AS I SEE IT 2/16: More on promoting indy wrestling online, and FANSLAM news

by: Bob Magee

Thanks to those of you who responded to last week's column regarding independent wrestling and the ways that most independent companies can use it to promote their shows. If you missed the column, take a look at it here.

Here's some other hints suggested to me by readers, in addition to those you read in last week's column:

First, typing your press releases in all caps doesn't make your show more important, nor does it receive any more notice than if you would just type normally. Remember that standard Netiquette suggests that typing in all caps is the same as shouting. I don't know about anyone else...but my standard rule is to delete anything sent to me in that manner.

Next, if you have a website (again, following the rules suggested in last week's column), try linking to news websites that feature independent news, and ask that they do the same.

Here are some websites that handle independent news, including:

  • Of course, PWBTS.com, the flagship site of this column.

  • Sean Widup's Indy Insider.com.

  • Aaron Rift's No DQ.com.

  • Steven David's Ringsidenews.com

  • Brett Schwan's The Wrestling Clothesline

    Depending on your budget, you may also wish to consider paid advertising with these sites.

    It's also a good idea to trade links with regional wrestling websites, especially those that cover your area, such as:

  • Steve Bryant's Socaluncensored.com

  • Chicagowrestling.com

  • Michigan Indy Wrestling.com

    In other news, many PWBTS and online wrestling regulars have undoubtedly noticed that there will be a lot more than Wrestlemania XX (and related WWE events) happening in the New York area during the second week of March.

    Here's the first update on those events...

    One of those events is FAN SLAM!: "The Wrestling Fan Festival", which takes place on Saturday, March 13th, 2004 from 8:00 am until 4:45 pm; at The Holiday Inn, located on US 46 West in Totowa, NJ. The event, part of the FANSLAM series of fan conventions, will be held as a special "Tribute To WrestleMania 1". Many of the legends that made the first WrestleMania event possible will be present at this FANSLAM event.

    PWBTS is a co-sponsor of FANSLAM: Tribute to Wrestlemania 1.

    FANSLAM runs from 8:00 am, and lasts until 4:45 pm, with fifteen legends have been signed for the event, with the chance of more being added in the upcoming weeks.

    Noted vendors already confirmed for the event include Highspots, George Mayfield's Mayfield Mayhem, the Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame, and the Mid Atlantic Legends Reunion and Fanfest. In addition, Satterfield Entertainment will be having four autograph/photo tables, bringing "The Living Legend" Larry Zybszko, Sherri Martel, and Bill Eadie to FANSLAM, with Eadie doing half the day as The Masked Superstar and the other half as Demolition Ax.

    Schedule Information

    Doors open for FAN SLAM! convention at 8:00 am. Fans can begin purchasing merchandise from various wrestling vendors from all over the country selling a wide variety of wrestling merchandise.

    Here is the schedule:

  • BLOCK A/Autograph and Polaroid Session- 9:00 -11:00 am

    Appearing live during this session: Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, "Playboy" Buddy Rose, Tito Santana, King Kong Bundy, Captain Lou Albano, Greg "The Hammer" Valentine

  • BLOCK A/Question and Answer Session- 11:15 am-12:45 pm (hosted by Total Wrestling Magazine editor Bill Apter).

    Bobby Heenan, Buddy Rose, Tito Santana, King Kong Bundy, Lou Albano and Greg Valentine will be sitting on a panel answering your questions.

  • BLOCK B/Autograph and Polaroid Session- 1:00-3:00 pm

    Appearing live during this session: "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff, Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat, "Cowboy" Bob Orton, The Iron Sheik, Nikolai Volkoff, David Sammartino, The Fabulous Moolah, and Leilani Kai

  • BLOCK B/Question and Answer Session- 3:15-4:45 pm (hosted by Total Wrestling Magazine editor Bill Apter).

    Paul Orndorff, Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat, "Cowboy" Bob Orton, The Iron Sheik, Nikolai Volkoff, David Sammartino, The Fabulous Moolah, and Leilani Kai will be sitting on a panel answering your questions.

    Price Information

  • General Admission into FAN SLAM! convention: $15.00 in Advance, $20.00 at Door

  • Golden Admission to Block A: $40.00 - This includes admission into convention and Block A's Question and Answer Session

  • Super Ticket to Block A: $125.00 - This includes admission into convention and Block A's Question and Answer Session, plus free Autograph and Polaroid photos of: Bobby Heenan, Buddy Rose, Tito Santana, King Kong Bundy, Lou Albano, and Greg Valentine

  • Golden Admission to Block B: $40.00 - This includes admission into convention and Block B's Question and Answer Session

  • Super Ticket to Block B: $125.00 - This includes admission into convention and Block B's Question and Answer Session, plus free Autograph and Polaroid photos of: Paul Orndorff, Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat, "Cowboy" Bob Orton, The Iron Sheik, Nikolai Volkoff, David Sammartino, The Fabulous Moolah, and Leilani Kai

  • FAN SLAM! All-Day Access Pass: $225.00 - This includes a commemorative souvenir program, an all-day access pass with neck chain, admission into convention, admission into both Question and Answer Sessions throughout the day, souvenir 18 by 24 advertisement poster of the event, and free autographs and photos of: Bobby Heenan, Buddy Rose, Tito Santana, King Kong Bundy, Captain Lou Albano, Ricky Steamboat, Greg Valentine, Iron Sheik, Nikolai Volkoff, Paul Orndorff, Bob Orton, David Sammartino, Fabulous Moolah, and Leilani Kai

    Note: You will not be able to be a part of the Question and Answer Sessions without a Golden Ticket or All-Day Access Pass.

