2005
Pam Hildebrand Clark, the widow of former WCW Referee Mark Curtis, is putting on a Mark Curtis Memorial Wrestling Reunion in Johnson City, Tenn. at Freedom Hall on Saturday May 7th beginning at 7:30PM. All proceeds go to The Children's Miracle Network. Appearing along with Dr. Tom, and Les from EPWT will be Mick Foley, Shane Douglas, Al Snow, Terry Taylor, Tim Horner, Tracy Smothers, Bobby Eaton, Preston Steele, D-Lo Brown and more. Tickets go on sale April 4th at the Freedom Hall Box office, call 423-461-4884. For more information call Pam Clark at 423-384-5039 or e-mail her at pjclark@xtn.net

JUNE SEMINAR TO BE HELD IN EVERETT, MASSACHUSETTS
Les and Dr. Tom will be running a 3-day EPWT training camp in conjunction with New Image Wrestling from June 17-19, 2005, at Ringside Enterprises Training Center in Everett, Massachusetts. For more information, or to register, you can e-mail bigdog@niwrestling.com or call Karen at 617-448-5619.

HARLEY RACE WRESTLING ACADEMY FEATURED IN THE NEW YORK TIMES ARTICLE
In The March 15, 2005, issue of The New York Times, writer Bruce Weber pays a visit to the Harley Race Wrestling Academy in Eldon, Missouri, and takes a look at the foundation of the training program that the Academy offers. To read the article, please click here.

THATCHER TRAINEE RORY FOX SELECTED FOR 2005 SUPER 8
Rory Fox, a trainee of Les Thatcher's, was recently named a participant in the 2005 Super 8 ECWA Super 8 Tournament. The tournament, to be held April 9, 2005, in Newark, Delaware, is a prestigious event that has been a launching pad for the careers of many wrestlers. Many of Thatcher's trainees have been participants in the past, including: Matt Stryker, Pepper Parks, Chad Collyer and Shark Boy. EPWT.Com congratulates Rory Fox on this accomplishment.

Left to right: Chet Jablonski, Dean Jablonski and Neikirk.
Photos credited to IWA Puerto Rico (C. Jablonski) and UPW (Neikirk)

THREE OF LES THATCHER'S TRAINEES GET THE CALL
Three young athletes that trained under the tutelage of Les Thatcher during his time as the owner/director of operations of the Heartland Wrestling Association have gotten the call. Dean Jablonski, Chet Jablonski, and Derrick Neikirk have been signed to developmental talent contracts with World Wrestling Entertainment. On behalf of Les Thatcher, EPWT.Com would like to congratulate these athletes on their accomplishment, and wish them the best of luck with their careers. 

EPWT TEAMS WITH XCW FOR APRIL SEMINAR IN LAS VEGAS
EPWT's Les Thatcher and Tom Prichard present a 3-day seminar in conjunction with XCW. The 3-day event will also include a live XCW show featuring D-Lo Brown. Sign up by contacting Bob Pokorny by the methods below:

To sign up:
Please contact Bob Pokorny at 1.928.201.1442, or
via e-mail at erpse_xcw@yahoo.com.

EPWT RETURNS TO SPINDALE FOR THIRD SEMINAR IN APRIL
EPWT's Les Thatcher and Dr. Tom Prichard conduct a three-day seminar in conjunction with NGW at the historic Spindale House in Spindale, North Carolina. For more information, please visit our signup page, or contact NGW by the methods below:

E-mail: ngwmatt@yahoo.com
Call: 828.286.4319

EPWT ATTENDEE GETS A LOOK FROM DREAMER AND WWE
Female professional wrestler Venus attended a recent EPWT seminar and was encouraged to submit materials to Tommy Dreamer and World Wrestling Entertainment. She credits this seminar for her recent tryout with WWE. Read Venus' testimonial

JOIN LES THATCHER IN SPECIAL ONE-DAY SEMINAR FEBRUARY 12
EPWT Trainer Les Thatcher will be holding a one-day training seminar at Slamtech Wrestling in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, on Saturday, February 12. The special seminar will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Slamtech Wrestling, and will also include an evening show. The cost of the seminar is $50 per person. Sign-up today.

