The Resurrection of a Tower

The Resurrection of a Tower

by Christian McHausenstern

NY, NY

All ready poured over and looked at by hundreds of writers and analysts across the world, the events of Friday night's Wrestlefestania are still resonant. In Topeka, Kansas, a teenage boy was severely burned throwing a memorial poster in the garbage and lighting it on fire. The memorial poster in question bearing the face of one Samuel Adams, former member of Team USA one half of the tag team The Twin Towers. "For many his death was as emotional event as any other, eclipsed for some only by that singular day on September 11th 2001."
Read without context the above quote could be potentially offensive, as it was when David Brooks wrote it just a few days ago. Brooks' point was not that the return of Sam Adam's has the emotional or geo political impact of that fateful day. Instead, he was pointing to the emotional resonance that Team USA had to the fans at the EWF. When the towers fell many fans put their weight on the stalwarts of America. I myself, a younger reporter, marveled at the first tag match The Twin Towers fought following 9/11. Their opponent is forgotten to me, lost in the echoes of ovation and adulation. It is lost in the images of desperate crying eyes rooting for their heroes to win. Win they did, and though they had stopped being a consistent tag team at that point Team USA seemed destined to continue forever in some fashion. It was therefore all the more horrible, all the more destructive, all the more disturbing when a box containing the head of Sam Adams arrived in Captain America's lap. Somewhere deep inside of all of us something stirred. The fall of one beloved tower reflecting and reminding us deeply of another.
I stand today at the edge of a gaping pit. Construction workers seem to mill about but nothing grows here. As the city has waited for something anything to rise from the ashes, perhaps somewhere inside Captain America, Don Edwards, all of us had been waiting for a similar resurrection. And so it was delivered, and so we are deceived. Sometimes things broken and fallen serve as their own best witnesses. Sometimes resurrecting great things from the past only helps them serve as ghosts. Sam Adams did not die, it seems. Sam Adams has been long alive. Did he see our sorrow? Did he see Andrew Jackson's? Did he see Don Edwards'? If we stand at the edge of a new beginning for Samuel Adams here in the EWF what will we see? There have been deeper betrayals in our sport, but few reek of such unanswered and unforgivable questions. It is at this time that I wish my best to Captain America, who oversaw and so beautifully spoke the memorial services for his friend Samuel Adams; now resurrected.

