Wednesday, April 15, 2020

HCW Wrestling Newsletter 2020 #838 (4/15/20) – Fanfest and Hall of Fame ceremony


Hello fans and welcome back to another installment of the HCW Wrestling Newsletter.  Tonight, we recap the fanfest that took place earlier in the day followed by the ceremony honoring tonight’s HOF inductees.


At the fanfest, the wrestlers were also joined by GM’s Master Bull and Max McGillicutty as well as J9 and Dash ‘Smooooooth’ Woodbrick.  All staff had nice turnouts at their autograph signings including Dash, Dr. Red Fang and Apollo Gyze.  The most interesting was Dash Woodbrick.  When someone would approach him for an autograph, he would only do so if they would sign his petition to get GM Master Bull fired.  As the day wore on, and Dash wasn’t accumulating the signatures he wanted, he started to make up other reasons for doing the petition that included “Free drinks at shows”.  Until the fans caught on to what Dash was doing, he started to accumulate a LOT of signatures (of course under false pretenses) but eventually one smart fan saw what he was doing and shut it down.  It remains to be seen if Dash got the amount of signatures needed.


Also stirring up trouble at the fanfest was Tommy Lighting.  At one point, he actually attacked the Anytime / Anywhere champion the Masked Banana.  The 24/7 rule is not in effect so he can’t win the belt.  He then challenged the Masked Banana to an actual match at the PPV and not the ‘backstage crap”.  The Masked Banana accepted.


After a couple of hours break, fans and performers funneled into the auditorium for the Hall of Fame presentation.  First, GM Max McGillicutty came out on the stage and thanked the fans and performers for coming here tonight to honor tonight’s inductees.  He then had a video play showcasing each inductees best moments in HCW.  When it came time to run Magnum Kone’s video, they of course highlighted the now infamous “Showdown at Fry’s Electronics” between the King of Cones and the Ragin Cajun Rad Gumbo.  After all the videos aired, Max introduces tonight’s first inductee.


Music hits and out comes ‘the Ragin Cajun’ Rad Gumbo.  Gumbo gets on the mic and recants the story about his feud with a man he’s honored to induct tonight.  Gumbo says that being King, a former World Champion and a current US Champion are nothing compared to the amount of fun he had performing skits with this guy.  Gumbo then introduces ‘the King of Cones’ Magnum Kone.  Magnum comes out to a standing ovation from the crowd.  The two men shake hands and embrace.  Gumbo presents Magnum with his ring.  Gumbo steps aside.  Magnum moves up to the mic.  “When I was young, my brother and I would dress as ice cream vendors and would wrestle.  We even made up our own titles.  Coming to HCW has been a dream come true.  I got some high profile feuds including with this guy (he points to Rad) and a couple of titles along the way.  I feel that I accomplished so much in the sport that there wasn’t much more left.  Even when I had my “mental break” and became the despised ‘Covfefe’, it was all fun and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.  I want to thank HCW for giving me a chance to shine.  To my family and friends who supported me and to all the backstage talent – yes, I see you out there Pete (Pete Punsher the PUN-isher) I appreciate your support.  Finally, to the fans of HCW, you booed me or cheered me on which is what any performer could ever ask for.  For that, I say one final ‘Thank You.”  Magnum stepped away from the podium and nodded to the audience one last time before making his way to the back.


Master Bull comes out next.  “Tonight, we honor a man’s legacy; what he brought to the ring was nothing short of a 10 on the ‘giving it your all meter’.  Tonight, a man whose career started as part of ‘the Band’, he went on to win the most prestigious belt in HCW – the World Championship.  Helping me induct him into the 2020 Hall of Fame are his former bandmates Dirk ‘the Pick’ Devon and Rocky Lapetus.” (aka Wam Bam Arsonist).  Rocky and Dirk came out to the stage.  Rocky started.  “The man known as the Axe has been a teammate and a friend.”  Dirk spoke next “He was a bandmate, tag team partner and the biggest, most agile man to step foot in a ring.  Tonight, we honor…the Axe.”  Axe comes out and embraces Dirk, Rocky and Master Bull.  Master Bull presents the Axe with his ring.  Axe begins “A lifetime of work…how do you sum it up in only a few words?  You can’t.  A man’s legacy is what he leaves behind.  I’m a former tag team champion as well as World Champion.  The people you fight and the battles you overcome are what makes you YOU.  Even my last opponent, Jack Lumber, I think the Axe is in good hands as you take HCW into the future.  Everyone I feuded with; every cheer or boo I ever got, that is what makes us want to do this day in and out.  Love us or hate us, we are here to perform and this ring shows I excelled at that.  Thank you.”  The Axe leaves the podium and goes to the end of the stage where he calls Jack Lumber over.  Jack comes over and the two shake hands.  Jack goes to sit back down.  Axe joins his bandmates and they with Master Bull leave the stage.


