International Wrestling Cartel

First off, a big apology. With all that was going on after the U-Town III show, I fell behind in my column. I apologize because I know how many of you hang on to my every word.

Now, as promised last column, here is why IWC has the right combination of factors to become the next big independent promotion.

Fighting Champions
Love them or hate them, the current champs are fighting champs. Shrilly Doe has taken on all comers since recapturing the belt from Balls Mahoney, both here in IWC, across the nation, and even in Japan. Sterling Keenan cared about the super indy title so much that he refuses to give the belt away until someone beats him for it. John McChesney has faced everyone who has stepped in front of him, biding his time until he gets a chance to prove himself against the "Super Indy Killer" and claim his title strap. Hentai and Dark, no matter what you think of them, have stepped up and faced whoever challenges them (including facing the Ring Crew Express TWICE in one evening). The champs value their status as the kings of the hill, and are willing, even anxious, to prove that they deserve the spots they have captured.

In addition to providing fuel for some great matches, this also increases the intrinsic value of the titles. Fighting for the belt means something when 1) the champ is willing to fight as hard as they can not to lose the title, and 2) the belt has been presented an recognized and occasionally defended as broadly as the IWC titles have.

The titles in any company is only worth what the Champion holding it makes it worth. IWC' s titles are so valued because of the worth that the champions (and by proxy, the challengers) imbue in them.

Talent on Showcase
There is never a shortage of competition at IWC. Whether you believe it or not, the discussion board is monitored very closely. The booking committee is eager to give the fans (and critics) of IWC what they want. Really, who else brings in top indy talent as regularly as IWC? The fans routinely get to see Styles, Daniels, Sabin, Hero, Joe, and a continuing litany of rising and risen independent talent.

At the same time, IWC has produced many wrestlers that have shown that they belong on the indy circuit along with the big names. Spectre, Doe, Keenan, Hentai, Gory, Xion and the Gambinos have all branched out into other promotions.

IWC has worked hard to keep it's talent roster at the top of the indy scene. The increased crowds and expanding show locations are a direct result of the top talent that IWC has in it's stable. Which segues nicely into my next point.....

Trainees proving their worth
For the past 4 years , IWC has operated the Coalition of Competition. Since it's inception, IWC' school has helped produce the next generation of competitors. Despite personality clashes and differences of opinion, the COC is dedicated to the idea that the term professional wrestling put the word professional first for a reason. The trainees are viewed and reviewed by the staff and (and Norm Connors) to make sure that they understand not only the physical aspects of this business, but also the respect inherent in it and how the actual business end of it is conducted. Everyone involved in the training adds to the collective knowledge, and with workshops held by Chris Hero, New Jack and others (and an upcoming one by Tracy Smothers), the students are as well prepared as they possibly could be.

Of course, all of these accolades heaped upon the school are meaningless without results. The list of graduates from the COC reads like a who's who of the upcoming indy wrestling scene. The Gambinos. "Balls Hot" Troy Lords of the Ohio Players. Shiima Xion, who just got his first IWC title shot after competing in Chikara's Young Lions tournament. IWC's Rookie of the Year Jason Gory. Glenn Spectre and Sebastian Dark, while trained elsewhere, will both happily admit that they used the COC as a "finishing" program.

Everyday, more people inquire about the COC, which means everyday the COC is producing the next Hentai or Shirley Doe.

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There you have it. IWC's strongest advantages. For all it's faults, Norm Connors and his "backroom" continue to produce exciting, entertaining pro-wrestling. Whether it goes to the top is up to a number of factors, but what is needed is in place. It's an exciting time to be with the company. I hope you are enjoying it.