Here Come The Bad Guys

HERE COME THE BAD GUYS
by Christian McHausenstern

They did not emerge from darkness. They had been here the whole time. A federation which had become a stable battleground was ruled by a man like David Finn, the CW division was floundering, the Tag Division was ruled by an unbeatable line drawn in the sand, and the Ultimate Champion was perhaps the greatest wrestler in the EWF never to hold the EWF title. The central theme to this time, barring perhaps Finn's reign which saw a number of eras pass through it, was the law and order provided by Captain America and the Untouchables. The message last night, resounding in it's scope and clarity; Here Come the Bad Guys.
It's been a long time that we've had an evening so dominated by the villains of the EWF. The Doggpound, seen at first as a nuisance, has done what no one has done since the Halycon Days of the Lords of Darkness. They've united and divided. They've united the fans and wrestlers in their abundant hatred of this successful group. They've divided those who would oppose them along lines of loyalty, past transgressions, and the covetous power of a title.
The most cruel and effective example of how cold and calculating intelligence is just as important in the wrestling world as brute strength or technical skill is Dean Nyquist's strategy last night in the CW division. He would face three men in five minute matches, the man with the highest score wins. He picked Nancy Preston for his first match. This was wise. Preston, who I still believe could surprise some people, is no great point scorer. The judges I spoke with explained that her natural lack of power does not afford her the move set one most desires in the circumstance. Nyquist, the seeds of his plans in place, gets an easy round 1. Though close in points, Nancy's light touch which needed more time to develop never put Nyquist in any danger. His second match was closer, but the agile mind of the True Genius of the EWF had him attack a tired Marquis immediately following his sporting contest against the number one contender for the CW title Caesar Rivera. Out of breath and dazed from his loss to Rivera the Marquis fought valiantly but inconsequentially to the determined champion. The Frenchman's inability to follow up on momentary advantages cost him victory in the points game. Then came the great screw job. A moment that fans will remember and remember and remember. Every great champion needs a great foil. Someone from whom their legacy will be sealed. For men of honor it is a great opponent in the ring. David Finn's wins over Bu Jo Mon and Han Zo Mon made him legend. For men without such honor it is the delight in torturing and leading their opponents. It is temporary promise and falling crushingly unfulfilled. We all know the greatest foil in this federations history, and we all know which side of that cat and mouse Dr. Acula was on.
The tables have turned. The scope and perspective of what occurred last night is still difficult to wrap the mind around. Dr. Acula began his evening fighting the Dread Ninja Han Zo Mon, student and now teacher himself. The two were engaging in a terrific match of known skill. Counters and deep understandings of each others arsenal was creating a stalemate. Only now, in the light of a new day, can we understand the psychology born throughout the contest. Bu Jo Mon interferes. An understandable moment. These three men have been linked for years, both former students at the feet of the great Sensei. Both dangerous. Both ninjas. Bu Jo Mon's entrance into the ring distracting Acula from his goal. He and Han Zo Mon make quick work of Bu Jo Mon, they thrust him from the ring. They celebrate together! The insidiousness was not clear then. Acula, now seeing his beloved student and not his opponent seems almost disconnected. Perhaps he's thinking to the next fight against Nyquist? His momentum has been stymied by Bu Jo Mon's appearance. Let us pause and reflect for a moment on the arrival of Don Edwards. He repels to the ring, bat in hand. He sees his former enemy. He pauses just a moment, and attacks Han Zo Mon. He attacks Bu Jo Mon, he is quickly thrown from the ring, but the question hangs in the air. What did Don Edwards know and why did he arrive to help Dr. Acula?
The questions don't matter as much as the answers on this night. Acula loses this match, it's close, but he loses. The match goes longer than it most likely would have. Dr. Acula is winded, and something else. He is thrown. He is thrown by something, and he can't put his finger on it. No one would till the end. Nyquist, seeking competitive advantage once again enters the ring immediately. But here's the surprise. Here's the moment of true true surprise. Dr. Acula is winning. The hero is defeating the obfuscating champion. No longer can Nyquist dodge the great former champion looking to reclaim glory. Except that the True Genius has one last trick up his sleeve. Interference. A run in from the Yu Nugata Frank, the only other student of Dr. Acula. The only other one. Acula loses. Mr. Nyquist has solidified the legacy of what is being called the Brilliance at the Balls.
It was not until the main event that the circle closed, as it must do when history is made. Bu Jo Mon's mystery opponent is, as you and billions of others now know, Han Zo Mon. The Dread Ninja has rejoined his brethren. They stand together, and though they lose, the signal to Dr. Acula is clear. You never had a chance.
Years ago a team was hung from the rafters like so much meat. Their erstwhile young champion had closed the circle and began a reign that we never thought we'd see again. Except that it is happening again. The gauntlet thrown last night, the Doggpound's victories in the Ultimate Division and Nyquists incredible play in the Cruiserweight division give them the evening and beyond. The battle won in the main event has stemmed the tide, but for how long? Here come the bad guys? No wait, they're already here.

Interview with Dean Nyquist

An Exclusive Interview with Dean Nyquist
by Christian McHausenstern

In the EWF magazines continuing quest for insight into the issues that matter most in this federation they have asked that all the journalists and editorial board members conduct interviews with wrestlers that viewers care about the most.
I had an opportunity to sit down with Dean Nyquist, current Cruiserweight Champion, the first title in his tenure here in the EWF. The man who has been called "the greatest mind in wrestling today", by Mike Lupica of the New York Daily News, is as arrogant and defensive as one might expect. Beneath all of that however, is a deep seated belief in his own righteousness. You begin to see the portrait of a man who has earned all of his current success, and the uneasiness of someone who can see how fleeting such success can be. He minces no words, and for that this journalist is exceptionally grateful.


CM: Mr. Nyquist thanks for sitting down with me today.

DN: It's your pleasure.

CM: Of course. How does it feel to be the Cruiserweight champion, the first championship of your career?

DN: It's awesome. But you know what's not awesome? The rule changing as soon as I become champion. Let's talk about this point based system for a minute.

