Brady Hicks has been writing about wrestling for more than 15 years, for Web sites, newspapers, and magazines. He is a contributing writer for Pro Wrestling Illustrated, and the host of his renowned wrestling radio program, IN THE ROOM.
IN THE ROOM is LIVE Tuesday nights on WEXP Philadelphia and thebradyhicks.com, at 9:30 PM EST. Call the show at (609) 755-5ITR.
Call The Show: (609) 755-5ITR
Voicemail: (206) 337-1031
E-mail: intheroompodcast@gmail.com
Twitter: @intheroomshow
AIM: BradyHicks
Special thanks to co-hosts Derrick McDonald, Ray Bogusz, Anthony Sarlo, and Kathie Fitz for all of their dedication and hard work! Also thank you to all of those who take the time to listen and/or call in!
Also thanks to former stars of the show such as DJ and Kevin McElvaney, who - although choosing to no longer be part of what we do - will always hold an important part of ITR's legacy.
Also thanks to periodic contributor Mike Bessler.
Hi I’m from WWE, and I’d like a minute of your time. Actually, I’d like between 510 and 690 minutes of your time depending on if this is a pay-per-view weekend or not. You see, we’ve added more programming to our already staggering air block—even though our entire experiment where we made Raw three hours long seems to be a miserable failure. Our ratings are slumping and we need eyeballs. So why not invest a little time in our product; you are a fan, aren’t you?
An interesting conversation broke out on Twitter this Saturday night. In the midst of UFC 152, people started talking about pay-per-view oversaturation. It’s not a problem unique to one promotion, and it’s not an opinion held by a scant few people. There has been a vocal contingent for years decrying the continued devaluing of pay-per-views as they appear more and more frequently. I’m among them, and I thanked those who started the conversation for proving I’m not alone or crazy–I’ve been saying this for years. This isn’t a column about UFC though; it’s a column about pro wrestling.
Criticisms of WWE come and go, and by and large they tend to fade over time and re-appear with astounding, clockwork like precision. Whether it’s the ability to develop talent, the PG or Not-So-PG nature of the content, selection of champions, or any of the other litany of grievances typically leveled against the premiere wrestling promotion on this planet, we tend to pick and choose which ones to focus on in an alternating rotation.
Photo by WWE
Being Dolph Ziggler must be interesting.
On one hand, you’re constantly being featured against other current top of the card talents. You can read just about any wrestling publication in the world and see stories about how you’re an underutilized talent and that you’re one of the guys WWE needs to guarantee its future dominance. You are told you are world caliber talent, even though you once were part of the Spirit Squad.
These kinds of positive sentiments regarding Ziggler are espoused frequently and found everywhere. Some of them are even signed with my name.
However, on the other hand, if you’re Ziggy, you’ve had the Money in the Bank briefcase for months and been given precisely squat to do with it. You’ve never held the WWE Championship and your only World Heavyweight Championship reign lasted an underwhelming nine-ish minutes before dropping it right back to Edge in a title-switcharoo angle that made no sense to anybody *with* sense. You get prime slots on television, but let’s face it: When pay-per-view time rolls around, you’re going to lose.
Sometimes, in column writing, you’re better served beating around the bush a bit to draw readers in. Not today.
There are millions of sports-fans in the world; however, there are only thousands of professional athletes (including bowling–I counted). The reasons why are pretty clear: for starters, I am pretty sure LeBron James could dribble me down the court and force me through the hoop with a flashy tomahawk jam.
Physical limitations notwithstanding, pro-athletes are also scarce because there are only a few individuals who consistently work at their sport and fitness level like its a full-time job, and have done so since a young age. While I have no chance of being an NBA player, I do remember burning current FC Dallas defender George John on the soccer pitch during our respective high-school careers. The difference? I stopped working at it and he did not.
Whatever reason you never made it pro, there are plenty of alternative career options in sports. Consider the following options.
Athletic trainers diagnose the extent of an injury and create a plan to treat and prevent the injury from reoccurring. Distinct from personal trainers, athletic trainers are recognized by the American Medical Association as allied health professionals. This profession requires at least a bachelor’s degree in the field; however, it is common for athletic trainers to have post-graduate or even doctoral degrees. A license is voluntary, but definitely recommended.
Sports-management may be an intimidating concept at first, but it really should not be. Individuals working in sports-management may be involved in a club’s front-office, work for the local Men’s recreational soccer league, market the Clinton Lumberkings minor league baseball team, or work in sports information (think statistics and scouting). In other words, you do not have to be George Steinbrenner to work in this field. Many colleges offer degrees in sports-management, and you can find out more about them here.
Every competitive athlete should have a great physical therapist in their corner. The physical therapist’s job is related to the athletic trainer, but is more involved. A physical therapist will treat more serious injuries and more typically needs to take a holistic approach to treatment, i.e., imagining and planning for the effects a lumbar disc-extrusion on the right side will have on the left knee. Physical therapy is a highly specialized field, and licensed practitioners need a post-graduate degree in physical therapy from an accredited program. Typically, physical therapists must pass the National Physical Therapy Examination.
