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THATCHER’S
THOUGHTS
- February
2006 Edition
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“This
and a 1.50 will get you a cup of coffee.” |
| by
Les Thatcher |
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Here we go into 2006 with a full head of steam.
Things are really looking up for EPWT in this New
Year. In just a couple of weeks after posting this
column; we will be starting the first of four EPWT
camps in North Carolina where we join New Generation
Wrestling, and “Highspots” as co-sponsors of these
events. Each camp will open on Friday in the city
where that nights NGW show will be running (2/17/06
Shelby, NC.), and then move into Charlotte at the
Highspots gym for the remaining two days of
training. Highspots is a nice facility with two
rings, showers, and a/c for the hot months. Trainees
attending these camps will be given a discount for
the entire Highspots store for that weekend only.
The next three camps in that area will be in May,
August, and November. Joining Dr. Tom and myself
this time around to help with the workouts will be
Ricky Steamboat (Friday only) TNA’s Terry Taylor,
and Tracy Smothers. So for all you indie stars here
is a chance to show your stuff in front of scouts
from the two major federations in the country. Some
of the wrestlers in for the camp will be used in the
NGW shows on both Friday and Saturday nights. If
travel schedules permit, these same guest trainers
will be coming back for the camps throughout the
rest of the year.
Plans are also in the works for us to do at least
two camps in the Northeastern areas this year as
well. One will be promoted in the New England
region, and I have been in contact with Jim Kettner
owner of ECWA and promoter of the “Super 8”
Tournament for a camp in his area (Delaware) for
sometime in July.
We should be showing up in the deep south
Georgia/Alabama region as well, and chances are the
camp will be held at the “Great Championship
Wrestling” arena owned by my old friend Jerry Oates
in Columbus, GA.
EPWT is looking forward to June in Las Vegas for
the Cauliflower Alley Club convention and our 4th
annual two day training camp and show there
June 8th through 10th, and returning to Denver at
Altitude Pro Wrestling Academy sometime in late
summer or early fall.
We are also in talks with David Hebner’s UWF
promotion for camps tied in with their promotions in
several cities throughout the country.
Another project that is just in the talking
stages at this point is to set up a permanent EPWT
gym for those wanting to train with us full time,
and or come in for a few days or a week at a time.
If this bears fruit, then we will also be running a
couple of three day camps there during the year,
plus we plan to also offer a “Trainers Program” for
those working at schools around the country.
Naturally, EPWT still endorses Harley’s school in
Eldon, Missouri where the Noah tryout week long camp
will be held again this year September 19th through
23rd. Beginners through experienced wrestlers
wanting a shot at training in Japan can sign up for
that camp now by going to
www.harleyrace.com .
Something that I have been mauling around in my
battered skull for sometime may also come together
this year. EPWT may start booking veteran
wrestlers/trainers who are schooled in the EPWT
system out for seminars through our web site. This
is something I have been working on, and will keep
you posted when we feel we have a solid plan. From
the beginning we have limited the trainers we book
and use in training camps. We have had guest
trainers in the past, but are selective as to who we
use to be sure that athletes are getting the proper
instruction. I am now working with three veteran pro
wrestlers who have all wrestled for major companies
and are on the same page as the rest of us here at
EPWT. We are proud of what we have accomplished in
the past three years as the testimonials on this
site will bear witness to. During that time we have
helped some of the wrestlers training with us get to
the next level and in doing so they have earned a
look from one of the big companies. One such athlete
is Krissy Vaine who will be attending her third EPWT
camp this month, and has just signed a WWE
developmental contract which I believe will send her
to train in Deep South with Joe Hamilton, Bill
DeMott, and Dave Taylor.
During Krissy’s first camp with Steamboat and me
we saw a dedicated lady who wanted the brass ring,
and was willing to work hard to get it. She has
pushed hard over the last year and a half and it has
paid off for Ms. Vaine. Her appearances at our camp
and the NGW shows will be her last independent dates
before heading to Atlanta for the next step in her
career. We all want to wish her the best of luck,
and Gods speed.
I hope some of you have picked up our book “The
Professional Wrestler’s Instructional & Workout
Guide” which I am proud to say has been receiving
good reviews. All in all, 2006 looks good for our
little training company. I look forward to working
with many of you during the next eleven months, and
don’t forget that if you have questions just e-mail
me at les@epwt.com and
I will do my best to answer them. Just a reminder
that you can hear us every Thursday night on
“Wrestling Weekly” with special guests from 8 till
10 PM EST on that web site. I am answering question
on the message board at “The Wrestling Clothesline”
web site under the heading “Ask The Expert”, and I
post my “Wrestler’s Eye View” column every Thursday
on the PW Insider site.
Train hard and master your craft.
Till Next Time,
Les
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THATCHER’S
THOUGHTS
-
February
2005 Edition |
“This
and a dollar will get you a cup of coffee”
by:Les Thatcher |
Here we are the middle of February,
and baseball season has opening day just about seven
weeks away. Where does the time go? Things with EPWT are
going along smoothly to start off the year. Our training
manual is coming along fine. Jim Ross has submitted the
forward, Alex Marvez had the introduction and several
chapters almost completed, and from what we hear the
guys at Sports Publishing are laboring over tape in the
editing room. Our final big project is to shoot the
photos of athletes doing the holds and moves which
should be completed sometime in April or May.
