The Gilded Career of Kane And The Continuing Search For Hope

The black sheep is the quintessential element of a dysfunctional family. As much as you want to distance yourself from them because of what they continue to do over and over to make you face-palm with embarrassment, you ultimately can't because they're still family, and, in the end, you have to stick with them.

As this pertains to Monday Night RAW, I hate to say that Kane is very quickly becoming the black sheep of the show. I hate the fact that I even wrote that because I was a teenager during the Attitude Era, where Kane was a mainstay. But what's currently going with him, Cena, and now Zach Ryder is crossing into familiar territory as silly as demeaning to a guy who has put in his time with WWE.

Maybe it was the expectations I set upon Kane's return when the vignettes appeared with him re-donning his (half) mask. It struck a nostalgic cord, even though, it's hard to believe that the Attitude Era is bordering on nostalgia now (if it hasn't crossed over already).

It was billed as the "resurrection" of the Big Red Machine; the guy who ripped off the door of the Cell and dominated The Undertaker for almost a year without ever cutting a promo.

But what did we get instead in 2012? A heavily talking Kane with a new affinity for psychoanalysis, which makes him actually seem less like Sigmund Freud and more like an emo middle school kid.

His first promo, which had more pauses between words than a William Shatner monologue, became a ridiculous psychological examination of why Cena needs to embrace hate. The one redeeming snippet of the whole thing was hearing him repeat "Cena sucks" over and over while punching every consonant. (Masked Kane Chants "Cena Sucks" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNXRft2pRZY)

Why is this so irritating?

Because this is Kane! It's not Bastian Booger or Great Khali. This is one of the all-time recognizable and popular big men in the modern wrestling era. That's why it seems so demeaning for him to work such a mediocre segment. Attacking Cena on a loading dock and disappearing into the myst? Stalking Ryder in the bathroom and trying to drag him under the ring? And then you put him on the mic to cut these promos to demonstrate how he's a "thinking man's" villain? It's sad. It's very sad.

In the end, we all know how this storyline will end. Cena will overcome evil like he always does, and Kane will look as beatable as he's been in the post-Attitude era. If there is a silver lining, hopefully it's the fact this feud will be a further hint of a heel turn by Cena, but that might even be wishful thinking at this point.

Then again, when you look at Kane's career up to this point, the short end of the stick has been his more than a few times from his epic debut in 1997 as The Undertaker's burn scarred brother (or half brother as it would be later confirmed). He's won two world championships in 14 years (the first of which only lasted 24 hours), "killed" The Undertaker at least three times, tagged with The Undertaker at least three times, learned how to talk from X-Pac, supposedly committed necrophilia, "married" Lita, "impregnated" Lita, lost child with Lita, got dumped by Lita, set J.R. on fire, and beat his imposter out of the building and out of the WWE.

A few times in between he was tossed a bone or two with a mid card title but ultimately became more and more diminished after his unmasking in 2003. If there was a distinct focal point where Kane became irrelevant, it was losing the mask. After that, it seemed like anyone at anytime could beat Kane, and the mystique was gone.

But now they've brought the mask back and tried to put some life back into the mystique that was once Kane. And yet, he seems like the same lame duck he was boxed into years ago. After Cena, will it be one last feud with The Undertaker? Possibly the last Wrestlemania match of Taker's career? Who knows? Part of me wouldn't mind seeing it because the two are nearly synonymous with one another.

And dare I say it, would it not be the most fitting end, if you were going to break the streak, to have Kane do it? At least you would know it's not ego-fueled like it would be for Triple-H or Shawn Michaels if they broke it. But that's another debate for another time.

Of course this is all the rambling of a disgruntled fan who might look too hard for consistency within wrestling storylines. But I can't help but wonder if any of this bothers Glenn Jacobs when he looks back on his career. Probably not. He's tenured, he's getting a steady paycheck, and he's been tossed film parts. It's probably irrelevant to him in the grand scheme of things.

But here's where I get fleetingly romantic and naive. I'm still holding out hope that Jacobs can spin this re-masked Kane out of the mediocrity of trying to alienate Cena and into some kind of gold. Sort of like when Hunter S. Thompson was hired by ESPN to write for their website. In the twilight of his Gonzo career, Thompson was expected to bring a playful irreverence to sports ala Bill Simmons and others.

