Magnum’s Thoughts on the Upcoming ECWA Show

The ECWA’s October 25, 2008 show is Super 8 Tournament night. If each event in professional wrestling was a holiday, the Super 8 would be pro wrestling’s Christmas. Every year enthusiastic wrestling fans wait and wait until the big night arrives. In addition to the big dance, there’s also a Tag Team Summit over-the-top-rope match plus the retirement of Indy Icon, Ace Darling. So, where should Magnum begin?

Let’s start with the Super 8 Tournament. Once again Jim Kettner has put together a great mix of talent, charisma, and entertainment. The local boys – Aden Chambers, Chase Del Monte, and Loca Vida – welcome Alex Koslov, Maverick, Frankie Arion, Scott Reed, and Shannon Moore into the hallowed halls of the ECWA. Magnum admits it – he’s looking forward to watching who will reign supreme this year. The action should be non-stop and uber entertaining.

And oh yes, the Tag Team Summit. Remember back, if you will, to May 10, 2008. The ECWA debut of your favorite entertainer, the magnificent one, the awesome entity, MAGNUM. On that historic night, Commissioner Naegele thought he was getting the better of Magnum by inserting his awesomeness into the Olympiad rumble match. And what happened? Magnum won!! Now, although Magnum is a MANAGER and would normally put his lawyers to work about being forced to wrestle, we can never forget that there is no limit to Magnum’s awesomeness. Paired with Frederick of Hollywood as a partner, I don’t know if I’ve ever felt more confident. And once the fans see Magnum’s brand new, couture in-ring ensemble, they’ll realize that there has never before been anything so fantastic in all of pro wrestling.

Ace Darling. “Indy Icon” is not just a nickname. It’s a fact. Inside the ring his talent is hard to match; on the mic he cuts compelling and entertaining promos that everyone should learn from; and in the locker room he is a coach, a friend, and an inspiration. The ECWA, the fans, and professional wrestling are losing a hero. Good luck, Ace.
And how could I forget – the pre-show Halloween Costume Contest! Forgive me while I pause to laugh…

OK.

When I think of a Halloween costume, I think of something creepy, scary, or funny. But the ECWA fans are already creepy, scary, and funny!!! So what will their costumes have to offer? I don’t know if I should be afraid, or relieved that many of their ugly mugs will be behind a mask. We shall see!

Come one, come all to a great night of athleticism, entertainment, and awesomeness!

Thank You Ace, from Sebastian Night

Thank you, Ace.

It hasn't even been a month yet and the ECWA already feels far too empty for my tastes. It hasn't even been official yet, but somehow it already seems you have been gone too long. The locker room is a little quieter and I don't like it one bit. The ECWA just isn't the same without Ace Darling in it.

Just about 13 years ago, I walked into my first ECWA show as a fan and Ace Darling was there. Ace was flying higher than I thought possible, telling a grand story, sucking me in completely with his match. A few months later, as I became a part of the ECWA, a part of the ring crew whilst I trained at Wrestle Tech, Ace proved to be what I thought of him was true, Ace Darling is one heck of a nice guy. A class act who always had not just a handshake for the boys, but for everyone who worked on the show. When I became a part of the show, Ace taught me a lot. He taught me about storytelling, how to suck the crowd in and most importantly, a lesson I share today with the kids who come through, to be selfless with your knowledge and use it to get the next generation ready.

I have shared the spotlight with Ace Darling for 10 years and I was completely blessed to be able to do so. Ace is and always will be the definition of professional when I think of Professional Wresting. He arrived early, gave of himself completely in his match, holding nothing back and made sure that the fans got their money's worth.

Ace came to see me as an equal in the locker room, a fellow veteran who followed the old rules, but I will never be an equal to Ace Darling. Ace is the level I hold myself to in front of the curtain and behind and I still have a long road ahead of me before I can think I am an equal to Ace Darling in any way. I can only hope I'm able to leave a mark on the ECWA like Ace did when I finally walk away.

Ace, you are and always will be one of the greats. I thank you for everything you have taught me and I promise to try to do the ECWA justice like you have throughout your career. You will be missed and remember, if you miss it too much, just grab a mask and come have fun with us as El Darling.