CAULIFLOWER ALLEY CLUB CELEBRATES 40 YEARS IN 2005
The Cauliflower Alley Club celebrates its 40th Reunion on April 14-17, 2005, at the Riviera on the Fabulous Las Vegas Strip. Two of EPWT's trainers, Les Thatcher and Harley Race, will team up with Scott Casey and other legends/trainers to present a training seminar for the future stars of professional wrestling. To participate in this priceless wrestling seminar there is no charge, but an application must be filled out in advance and you must be a paid member of the Cauliflower Alley Club. Applications are available here.

Another exciting opportunity to meet some of professional wrestling's legends is the banquet, held Saturday evening. This year's honorees will include: Jack Brisco, Paul Christy & Bunny Love, Sir Oliver Humperdink, Les Thatcher, Kenny Jay, Terry Funk and Ernie Ladd. Banquet tickets are available in a limited quantity, and you must be a paid member of the Cauliflower Alley Club to attend.

For more information on the 40th Anniversary Reunion, please visit www.CauliflowerAlleyClub.Org.

EPWT CONTRIBUTING WRITER DISCUSSES THE WRESTLING PRO
In his first colum, Justin Murphy discussed the history of the Gulf Coast Heavyweight Title. Now he recounts the story of "The Wrestling Pro" Leon Baxter. To read Justin's column, click here.

EPWT.COM SCHEDULE UPDATED
The EPWT.Com schedule has been updated with personal appearance, training seminar and convention dates through April 2005. To find out how you can experience EPWT in person, click on the "Schedule" link in the navigational menu.

RICKY STEAMBOAT SIGNS WITH WWE
EPWT.Com is proud to announce that one of the "founding fathers" of Elite Pro Wrestling Training, Ricky Steamboat, has signed with World Wrestling Entertainment as an agent. Steamboat will begin full-time work with them, and will be a guest trainer for seminars with EPWT when logistically possible and there are no scheduling conflicts. EPWT.Com congratulates Ricky on this accomplishment.

DR. TOM PRICHARD JOINS EPWT CREW AS TRAINER
EPWT.Com is proud to announce that former WWE Developmental Talent scout Dr. Tom Prichard joins the Elite Pro Wrestling Crew as a trainer. Prichard will be joining Les Thatcher and Harley Race in some upcoming seminars, and is currently available for new seminar dates.

Dr. Tom has played a part in the training of some of wrestling's biggest stars, including names such as: Kurt Angle, Edge, Christian, Test, Rhyno, Matt Hardy and Steven Regal. In the coming weeks, look for the addition of Dr. Tom's pictures and bio!


THE ELITE PRO WRESTLING TRAINING CREW IN FULL FORCE FOR WRESTLE REUNION, JANUARY 28-30, IN TAMPA, FLORIDA

All three of the Elite Pro Wrestling trainers--The King Harley Race, Ricky The Dragon Steamboat and Les Thatcher--have been confirmed for Wrestle Reunion from January 28 through January 30 in Tampa, Florida.

The convention is presented by Bill Apter's AllAboutWrestling.com and Diamond Dallas Page, and will feature more than 50 superstars in professional wrestling history. Some of the talent scheduled to appear includes: Dusty Rhodes, Cowboy Bill Watts, Mick Foley, Bruno Sammartino, The Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase, Bobby The Brain Heenan, Bob Orton Jr., Terry Funk, Superstar Billy Graham and many more! A full list of talent, along with ticket and more detailed event information is available at the Wrestle Reunion Web site at www.wrestlereunion.com.

SPECIAL GUEST TRAINER JIM CORNETTE JOINS THATCHER AND STEAMBOAT IN SPINDALE, JANUARY 7-9

The staff of Elite Pro Wrestling Training, Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat, Les Thatcher, and "King" Harley Race proudly announce their return to the Mid-Atlantic area. They will join with New Generation Wrestling to present a 3-day training camp in Spindale, North Carolina at the Historic Spindale House on January 7th, 8th, and 9th 2005.

Two of the three EPWT Trainers, Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat and Les Thatcher will be in the house. Joining them will be a special guest trainer Jim Cornette. Jim is a legend in professional wrestling with such honors as being the manager of several World Champions. He is the head of WWE's Developmental Territory Ohio Valley Wrestling. The staff will be training athletes in two rings all three days.

This camp is open to beginners through experienced Independent wrestlers. There will be an NGW pro wrestling event on Friday night January 7th at the Spindale House featuring Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat, Les Thatcher, Jim Cornette and many more. Headlining this event will be a huge tag team match up  featuring "The Rock N Roll Express" Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson versus "The Original Midnight Express" "Beautiful" Bobby Eaton and "Lover Boy" Dennis Condrey with manager Jim Cornette. This will be a great night of Mid-Atlantic Memories. Look for the Press Release and the full card soon.