Everyone has their favorite sports analyst or play-by-play announcer. No one calls a basketball game like Dick Vitale, and the Phillies’ fan-community is still reeling from the loss of Harry Kalas.
Radio play-by-play or on-screen analysis is not the only media job in sports. On the radio side, a broadcaster is only as good as her producer (the lady behind the glass) or as his stat-guy (think notes scrawled on half-sheets with a golf pencil), and on the T.V. side, there are the camera operators, light technicians, and do not think I forgot about the sports writers!
Photo by Vogue Magazine
What is going on, Wrestling Fans!!!!
My name is Michael Sloman and I have been an avid WWE/F wrestling fan since I was nine years old. I’m 26 now and consider it to be one of my biggest passions in life.
I also am a spoken word poet/hip hop mc and writer since the age of thirteen, and for the past several years I have been writing songs and poems related to WWE stories and characters. In fact, I have attached a song I wrote for John Cena called “Tribute to You” that I have attempted multiple times to get to Cena himself. I gave a copy of the song to Mick Foley two months ago at his comedy show in Scotia, NY, hoping that he would give the cd to Cena. Who knows if he ever did. I then tried WWE Music in NYC a ton of times, but I’m sure you can understand how difficult it is for a no name with no inside connections to get a shot. Then this past Friday night, I gave a copy to Jerry the King Lawler at a Northeast Wrestling show in Poughkeepsie, NY. He said he’d give it to Cena, too, but again who really knows. If you are a Cena fan, I hope you can relate the sentiment the song conveys. If not, I understand too, and actually have a rap song for The Rock too called “Eyebrows to the Sky” which I’ll post at another time.
Along with all of the songs and poems I will be posting about WWE, I also write articles as well! I have a Master’s in creative writing from the College of Saint Rose in Albany, NY, and I’m looking forward to sharing my creative ideas with all of you! Big up to Brady Hicks for bring me on the site!
Michael Sloman
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Hello Brady,
Guess what. There is no such thing as a coincidence. Not around here. The fact that John and I have been able to log in, while you were not. The fact that the beleaguered Mike Bessler had the antidote to the site’s “database” errors. The fact that some of the errors on the site were not unlike those perpetrated during your feud with Harry Barnett last year. Coincidences? No. Not even close.
• 3 matches will be spotlighted every Sunday morning based on their nostalgic qualities, their in-ring performances, their campiness, and their performers’ contributions to today’s wrestling world.
• Not EVERY match will be a squash, but it’s always nice to see the fan favorite totally dominate.
• Main event of Squash Match Sunday will normally have a title on the line, and will ALWAYS be a quality wrestling match.
…Let’s get to the action!
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Leading off Squash Match Sunday is one of the most hardcore legends in professional wrestling history, the Sandman, taking on….THE ZOMBIE?!?! Only in ECW *coughonSciFicough*!
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Disco Inferno squares off with Billy Kidman (c) for the WCW Cruiserweight Title in our Mid Card Hangover match of the morning. Is it me or is Kidman the ONLY wrestler who ever wore knee pads AND elbow pads?
Things to keep an eye/ear out for:
• It’s almost as if Tony and Bobby KNOW that people would be watching this match in the far future, so they need to hammer home that Disco Inferno is NOT a cruiserweight and is tired from trying to make weight for this match.
• Kidman’s finisher was a front flip senton called the “Seven Year Itch”. My point is…this &#$%^@$ was dating Torrie Wilson!!!
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YOUR Main Event of the Morning was also YOUR main event at the very FIRST Wrestlemania as Mr. T and Hulk Hogan (with Superfly Jimmy Snuka) grapple with Rowdy Roddy Piper and “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndoff (with “Ace” Cowboy Bob Orton).
Part One:
Part Two:
Your main event worthy commentary of the afternoon:
• You might recognize those two bow-tied men in the ring prior to the start of the match: the FIRST WWF Intercontinental Champion Muhammad Ali and of course the greatest boxer of all time…Pat Patterson!
• It’s funny…I’ve solved many of my OWN problems in life by moving in time so Bob Orton nailed it with his surgical cast.
• I feel like “smark” wrestling fans can’t really say anything in terms of The Situation and Kevin Federline stepping into the squared circle…friggin Mr. T headlined Wrestlemania ONE!!!…at least he uses the tag rope…
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Well that about does it from my end, enjoy your Sunday afternoon!
• 3 matches will be spotlighted every Sunday morning based on their nostalgic qualities, their in-ring performances, their campiness, and their performers’ contributions to today’s wrestling world.
• Not EVERY match will be a squash, but it’s always nice to see the fan favorite totally dominate.
• Main event of Squash Match Sunday will normally have a title on the line, and will ALWAYS be a quality wrestling match.
