Post by Staff on Sept 2, 2018 14:48:05 GMT -5
(The Following is a transcript of the Othello Brothers Podcast, Flipping the Script)
: All right, let's just get right down to it. Welcome to this the first edition of the Othello Brothers Podcast, I am Laurence Othello. One half of the Fighting Othellos. With me is my brother from another mother--
: It's the same mother. We have different fathers.
: (Laughs) Is that how that went?
: What matters is we're here, ready to take a deep dive--
: --Reasonably deep.
: As deep as we can dive into the world of Valor Pro Wrestling.
: All right! So, first off, again, I am Laurence Othello, this is Kenneth Othello, we're from the way back.
: Way, way, way back. Since before television.
: Not that far.
: Seems like it.
: My body feels about that old some days. (laughs)
: All right. Valor Pro Wrestling. New kid on the block. What do we know about it?
: Well, in all fairness, not a whole lot.
: The wrestling industry itself is in a state of flux. There'll always be the top-tier, big-name companies like the 4CWs, the CWC--
: They're done now, I think.
: Are they done?
: I think so.
: Whatever the case may be, this here is a podcast dedicated to analyzing Valor Pro Wrestling. New organization, with a reasonably established pedigree under its belt, just getting started. So, let's just start off in the deep end, how has a fledgling operation like the VPW landed so many big name talents right out of the gate like this?
: Money.
: Sure. (laughs). But, I mean, look at it like this: This company opens with the initial framework of being the best of the best in indie wrestling. This wasn't a federation setting out to muscle in on anyone's territory, or claiming to be anything it wasn't, with no expectations other than to tour Europe and the the UK. And right out of the gate, first three signings are multi-time champions from some big-time federations.
: Devlin, Cartel and Rosabel.
: That's a main event right there.
: That's what I'm saying. And those are the first three signings. Look at these names: Roxi Johnson, Zack Fantana, Siberia Zombie.
: And you're just listing names that people would recognize from watching other promotions. There's no telling what some of these wrestlers are capable of. At one point in time, everybody was an unknown.
: That's exactly it. That's exactly it. I'm telling you, this is from behind the scenes, initially they booked a smaller venue for the first edition of Blitz. But tickets were selling, and they quickly recognized the need--.
: Needed a bigger boat.
: That's right. That's what big name talent nets you. And Valor Pro signed some doozies. Any that have you particularly excited?
: It wouldn't do anyone much justice to cop out and say I'm excited about all of them, even though that's true, I will say that I'm interested in seeing some of the matches they pull out of this. Roxi Johnson going up against Elina Cartel would pretty well print money. Fantana taking on Devlin for, what, I think it's round six?
: Not sure on that.
: Doesn't matter. That's a good match. There's some great matches to be made at first glance at the roster, and the ball hasn't started rolling. But, and I'll be honest, I've not made it a secret that I do think it's an aging roster. And that's not always a good thing.
: You said something like, what, this is where the greats come to die?
: (Laughs) Off the record. Off the record.
: There's young talent. Siberia Zombie has only just begun. Arlo Rosabel's only just begun to crest. Trauma and Drama.
: Tag-Team wrestlers.
: That's not exactly a skill that doesn't translate well into singles competition. You're looking at the paper, and not thinking it through. Ace Devereux's never really gotten his chance, you could say the same about Cartel. Just because some of these are old-ish dogs, doesn't mean this is the end of the line for any of them. Brennan Devlin's proving over in WWO he can still put on quality matches at a high level of performance. Any of these guys get a second wind, and some of these seem-to-be-endings could turn into a brand new beginning.
: That's very optimistic of you. Zack Fantana pops a knee out of joint and that's it for him. Devlin's always one match away from a meltdown. Cartel? Who knows with her. Same with Roxi Johnson. A title list a mile long, for anyone who's actually done this, knows the body has a list of things that can go wrong just as long, too. You said it yourself. Without new blood infused into this roster, its going to be a red flag for me.
: All the minutae, and kidding and trash talk aside, you have to admit that for a first show, this thing looks like it could be huge.
(sound of paper rustling)
: There's no doubt there. Rosabel takes on Devlin. Hawkfield takes on Siberia Zombie. Cartel will meet head-on with Devereux. Fantana and Trauma, and last but not even close to least is Roxi Johnson taking on Chase Drama. I mean, what do we think of the fact that the majority of these bookings seem to pit one division against the other?
: It's a showcase. It's exhibition.
: But what's the point of having weight classes if you're going to ignore them?
: I'm not sure I know the thought process behind the booking, but it does seem, at least, like there's a method to it.
: Okay. Hawkfield is 6'3, about 230 going up against a hundred and thirty pound chick who's 5'6. How's that gonna go?
: It's by no means a done deal.