For more information on this event or to sign-up for the camp you can call (828)286-4319 or e-mail ngwmatt@yahoo.com .

JIM ROSS TO WRITE FOREWORD FOR UPCOMING MANUAL

Image courtesy:World Wrestling Entertainment

EPWT.com has learned that Good Ol' JR, Jim Ross, will be writing the foreword for the upcoming EPWT training manual, which will be published by Sports Publishing, LLC. Alex Marvez will be writing the manual with the vision and input of EPWT's trainers. The book is slated for an early 2005 release. Stay tuned to EPWT.com for more information.

Click thumbnail for full size photo

FIND OUT WHY LES WAS IN SIN CITY, AND WHY HE WAS HANGING OUT WITH HONKY TONK MAN AND HACKSAW JIM DUGGAN, AMONG OTHERS

Two weeks ago, Les Thatcher went to Sin City, Las Vegas, Nevada, for work on an upcoming video project where he was joined by great company such as left to right back row "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan, Pro Wrestling historian Dr.
Mike Lano, and Honky Tonk Man; Front row:  make-up lady and floor director Courtney, Nick Bockwinkle, and George "The Animal"
Steele. Stay tuned to EPWT.com for more information on the project as it becomes available.

NEW GENERATION WRESTLING AND EPWT TO HOLD 3 DAY CAMP - TULLY BLANCHARD TO MAKE AN APPEARANCE

Elite Pro Wrestling training will join with New Generation Wrestling to present a 3-day training camp in Spindale, North Carolina at the Spindale House, November 12th, 13th, & 14th. Two of the three EPWT Trainers, Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat and Les Thatcher will be in the house, and will be training athletes in two rings all three days. This camp is open to beginners through experienced Independent wrestlers. There will a NGW pro wrestling event on Saturday night November 13th at the Spindale House.  Ricky and Les will be in attendance at the Saturday evening show as well. For more information on this event or to sign-up you can call 828-286-4319 or e-mail ngwmatt@yahoo.com

In addition, One of the original "Four Horsemen" Tully Blanchard will be in attendance for at least part of the seminar in Spindale, N.C.

LES THATCHER TO CO-HOST WEEKLY RADIO SHOW

After being a guest Sunday September 26th on "The Voice of Wrestling" internet radio show, Les has been ask to co-host the program on a weekly basis. The show airs each Sunday from 6 to 8:PM eastern standard time, and you can hear it and get all the news off the website at www.voiceofwrestling.com . The host is Chris Cash of Texas, and guests for the next several weeks will include Bill Apter, Terry Runnels, Baron Von Rashke, and Terry Taylor to name a few. You can e-mail questions from the site each week.

PRO WRESTLING NOAH MAKES SELECTION OF ATHLETES FOR JAPAN 

Pro Wrestling Noah have finally made it known which athletes from the 5-day training camp this past August will be making the trip to Japan. From the Chicago area will be Rudy Vallee, and from Cincinnati will be a Les Thatcher trained athlete, Matt Stryker. "The picks were strictly in the hands of the Noah Officials." Stated Thatcher, after receiving the announcement from EPWT trainer, Harley Race. "I am, however very happy for Matt, and proud to have been a part of him reaching this level of his career. I know he will do well and make us all proud." Thatcher and Race both also stated that Noah was very happy with the out come of this past camp and are already making plans for another of it's type for early spring of 2005. Vallee and Stryker will be living in Japan for at least three months.

TRAVELODGE TO HONOR SPECIAL QUALITY INN RATE FOR CINCINNATI SEMINAR
The Quality Inn Evendale Motel which we have worked out a special rate with for the October 28,29,30 seminar here in Cincinnati has changed ownership and in doing so has changed names. It is now "The Travelodge Evendale" at the same location 1717 Glendale Milford Road at Exit 14 off I-75, and the new owners will honor the special rate of 39.00 dollars per night for up to four persons. Just call 513-771-5252 and ask for "The HWA Rate" If you receive this and have posted our press release, would you please add this information to that announcement. Thank you, and look forward to seeing many of you in October.