A voice comes over the loudspeakers “Our next inductee is honored by a Hall of Fame alum – Ravishing Raquel”.  Raquel comes out to a pop from the crowd.  She goes to stand at the podium.  “I’ve fought during the wrestling revolution where Women had to transform from eye candy to divas and to wrestlers.  I am honored to have wrestled (won and lost) to the woman I have the honor of inducting tonight.  Ladies and Gentlemen…Taylor Bella.”  Taylor comes out to a standing ovation from the crowd.  She and Raquel hug and Raquel presents her with her hall of fame ring.  Taylor goes to stand at the podium.  “A story has a beginning, a middle and an end.  The story of Taylor Bella doesn’t end tonight but on Friday when I have the privilege of teaming with my sisters to take on that spitfire Hayley Hailstone and the twins.  Hayley, I’ve heard a lot about you and now I look forward to wrestling you in my last match.   Raquel was right; during a time where lady wrestlers were overlooked as eye candy or filler for matches, we shattered the ceiling and ladies like myself, Raquel and Southern Belle paved the way for the fantastic talent that fills today’s roster – Maxine, Korbi, Violet, Hayley, and the current champion Catalina – we pass the torch to you.  We know that the future of Ladies Wrestling is safe in your collective hands.  Treat the history with respect but make sure you carve out chapters for each of you.  You all have great stories to tell and your time is far from over.  Have fun with it.  Thank you to my family – Brea and Nikki, to my fellow wrestlers and you the fans.  Thank you for your support over the years.  It was an honor to wrestle in front of you.  My final ask…pick your favorites – good or evil and support them.  We do this for you.  Thank you.”  Taylor leaves the stage arm in arm with Raquel and they go to the back.


Max McGillicutty comes out.  “Our final inductees teamed with this man as well as feuded with him.  Inducting the last two members of the 2020 hall of fame…Davis Hoffmeister.”  Davis comes out but he is dressed as the Stache.  The fans and wrestlers are on their feet applauding.  “I started my career as a member of the Desperados as the Stache.  As I stepped aside to pursue a singles career, another man stepped up to not just take my place but to excel in the sport.”  Stache removes his mask to reveal Davis.  “Tonight, I am honored to induct the Desperados – El Chango and Leon Teremoto.”  The audience stands up and applaud as El Chango and Leon Teremoto come out.  They both hug Davis as he presents them with their hall of fame rings.  Leon starts off. “The Stache set the bar high as a member of the Desperados.  When I first started, I wasn’t sure I could live up to the reputation he and El Chango crafted.  That was like taking the Legion of Doom and removing a core member and wondering if it would work.  I’m proud to say that even though I held singles titles, teaming with El Chango and winning the Tag Team titles was the highlight of my career.  I couldn’t have asked for a better tag partner nor a man who paved the way to make us a successful team (points at Davis).  Echoing what all my fellow inductees have said, you the fans made us.  HCW has the greatest fans in the world and you made it easy for us to entertain.  For that, I thank you.”  Leon steps aside and El Chango gets his time.  “Someone once asked me, who was a better tag partner – Stache or Leon.  My response was that even though we were called the Desperados both times, we were not the same team.  My teaming with Stache or with Leon were unique opportunities and it is not a proper compare.  Tonight, Leon and I join the hall of fame ranks as the Desperados.  We bled, sweat and dropped tears for you and your continued support of us allowed us to keep going along.  I want to thank HCW for all they’ve done allowing us to go out with our heads held high and safe in our thoughts we accomplished exactly what we wanted in this sport – no regrets.  Thank you to one and all for your support.   To the future of HCW, give 100% and the fans will support you.  We had our time and now, the stage is yours.  Thank you all.”  The fans once again popped.  


Axe, Taylor Bella and Magnum Kone all came back out and joined El Chango and Leon Teremoto on stage.  The fans and wrestlers gave them all a standing ovation.  They congratulated each other and stayed on stage until the cameras ceased rolling.


Thanks for reading.  Our PPV is up next.  Stay tuned.

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