CM: Okay, the rules recently changed...you didn't formally object. What's your take?

DN: The cruiserweight division used to be the same as the US Division in that you wrestle matches and try to be the best. The cruiserweights have a weight limit, but the competition is the same. It's whoever is the best. Whoever can beat everyone else. Not, whoever can impress the judges. But now it's this spectacle. This joke of a division thanks to these stupid rules.

CM: Do you feel the rules undermine your title run?

DN: I feel like I'm going to continue winning no matter what.

CM: The rules do say that the title match does not have to be fought under such the point system. You've had a lot of challengers, but you haven't really accepted a challenge. Have you chosen someone to fight at St. Valentine's Day Massacre?

DN: I haven't accepted a challenge because I still think that Sugarcane should accept my idea for a four way match. If he doesn't I'm going to be talking to the commissioners to put that match into the main event for the April PPV. And the April match will be an absolute blockbuster.

CM: You ran in on Dr. Acula's match with Sanderson, he defeated
Sanderson, and than you locked him out of the NPI, are you dodging
Dr. Acula?


DN: Dodging is a big word there. I wouldn't say that I'm dodging Dr.
Acula. I can say that I honestly believe that I should give the #1
contender a shot before anyone else. Clearly, Caesar Rivera is the #1
contender and I plan on fighting him at March Madness. It comes down
to my expectation that Sugarcane would have taken my match idea. Had
he taken that match, then we'd have an exciting dual championship
match this month and no one would be complaining. Dr. Acula would have
his shot, and that bitch Han Zo Mon who thinks that the world owes him
something would have a shot too. Sugarcane would have a shot and I'd
have a shot at the Ultimate Title. I see that match as a win-win
scenario, but Sugarcane won't go for it.... this month.

CM: How about Caesar Rivera who WON the NPI...are you dodging him?

DN: Again, I'm not dodging these people. It's all about expectations.
Caesar Rivera will have his day in the sun. No matter what happens
this month, he has a shot next month, and he better be ready because
he's going up against one of the smartest wrestlers the world over.

CM: You've been with the federation a long time, and this is your first title run, why now? What can you point to that ended your dry spell?

DN: It's all about opportunity. If you remember, I spent months
sleeping outside of the EWF building in my car because no one would
give me the opportunity and my contract was up. I had to sign on as an
interviewer in order to get my foot in the door once more. What also
helped was my knowledge of what was going on behind the scenes in the
EWF back then. A friendship with Doggman helped, despite his
resignation from the commissioner's office shortly afterwards. He's
been a huge help. And to answer your question of "why now?" it's
simple. I had never actually fought for the cruiserweight title
before. I've never come up short. For some reason, I was always pushed
into the other divisions of this company before the cruiserweights.
I'm a cruiserweight and I always have been, it's just taken people a
while to realize that. I've been going for other titles because I
honestly believe that men like the Cardinal and Sugarcane are merely
holding the belt until a real champion comes along. Han Zo Mon was the
last champion of the ultimate Division in my mind. The current
structure of the Ultimate division is a joke, much like my division.
Points? Are you kidding me? They're going to tell the fans who the
better wrestlers are? I'll tell you who's the best wrestler, it's me.
And you wanna know how? I fought for this title until I was able to
make Joey the goon scream "I QUIT" in the middle of that ring. I
proved that day and the following PPV that I was the better man. Not
that I scored more points based on some arbitrary system of scoring
punches and kicks versus planchas and missle dropkicks.

CM: Some have questioned your integrity. When you criticize men
like Sugarcane, who defeated a much larger man and won a four way,
and when you criticize the Cardinal who beat you at the last ppv,
doesn't that refute your claims that these men aren't worthy of the
titles they hold?

DN: Sugarcane won his match in a four way. Chunky Lee Chong had a good
day against Jamal, but he's not one of those guys that you associate
with a title. I have no doubt in my mind that if Sugarcane faced Han
Zo Mon or Jamal he would not stand a chance. Plus, did you see how red
and sweaty Chunky was before the match? It was clear the man was sick
but willing to participate. And the Cardinal is a tough man, but he's
no wrestling superstar. He's fighting in a division where there are
more men that are pushed to fight for that title then there are
contenders. If I walked into the conversation for the Workingman's
Title without so much as showing any interest beforehand, it could not
be a division that's hard to qualify for.