-Sebastian Night

Aden Chambers Wishes Ace Darling Well

Mike Tobin hit the nail on the head friends. Ace Darling is a once in a lifetime performer and person. It is unheard of for someone like him to extend the olive branch of friendship and knowledge to so many people. To be privileged enough to get to know Ace on a one on one basis is just awesome, and to learn from him is an honor because you are going to get the honest truth which in life today is hard to receive about anything. Ace is a genuinely great human being and I cannot praise him enough for the good he has done for myself and my peers.

Jim Kettner got himself a diamond in the rough when Ace Darling came to his organization (I know you like that pun Ace). We should all strive to be able to pattern our career's after his, one can only hope to get a send off like his... but we all know with this business, Never Say Never.

-Aden Chambers

Ace Darling Retires

Come out to ECWA Pro Wrestling's October 25, 2008 show for a final salute to Indy Icon Ace Darling!

Thank You Ace Darling

I want to say a few words about the retirement of Ace Darling. For the past 17 years Ace has set the standard for all of us who tried to follow him. His track record for having some of the most memorable matches we have ever seen is a mile long. I can spend all day talking about his accomplishments. So can he (just kidding). What I want to talk about is the guy who for the past few years did what most people in our business don't. HE GAVE BACK!! The man did it all in the ECWA and spent many years giving back to the company that he took to another level. Every one of us in that locker room owe him a debt of gratitude. He was always there to offer advice, help you out and if you had the privilege to wrestle him you know you left the ring that night a better wrestler. Just take a look at this year’s Super 8 lineup. Ask Aden Chambers and Chase Del Monte how much being mentored by and wrestling Ace made them better over the years. What I am trying to say is THANK YOU!

Veterans like Ace, Glen Osborne, and all the other people who have passed through the ECWA the last 41 years coming back to help the young talent evolve have made ECWA one of the most respected promotions in the history of wrestling.

I can say that getting to know Ace for the past five years has been a true honor. Any time you wanted real advice, feedback or a good Vince McMahon impersonation Ace Darling was the man. A true locker room leader and a true friend. This last few months being away from the ECWA injured it was conversations with Ace and his words that made that time a lot easier. So to the man who put the Super 8 on the map I want to say Thank You!

I think I speak for the entire ECWA roster when I say you will be missed and when you get tired of being a civilian and want to lace them up one more time we will be waiting!!!

Good Luck and God Bless!

Your Friend,
Mike Tobin

Glen Osbourne Vs. Ace Darling in a Retirement Match

Perhaps the most anticipated match in ECWA history happens on SEPTEMBER 27 as “The Beast” Glen Osbourne meets Ace Darling in a RETIREMENT MATCH to be contested under STREET FIGHT RULES!

It’s one of those unique classics that will pit.

ICON VS. ICON

and to make it more historic and ground breaking…….the loser of the match will

RETIRE from ACTIVE WRESTLING

The match has fans and the entire ECWA locker room buzzing with anticipation. Many ECWA critics are going to be watching this historic event very carefully. There is a lot at stake for both iconic performers. Their first meeting on May 10 was all about Championships, history, iconic status, and pride. Now this return match brings all that to the forefront once again, but with one important difference. Both careers are on the line!

The Beast Glen Osbourne is no stranger to the lime light in the ECWA. He has main evented every type of match imaginable in the promotion and has wrestled legends like Mick Foley in our squared circle. He has held the Championship on more than one occasion and has battled all the ECWA greats during his storied career here in the promotion, which began in the early 1990’s. Osbourne has proven over the years that he is just more than power and brawn. He is an accomplished grappler that can go toe to toe with anyone. It has been noted by some that Glen has a killer instinct. Sometimes he listens to the fans and sometimes he does not….but when push comes to shove and the chips are down, The Beast reaches down in his reserves, his killer instinct takes over, and the rest is history. He is a winner! He will have to reach way down in his soul on September 27as he meets another man who is just as big an icon as he…that man is Ace Darling.

Ace began wrestling for the ECWA when he was a kid and has been with the promotion since the early 1990’s as well. How do you rate or rank a performer who HAS DONE IT ALL? Darling has held every major title in the promotion, several times over. He won the very first ECWA Super 8 Tournament and has competed in more Super 8’s than anyone else in history. He too has wrestled legends and performed in every type of match possible in the ECWA. We all kid about Darling’s ability to talk constantly about his accomplishments…..but even greater than his boasting, is his ability to back up everything he says and his ability to keep making history in the ECWA. No one can deny that Ace Darling is arguably one of the most celebrated and decorated superstars in the history of the promotion. He is a master of his craft and some 16 years after he started, he still amazes fans with his performances.

