Kurt Kaoss looks at the indy wrestling scene
Posted by: Kurt Kaoss on 02/16/2004

Greetings, from "Michigan's Largest Cruiserweight"......

Today, I have decided to talk about a topic that is very dear to my heart, Independent Wrestling.

I have talked to many people who are not impressed by the national product, i.e - the WWE. Stale storylines, more "Soap Opera" rather than wrestling and lack of interest has taken away the thrill of tuning in every week; at least, for me. I will find other things to do with my time on Mondays & Thursdays. Basket Weaving, Root Canal....hell, even attending a funeral sounds like more fun than watching the "WHEEEEEEEEEE".

But, let me attend a local indy event, and I'm there. Now, don't think I'm being biased here, just because I'm an Indy wrestler.......even if I wasn't, there's just something about laying down 8 or 10 bucks to watch guys doing what they love. This is wrestling at its purest: people fresh out of training, the scared look in their eyes when they hit the curtain for the first time in front of a crowd, up to the seasoned vets who do it for the rush......but, nonetheless, they will come out every time, and put their bodies on the line, for the fans. Not to take anything away from the WWE; these guys do it day in and day out. But, to the ordinary fan, the WWE superstars are "Untouchable". Go to a local Indy event, and the wrestlers are more than happy to talk to the fans about their experiences. I can always find time to talk to someone after an event, sign an autograph or whatever. I always keep in mind: if it wasn't for the fans, I wouldn't be doing what I'm doing.

Another thing - there's something about sitting in a more intimate setting, watching wrestling. You go to a WWE event, and it's in a very large venue. Maybe not always sold out, mind you, but still large. Gymnasiums, bars, warehouses.....all breeding grounds for the Indy scene. Whether the venue is 20 or 500, for me anyways, it just seems to be a little more intense. As you stand in the middle of the ring, all eyes on you at close range, I guess there's a little more scrutiny that happens. The "Smarks" like to hang out there, too.

Now, take HTM for example. He's done WWF(E). He's done WCW. He's done territorial. He's done the Indys. Which does he prefer? "Whatever'll make him money". Alot of people put him down for saying that, but I'm all for it. I don't fashion myself at Honky's level, hell not even close....he's seen it all, and done it all. So, he deserves to make some cash for his craft. He's perfected it over the years, and that earns him high dollar. It's kind of like a small hospital calling in a world renowned brain surgeon: it'll cost ya, but the job will be done right, the first time. Here's another example: 2 feds, right next door to each other, running shows the same night. WFF's Main Event is "The Honky Tonk Man". RXW's Main Event is "Kurt Kaoss". Now, as a wrestling fan, who are you more prone to put your hard earned dollar down to see? I know what you're thinking, and it's ok....I'd be the same way.

And, that's the beauty of the Indys: the power to choose. So, if you don't like HTM (god forbid), you could go next door, and watch me perform. On the National televised level, what is there? The WWE, and NWA-TNA. The only problem with NWA is, it's on a PPV basis only, right now. The WWE has no legitimate competition; no plateau to make them push the envelope, like back in the WCW days, when Vince found himself struggling to keep up with the upstarts at WCW. Now the dominant force, he has become complacent, stuck in a rut. Which lately, is causing hardcore wrestling viewers, to change channels. Ask any one of the same people about going to an Indy event, and they will talk at great lengths about how the show was, bad or good. Indy fans are a passionate bunch, I've come to realize, and that's just fine by me.

So, to you legions of Indy fans, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Keep supporting your local Indys, and lets keep wrestling alive.

Kurt "The Best Thing Going" Kaoss

The information in this article is exclusive property of the Honky Tonk Man Website and cannot be used elsewhere without proper link credit.