: It's stupid. He'll manhandle her. Have you seen this kid?
: Now, without knowing all the behind the scenes workings, I will say that Vanessa Byrne has been in the ring, she's been in the office, she's no dummy. She's been around this business for years. She's not booking a match she thinks someone's going to lose or win outright.
: Alright. So you're thinking that this isn't some sort of set-up for something else? Bait and switch?
: I didn't say that. Don't put words in my mouth.
: So, then, you can see as clearly as I can that something else is going on. These matches were booked with something in mind. This isn't a night of squash matches, David meets Goliath over and over again.
: Any night of the week, anybody can beat anybody.
: So weight classes don't matter?
: Weight classes don't matter.
: So then why have weight classes at all if they don't matter?
: (Laughs) Ask the company, brother. Ask the company.
: I'm asking you. Why have the weight classes if they're just gonna book anyone against anyone with the understanding that anyone can beat anyone?
: It'll all come out in the wash. The first show hasn't even happened yet.
: Okay, okay. Wait and see, fans, is what I'm getting from my brother from another weight class.
: Now, now.
: I'm just saying what ticket-buyers are thinking when they see the playbill. If I'm paying, how much, twenty or thirty bucks to see this night of big guy-little guy matches I'm thinking something else is going on.
: So then you know to expect a surprise or two.
: Fair point.
: It's not going to be a night of squash matches. And you're overlooking the fact that some of these wrestlers have made a career out of beating the bigger opponents. Roxi Johnson. She's done it again and again, and she's an easy favorite to win a title.
: I'll give you that. When I saw that Roxi had signed on I was immediately excited.
: One of those competitors we were always on the other side of the world of, right?
: I think we went through some of the same cities once or twice.
: But never on the same show. She's the most decorated member of the roster, and likely motivated a lot of folks to get off their ass and buy tickets to see this thing. It's not every day you get to see a Roxi Johnson match. Here's a wopman that's inspired a lot of the up and coming women's wrestlers of today to do this stuff for themselves. She knows how to get the job done no matter the stakes. Look for her to establish herself early.
: Fantana's like that, too.
: Sure. Fantana's one of those "Greats" you were talking about. He's easily at the top tier on any roster. Or Devlin. Names you don't want to see booked against you. Names you see headlining all the federations you're never in.
: That's from a performer's perspective. What about from an audience perspective?
: Audience perspective? I'd be betting on Arlo Rosabel to take the federation by storm.
: Really?
: Sure. Kid's ready. Stellar performances over in the CWC territories. He's done his time working with top-notch performers in the Conglomerate--
: There's a name I'm not wanting to see anywhere near this roster.
: Why?
: It's bad fort the company. It creates a ceiling that holds people back if these guys come along and bear down on the roster, it's like a lopsided teeter-totter.
: Draws eyeballs, though.
: It's the same thing I'm saying with the aging roster, these types of signings have a tendency of holding back new talent.
: Cream will always rise to the top, regardless of how the layers go. I'd be looking at Ace Devereux to hit this opportunity out of the park, too.
: He did some time over in Union Battleground, didn't he?
: I'm not sure, actually. Don't know much about him.
: The wild cards are where I tend to put my money. Guys like Ace Devereux, or Trauma and Drama, Joel Hawkfield. These are the guys you're sleeping on and they end up moving mountains for you.
: Those are the names you're picking to pick up championships in the first month or so?
: I don't know. The dust hasn't settled yet. We still get to get this first show under the belt. I'm thinking, whenever the title matches do happen, though, you'll probably see all the usual suspects, at least at first.
: You think we're gonna see a Roxi Johnson Monarch and Brennan Devlin Gladiator Championship reign.
: At first. It's really anybody's game right now, but I'm not willing to put too much money against the veterans.
: We'll have to bank on that for now. We've got about a minute left, what do you think fans should be expecting when it comes to this first phase roll-out of Valor Pro Wrestling?
: Start small. Expect a grind to build a fanbase. Regardless of who you sign, there's always going to be uncertainty around a new product. A new company like this will have to put out quality product, at a consistent frequency before you see anyone putting too much faith in it.
: I agree one hundred percent. This is still new no matter how familiar the names on the roster are. But the foundation, if it's solid, will beckon the people to it.
: If you build it they will come, huh?
: That's it right there. That's it for now, friends. Yoiu've been listening to the Othello Brothers' Podcast, Flipping the Script. Look for fresh content bi-weekly--
: We hope to do it bi-weekly.
: Hope. (laughs) Otherwise, join us this next Sunday for the first show of VPW's Blitz, where we'll be on hand to give you all the post match breakdown and analysis--
: Do our best.
: Always. I'm Laurence Othello.
: And I'm Kenneth. See you next time, fans.
End Transcript.