CM: But you don't deny that The Cardinal did beat you in the
Workingman's division?

DN: I was proving a point out there. Who am I in the Workingman's
Division? I'm no one. The Cardinal HAS to take on all comers because
no one is lining up to fight him. It's a first come first served
division. Who is going to want to fight for a belt where the champion
has to beg for people to fight for the title? Hmmm?

CM: I'd like to thank you for -

DN: I'm not done you son of a bitch. This is my official complaint
about the joke that Bret Hart and Jonny James has turned my division
into. I've granted Caesar Rivera a title shot based on his performance
in the She-Male Invitational. But that's it. I fight based on wins and
losses, not some stupid system that isn't even released to the public.
Bret Hart talks about wanting to make these matches more exciting. How
about he lets us smaller guys fight until there's a clear winner
instead of turning us into some sideshow. The smaller guys can put on
great matches, just like the big guys. I say that you let us have
those matches. I'm outta here.

CM: Mr. Nyquist! What do you have against Nancy Preston, who has
personally challenged you for your title and said she'd leave the
division if she lost!?

DN: I have no interest in making Nancy Preston leave the division. If
it wants to fight for the title, then it should fight for the title,
but I won't support the idea that people would be in 100% as champion
or out in another division. I can't support that kind of mentality.
Just because it's not at the top of the food chain today doesn't mean
that it won't be tomorrow. To Nancy I say this. Fight your way to the
top. Prove you deserve my respect. Don't prove it to me. Prove it to
every other wrestler in this division. Prove it to everyone in the
locker room. Prove it to all your fans. You were in the tag division
and dropped out when things didn't go your way. Now you're dropping
out of the cruiserweights too? Soon you're going to be fighting in the
hardcore division, and those guys play for keeps. So calm down, take
the sand out of your vagina, stop listening to My Chemical Romance and
just fight. If you want the title, earn it bitch.

CM: Thanks very much for your time and, best of luck at St. Valentine's Day Massacre.

Blog From the Beat 2

Hey there wrestling fans, wrestling reporters, and yes even
you cantankerous clowns of the ring who clandestinely read this
colorful collection of stories from the beat. The beat takes us to
St. Louis, Missouri this week, and It's been a terrific opportunity to
look beyond the EWF's home base, and see what's wrestling in the rest
of the country.
The SLWF (St. Louis Wrestling Federation) is a local
wrestling company that, like all small wrestling companies, has
experienced terrific success locally thanks to the EWF's success
nationally. Certainly the wrestling isn't as hard hitting as in the
hallowed halls of the Trumbull Arena, but there is a certain drive and
heart here that has been encompassed by their current champion
Johnathan St. Pierre, the Louisiana Kid. We caught up with him on an
evening after he had successfully defended his title against The
Grievous Giant, and mountain of a man that has a strange obsession
with death.

CM: Just a terrific match tonight!

JSP: Thank's man!

CM: The Grievous Giant seemed to really have it in for you. His
attack before the match was particularly brutal.

JSP: Probably my own fault. I told him to just chill out.

CM: That's it?

JSP: Well it was more like "Chill Grevious Bitch, you're making me uptight".

CM: Didn't like that huh?

JSP: Na, he's all "The angels of death approach, the fates measure
your thread and find it wanting." So I told him "The fates a measured
your d*ck and found it wanting."

CM: You really impressed me in the ring.

JSP: Thanks, that's real nice of you to say.

CM: There's a huge difference between your laid back attitude here
and your attitude inside the square circle

JSP: Oh absolutely. I mean, look...this is the greatest thing in the
world. Wrestling that is. I mean, I'm a wrestler, I'm just not pissed
off about it.

CM: You're currently the SLWF Champion, what do you want to do next?

JSP: You know what I want. I want to headline the EWF.

CM: How tough is it for a young new wrestler to break in.

JSP: Real tough! Almost impossible really. One in a million chance.

CM: You think you're that one?

JSP: I do Christian. I really do.

CM: Anything you'd like to say to all the fans that are going to read
this blog post?

JSP: I hope I get the chance to show you guys what I got. I wanna
get in there and mix it up with Tracey Dix, and have a drink with
David Finn. I mean it's where the legends battle...it's where I
belong.