  • Autographed 8" by 10" Photos (for non All-Day Access Pass Holders) of Bobby Heenan, Buddy Rose, Tito Santana, King Kong Bundy, Captain Lou Albano, Ricky Steamboat, Greg Valentine, Iron Sheik, Nikolai Volkoff, Paul Orndorff, Bob Orton, David Sammartino, Fabulous Moolah, and Leilani Kai.- $10.00 each.

  • Polaroid Photos (for non All-Day Access Pass Holders) of Bobby Heenan, Buddy Rose, Tito Santana, King Kong Bundy, Captain Lou Albano, Ricky Steamboat, Greg Valentine, Iron Sheik, Nikolai Volkoff, Paul Orndorff, Bob Orton, David Sammartino, Fabulous Moolah, and Leilani Kai.- $10.00 each.

  • Your own item signed by guests (such as magazines, photos, action figures, etc.) by Bobby Heenan, Buddy Rose, Tito Santana, King Kong Bundy, Captain Lou Albano, Ricky Steamboat, Greg Valentine, Iron Sheik, Nikolai Volkoff, Paul Orndorff, Bob Orton, David Sammartino, Fabulous Moolah, and Leilani Kai.- $8.00 per item.

    Exhibitor Information

    If you are a wrestling vendor or wrestling promotion interested in having a table(s) at FAN SLAM!, please e-mail: FANSLAM@aol.com, or call (973) 569-1936 for more information.

    The official FAN SLAM! Website is located at FanSlamWrestling.com.

    For more information or to order tickets, contact Tommy Fierro at: FANSLAM@aol.com.

    Until next time...

    If you have comments/questions, or if you'd like to add the AS I SEE IT column to your website, I can be reached by e-mail at bobmagee1@hotmail.com.

    AS I SEE IT
    Bob Magee
    Pro Wrestling: Between the Sheets
    PWBTS.com

    Thanks to those of you who responded to last week's column regarding independent wrestling and the ways that most independent companies can use it to promote their shows. If you missed the column, take a look at it here.

    Here's some other hints suggested to me by readers, in addition to those you read in last week's column:

    First, typing your press releases in all caps doesn't make your show more important, nor does it receive any more notice than if you would just type normally. Remember that standard Netiquette suggests that typing in all caps is the same as shouting. I don't know about anyone else...but my standard rule is to delete anything sent to me in that manner.

    Next, if you have a website (again, following the rules suggested in last week's column), try linking to news websites that feature independent news, and ask that they do the same.

    Here are some websites that handle independent news, including:

  • Of course, PWBTS.com, the flagship site of this column.

  • Sean Widup's Indy Insider.com.

  • Aaron Rift's No DQ.com.

  • Steven David's Ringsidenews.com

  • Brett Schwan's The Wrestling Clothesline

    Depending on your budget, you may also wish to consider paid advertising with these sites.

    It's also a good idea to trade links with regional wrestling websites, especially those that cover your area, such as:

  • Steve Bryant's Socaluncensored.com

  • Chicagowrestling.com

  • Michigan Indy Wrestling.com

    In other news, many PWBTS and online wrestling regulars have undoubtedly noticed that there will be a lot more than Wrestlemania XX (and related WWE events) happening in the New York area during the second week of March.

    Here's the first update on those events...

    One of those events is FAN SLAM!: "The Wrestling Fan Festival", which takes place on Saturday, March 13th, 2004 from 8:00 am until 4:45 pm; at The Holiday Inn, located on US 46 West in Totowa, NJ. The event, part of the FANSLAM series of fan conventions, will be held as a special "Tribute To WrestleMania 1". Many of the legends that made the first WrestleMania event possible will be present at this FANSLAM event.

    PWBTS is a co-sponsor of FANSLAM: Tribute to Wrestlemania 1.

    FANSLAM runs from 8:00 am, and lasts until 4:45 pm, with fifteen legends have been signed for the event, with the chance of more being added in the upcoming weeks.

    Noted vendors already confirmed for the event include Highspots, George Mayfield's Mayfield Mayhem, the Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame, and the Mid Atlantic Legends Reunion and Fanfest. In addition, Satterfield Entertainment will be having four autograph/photo tables, bringing "The Living Legend" Larry Zybszko, Sherri Martel, and Bill Eadie to FANSLAM, with Eadie doing half the day as The Masked Superstar and the other half as Demolition Ax.