DR. TOM PRICHARD TO APPEAR AT ELDON SEMINAR
It has just been announced that WWE trainer/talent scout Tom Prichard will Join Harley Race, Les Thatcher and Pro Wrestling Noah's Ogawa at the 5-day training camp in Eldon, Missouri. Prichard will be there for at least 3 of the 5 days checking out talent and helping with the in ring training. Independent wrestlers, here is your chance to kill two birds with one stone, so to speak. Be seen by the Officials from Japan's Noah and a representative of World Wrestling Entertainment all at the same training sessions.

STEAMBOAT TO HOST AUGUST SEMINAR AT TEXAS WRESTLING ACADEMY
August 28, 2004 Ricky Steamboat will be doing a one-day EPWT Seminar at "The Texas Wrestling Academy" in San Antonio, and will be appearing at one of their events that evening. For more information on this event and to sign up, contact Rudy Gonzalez at 210-273-4110.

STEAMBOAT TO APPEAR AT SEVERAL UPCOMING RING OF HONOR DATES
Ricky will be making several appearances for Ring of Honor. Several dates already announced.  See the EPWT schedule for complete details.

STEAMBOAT APPEARANCES POSTPONED DUE TO NATIONAL GUARD ACTIVATION
Steamboat's appearance in Kingsport, Tennessee for June 19th has been postponed because of National Guard activation at the Armory, and will be rescheduled for a date in September. The updated date will be posted at EPWT.com as soon as it is released.

THATCHER DOES SOLO, ONE-DAY SEMINAR IN PROVIDENCE
Les will be doing a one day EPWT Seminar in Providence, Rhode Island on Saturday August 28th at the PWF Northeast Wrestling School. He will also be part of PWF's TV taping the next day Sunday the 29th. For rates and more information on this event go to www.pwfnortheast.com

THE KING HARLEY RACE BEGINS WORK ON BIOGRAPHY, EPWT MANUAL IN WORKS
In other news, Harley has begun work on his bio with Sports Publishing and the word is that it should be ready for release in November of this year. Harley, along with Les and Ricky are in the early stages of discussing a detailed how to book and companion DVD, that would also been done by Sports Publishing. to come out sometime next year.

STEAMBOAT TO APPEAR IN UPCOMING WWE VIDEO GAME
Ricky The Dragon Steamboat has beenadded to the next  WWE video game produced by THQ Inc out of California.

KNOXVILLE METRO-PULSE FEATURES LES IN WRESTLING ARTICLE

The Knoxville Metro Pulse paper published an article a couple of weeks ago related to wrestling and Les Thatcher.  For the complete article, please click on the link below. http://www.metropulse.com/dir_zine/dir_2004/1410/t_cover.html

RICKY STEAMBOAT WRESTLEMANIA III MATCH AGAINST RANDY “MACHO MAN” SAVAGE RATED AS ONE OF THE TOP 10 MATCHES IN THE 20 YEARS OF WRESTLEMANIA

On Spike TV's special about the WWE Wrestlemanias, hosted by Rick Flair and Jesse Ventura; the Wrestlemania III match between Randy "Macho Man" Savage and EPWT's Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat was named one of the top ten “Mania” bouts of all time. That match is thought by many, to be the very best match of the first nine years of that event. We here at EPWT are proud that both Harley and Ricky are being seen in such high profile as two of the key figures in the 20 years of Wrestlemanias.

LES THATCHER PRESENTED WITH A “LEGENDS” AWARD AT THE 13^TH GULF COAST WRESTLERS REUNION HELD IN MOBILE, ALABAMA THIS PAST WEEKEND

During the first weekend in March the 13th Gulf Coast Wrestlers Reunion was held in Mobile, Alabama with its largest attendance to date of about 225 current and former wrestlers, managers, referees, promoters, and Ring Announcers. During the awards ceremony EPWT's Les Thatcher was presented with a Legends Award along with Paul Bearer, Wrestlers- Kurt Von Brunner, Dennis Hall, Bob Roop, and former manager of The Masked Interns, Dr. Ken Ramey.

ONE OF OUR EPWT TRAINERS, HARLEY RACE WILL BE INDUCTED INTO WWE HALL OF FAME ON MARCH 13TH.

EPWT is proud to join in the announcement that one of our trainers, Harley Race will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame on Saturday evening, March 13th the night before the historical Wrestlemania 20, along with Superstar Billy Graham, Bobby Heenan, Bob Backlund, and others.  

What a weekend for EPWT ! Three of our trainers will be in the New York area that weekend involved in "Fanslam", Ring of Honor, and WWE's Wrestlemania 20.

