OK, here’s my final report/update on the EWA Butler, PA show that was "promoted" by Joseph Rogers.
First I need to offer some corrections from previous reports.
In an early post I somehow typed Marvin instead of Nathan Ward. I corrected that, and regret my error. Marvin was in no way involved here.
In an early report I noted that Joseph Rogers said Balls Mahoney was drinking Vodka and "was a mess" at the show. I’ve since talked to others who were there and it appears Balls was drinking Bacardi Rum, not vodka. I regret my error.
For the record Nathan Ward has the following posted on the DOI site:
That’s Incredible Productions is proud to announce that the entire Balls Mahoney vs. EWA incident from Butler, PA will be released on DVD in its entirety, completely uncut. See Balls call the promoter and take a road trip to the scumbag’s house. This DVD includes exclusive interviews from Balls Mahoney, Justin Credible, and more. The DVD is available at www.wardwrestlingalliance.com. Visit this link for the trailer for the DVD, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCF23hMfWs4. Run time is approx. 1 hour.
Please note the Marvin Ward has nothing to do with this incident. Also, in response to the deadbeat promoter’s statement of Balls being "impared" and a "was a mess" at the show, those claims are false. I was with Balls from the time he got off the airplane to the time we went back to the airport. He was not impared or under the influence at any time. Balls went out, competed in his match, with a last-minute replacement, and carried him through a great match. He was visibally upset about not getting paid, as was the entire locker room, but never was physically violent.
Nathan Ward
I heard from John Thorne with Absolute Intense Wrestling who wanted to clarify their involvement renting the ring and shooting the event, etc. His concern was that I had hinted that Mr. Rogers was overcharged. I do not recall writing that. Clearly Mr. Rogers agreed to pay for way more than he could afford, or should have tried to afford, his mistake for sure.
Mr. Thorne writes:
Bill,
I’am John Thorne with Absolute intense wrestling in Cleveland,Ohio and I wanted to clarify a few things concerning our involvment in the EWA event this past weekend. You seem to hint that we overcharged Mr.Rogers yet you were not there to see all the equipment we brought with us, we gave Mr. Rogers a immaculate set up and as for the "new equipment" we were testing out we were trying our new wireless mic system. We are located in Cleveland,Ohio and Butler,Pa was about a 2 hour drive for us and we had to rent a SUV on top of the truck we use to haul our ring just to get all the equipment there. As for what we brought Mr.Rogers
We brought our 16 x 16 ring (which was what we charged $300 for and we recieved after informing Mr.Rogers the event will not start until we had that money in hand)
We charged a additional $600 for the following
4 lighting poles for around the ring with 6 lights on each
a trussing and entrance way with lights attacthed
a screen to project a live feed of the event on as well as backstage segments
a projector
3 camera’s w/camera men
a tri caster machine used to edit the event live,
a sound system w/sound board.speakers, wireless mic system
A staff to operate all of this equipment
Ring Announcer
Now if you still think that is overcharging then I don’t know what to tell you. Even by selling the DVD does not mean it will gross the $600 that we are still owed.Just wanted to make you aware of all the details on our end.
John Thorne
Ps you are more than welcome to publish this email if you would like
So what have we learned?
My guess is not so much and that more guys will replicate the failure and mistakes of Mr. Rogers.
And that the "high road" and "professionalism" will remain a challenge for many.
It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood………or maybe not so much.