    Schedule Information

    Doors open for FAN SLAM! convention at 8:00 am. Fans can begin purchasing merchandise from various wrestling vendors from all over the country selling a wide variety of wrestling merchandise.

    Here is the schedule:

  • BLOCK A/Autograph and Polaroid Session- 9:00 -11:00 am

    Appearing live during this session: Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, "Playboy" Buddy Rose, Tito Santana, King Kong Bundy, Captain Lou Albano, Greg "The Hammer" Valentine

  • BLOCK A/Question and Answer Session- 11:15 am-12:45 pm (hosted by Total Wrestling Magazine editor Bill Apter).

    Bobby Heenan, Buddy Rose, Tito Santana, King Kong Bundy, Lou Albano and Greg Valentine will be sitting on a panel answering your questions.

  • BLOCK B/Autograph and Polaroid Session- 1:00-3:00 pm

    Appearing live during this session: "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff, Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat, "Cowboy" Bob Orton, The Iron Sheik, Nikolai Volkoff, David Sammartino, The Fabulous Moolah, and Leilani Kai

  • BLOCK B/Question and Answer Session- 3:15-4:45 pm (hosted by Total Wrestling Magazine editor Bill Apter).

    Paul Orndorff, Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat, "Cowboy" Bob Orton, The Iron Sheik, Nikolai Volkoff, David Sammartino, The Fabulous Moolah, and Leilani Kai will be sitting on a panel answering your questions.

    Price Information

  • General Admission into FAN SLAM! convention: $15.00 in Advance, $20.00 at Door

  • Golden Admission to Block A: $40.00 - This includes admission into convention and Block A's Question and Answer Session

  • Super Ticket to Block A: $125.00 - This includes admission into convention and Block A's Question and Answer Session, plus free Autograph and Polaroid photos of: Bobby Heenan, Buddy Rose, Tito Santana, King Kong Bundy, Lou Albano, and Greg Valentine

  • Golden Admission to Block B: $40.00 - This includes admission into convention and Block B's Question and Answer Session

  • Super Ticket to Block B: $125.00 - This includes admission into convention and Block B's Question and Answer Session, plus free Autograph and Polaroid photos of: Paul Orndorff, Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat, "Cowboy" Bob Orton, The Iron Sheik, Nikolai Volkoff, David Sammartino, The Fabulous Moolah, and Leilani Kai

  • FAN SLAM! All-Day Access Pass: $225.00 - This includes a commemorative souvenir program, an all-day access pass with neck chain, admission into convention, admission into both Question and Answer Sessions throughout the day, souvenir 18 by 24 advertisement poster of the event, and free autographs and photos of: Bobby Heenan, Buddy Rose, Tito Santana, King Kong Bundy, Captain Lou Albano, Ricky Steamboat, Greg Valentine, Iron Sheik, Nikolai Volkoff, Paul Orndorff, Bob Orton, David Sammartino, Fabulous Moolah, and Leilani Kai

    Note: You will not be able to be a part of the Question and Answer Sessions without a Golden Ticket or All-Day Access Pass.

  • Autographed 8" by 10" Photos (for non All-Day Access Pass Holders) of Bobby Heenan, Buddy Rose, Tito Santana, King Kong Bundy, Captain Lou Albano, Ricky Steamboat, Greg Valentine, Iron Sheik, Nikolai Volkoff, Paul Orndorff, Bob Orton, David Sammartino, Fabulous Moolah, and Leilani Kai.- $10.00 each.

  • Polaroid Photos (for non All-Day Access Pass Holders) of Bobby Heenan, Buddy Rose, Tito Santana, King Kong Bundy, Captain Lou Albano, Ricky Steamboat, Greg Valentine, Iron Sheik, Nikolai Volkoff, Paul Orndorff, Bob Orton, David Sammartino, Fabulous Moolah, and Leilani Kai.- $10.00 each.

  • Your own item signed by guests (such as magazines, photos, action figures, etc.) by Bobby Heenan, Buddy Rose, Tito Santana, King Kong Bundy, Captain Lou Albano, Ricky Steamboat, Greg Valentine, Iron Sheik, Nikolai Volkoff, Paul Orndorff, Bob Orton, David Sammartino, Fabulous Moolah, and Leilani Kai.- $8.00 per item.

    Exhibitor Information

    If you are a wrestling vendor or wrestling promotion interested in having a table(s) at FAN SLAM!, please e-mail: FANSLAM@aol.com, or call (973) 569-1936 for more information.

    The official FAN SLAM! Website is located at FanSlamWrestling.com.

    For more information or to order tickets, contact Tommy Fierro at: FANSLAM@aol.com.

    Until next time...

    _________________________________________________________

    If you have comments/questions, or if you'd like to add the AS I SEE IT column to your website, I can be reached by e-mail at bobmagee1@hotmail.com)