I find myself reflective on this particular sojourn through
Missouri. I remember when I first started, and how my eyes were
filled with stars. At that time Dr. Frank was a beloved face, Johnny
James was champion, Earl Jamal and Finn all drank together at a bar
called Muprhy's. The tag champs were two loved and hated fellas
called the Heartbreakers, and the most beloved group was a team
appropriately titled Team USA. This federation has come so far.
Villains are now heroes and vice versa. Watching these young
wrestlers work, it only leads me to ask what else can happen?

Till next time!

Blog From the Beat

Things have grown quiet this past week in regards to the St. Valentine's day massacre since the main event was established. In my previous article (See NY TIMES: EWF COMES TO LONG ISLAND) it was clear that about half the ppv was established, but there is still further to go. I am not surprised by the quiet following what is one of the most intriguing main events we've seen in a good long time. The pairing of Randolph and Dix is something new, and Bu Jo's upping the ante on the Lillian Garcia issue and mystery partner only add sizzle to the steak. On top of that it's clear that the Untouchable's and Randolph and even the Doggpound could view this match as a seminal moment in the brewing hostilities between those taking sides in the EWF's current struggle.
The struggle itself is being further complicated by the Doggman's insistence on the four way match, and in an interview I conducted that will be released tomorrow, Dean Nyquist continues to refuse to book any match until he is sure the four way is an impossibility. With all the individuals currently gunning for Nyquist he has not only made himself one of the most hated men in the federation, but also has effectively held up the final bookings for the PPV. Again look for that interview tomorrow, you won't be disappointed.
Also intriguing is Sanderson's search for Berkowitz and his implication that Phil might not be the man stalking H Randolph Scott. Mark me as one that doesn't buy Sanderson's turn around yet. Still, he and Randolph seem to have reached a detente of sorts, and RD Iguana remains at large. I hope to speak to Sanderson sometime soon.
I did have a chance to talk with Andre Pavlovski, former Hardcore Champion via a telephone interview.

ME: Andre, good afternoon.

AP: Is good to be speaking at you.

ME: You lost the title to Hardcore Hoover, but now are teaming with him against the Nixon Dixon line. Wouldn't you rather have a rematch.

AP: Is plenty time for rematch! Is time for history now! Two big hardcore fight two big tag champs. Is glorious hardcore all over champions faces.

ME: It's non title correct?

AP: Who is caring?

ME: Well don't you want the titles.

AP: Good to have titles. Sure. Better to have hardcore destruction in ring. Then think about titles. Ulp! Lexi is here to be taking little Anya to park!

ME: Lexi Sanderson? Is that safe?

AP: Sins of father, not of son...

ME: Thanks for your time Andre.

AP: Is me thanking you friend!

Thankfully i was on the phone so I was not bear hugged. A few of my colleagues have been bruised and broken from such interactions. There's lots more at this ppv, including Caesar Rivera vs The Marquis, and once Nyquist makes a decision a lot of exciting pieces can fall into place.
One last thing. Keep your eye on the First Estate. Bu Jo Mon's discussion of the First Estate's intentions stirred some feelings of distrust in the locker room. Say what you will about the current coalition opposing t!e Doggpound, but firmly united it is not. And then there's the little issue of Dr. Frank on the loose...

Till next time!