For many years, both Darling and Osbourne have co-existed in the ECWA, for the most part doing their own thing and achieving every accolade possible. Their styles very different but yet their results and achievements, very parallel. On April 5 of 2008, all that would change. In what seemed normal for the icons, Glen captured the ECWA Heavyweight Championship that night and Ace countered by winning the ECWA Mid Atlantic Championship as well. For some odd reason, Ace would take that occasion to proclaim himself the greatest icon and champion ever to compete in the ECWA. Osbourne took exception to the remarks and confronted Ace, thus challenging him to a match on May 10 where both title would be on the line.

On May 10, Glen Osbourne would narrowly pull off a win, but it came at a cost! For the 1st time in his illustrious career, the indy icon, Ace Darling would go ballistic and start doing irrational things. He started out by stealing both title belts in which officials had to negotiate with him to return the titles. For the return of the title belts, he positioned himself again to become ECWA Mid Atlantic Champion on July 26.

At our July 26 event, history would take an ugly turn for both Darling and Osbourne as they would cost each other their coveted titles. Both now without a title, became irate at what the other had cost him. It further escalated when the two had to be separated later in the evening, but not until they h ad challenged each other to a CAREER vs. CAREER match for the September 27 show.

Well the match is set! Two of ECWA’s biggest icons meet one last time for the biggest prize of all THEIR CAREER!

So what happens when you place two decorated icons in the ring against each other? And what happens when you place both careers in jeopardy for the first time in one match?

WE WILL MAKE ECWA HISTORY on SEPTEMBER 27!!!!!

Be there to see who will surpass the status of icon!!! And WHO WILL RETIRE!

Get your tickets today!!!

Congrats to the ECWA from Ace Darling

Happy anniversary to the ECWA. I have been here for 16 years and I look forward to being here another 16 years after my match with Glen Osborne on the 27th. This isnt going to be a "retirement match" where the loser goes away for 6 months and than comes back. This match will be the last wrestling match for the loser. Glen you had a great run, enjoy the celebration of the ECWA's 41 anniversary, because after September you will have nothing to celebrate.
-Ace Darling

Get Well Mike Tobin, from Ace Darling

I wanted to take a minute to make sure Mike Tobin knows how much I am pulling for him to make a fast and full recovery. He has always been the guy to help put smiles on everyones faces in the back. He has always done everything he can to help out the show and help out whoever needs it. You're a true pro. I am sure he is feeling pretty down right now, but soon this will be a thing of the past and you will back making us laugh. It's important to try and stay positive and focus on getting better.

By the way, how do you snap your arm literally in half and not scream like a little girl? I mean that's what I would have done! You were hardly selling it! You're a man Mike!

Your Friend,
Ace Darling

Photographer Joe Zanolle on what's developing

Hey, this is Joe Zanolle. I am the photographer for ECWA and a contributing photographer for Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) magazine. I am just checking in on the new ECWA blog here with some thoughts on the May 10 show at the Newark Boys & Girls Club.

I am very excited about this upcoming show. The show will host one of the best main event match-ups in a long time when the new ECWA Champion "The Beast" Glen Osbourne meets with the new Mid-Atlantic Champion "The Indy Icon" Ace Darling!! I always liked when the two top single champs faced each other, like when the WWF/E Champ would wrestle the I-C Champ. It's something special you don't see too often. I have known Glen since 1990. He is a true veteran on the indy circuit, and he has the respect of every guy in the locker room. However, the same can be said of Ace Darling. He has been around almost as long as Glen, and is every much a respected veteran that Glen is. This match-up will be a real treat for not only the fans, but for the guys in the locker room too, as they watch two guys they admired and looked up to breaking in the business. As far as the match itself, both are equal on experience, but Glen has the edge when it comes to power, while Ace may be the more technically sound wrestler. Also, Ace won't think twice when it comes to bending, or breaking, the rules to gain an advantage. I have to go with Glen on this one. Glen's career has just gotten a second wind and a definite confidence booster with the title win over Mr. Scott Wright, after Wright managed to finagle a couple of questionable victories over Glen. Also, Ace has the tendency to become overly confident, and cocky, as evidence of J.J. Cruz's recent win over Ace. If Ace gets too cocky, Glen will exploit it and pick up the win!

