24E.Thursday, July 15, 2010_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ CHARLESTONSCENE.COM________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Thursday, July 15, 2010.25E
BY JACK HUNTER
A
Special to The Post and Courier
see for yourself
The next OSCW event is Aug. 29 at 6 p.m. at Omar Shriner’s Temple at Patriot’s Point. For more info, visit oscwonline.com or call 743-4800.
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s a lifelong fan of professional wrestling, anytime someone asks me about my admittedly unusual obsession, I like to quote my good friend, Post & Courier rasslin’ columnist Mike Mooneyham. He has always put it best: “For those who get it, no explanation is necessary; for those who don’t, no explanation will ever do.” Exactly. How is one supposed to explain a pseudo-sport in which the outcomes are pre-determined, the violence is choreographed, the yelling is scripted and yet it is enjoyed by millions all over the world? Comedian Jerry Seinfeld once asked, “If there was no professional wrestling, you think you could come up with this idea? ‘Hey wait, I have this great idea. Why don’t we have huge guys in bathing suits pretending to fight? Millions of people will come out to see this.’ ” And they do. Vince McMahon’s World Wrestling Entertainment is a global phenomenon worth about $1 billion. Its flagship program, “Monday Night RAW,” is one of the most-watched programs on cable television and the WWE’s top stars make millions. But how about wrestlers who aren’t stars yet and don’t make much at all? Few start at the top, and the United States is littered with hundreds of independent wrestling promotions, where those hoping one day to join the WWE or another top company can learn their craft. In the Lowcountry, the premiere indie promotion is Old School Championship Wrestling, where, for almost five years, up-and-coming grapplers have found steady work and eager audiences. Old School is similar to WWE but on a smaller scale. Like the WWE’s husband-and-wife team of Vince and Linda McMahon, Old School’s Joe Blumenfeld and his fiance, Mary Sue O’Donnell, run the entire operation.
Wrestling fans long have considered Vince the wrestling mind and Linda the business mind behind WWE. Blumenfeld and O’Donnell operate Old School in much the same way, with Blumenfeld booking the wrestlers and the matches and O’Donnell taking care of reserving the venue, renting the ring and running concessions. The entire experience is an intimate, family affair. Attending an event in late June at the Omar Shriner’s Temple at Patriot’s Point, my first order of business was to get a hot dog. While there, I was greeted by O’Donnell and a woman from Augusta, whose boyfriend was wrestling that night. There was Blumenfeld greeting fans as they walked through the door, and I spied an old friend standing in the back as she watched her husband getting thrown around the ring — when he wasn’t throwing other guys around the ring. “Do you always watch his matches?” I asked. “Depending on who he’s wrestling,” she replied, explaining that if her husband has a match against a newbie who doesn’t know what he’s doing, there’s an increased chance someone might actually get hurt.
Local wrestlers Killian O’Conn (left) and The “Iron Eagle” Hans Baumgärtner. spit water in his opponent’s face. Now that’s what I call wrestling! The Man Scout hails from North Carolina, where I understand he is PHOTOGRAPHS BY JACK HUNTER officially still at the Webelo level. Old School features wrestlers from all over the Southeast and beyond. Fans cheer on during an OCW event. Former WWE stars or wrestling legends are sometimes booked to headline events, which gives fans a chance to meet the superstars for Hurt? But isn’t this stuff “fake?” This is probably the biggest misconception about pro wrestling: That autographs, pictures and more. On the night of my visit, former WWE star Al Snow was there. You because the physicality is choreographed, no one really gets harmed. might remember him from a few years back as the trainer from MTV’s This couldn’t be more untrue. wrestling reality show, “Tough Enough.” Blumenfeld, a 10-year ring veteran, lists his own injuries: broken Blumenfeld’s hero, Sgt. Slaughter, has made an Old School appearnose, broken ribs, multiple concussions, cracked sternum, dislocated ance, as has former NWA heavyweight champion Tommy Rich. Older vertebrae, cracked knees, countless stitches. fans might remember Rich from the wrestling events held at the old Current Ultimate Fighting Champion Brock Lesnar, also a former County Hall in the 1970s and ’80s. three-time WWE champion, explained the pain Other WWE alumni include the involved in being a pro wrestler. breakdancing Scotty-Too-Hotty and “Even though the outcomes may be prede“Even though the outcomes patriotic “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan. termined or even though it is ‘entertainment,’ may be predetermined or even Once-famous wrestling legends who these guys that are going out and putting on the though it is ‘entertainment,’ now make a living on the independent show. ... They’re getting hurt.” these guys that are going out and circuit were the focus of the Oscar And these madmen of the squared circle connominated movie “The Wrestler” in tinue to endure such wear and tear on their putting on the show. ... They’re 2008 starring Mickey Rourke. body, night after night, to do what they love getting hurt.” The movie also cast a light on the most: giving the fans a good show. general hardship endured by indie Old School lives up to its name by offering a - Brock Lesnar, Ultimate Fighting Champion wrestlers. family-friendly product. Blumenfeld said the movie did a Or as Blumenfeld explained, “We want you “great job of showing what we go through,” adding that a number of to be able to take your kids to wrestling, we ask our wrestlers to mind friends and co-workers who previously never understood his weekend their language.” shenanigans developed a newfound respect for his craft after watching Blumenfeld stresses that the program is “for parents who liked wresthe movie. tling but don’t anymore,” criticizing some of the more over-the-top In the film, Rourke’s character is cheated out of his pay by shady proviolence and sex that has made its way into mainstream wrestling over moters. the years. Blumenfeld told a personal story of being asked to work a show in “Our best fans are the people who used to watch wrestling,” said BluNew Jersey where he was promised reimbursement for gas, hotel and a menfeld. decent payday. He ended up with no gas money, no hotel and $10. O’Donnell added that parents, and particularly mothers, should feel Old School was born because Blumenfeld got fed up with how inde“completely comfortable” bringing their kids to events. pendent wrestlers are often abused by promoters. Pro wrestling is perhaps best known for its colorful characters. Old He said he takes great pride in treating his guys right. School doesn’t disappoint. “I wanted to prove you can treat people good, be ethical, be a person Blumenfeld wrestles under the name “Solitude,” a gruff soldier charwho cares,” he said. acter adopted as a tribute to his favorite wrestler, WWE legend Sgt. Blumenfeld’s love for the wrestling business shines through. Slaughter. So does his affection and appreciation for O’Donnell, who he’s been There’s “Italian Ice,” who is also a weightlifting champion, the Irishwith for 13 years. He makes perfectly clear that “none of this would man “Killian O’Conn,” big man “Roughhouse Matthews,” rich boy happen without her.” and tennis racket swinging manager “Reginald Vanderhoff” and, of Proud of his product, Blumenfeld boasts that Old School has the course, this writer’s favorite wrestler of the evening, with a name I “best roster in wrestling,” and just might produce the next Ric Flair or laughed about long after the match, the “Man Scout.” “Stone Cold” Steve Austin. Picture this: a grown man wearing a boy scout’s uniform (the shorts Regardless, Blumenfeld and O’Donnell continue to offer some of alone look downright hilarious on an adult), who flashes the “scout’s the best rasslin’ around, something they promise to do for years to honor” sign for the fans without cracking a smile, constantly interrupts the referee to consult his rule book and swigs from his canteen so he can come.