But Thompson proved after 9/11 that he could take his little "sports column" and turn it into a mirror reflecting indictment of American culture and the international turmoil gripping the world. I don't know if it's possible for Kane to find a little Gonzo in him, but you can't help but hope.

The Great RAW Experience From Section 118

My voyage to the Colonial Life arena is like a trek through a vicious tempest right out of Shakespeare with Vince McMahon playing the role of Prospero.

The sinister local parking agents have thwarted all direct entry points with charges of five dollars per vehicle. Swine. They display University of South Carolina enignias. Not helping your cause, sirs. I'm still paying off the next ten years of my life to that god damned place. No way in hell will they swindle another another payment from me on this night.

Familiarity with the area guides me to the campus area of Drayton Hall. I've performed at Drayton. The seats need WD40, and the heater long ago hit the skids. Ironically, I park next to my lady friend who has to work sound for the dance show going on. The set designer is her inept, perverted professor who so kindly makes comments like "baby, please." He passively coerced her participation in the show by hanging twenty five percent of her grade over her head. Swine.

It's a mild deluge on the way to the arena, and the crowds gather outside of each exit, ready to take McMahon's black acid on their tongue. Southern gentlemen detoured from entrance are turned into redneck piranhas, chomping anyone who appears to cut in line. It's a mad scene.

Children displaying shirts of John Cena are greeted with discerning stares and antagonizing phrases so clearly put as "Cena sucks!" Their faces of concern reflect the current discention gripping WWE. The older generation never wants to leave 1998 behind. The new generation just wants Cena. The poor buggers don't know any better. I probably felt the same way when an Earthquake fan lunged at me and my Hulkamania bandana...

The slow entrance into the arena cannot move fast enough for the commentators behind me, who carry an unmistakable audio comparison to characters out of Gator. They debate the shortcomings of Carolina basketball along with the arena quality of an Usher show. Renaissance men.

We are finally allowed entrance an hour before scheduled start time. I pick up on a gentleman's elaborate ruse to convince his wife they are attending a basketball game. The displayed memorabilia and attire of 99% of the people attending does crash the allusion. She demands to see the tickets. He refuses. I am eventually questioned in this matter, to which I deliver a dead pan delivery that the Globetrotters are in town. Her reaction is genuine delight. Must be a Washington Generals fan.

With all WWE shows that are televised, you get your full ticket price with a series of dark matches or matches recorded for other shows. Tonight, we are treated to the Scotsman Drew McIntyre and Alex Riley, a seven minute yawn fest. Mcintyre's stock has been on a consistent decline over the last year, and Riley is a forced face with little charisma in his current incarnation. He was better served as the Miz's emissary. No shock that he goes over on McIntyre, though it is sadly forgettable.

The two matches for the Superstars show are mostly crowd pleasers, especially when you throw Santino into a match against JTG, whose employment I doubted until I heard his name called. Still having the same gimmick it appears. A chant for him begins, though, from the drunken rows of frat boys who proudly display various jerseys of merit such as Roy Williams from his Dallas days and Allen Iverson from his ill-fated tenure with Detroit.

This Santino gimmick continues to be a sad, sad sight. Such a talented wrestler relegated to a comical punch as his finisher. If anyone needed to drop a timely shoot promo, it's him.

The other Superstars match proves to be an unexpected twenty minute epic between Kofi Kingston and Primo (yet another guy surprisingly employed). An acrobatic affair filled with the usual Kofi "boom" spots but entertaining nonetheless with an unexpected ending that has Primo going over clean. Even the look on Primo's face indicated how surprised he was, as if Kofi felt bad for the poor yokel and changed the finish at the last minute...

In the brief interim before the real spectacle begins, people hustle for last minute buckets of fries and tall boys of Bud Light. The frat row has exploited this ten-fold. Danger, danger. People who try to walk by, politely prefacing "excuse me" are returned scornful looks of disgust by seated individuals who have their view of the empty ring momentarily eclipsed. Savages.

The opening of the RAW show is a great throwback with Rowdy Roddy Piper's entrance and subsequent Piper's Pit segment. He calls John Cena to the ring and invokes a psychological exercise to bring Cena's contempt for the growing antagonism from the audience to the surface. Cena, however, refuses to play ball despite a slap on the face from Piper. Perhaps this is finally the beginning of the long anticipated heel turn we have all hoped for. Faustus had to eventually pay his due to the devil. Cena owes his turn to McMahon...

