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

Last week ended on two very sad notes for the world of wrestling.

Independent wrestler Marvin Lambert, who wrestled as "Brain Damage" and Mike Graham both committed suicide.

One of the problems is that, for some bizarre reason in this society; receiving mental health care is seen as a sign of "weakness". Those with alcohol or other drug addictions are seen as "weak". The victims in this case, both men are supposed to be "tough". But those who break an arm or need their appendix out are simply "going to the doctor."

As some of you who read this column may know; in "real life" I'm a counselor at a for-profit school in Philadelphia. Sometimes people I work with with feel they need permission to talk about what in the hell is going on in their lives. Without them doing that, looking for jobs takes second , third or a lesser place. In many cases, it's hard to know that they have a problem in the first place without having some insight into the person, or them feeling open enough to tell me.

It's said that friends need to reach out more often to those in their lives. Friends can and do call and talk to those with these problems are may well not know something's wrong because the damned taboo against revealing that they are depressed is still so strong. Depression is a scary, dark, and lonely place in ways that those not so afflicted can't and don't understand. When you can't get care or counseling, it becomes darker and more frightening. There are times that some people simply want to do something to make the pain go away. Sometimes that's alcohol and other drugs. On Friday, for two men, it was a more final and permanant solution.

Notable is the a story about one of those who committed suicide on Friday that this performer was, despite his character, actually a quiet and gentle guy away from the ring. As the person who works for a well-known promotion tells the story, some years back, she had put her newborn in his arms. When she did that, she said he looked almost afraid that he'd hurt her...then, as we all do...he realized babies generally don't break if gently handled... and all was OK. He looked at the little girl with loving eyes. Well, even with this willingness for this wrestler with the tough image to reveal himself to his coworker/friend, he still had the demons that caused him to end his life on Friday. He apparently couldn't share that kind of pain with her, or others.

As I said earlier, more than a few said this weekend that many of those who mourn a death after the fact don't always take the time they should, to talk to others, even when we don't think they need it. Renegade Catholic that I am, I still love the verse from the Talmud that says "Save one life, you have saved the world".

Today, readers, maybe we can do that for someone in our lives.

Moving along, Halloween is coming, soon to be followed by November...and the Holiday season isn't far away.

In keeping with the actual spirit of the season, the wrestling community will reach out to those in need. Independent promotions hold a wide variety of events to benefit various food pantries, shelters, Toys for Tots drives. Over the years, promotions ranging from the family-friendly United Wrestling Coalition to the hardcore themed Combat Zone Wrestling to indies of various sizes and types trough the United States and Canada. Even if you don't have one in your own area this Holiday season, please take time to contribute to or volunteer with such organizations.

River City Wrestling is also supporting the San Antonio Food Bank. at their November 10 "Return to Glory 5" event. The San Antonio Food bank has a goal of raising one million pounds of food for needy families for the holidays and everyone is encouraged to bring non-perishable items to the show. RCW will also donate a portion of the show's proceeds to SA Food Bank.

Combat Zone Wrestling, for the eighth consecutive year, will be holding a Toys for Tots collection at Cage of Death 14 on December 8. The Cage of Death event, CZW's annual mega-show will again be part of a "deadly doubleheader", this year with EVOLVE hosting the matinee show...all taking place at the Flyers Skate Zone in Voorhees, NJ.

Des Moines's 3Xwrestling collects Toys for Tots donations as part of our annual November event in Des Moines on Black Friday (day after Thanksgiving).

Chaotic Wrestling will do a show benefitting Toys for Tots on Fan Appreciation night, which takes place December 14th in Lowell, MA.

Chicago Style Wrestling will also hold their show benefitting Toys for Tots on November 23 in Addison, IL

USCW Pro Wrestling will hold their own Toys for Tots at the Baker County Fair Grounds in Macclenny, FL . Go to http://uscw.org/ Cost: $10.00 at the Door or Bring a NEW Unopened Toy & get in Free, all toy brought will be given to the "Toys For Tots".

Incidentally, Toys for Tots collections have already begin in other parts of the United States. If you need information on the charity, go to Toys for Tots.com


In other charity event news, the UK's Charity Appeal Wrestling Shows present "Double Or Nothing" on Friday October 26th 2012, Luton , raising money for the UK's Teenage Cancer Trust at the Stopsley Working Mens Club, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU2 8HG. Doors open 7.00pm, starts 7.30pm. Admission is only £5 each per person, we are the cheapest priced professional wrestling ticket in the three counties of Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, and Buckinghamshire, so call 07590 109866 to reserve yours today.

CAWS (Charity Appeal Wrestling Shows) present "Double Or Nothing"

* When : Friday 26th October 2012.

* Where : Stopsley Working Mens Club, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU2 8HG.

* Why : Raising money for the Teenage Cancer Trust.

* Time : Doors open 7.00pm, starts 7.30pm.

Tickets : Only £5 each per person, we are the cheapest priced professional wrestling ticket in the three counties of Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, and Buckinghamshire, so call 07590 109866 to reserve yours today.

MAIN EVENT : Tag Team Title Match! - The Business (Mr Clean Anton Green and Gabriel Myers) vs Excellence and Perfection (c)(Robert Rochester-Rose and P.T Player)

Singles Match - Mikey The Pikey VS 'Teetotal' Thomas Stevens!-This match will see the return of Mikey The Pikey to a wrestling ring in Luton for a number of years!

Tag Team Match - The Bhangra Knights (Darrell Allen and RJ Singh) VS The Overdogs (CAWS Light Heavyweight Champion Joey Callaghan and Anthony Mafia)!

Singles Match - Carl Morina VS Kidd Lykos!

Triple Threat Match/Wildcard Title Match! - 'The Future' CJ Gunner (c) vs John Windsor vs Alexander Cross!

* 15 Man Royal Rumble Match!! - The Winner of this match will receive a match for any CAWS title straight after!! This match will feature CAWS Stars such as 'Wonderkid' Jonny Storm, Anthony Mafia, Darrell Allen, Carl Morina, Mikey the Pikey, and many many more!!!

More news to be announced, so watch this space, and keep visiting www.cawswrestling.com as well!

Next is the November 3 show of Hoosier Pro Wrestling, which is their 14th Anniversary show and annual Fireman's Cheer Fund The show features Tommy "Wildfire" Rich, Dangerous Doug Gilbert, former WWE Star U-Gene and Flash Flanagan. Fans are asked to bring a new toy for the Cheer Fund Toy Drive for kids in need at Christmas.

Additionally, Brew City Wrestling has two such events. It will come to Kenosha, WI on Saturday, October 27 with a Shocktober Spooktacular show at Coins Sports Bar, 1714 52nd Street, under a big top style tent. Tickets are $12 adults and $5 for kids 12 and under. This is a benefit show with proceeds going to the First Step Homeless Shelter. Bell time is at 5pm and then after the show, the excitement continues inside with live music. Fans are encouraged to bring a can of non-perishable food also for the shelter. On December 9, they return to their home base of Knights of Columbus, West Allis, WI. with a benefit Food for Families of Greater Milwaukee

As a reminder promotions (or their fans) can send information on scheduled Holiday charitable-themed (fund-raisers for clothes, food pantries or Toys for Toys, etc.) wrestling or MMA events to bobmagee1@hotmail.com.

Until next time....

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