In 2001, my wrestling fandom transitioned from a casual interest to a passionate obsession. It’s where I went from “I like wrestling,” to “I should watch all the wrestling ever.” It’s when I became an indie wrestling fan. Ring of Honor was starting, ECWA was hot, CZW was terrifying and awesome to me. In the […]
Back in January I wrote a tribute to Ice Train when he passed away. Since Violent People has launched I’ve written an obituary. I’ve written about the death of my mother and I’ve written about the plight of Appalachia. Basically what I’m saying is I swear I’m a fun time and don’t want to pigeonhole […]
On November 19, 1863, Abraham Lincoln needed only 272 words. 204 of those words were short one syllable words. The Gettysburg Address is inarguably one of the most famous and enduring speeches of all time. It stands as a testament of not only the power of the American spirit, but the power of brevity and […]
When Violent People was first conceived as an idea. I immediately dove into brainstorming topics to write about. Some materialized into published pieces, ‘C & D Counties’ and ‘Hackenschmidt in Australia.’ Some remain works in progress, despite assurances to Sam I’m almost finished, like ‘Zandig vs Lobo.’ Yet among these topics, one loomed large. I […]
I think it’s fair to say that, “Violent People,” despite being in my opinion a roaring success, is still in its nascent phase. It’s a new site and it’s finding its footing and more importantly its voice. Of all the writers making up this voice, I’m probably one of the least well known in our […]
February 24, 2024, the Elimination Chamber takes place in Perth, Australia. It marks a significant moment in the history of wrestling in Australia. Though this is far from the first time a “World Champion” has wrestled in the Antipodes. Let’s go back over a century: President Theodore Roosevelt once said, “If I weren’t President, I’d […]
Ice Train fucking ruled. He just did. I hope to more eloquently put it in words below, but if when I leave this mortal coil, even one person says “Dan fucking ruled,” I’ll consider it a job well done. Harold Hogue, more fondly known to the pro wrestling world as Ice Train, passed away at […]
The time has come to see Matewan in perspective, the way we do Lexington and Gettysburg…not just as an isolated incident of the tragic spilling of blood, but as a symbolic moment in a larger, broader and continuing historical struggle…in the words of Mingo county miner J.B. Wiggins, the ‘struggle for freedom and liberty.’ David […]