Leading into the show,a rumor that caught fire throughout the internet wilderness was that John Morrison was leaving the company, apparently disgruntled with mediocrity. If it is indeed the case, the crowd prepares for a grandiose swan song, anticipating Morrison to tear the house down with every page of his repertoire; maybe even exit to a thunderous "thank you, Morrison" chant.

His match is announced as Falls Count Anywhere, further proof that a five star match is coming. Morrison is introduced first. Unfortunately, witnessing the entrance in person deprives us of the slow motion effect when Morrison poses on the stage. Morrison walks all of five feet before he is attacked from behind by the Miz with a pipe. Mix zeroes in on Morrison's ankle with a savage, rabid beating. A deja vu to when Morrison was attacked by R. Truth this summer.

Unlike that incident, Morrison shrugs aside medical assistance and limps toward the ring to face the Miz. A galant effort that still indicates hope for one last gutsy Morrison match...

Not the case.

Although he manages a couple of small bursts of offense, Miz decimates Morrison and finishes him off with a Skull Crushing Finale on the ramp. Morrison is carted off on a stretcher. Miz grabs his trademark microphone and cuts a promo right out Jericho's playbook. In fact his monotone stare and slow delivery is reminiscent of John Lithgow from the film Ricochet.

So this is the end for Morrison in one way shape or form. Whether it's some kind of sabbatical or straight exit from the company, his last image on RAW for now is a no-chance beat down with a pipe. Thank you, Morrison?...

The rest of the show settles into the typical RAW pattern of yawning Divas matches and overly long promo segments involving uncharismatic individuals. Although, to his credit, Daniel Bryan navigated through his segment with Michael Cole fairly well along with Mark Henry's interruption. Can't help but think a Bryan heel turn would be a great result of this storyline.

Match of the night honors once again go to a Dolph Ziggler-involved match. Last week, it was his match with CM Punk that hit five stars. This week, it's with Randy Orton. Of course with Wade Barrett hanging out a ringside, we all know what's coming, and inevitably he distracts Orton enough to allow Ziggler to score with the Zig Zag for the pin. His celebration takes a curious route with a lengthened handstand at ringside. If only his mic skills were a little more on par with the likes of Punk and Miz. Amazing skill set, though.

During this match, not only does my lady friend make it to the arena from that sham dance show, but it also brings to a close a vicious Cold War struggle with the child occupying her seat beside me. We have been jostling for control of the arm rest for well over an hour, which I have been more than generous in giving 50% of control over. But my appeasement is not enough for this fiery chap as he presses forward for total control. No sir.

Main event, Punk and Del Rio. Return match from the previous pay per view. Laurinaitis puts in the stipulation that Punk can lose the belt via disqualification. How long will we have to wait before Punk and Laurinaitis wind up in the ring? They're just dusting off the playbook from Austin/McMahon circa '98.

The match itself is pretty steady, including the usual spots for each wrestler. Unfortunately, there is just an incredible lack of chemistry between these two guys every time they have a match. You'll just see these spots that look rough and ill-conceived. Del Rio just looks rough, and maybe it still involves conforming to the WWE style. But his one dimensionality as a character is accurately criticized by Punk as boring.

The finish comes with Punk pulling an Eddie Guerrero and feigning a chair shot from Del Rio which provokes a vicious interrogation from the referee, but ultimately allows Punk to hit a Snake Eyes version of the GTS. Punk retains. All is well in the WWE Universe for another week...

The Columbia crowd gets a post-RAW broadcast treat involving Big Show and Mark Henry in a World Title match, except it evolves into a six man tag match with Show, Punk, and Cena against Henry, Del Rio, and Miz. Of course Henry bows out quickly; gassed, angry, and craving a bologna sandwich. Punk and Cena get the win with a snapshot image of them hitting their finishers at the same time.

Booker T, special referee for the affair, then demands a spinaroonie-off between Punk and Cena, which Cena, for all his witty sarcasm during promos, won't allow himself to made a fool of doing a spinaroonie and promptly refuses participation. Punk is a good sport and allows himself to look foolish doing a terrible roll instead. Miz returns to participate and does a spot-on impression of Booker T, but ends up getting the Attitude Adjustment and GTS.