The tag team title match is also interesting with the Logan Brothers, Matt and Bryan, taking on the massive Nigerian Nightmares. I like the Logans a lot. They remind me of old school tag team tandems like the Rock and Roll Express, the Rockers, or the Midnight Express. You see them as a unit and not as two individuals in a team. They do a lot of cool double moves that seems to be a lost art. Also, both have had great success in their forays in singles competition, as Bryan recently vacated the Mid-Atlantic Title when he and his brother won the tag titles, and Matt did great in the Super 8, where he beat Rob Conway in the first round, and gave Jerry Lynn everything he had and then some before eventually being pinned by the ECW vet. The Nightmares are in a league of their own. These two behemoths will have the psychological advantage right off the bat. The face paint, the music, the handler, their entourage, etc. They have a surreal aura about them. Surprisingly, they are quite athletic and agile for men of their size. The Logans need to avoid locking up with these guys. They need to stick and move, hit them with running momentum based attacks, make quick tags, do a lot of double team moves off the tags, and keep these guys off balance and on the mat. Also, the Logans can use the size of the Nigerians against them if they get them winded. The longer the match goes, the better chance the Logans have. If the Nigerians get a hold of the Logans, they could be in for a long night of hurting. However, since this match is now a No-Disqualification match, I don't like the Logans’ chances.

Opinions from Mr. Ooh La La

The Beast vs. Ace … well this is a tough one to call. The Beast has had his run in with me and needless to say lady luck was on his side. He has had a huge impact on the ECWA for decades and decades and even more decades. Holding off all challenges he faced winning title after title leaving black and blue bodies behind. Ace has had just as significant an impact on the ECWA as well. Don’t forget, Ace has been around for several decades as well, taking title after title leaving a trail of havoc behind.

There is room for only one icon in the ECWA and I hope they beat each other up. They will rue the day they look over the current icon … Mr. Ooh La La!

As far as the Logans go … Quit! You guys are in over your head. I hope someone revisited the match you had last month. And if I were you I would ask for any other match, just not the express. I know you guys are young, just don’t let history repeat itself like it so often does. And if you do go through with it and face them again, you better hope they get sick with the flu or got tied up in the airport and don’t make it ‘cause if they get their fat hands on you, well … YOU’RE DONE!

Alec Chance's thoughts on Icon vs. Icon

Glen Osbourne Vs. Ace Darling

So let’s see …two of the most recognized icons in independent wrestling are gonna square off in the ring on May 10, 2008. Both men hold prestigious titles. On one side you have the ECWA Heavyweight Champion "The Beast" Glen Osbourne, A man who just by taking a look at him gives you the understanding of why they call him the Beast. Glen Osbourne is vicious in the ring, a competitor rivaled by none in my opinion.

On the other side you have the ECWA Mid-Atlantic Champion the "Indy Icon" Ace Darling, a man by shear definition is Professional Wrestling. Ace Darling has the perfect mindset and every time he gets in that ring he knows exactly how to break down his opponent and beat anyone anytime. Take winning the ECWA Mid-Atlantic Championship for example… he knew who he was facing and found that stopping his opponents’ speed would give him the power advantage. I know from personal experience that if you drop the ball in the ring for even a split second that Ace Darling will use it to his advantage. He took me out of the Riot match using his "Ace in the Hole" the move and was able to put me down long enough for the 3-count which allowed him to gain a shot at the ECWA Mid-Atlantic Championship.

I believe that putting those two icons against each other on May 10 has got to be one of the most momentous matches ever put together. Two men, two different egos, two champions, two icons, and only one wrestling ring to hold them both in.

Ace Darling Weighs in on his upcoming match

If I said it once I said it a 1,000 times that after 16 years no one can, has or will ever do it better than me on the indy wrestling circuit. I am without a shadow of a doubt the most decorated man in the history of the ECWA. Three Mid-Atlantic titles, 3 tag team titles, TV champion, Super 8 champion, heavyweight champion and Hall of Famer. I have done a lot of firsts in the ECWA: the first 3-time Mid-Atlantic champ, the first winner of the Super 8, the first ladder match, the first 4-way match and on May 10 I will be the first man to be Heavyweight and Mid-Atlantic champ at the same time. Glen is a legend in the ECWA. He is tough, has a great deal of experienced and is a great wrestler. Yes I said he is a legend, but there is only one ICON here and that is me. The ECWA only has room for one ICON and on May 10 you will see who it is when I leave with both titles.