…Let’s get to the action!
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Let’s start off Squash Match Sunday with the most historic squash match in pro wrestling history. You know what I’m talking about…it’s the Fingerpoke of Doom! I apologize for the quality…and the video is kind of bad too.
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Jake “The Snake” Roberts takes on “The Model” Rick Martel in their infamous Blindford match at Wrestlemania VII. This match came about because Martel blinded Roberts with his big cologne sprayer. And no, that’s not what she said.
Things to keep an eye/ear out for:
• This is quite possibly the only tolerable Blindfold match. Honorable mention: Jamie Noble vs. Nidia in a Boyfriend vs. Girlfriend Blindfold match at No Way Out 2004.
• It’s funny to think of Jake Roberts as a fan favorite, as you can see when he’s using the crowd to help find Martel. You rarely see a face these days who are slow, methodical, soft-spoken and carries a large reptile.
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TU evento principal de la noche…whoops…I mean YOUR Main Event of the Morning takes us to AAA Lucha Libre where a 19 year old Rey Mysterio Jr, Heavy Metal and Latin Lover take on Fuerza Guerrero, Madonna’s Boyfriend (Louie Spicolli) and Psychosis in an exciting six man tag team match to cap off your Sunday morning.
Your main event worthy commentary of the afternoon:
• Only Louie Spicolli would have the in-ring name of “Madonna’s Boyfriend”. RIP creator of the Spicolli Driver.
• WWE can learn a thing or two from this match. One of them being to have 2 overweight, suspender-wearing Mexican men as the referees.
• Be amazed at how young these guys are as well as the skill they’re showing off! Marvel at the most anti-climactic ending in pro wrestling history!
• Seriously, I miss WCW’s cruiserweight division so much. Do I mention that enough??
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Well that about does it from my end, enjoy your Sunday afternoon!
“Featuring wins as easy as Sunday morning”
Hey guys, so I’ve been insanely sick all week and haven’t had the brain power to pick and critique three matches so here’s the very FIRST Squash Match Sunday for your consideration!
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Our first match features WWE Hall of Famers Hacksaw Jim Duggan and Sgt. Slaughter teaming up to take on the Beverly Brothers. No witty commentary needed for this match AND it will only waste 3 minutes of your time!
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Our mid card match showcases the cruiserweight division of WCW, where we have Jamie Noble squaring off against Jimmy Yang (both former members of the Yung Dragons). While this match isn’t technically considered a squash based on the equal amount of offense that both these men present in this match, the brief amount of time allotted for the match makes it more than a candidate for Squash Match Sunday.
Things to keep an eye/ear out for:
• A plug for WCW Backstage Assault, the widely panned Playstation game that tried to market off of the hardcore movement that was taking place around that time.
• The god awful WCW commentary team, especially the line “WOAH!!! HE’S PRETTY FLY FOR A WHITE GUY!!” uttered by Mark Madden (I believe). This phrase perfectly describes the vibe of WCW circa 2000.
• “LUGER’S UP TO SOMETHING!!!”
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Our main event features Samoa Joe (who was riding his 18-month undefeated streak) and Mr. Wrestling Machine himself, Kurt Angle. This match was a HUGE deal back in 2006 regardless of brand loyalty or how often you watched TNA. Samoa Joe was on a mythical level at this point, and Kurt Angle was (at this point) the hottest free-agent acquisition in TNA history.
Part 1
Part 2
Your main event worthy commentary of the afternoon:
• Good to see that TNA pulled out all the stops by holding this classic main event in the hallowed halls of the Impact! Zone.
• Not sure why Jeremy Borash had to mention that he weighed Angle that morning. I like to think that Angle was weighed that morning by Borash before they went out to the Golden Eagle Diner to split a grapefruit and some whole wheat flapjacks.
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Well that about does it from my end, enjoy your Sunday and as Hacksaw Jim Duggan so eloquently says…..HOOOOOOO!
Photo by Jimmy Dylan
Credit story to Completely Damaged.
Hello again, Damaged fans! Today is Friday, February 3, 2012, and I am back with this week’s iMPACT Wrestling review. This week, TNA traveled across the pond to the UK for a world-wind tour that included two recordings of their Thursday night broadcast. The additions of Sting and Hulk Hogan were made for obvious reason, and clearly paid off. TNA packed out the Wembley Arena for what would become the largest crowd in their ten year history. Say what you want about iMPACT Wrestling folks. I’m about giving credit where it’s due. I’ve been saying for weeks that TNA has something to build on, and they continue to show it. However viewed, TNA is still our only nationally televised alternative to “The Machine”. Therefore, I continue to try to do my best to take as much out of it as I can. A hot crowd is so important…and we got that last night. UK fans have always been passionate about their wrestling. They were into it. For insiders and journalists, we got to see the company on a global stage. We always hear about TNA going on tour abroad…but now we got to see it. I hope we see more of it.