It's a comical scene to end the night, and the crowds leave with a good taste in their mouth. But what's more impressive to see is how Punk takes every possible moment to greet the fans at ringside, well after the masses are heading for the exit. For a wrestler known almost more for his controversial comments in and out of the ring, his commitment to the fans as champion is strong and very present. Not unlike Cena, who to his credit, has walked that walk for years. But Punk's appeal is more universal and comes from a more identifiable place in 2011.

Plenty of internet jesters will continue to mock the path that WWE is on and has been for the last ten years. These same jesters with their infectious tongues are content continuing to see wrestling through the eyes of the Attitude Era that long ago ended.

But culture has changed and so has wrestling's popularity. Will their be a resurgence again? Absolutely. But in the meantime, what makes being around wrestling today so interesting, is how in these lull times, it allows the wafer fans to exit stage left and the die-hards to stick around. A lot like Carolina football. Lovable losers at times. But a fan base that does not show distinction in commitment, whether in the penthouse of success or the cellar of defeat.

And His Name Was Barbarian...

The Barbarian (Photo Courtesy of Wayne Rush)

As a boy growing up, there were three sacred wrestling tapes that would make the rounds of my VCR as part of my own person home theatre exhibition. One was Wrestlemania VII, with Hogam versus Slaughter for Wrestling's interpretation of Gulf War supremacy. Two was Summerslam '91, with Bret Hart's first title as a singles wrestler, Macho Man's wedding, and the night the Mountie spent the night in jail.

The third was a tape entitled WWF Superstars, a mix tape of random matches with the top draws in the company. Of course there was Hogan, Savage, and Warrior. The obvious inclusions. But it was the opening match I remember and recall so well: a handicapped match between Demolition and the Powers of Pain.

The theatricality of the match was immediately striking. Clad in black leather with demon-like face paint, Demolition was a clear callback to George Miller's cult classic film The Road Warrior. Powers of Pain, were a post apocalyptic reciprocal to Demolition. Their names, Warlord and Barbarian reflected their appearance: back alley bruisers sent through time to fend off the armies of Genghis Khan, while covered in their own frightening face paint. Their manager, the maniacal, Mr. Fuji, was suited for battle himself, creating the handicap for Demolition.

The match was an absolute bruiser. A callback to to classic brute force in the ring, while simultaneously dismissing the art of classic Greek style takedowns for clubbing shots to the abdomen and lower back. A destructive festival of power and strength. Such could have been assumed from their ominous monickers. The finish of the match was fitting. The sniveling swine Fuji attempted to throw the white powder in the eyes of Demolition, but instead blinded the eyes of his tag team partner and ended up taking the signature elbow drop from Axe and Smash. The fan favorites went over in Caesar's Palace.

As the years went on, Warlord and Barbarian would take singles routes as wrestlers, still maintaining their fear provoking personalities. Barbarian, in particular, I remember as part of Bobby Heenan's "family" of wrestlers during the early 90's as a mid card heel to oppose the likes of Hogan and Big Boss Man. He would also frequently find himself as the tag team partner of Haku. Later, in WCW, he would continue to appear with Haku (then under the name Meng)as part of the Faces of Fear. Same schtick for Barbarian. Just a relocation down south.

But as the Monday Night Wars era faded to black with WWE's acquisition of WCW, so did Barbarian's tenure on the main stage after well over twenty years in the wrestling business...

Nearly a decade later, I have a bit of a lump in my throat. Trepidation grips like a Ted Nugent "Stranglehold". The same aforementioned Barbarian sits ten feet away. His face painted in the same Powers of Pain style I saw as a kid on that Superstars tape.

Despite being nearly twenty years older than I was back then and a little bit taller, I still look at Barbarian like he could headbutt if I said something wrong, and I wouldn't wake up for five years.

What do I call this man? I hear him referred to as Barb by the other wrestlers. Do people just walk up to him and call him Barbarian as if man and character never separate? It's like when I used to think if Ultimate Warrior signed his checks under the same name. As if the electric company would have service for a man under such a handle and mail invoices to Parts Unknown.

Barbarian's real name escapes me. I've looked it up recently in preparation, but the Tongan pronunciation is too foreign to recall a syllable. I would probably sound like a fool. I also worry about the reliability of my tape recorder, which seems Soviet and inefficient in button design. I feel like a hobbit about to have a conversation with a dragon in his den.