The Fierce Urgency of Now

The Fierce Urgency of Now
by Christian McHausenstern

Santa Slam is in the books a month late and overdue. And what I felt from that crowd from the wrestlers was a sense of dissatisfaction with the status quo, a sense that things are coalescing around particular groups, and there is no great resistance no one to really behind. Dr. Martin Luther King spoke of the fierce urgency of now, and from these great competitors and the fans that's what this particular ppv seemed to convey.
The official results will be forthcoming I'm certain, but the clear winners of the night were the Doggpound. Now they didn't win many matches. Bu Jo Mon certainly made a statement that he is still dominant, but he and Earl put on a terrific match that continues Kensingtons streak of such, but the group itself was involved in almost every match. The Doggman's fingerprints could be felt, and Jonny James' own philosophy may come back to haunt him. With the power returning to champions the commissioner's will recedes. With the Doggman clearly intent on retrieving those titles his own rule of law could again become law of the land. Which brings me to my thesis. Who will fight this gathering storm? At different points in this federations history we've had men step up and resist the very ideology of a group. The dominant Lords of Darkness were resisted for a full year by Team USA. The Dutch East India company fell apart from the resistance of men such as David Finn, Earl Kensington, and Jamal Jamama. The Deagos and the Russians, two "heel" groups at one point, battled one another for dominance. But who will be todays champion? Do we look back in the past for David Finn, entrenched in a battle with kin. Will Han Zo Mon return with the same lethal dominance and fight against the forces the Doggman is gathering. Who? Who will step in and say enough. The run ins that cost Acula a title shot at the last ppv, and the politicizing of the NPI that locked Acula out is only just the start.
The people do look to someone however. They look to their champion. There is a lot of cynicism in terms of what it means to be a champion nowadays. To live up to the legacies of those that came before is an impossible task. Some have even spoken of different tiers of wrestlers, an A team and B team of sorts, which this author disputes; but understand that it speaks to the idea that the past was brighter than the future will be. Why? There is a fierce urgency to now, and no one seems to see it. Tracey Dix is a fine young champion. I know the young man, and have great respect for him. True respect for the job he's done in the ring. But why does he go silent. Some have accused him of sanctimony, others say that he is simply shy. I say it is simply his nature to be so, but is it wrong for the fans to ask for more? To demand that Tracey Dix break from the status quo of his own side, the Untouchables, and stand up for the fans and wrestlers who don't wish to do bad things to get good results? The match with H Randolph was an interesting experiment. When it began the crowd was fully behind Tracey Dix, but as it went along, as Randolph battled, the temper change. The crowd began supporting this small egotistical British man. A towering intellect for sure, but H Randolph was not seen in the same class as Dix. But I felt it, and others did as well, he has spoken for quite some time towards a growing storm. This was a man who would fight for his belief, that would not simply sit back and allow the cards fall where they may. Sometimes it's not enough just to be a champion. Sometimes you have to be leader. I believe Tracey Dix has that in him. I'm starting to believe H Randolph Scott VI has that in him as well. I'd like to see more. Much much more.

A Heart to Hart

A Heart to Hart
By Christian McHausenstern

Bret "the Hitman" Hart sits at his desk in a long sleeved shirt and jeans. His hair is long and unblemished with gray. In fact the only betrayal of age in the man are the light lines that crease the eyes and brow. He is still in good shape, a "gym rat" in the mornings he uses that time to let the world of the EWF fall away. For the rest of the day it is still wrestling 24/7 for this restless warrior. I had been warned about interviewing Mr. Hart by the other's in my field. "Hart," one reporter told me "has the ability to be obtuse and obfuscate while still retaining the loyalty of fans and wrestlers". It is a harsh assessment of a man that's seen as a "Sharpshooter". I found that Bret was neither forthright or dishonest. Instead what we get is the picture of a man who is cautious, some could say too cautious, about protecting the status quo.

CM: Bret I'd like to thank you for giving this interview today.

BH: Always good to see you Mac.

CM: You've been commissioner for about two years now. How would you rate your performance?

BH: I'll leave it to others to rate my performance. What I can do is rate the performance of the EWF over the last two years. So with respect to that, I believe this is probably the best two year run the company's ever had.

CM: Are you responsible for that then?

BH: Everybody that works here is responsible for that.

CM: How about in terms of a personal sense of accomplishment.

BH: I take great pride in what I do. So yeah, obviously I feel a sense of personal accomplishment when I see the company doing well.

CM: What is your greatest success and most bitter disappointment.

BH: Again, I'll let other people judge my successes.

CM: And bitter disappointment?

BH: Can I go with Shawn Michaels on that?

CM: I mean in the EWF.

BH: Anytime one of my wrestlers is injured.

CM: How did you feel when you first entered the job, were you bothered by the circumstances of a federation in turmoil? Can you take us through Caps invitation?

BH: Well, to the first part, I mean, I've spent plenty of time in 'federations in turmoil', as you say, so that didn't really faze me. And an top of that, I don't think this place really was in turmoil. I mean, if you saw what WCW was like towards the end, well this was nothing. As for Cap's invitation, it was actually Doggman's idea to bring me on. I didn't really know Cap before I came here.