The rumor that Dean Miller, our editor
at SP, is moving on to work in the WWE publishing
division is true, but Dean will also be finishing up our
manuscript on a free lance basis, so that we don’t miss
a beat. As this is posted on our site, the target date
for having it on the shelves of bookstores everywhere is
still September of this year.
In talking to Ricky Steamboat
recently, he seems to be adjusting to life on the road
every week as an agent for WWE at both of their
television productions. From other members of the WWE
staff, I am getting positive feedback on “Steamers”
effect on the talent he is working with. It is a great
feeling knowing that the teaching style used in our EPWT
camps and seminars is being used in the world’s largest
professional wrestling company.
While on the subject of that company,
three athletes who we have had the chance to work with
during camps since last November have been looked at by
World Wrestling Entertainment with the thought of
possibly signing them to developmental contracts. Krissy
Vaine, Venus, and Clyde Woods. Krissy has been invited
back for another look, and I believe the other two will
be as well. Clyde is a 6’6”, 300 plus pound 31 year old
from Kentucky who I first met at our January camp in
North Carolina. With his shaved head, I teased him that
he could pass for the son of George “The Animal” Steele.
Clyde was invited to Cincinnati when Raw was in town for
an in ring evaluation, and is waiting to hear the
outcome. Now, don’t get me wrong, these three didn’t get
their tryouts because they attended our camp, because
they were on the way to developing into good workers
when we got our first look at them. However both Venus
and Clyde had to be pushed just a little to get them to
send resumes and tapes to the big company. I also have a
good relationship with current head scout Tommy Dreamer,
from him spending several months on my roster, and
helping me with the young trainees when I was working
with WWE. Tommy enjoys working with hopefuls and has a
good eye for talent on the rise. Part of our doing these
multi-day camps is to seek out young talent, and pass
the word along to the proper folks in both the big
companies here and in Japan.
Just a couple of weeks ago, I began,
what I hope to be a long term relationship with Brad
Simons who heads the Christian Wrestling Association
based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. We have one 3-day camped
booked for them this coming October, and three more
already penciled in for 2006. I will also be working
closely with Bard in their talent relations department,
helping book talent, and lay out programs, and
storylines for the CWA. Simons is very serious about
improving the skills of his current roster, and adding
new young talent as we go along.
Another nice phone message was
waiting for me when I arrived home last week. Dean “The
Dream” Jablonski who started with me back in 1998 called
to tell me that he “Had gotten the call!” From WWE and
he is being signed to a developmental deal, but is not
sure weather he will be assigned to Louisville, or the
new promotion opening up soon in Atlanta. Dean has a
degree as a Nurse, and moved to Cincinnati to train with
me right after graduating from nursing school. He has
been working in hospitals around our area, while
training at my camp and then hitting the indie scene. He
kept his nose to the grindstone, and his hard work has
finally paid off. “The A-Squad” of Dean & Chet Jablonski,
Pepper Parks, and manager, Brock Guffman was one of my
top heel factions from 2000 through the time I sold my
business. Guffman, by the way, cuts one of the best
promos this side of Jim Cornette.
I am so looking forward to April and
the 40th Annual Cauliflower Alley Club
Convention at the Riviera Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Plus this year I’ll be spending additional time in that
city as X-Treme Championship Wrestling has moved our
3-day camp with them to that city, taking place the
weekend following CAC. Instead of heading home on Monday
after the Alley, I’ll be staying in “Glitter Gulch” up
until our camp starts the following Thursday April 21st.
That camp will be held at the Las Vegas Professional
Wrestling Academy. You and check all the contact
information on that gig elsewhere on our site. So our
plans are to attend the CAC from April 14,15,16, and do
our normal 2-day camp there and the exhibition. Then the
wife and I will just enjoy the sites for a couple of
days, then help prepare for the 3-day camp and wait for
Dr. Tom’s arrival on the 20th. XCW will also
be promoting a show that Saturday night 4/23 at the
LVPWA Arena. For you independent guys and gals with some
time for work and a vacation you could check out both
the CAC seminar and the XCW camp and show and enjoy
Vegas in the process, I am looking forward to it. I am
also excited that some of my former trainees will be
coming to Vegas from all different parts of the country
this year to help me celebrate being one of the 2005
Honorees at the CAC Banquet on Saturday 4/16.
Also don’t forget that Harley and
Scott Casey will be cracking the whip during the CAC
seminar, and Doc Prichard will be there for the XCW
camp. Casey, if you didn’t know is the guy who trained
Booker-T.
Harley's autobiography is doing well,
and you can catch him at all the World League Wrestling
events or at book signings at various stores. Again,
check the schedule page here on the site for all the
information, and more details at
www.harleyrace.com.
If you are living in the Southeastern
part of the country. Check out the series of matches Dr.
Tom has been having with Ricky Morton. They not only
should be very entertaining, but a good class for those
trying to learn the skills of the mat sport.
I guess that about covers it for this
edition. If you have comments or questions shoot me an
e- mail at
les@epwt.com. Train hard, and master your craft.
Til next time,
Les