But funny enough, there's a calming reassurance I get from Barbarian's chuckling grin as he puts a pinch of tobacco in his lower lip. He sits down and calls over Mike Griffie, his business manager of sorts on the independent circuit. He resembles Kurt Cobain with shorter hair and acts as the mouthpiece in answering my questions.

What fascinates me the most about the man sitting before me is the fact that as a wrestler, Barbarian has navigated the major eras of the wrestling business and managed to sustain a certain amount of relevancy. As I ask how he was able to achieve that sustainability, he nods and communicates briefly in short, brief answers. Griffie fills in the blanks.

"Barbarian has been able to wrestle constantly throughout the years, and as much as the eras changed around him, he was also able to adapt his style to what the crowds wanted... In the 80's, which is considered 'old school' now, the wrestling was a lot slower and more powerful. In the 90's, of course, it was about the Attitude Era, which through his size and stature, Barbarian was able to stay relevant despite the need for bigger, riskier spots. Nowadays, it's about his overall experience that he brings to ring, which allows him to wrestle anybody no matter their experience level."

Barbarian methodically rocks back and forth on the bench he sits on, staring into a particular spot in the floor. I can tell he's in that zone like when Heenan would build him up during one of those backstage promos that would appear on WWE television.

Other wrestlers from the independent show that has just ended stop to talk to him or get a signed poster, but Barbarian politely declines until the interview is over.

I am honored by his commitment to our time, as if I was Bill Apter or Mike Mooneyham. I can't help but ask him how a man from Tonga, sent over by his own king to Japan to study the art of Sumo, transitioned to professional wrestling in the United States. Griffie draws the parallels between the two and how the training benefited Barbarian.

"After coming over to the States, it was the Sumo wrestling that made the transition so smooth for the guys who came from Tonga. Barbarian was able to maneuver his size around the ring and maintain balance while being able to push opponents around. The balance is and has been the key to his strength over the years."

Strength was the key factor in charting Barbarian's success with Warlord as Powers of Pain, which is widely considered where his push began in the business. A timely and famous feud with the Road Warriors set the NWA landscape ablaze, culminating in many highly regarded tag matches and even in the infamous weight lifting contest at the Great American Bash where the Pain crushed Animal's eye socket.

Upon entering the WWE, the Pain were originally fan favorites built primarily around their bruising history in the NWA. The heel turn came against Demolition when Fuji jumped shipped ship as manager, turning Demolition into fan favorites themselves.

When Powers of Pain went their separate ways, Barbarian overhauled his image, discarding his previous incarnation for the brown fur attire and antler headpiece he would wear for entrances. His singles career saw him score a victory over Tito Santana at Wrestlemania VI, but very soon he would be thrust back into the tag team scene with Haku, whom he would team with until the final days of WCW.

"With Warlord, it was about power. With Haku, it was about aggression," Barbarian bluntly, simply relates as he rises his head.

His dichotomy between both tag teams is brilliant in it's economy of words. I'd swear he was Hemingway, or at least the kind of guy Hemingway would have idolized or used as a muse.

But what I am curious about is how Barbarian, a man of continued fame and stature, has avoided the national stage for ten years despite the constant love for nostalgia in today's wrestling business. I inquire about any desire he would have to return to WWE, where he had his most fame and success.

Barbarian's head shakes no as if he's completed this line of thought long ago.

"My time is over," he says, again very directly minus any ornate romantic explanation. "Barbarian is a big proponent of new talent getting their push. He's had conversations with WWE, and we've entertained ideas, but Barbarian enjoys the independent circuit and the personal connection with the fans," Griffie adds.

Griffie even mentions a deal that was in the works to bring back Powers of Pain with the reformation of ECW within WWE, but it was a deal that fell through because WWE showed more interest in bringing in Barbarian than Warlord, something Barbarian would not agree to.

Barbarian's presence in the main event of the OSCW show indicates how he has transitioned to the role of traveling mentor. Tagging with local grappler Glen Lane, the two opposed former WCW star Lodi and regional wunderkind John Skyler (the West Skylerwood Blondes). With the show billed as a benefit for local coach Phillip Morgan, who was stricken with a paralyzing stroke last year, Barbarian is uncharacteristically billed as the face in the match.