CM: Your old partner Doggman has recently obtained a managing license. What do you expect from him? What was your experience working with him?

BH: I expect him to be a very entertaining manager. I don't know if his wrestlers will win more matches because of him; time will bear that out. My experience working with him was great. I learned a lot from him. He's a truly accomplished commissioner.

CM: And now you work with Jonny James, the former Lord of Darkness. There have been interesting rumors floating about dissension within the office fo the commissioner. Many people say that this recent push for Champions having power is really a push from Jonny James, how would you characterize the state of the commissioner's office today?

BH: What goes on behind closed doors is between myself and Jonny. All I'm going to say is that when we announce a card, we do so in agreement.

CM: I'd like to talk about the titles if we could. Particularly the Working Mans Title. There has been some outrage, particularly along the coasts, that the Cardinal's placing of the cross on the title is inappropriate. Where does EWF management stand on the issue, and will you ask him to remove the cross?

BH: That's the champion's prerogative. As far as I know, Chris hasn't violated any FCC regulations, so I see no need for discipline or change.

CM: I'd like to stay with this. There is of course no FCC regulation, but there are many fans who feel offended by this, I'd like to point to the online petition "Cross Face the Cardinal", which calls for the title to be stripped.

BH: Look, I realize different people are going to be sensitive to different things. But let's try and keep this in perspective. Nobody wanted to suspend Jamal when he was portraying an unfavorable stereotype of an urban african american. Nobody wanted to suspend Dave Finn for portraying the stereotypical drunken irishman. Nobody wanted to suspend the heartbreakers because they portrayed stereotypical flamboyant homosexuals -

CM: That's not entirely true in their case. I mean, people did call for their firing -

BH: The point, Mac, is that people are going to be sensitive to different things. This is an entertainment business. That's what Chris is doing. It may not meet with your sensibilities, or mine. But the fact of the matter is he's not hurting anybody, and he'll be allowed to continue.

CM: I think some of those competitors might take umbrage with the idea that they are "portraying" anything. Do you feel that these individuals are being insincere?

BH: This is show business, Mac. Most of these guys go home to wives and kids. Do you think they're the same person when they're at home that they are in the ring? Some are and some aren't. Like I said, this is show biz.

CM: Final question on this topic. If lieu of your statement today that the Cardinal will not be suspended, will you meet with or in any way ask Mr. Christian to remove the religious symbol from the belt?

BH: I believe I've already answered that.

CM: There has been a youth movement in the EWF that some people say is a result of older wrestlers fading in athletic prowess. Is their still a place in the EWF for a Dr. Frank? How about a David Finn or Han Zo Mon, neither are over the hill, but each has been wrestling for a such an expanse of time?

BH: There's a place for anybody as long as they remain competitive. And that's up to them. Nobody has a job here because of what they did 5 years ago, or ten years ago. If Frank or Finn or Zo or anybody else entertains the fans, then there is a place for them.

CM: I'd like to address the issue of Steroids with you. Han Zo Mon was accused of doing steroids, Dr. Acula appears and claims it was a scheme. Some in the press have questioned the timing and validity of Dr. Acula's timely interference. Has the EWF changed its drug testing policy? Would it diminish Han Zo Mon's accomplishments in your eyes if he had been taking enhancements?

BH: I'm not going to comment on any of that. That's really Cap's department, and he'll probably refer you to the Untouchables.

CM: Are you saying The Untouchables set steroid policy in the EWF?

BH: The Untouchables are Cap's enforcement arm. We don't condone or tolerate the use of performance enhancing drugs. The enforcement of that policy falls to the Untouchables. That's all I'm saying. If you want anything more, you'll have to talk to Cap.

CM: Some final questions. Greatest Champion Ever?

BH: I'm going to get hell for saying this, but for one day, it was Chris Benoit.

CM: Best Finishing move?

BH: Weapons of Mass Destruction off the top rope.

CM: Best two young wrestlers today?

BH: Gotta go with Tracey Dix again. And I'm curious about this Romney kid over in England.

CM: Will Bret Hart ever step back in that ring?

BH: Never say never, but I doubt it.

CM: Thanks for your time Bret.

BH: Any time, Mac.