International Wrestling Cartel

There was an interview conducted by Joe Dombrowski with IWC heavyweight champion Dennis Gregory that was posted here on the website earlier this week.

The following is an excerpt from that interview:

Q: However, the match was not without its share of controversy...your thoughts on referee Steven Colter and has rather dubious officiating job in recent times?

A: First, let me say that there is nothing I hate more in wrestling than idiots who try to get themselves over. The show is about the wrestlers. Not the refs, the ring announcers, sound dudes, towel girls and whoever the hell else. We as wrestlers are taking the big risk. People don't go to see the dove in his pocket, they go to see the magician. So to all the self important "put yourself over" clowns I say this ... Stay the hell out of the spotlight unless you earn it. If you want to earn it, come see me. And then I will give you the mic and you can spit whatever you want. Until then, do YOUR job. Is that saying it in black and white enough for you?

How big can this man's ego become?

I know I'm not that well-liked. Quite frankly, I don't care. I'm not trying to sound cool, rebellious, or anything like that. I am simply stating fact.

However, Gregory has taken a personal issue he has with me and has decided to flaunt it all over the Internet, instead of keeping it private. Does he have the... guts to come to MY face and say something to me? Hell, no! Instead, he relies on talking about me behind my back, sometime not having the knowledge that EVERYTHING gets back to me before long.

I won't even mention the absurdity of his comments as it relates to his three heavyweight title challenges while not earning them in the first place.

I'm not taking a risk? You, sir, are wrong.

As I have stated before, my job is to be an impartial third-person in an athletic contest between two men in that ring. However, I've have been dragged into this crap by countless times by other people.

It may sound like a broken record, but did I ever volunteer to suffer any of the following?

Chair shots, Singapore cane shots, black hole slams, MK Ultras, lariats, barbed-wire, bloody mouths, concussions, etc, etc, etc.

If you doubt any of these things actually happened, contact me, we'll hang out, and I'll show you my footage.

I know what you're thinking. "Why is he whining about these things? These sorts of things happen to wrestlers all the time!"

Why, you are correct. These things happen to WRESTLERS all the time, not referees.

So let me ask you now, Denny, have I paid any dues? Have I not done some of the same things as you have when earning your spotlight?

I have to admit that I was entertained reading the interview, as it shows even more of the bias and politics against myself.

This whole situation that I'm wrapped up in started in November when my decision in the Gregory-Shirley Doe heavyweight title match was overturned. Three times between November and May, my decisions have been questioned and overturned. I sat quietly while I was basically being abused by this company.

Wait. I can't do this any longer. I have to stop lying to all of you. I've kept something quiet for a year now, as I've been too embarrassed to make something public. This didn't start in November. This started one year ago.

July 29th, 2005. IWC "No Excuses". Matt Hardy vs AJ Styles. I knew that there would be more eyes on this show than any other up until that point in IWC history. I felt that I needed to do something to be noticed. We all want to be seen, and hopefully be offered the chance to do more with our careers. So, I went to Norm Connors to ask him if I could officiate the Hardy-Styles match.

I went to Norm as a FRIEND, not as an employee. Maybe I was wrong for attempting to use our friendship as an attempt to get ahead, but I figured that I had been improving, and was hoping for the chance.

"I'm sorry, but I've already finalized things with the state; Bryce is going to be doing it."

As everyone knows, Bryce Remsburg was the referee assigned the match. Let it be known that I have no issue with Bryce. I have the utmost respect for him, and I think he is the best referee on the independent scene today.

However, I found out (secondhand, by the way) that nothing was ever finalized with the state, and I was, in fact, lied to.

Hearsay being what it is, I went to Norm, again as a friend, and asked him what the deal was. And this time, I asked for honesty.

"Well, Steve, to be honest, you're just not good enough."

I asked for honesty, but this broke my heart. As this info toiled in the back of my mind for months, I finally had enough when Norm interjected himself into my business.

Fast-forward one year. Will I be in the ring for IWC's biggest match of the year, Christian Cage vs AJ Styles? Heck, will I be the official for Low Ki vs John McChesney this Friday night? Hmm, probably not. Just like I was passed over for the Super Indy finals with Delirious and Troy Lords. Just like I have been passed over numerous times before, and will continue to be.

At this point, it won't be about talent. It even won't be about loyalty. It will instead be about holding me down from getting noticed more, and Norm's way of punishing me. Forgot the fact that I am your senior official, the politics and red tape will be too much for even me to overcome.

Maybe I wasn't ready one year ago. Now, I know I'm ready. Unfortunately, that means nothing in Norm's eyes.

As already stated, I like Bryce. I respect Bryce. I can't say the same about CJ Sensation. But rest assured, one of those two will be in the ring for Cage-Styles. Rest assured Bryce will officiate Ki-McChesney.

Forget the fact that since I joined IWC in November of 04, I have worked literally every show. Can Bryce say this? Can CJ say this? No, and no.

Norm Connors.

Dennis Gregory.

CJ Sensation.

Etc, etc, etc.

Politics and bias reign supreme.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some "dues" to go pay.