He is an immediate draw for the children in attendance, but never draws attention to himself during the match. Instead he gracefully puts the younger Skyler over in spots and supports partner Lane, who has not been in the ring for fifteen years. He even goes as far as to go into the crowd and greet Coach Morgan with a handshake and a hug.

A long way, coming from the guy who crushed Animal's eye over twenty years ago.

My final question is like Wakefield's knuckleball; my go-to; my favorite. I know the majority of what I have asked is likely commonplace and been put forth before Barbarian numerous times before me, but this one I hope has not.

"What are you asked the most on the road?" I ask.

Barbarian sinks into his bench again, thinking. His mind works backwards through hundreds of thousands of wrestlers, matches, and shows.

I start to hear a chuckle, and he raises his head.

"Is Warlord still alive?"

Griffie and I laugh in return. From working Caesar's Palace and the Toronto Skydome all the way to Goose Creek High School in Charleston, South Carolina, he still maintains an amiable sense of humor. No ego. No sense of entitlement. Just a forehead branded with scars and a heart of selfless return to the business that made him a household name.

It's strange to see Barbarian exit with Griffie, wearing a t-shirt and jeans along with a ball cap while his fur entrance coat is stuffed in his bag. He is on his way back to North Carolina tonight. Most likely to resume his job as a construction manager in Charlotte on Monday morning. Imagine that. Your house might be the design of one half of Powers of Pain. If nothing else, you can guarantee it's probably tough as hell, much like the man himself.

When I get back into my car, I go on the Internet and read the name Sione Vailahi from my search page. Yeah, I would have sounded like an idiot trying to say that.

But for the record I am able to verify one pressing fact: Warlord is indeed very much alive.

And as such the legend of Powers of Pain lies preserved like the leopard in Hemingway's Snows of Kilimanjaro , frozen at the summit, forever remembered in its prime.

OSCW's "Kaos For The Coach" More Than A Wrestling Show

Joe Blumenfeld is up front when he tells me I have fifteen minutes to talk with him. It is 8:15 p.m. on a Monday night, and Blumenfeld's Chicago Bears are about to take on the Philadelphia Eagles for Monday Night Football. He tells me he is even wearing his Brian Urlacher jersey as we speak. I believe him. That's why I get right to the point.

Despite the truncated time, Blumenfeld is more than eager to talk about Old School Championship Wrestling's yearly finale before the promotion returns in 2012. The focus, though, of the scheduled November 20th show is more than just wrestling as suggested with the event title "Kaos For The Coach."

The benevolent cause driving the show is a benefit for longtime Charleston high school coach Phillip Morgan, who was stricken with a paralyzing stroke over a year ago. Morgan's influence and contribution over the years is not lost on Blumenfeld.

"We're talking about a guy that gave thirty five years of his life to his community. Thirty five years of helping others is pretty selfless, and it's something I admire and we all should admire," says Blumenfeld. "The effort we put into the show has to match the kind of effort that Coach Morgan put into affecting people's lives in our community. That's what we have to do as performers."

OSCW's inclusion in Morgan's benefit is a direct result of the growing buzz created by Blumenfeld's promotion since planting roots in Hanahan, South Carolina earlier this year. With the scope of this benefit reaching beyond OSCW's core audience and a higher anticipated turnout than usual, the show will be taking place at Goose Creek High School rather than the usual Hanahan Recreation Center where OSCW had frequented.

And with the event being promoted through many of the Lowcountry's high schools, Blumenfeld is excited about the possibility to showcase OSCW to a new audience not previously exposed to the promotion in the past.

"We have no idea what to expect, but based on Coach Morgan's presence in the community over the years, we could be looking at double the audience we're used to seeing. And hopefully it will want to bring them back to future OSCW shows."

In terms of ticket prices, ringside seats are available for $25 and bleacher seating is available for $10. ALL of the proceeds go toward Coach Morgan and his continued recovery effort.

The pressure of a potentially larger audience does not phase Blumenfeld, though, or the OSCW talent. "The guys were taught the philosophy it's a 100% effort whether its a hundred people in the audience or a thousand. We're going to give it all we have, regardless."

"Kaos For The Coach" will mark the 2011 finale show for OSCW, but in looking back on the year in review, Blumenfeld is proud of where his promotion is headed.

