How "Iron" Mike Sharpe Changed my Perception of Wrestling

Growing up I watched as much wrestling as I could find on my television.  I felt fortunate back then because I had all the WWF and WCW weekend shows.  Then one day on the local channel I found IWCCW: International World Class Championship Wrestling promoted by the Savlodi's.

I don't remember the exact date, which is odd for me but it was definitely early 1990's.  I was watching WWF Superstars of Wrestling and during the show "Iron" Mike Sharpe appeared and lost a match in short order to a bigger name.  I later learned the term jobber or enhancement talent, but as a kid the guys that lost week in and week out I referred to them as bums.  So to me "Iron" Mike Sharpe was a bum.

Channel surfing I found IWCCW and I was intrigued as to what this wrestling was.  It didn't have that polished looked of Superstars and the arena was small as was the crowd significantly.  I was greeted by the "Boston Bad Boy" Tony Rumble who was talking about the opening match and was putting over the next competitor like he was the baddest man walking.
 

"Boston Bad Boy" Tony Rumble

I was intrigued, I mean who was Rumble talking about!?! Everyone that I thought of was in the WWF or WCW so I couldn't even image.  And then Rumble held up his right arm bent at the elbow and slapped his forearm announcing "Iron" Mike Sharpe

What?  The bum from the WWF that just lost in a minute to Koko B. Ware?  I can beat up Koko B. Ware!  The camera cut from the control room to the arena and we see Sharpe walking to the ring and it's the same guy.

I thought, "Who is he going to lose to now?"  Then it happened, Sharpe hit and offensive move, and then another, and another.  His opponent, who I can't recall, couldn't get a move in to save his life.  About two minutes later Sharpe pinned him for the win.  I was shocked!

That's when it hit me there are bums for the bums!  I could be a bum to the bums! And that day started my dream of becoming a professional wrestler with my goal of being a jobber to the jobbers.  I kept my feet on the ground while reaching for those stars. 

IWCCW was my introduction to independent wrestling, my introduction to the fact that wrestling like baseball had the major and minor leagues.  I wouldn't consider that the way it is today because I prefer independent wrestling in the smaller intimate arena's that put you right there in the action.

But back then I just knew what I saw Mike Sharpe in the WWF he was losing and when I saw him in IWCCW he was going to win.  This lead me to thinking, what other bums in the WWF are actually better than I think they are? 

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Until next time!

My First Indy Show

I recently found the DVD of the first ever Indy show I had ever been to.  I had bought the VHS and converted it to DVD, the quality is not the best.  The event was filmed with a camera on a tripod facing the ring.  No commentary, no graphics, but watchable, you can even see very young Jay & I sitting in the front row. 

Jay and I both saw this show advertised on TV during Nitro and Raw and in the Sun Journal.  Kevin Sullivan was originally advertised but didn’t appear, they announced the Public Enemy as his replacement.  Abdullah was not advertised in any way for this show and I was shocked when he came out for his match.  

Eastern Wrestling Alliance

May 16, 1997

Edward Little High School, Auburn, Maine

Ring Announcer: Rich Palladino

Referee’s: Scott Dickinson & Mike Dube

Light-Heavyweight Champion: El Mascarado defeated Maverick Wild by DQ when the Brotherhood ran in attacking Mascarado.  Baby Black Kangaroo made the save.  

Tre w/ the Brotherhood defeated “New Sensation” Steve Morabito with a jumping butt to the face.

Star Warrior with El’Mascarado & Baby Black Kangaroo defeated Knuckles Nelson w/ the Brotherhood by DQ when the Brotherhood interfered, Mascarado & Baby Black made the save.

The Television Championship match was announced next, but Rick Fuller refused to come out until after intermission.

Baby Black Kangaroo pinned Jose Valenzuela with a splash to the head.

The lead of the Brotherhood, "Boston Bad Boy" Tony Rumble

 “Mr. USA” Tony Atlas w/ Master Sandy pinned Abdullah the Butcher w/ “Boston Bad Boy” Tony Rumble with a round cross body block.  This was the typical Abdullah match with brawling outside the ring and both men getting busted open.   This was announced as Rumble vs. Atlas but Rumble said he wasn’t competing and Abdullah attacked Atlas from behind. 

“Prince of Pain” Kevin Kelly pinned The Storm Trooper with a pump handle slam

Vic Steamboat

Television Champion: Vic Steamboat pinned “Big” Rick Fuller w/ crucifix roll up.  The Brotherhood was banned from ringside during this contest. 

The Public Enemy: “Flyboy” Rocco Rock & Johnny Grunge w/ “Big Poppa” Bull Montana defeated The Power Company: Dave & Dean in a wild brawl with the Drive By through a table.

The Brotherhood consisted of “Boston Bad Boy” Tony Rumble, Tre, Knuckles Nelson & “Big” Rick Fuller.

Scott Dickinson was an active WCW referee at the time. 

This card was EWA’s second ever show, the first being the night before in Jay, Maine.  EWA was started by James St. Jean & Bob Staples.  These first two shows were run in conjunction with Tony Rumble’s Century Wrestling Alliance.  They were in fact essentially CWA shows under the EWA name.  The next show that EWA ran, 9/10/1997 in Bath, to me is the true first EWA show as it had nothing to do with CWA and only El’ Mascarado, Fuller, & Atlas appeared at this show. 

I feel very fortunate to have gone to this show as it was the only time I ever saw three guys in person that were significant figures in Professional Wrestling in New England; Tony Rumble, Knuckles Nelson, & Vic Steamboat.  

As far as first time Indy shows are concerned this was a damn good one to have gone to!

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Later Readers!