RICKY STEAMBOAT AND LEILANI KAI TO APPEAR AT WRESTLEMANIA FANSLAM ON MARCH 13, 2004.  RICKY STEAMBOAT TO BE SPECIAL REFEREE ON MARCH 13TH AT ROH IN NEW JERSEY.

On Saturday, March 13^th, Leilani Kai and Ricky Steamboat will participate in FANSLAM, where they will join other wrestlers who were part of the first Wrestlemania for autographs and photographs at the Holiday Inn in Totowa, New Jersey.  For more information on that event go to: www.fanslamwrestling.com

Ricky Steamboat will also make an appearance the same evening as he travels to Elizabeth, New Jersey to be special referee at the Ring of Honor matches. Steamboat will referee the return match between "ROH Pure Wrestling Champion", AJ Styles when AJ defends his title against CM Punk.  Who better to officiate this battle, than one of the greatest "Pure" wrestlers of all time. For information on this event go to: www.rohwrestling.com

** JUST ADDED**   TWO OF OUR EPWT TRAINERS ARE ADDING WEEKLY MEDIA TO THEIR WORK SCHEDULES

On Monday, February 16^th, Harley Race began to host a one hour weekly wrestling radio show for Kansas City's KCKN-AM 1340 which will air from 4 to 5:PM CST. If you're in the K.C. area be sure to tune Harley in every Monday afternoon.

As of February 14^th, Les Thatcher is writing a weekly column for the new P.W. Insider. The title is "Wrestler's Eye View" and can be found in the columns section of that site. If interested go to www.pwinsider.com to see what Les has to say.

'ELITE' TRAINING SEMINAR TO BE HELD AT THE RING OF HONOR WRESTLING SCHOOL IN JUNE

It has been confirmed that Les Thatcher, Harley Race and Ricky Steamboat will be conducting a three day EPWT seminar at the Ring Of Honor Wrestling School in June which is open to the public. The dates for this event should be confirmed within the next few weeks and will be posted here and on the ROH website. The EPWT Crew is proud to be selected to conduct this seminar and are looking forward to working with the ROH crew and ROH head instructor, C.M. Punk.  Stay tuned for more developments.

'ELITE' TRAINING SEMINAR TO BE HELD ON MARCH 27-28 IN LODI, NEW JERSEY

Promoter, Eric Nyenhuis has signed Les Thatcher and Ricky Steamboat to conduct an EPWT seminar on Saturday, March 27th and Sunday, March 28th in Lodi, New Jersey at Bodyslam University.  For more information on this event send inquiries to: trianglechoke@hotmail.com or call (732)244-0234. 

'ELITE' TRAINING SEMINAR TO BE HELD FEBRUARY 6-8 AT PWF NORTHEAST

EPWT trainers Les Thatcher, Harley Race, and Ricky Steamboat will be holding a three day seminar in Webster, Massachusetts. This seminar will include all aspects of the wrestling business. It will include, but not be limited to, conditioning, nutrition, weight training, psychology, drills, performance, promos, video tape analysis, and much more. For more information about dates and tuition, please check the schedule portion of this site, or click HERE to be transferred to the PWF Northeast site.

THATCHER AND STEAMBOAT TO ATTEND MID ATLANTIC LEGENDS CONVENTION SUPERBOWL WEEKEND

Elite Pro Wrestling trainers Les Thatcher and Ricky Steamboat will be in attendance at the Mid-Atlantic Legends Convention and Fanfest in Charlotte, North Carolina. This amazing convention will be a great chance for fans to chat with some of the greatest names from the 1970's and 1980's to come from Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling and Jim Crockett Promotions. For more information, and specific dates, please click HERE.

EPWT STAFF TO TRAIN AT CAULIFLOWER ALLEY, AMONG OTHERS

The CAC (Cauliflower Alley Club) wrestling seminar was a huge hit at last year's  reunion, and we will be presenting it once again at the 2004 version. Many of wrestling's legends and promoters from around the country will be there in attendance, including a representative from World Wrestling Entertainment. Harley Race and Les Thatcher will return as the head trainers, joined by Ricky Steamboat, Scott Casey, Eddie Sharkey, Playboy Buddy Rose, Killer Kowalski, Duke Myers, Bruce Hart, Jack Brisco, and trainers from All Pro Wrestling and Pro Wrestling Iron. Many more legends will be there to offer their expertise throughout the event. There is no better place to learn and gain exposure in this business. To learn more, click HERE.