"What is really exciting is that we're getting a lot more feedback from the fans. And not just basic comments that the show was good or bad. We're getting specific criticisms about what worked with the fans and what they want to see more of."

Of course like previous shows, OSCW will be bringing in a couple of guest stars to headline the main event. One of which is former Raven's Flock member and WCW superstar Lodi, who just appeared in Columbia as part of a wrestling show about a month ago. He will be taking on legendary heel, The Barbarian, who frequented both the WWE and WCW stage throughout the 80's and 90's.

In looking forward to 2012, Blumenfeld does not cite possible gimmick shows he has in mind or grandiose ways to expand his promotion but rather a continued grass roots approach to broaden OSCW's horizons.

"I want my guys to continue to reach out and connect with the fans. That is what is most important to making this grow. Wrestling fans aren't stupid. They can recognize who is giving them an honest effort as a character and performer versus the ones that are not."

The "Kaos For The Coach" show will begin with a 6 p.m. bell time with the doors opening at 5 p.m. Goose Creek High School is located at 1137 Redbank Road. For further information about the show, visit www.oscwonline.com or call 843-743-4800. Once again, limited ringside seating is $25 and general bleacher seating is $10, and all proceeds go toward Coach Phillip Morgan.

Beyond Festus and WWE: The Continued Journey of Luke Gallows

Luke Gallows wipes the sweat from his head and catches his breath backstage.

He has just finished a technical wrestling clinic with "The Shooter" Vordell Walker after main eventing Old School Championship Wrestling's latest event, his fifteenth match of the week.

Gallows (real name Drew Hankinson) is no stranger to the road, having worked with WWE from 2006 through 2010. But even so, he's taking the expression "road warrior" to Mad Max heights in his transition to the independent circuit.

"I've stayed very busy," Gallows admits since his departure from WWE in November of 2010. "We just finished a taping in LA for the Wrestling Revolution Project where we taped 62 matches in three days, and I'm gearing up to head to Australia soon for a show."

Despite the busy schedule, Gallows shows no signs of wear or fatigue as he dresses in his camouflage shorts after his match, and he is not too tired to talk about Festus, the character that elevated him to a certain degree of fame in WWE.

"I enjoyed Festus. He was a character for the kids; the guy who went nuts when the bell rang. That's what Festus will be remembered for, and that's not a bad thing. It's just like Jake Roberts. What will he be known for? He's the guy who brought the snake to the ring. It's an instant association you make."

Although Festus fell into a long line of WWE "monster" characters that prayed upon simplistic archetypes, Gallows pulled from what sources he could from pop culture to add relevancy and nuance to his in-ring performance. He cites Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men as a major influence in creating the dichotomy of simple mindedness and irrepressibly of Festus.

It is that reliance and awareness of the pop culture around them that Gallows feels is the meat and potatoes of what has generated success for WWE and professional wrestling. "That's what made the Attitude era so popular. You had characters that were hip and cool and in touch with what was going on with the times versus the previous era of cartoon characters the WWE generated that were more over the top."

Almost never is it uncommon to hear someone who was released by WWE to vent anger or start a soap box rant about unfair treatment. It is mostly seen or heard in interviews or even during in-ring segments of competing promotions. But Gallows shows a remarkable optimism and professionalism when addressing the subject and maintains a pleasant and engaging demeanor while signing autographs for the OSCW fans.

"I didn't hate WWE. In fact, my goal would be to return, but if I made it back I would want to be my own solo act. As Festus I was in a tag team predominantly with Jesse, and then with the Straight Edge Society that was Punk's group. I want to come back and be my own thing."

And with his impressive and continued work load on the independent circuit combined with only being 27 years old, Gallows has plenty of time and experience ahead of him in his career. The healthiest ingredient in maintaining his journeyman status is his ability to still continuously find enjoyment with the business. "I can have just as much fun at a show like this as I would with a full Smackdown audience in a arena. I love the business. As long as I'm wrestling, I'm having fun."

And then Gallows calmly puts on a camouflage hat that matches his shorts and grabs his bag.

He makes his way to the exit, taking a few last minute pictures with the other OSCW guys and laughs at one last question.

I ask Gallows what people ask him the most while he's on the road at different shows, anticipating a response somewhere along the lines of career advice.

On the contrary. "Believe it or not, it's whether I know The Rock."