Carny Central: The famous Garage...

IDIOTS
It seems like many idiots that post on message boards have a problem with APW doing shows out of the famous garage.

STARS WERE BORN IN THE GARAGE
Let's see, the famous garage has been the home of Crash Holly, Spike Dudley, Killer Kahli, Gunner Scott, Bison Smith, Michael Modest, Melissa Anderson, Donovan Morgan, Jardi Frantz, Maxx Justice, Bobby Quance, Sara DelRey and Kafu.

I know what you are thinking... First off, Kafu is not a star. Soon to be, trust me. Secondly, those are APW BOOT CAMP graduates that have earned a living, no matter how long, in top promotions in the U.S., Japan or Mexico. Some didn't earn a living for long but signed contracts.

NON GRADUATE STARS COME TO THE GARAGE TOO
Graduates aren't the only people to appear in the famous garage. Christopher Daniels, Gangrel, A. J. Styles, Lo Ki, Spanky, Bryan Danielson, Barry Horowitz, Sandman and many man others have also appeared in the famous garage.

EVERYONE COULD USE A GARAGE

Show me another garage in Northern California, hell in all of California, hell in the U.S.

GARAGE HISTORY PRE 1998
Yet, the idiots continue to bash APW for doing FREE shows for our loyal fans in the famous garage. You idiots are always welcome to attend the shows but in all honesty, you are not humble enough or respectful enough for the garage to allow you inside because the garage is something nobody else has. Yes, some jealous idiot in 1998 caused problems with the garage and called the city and lied and said we had 300 people in attendance. We allowed smoking inside. We did no such thing and officials knew but at the same time we were charging money and certain electrical things weren't to code and we were not zoned to host paying live events. We shut Gym Wars down in 1998 and it was memorable because of two things. My mother was dying that week. Fire officials gave the nod for one last show. We had over 400 ticket reservations and we usually overbook like the airlines knowing not everyone will show up. Our normal ticket reservations were around 150 back then. With the help of volunteer staff, we took the show outside in the parking lot. Jason Deadrich was very instrumental in making that show happen. We moved production and everything outside. We rented lights. When I was driving down West Winton Avenue, I got the call from the hospital that my mother had passed away. I pulled over and cried and looked up into the sky and saw the skies lit up. No, they weren't coming to take me to heaven also but it was the lights we had rented for the last gym wars taking place outside. We were not going to be denied by one idiot and we all know who that idiot was. I wiped the tears from my eyes and moved on and watched most of the show from inside weeping but we had a strong crew that made that show happen and we drew over 300 people to that show. It was the last paid Gym Wars.

GYM WARS POST 2002
A couple of years later we met with city officials and wanted to bring Gym Wars back. We would have to be re-zoned and go through a tremendous amount of red tape and pay large amounts of fees with no guarantee to obtain the necessary permits to do live entertainment in an industrial area not zoned for entertainment. Over the years I have seen Bowling Alleys and theatres turned down so what would make me think the same would not happen for pro wrestling.

-OR-

we could do the shows with a limited number of people allowed to come into the building, not charge money and they would be an extension of our training sessions as long as our students act as security and not allow drugs or alcohol in the parking lots and make sure we sweep up all of the parking lots including those belonging to neighbors.

As much as it killed us not to generate the revenue of $15 per ticket we were getting back in 1997 and 1998, we decided these shows were an important part of the training camp almost like lab is to a college course. Therefore, we decided to do them again in 2002 but we did not spend money.

Jason Deadrich, Gabe Ramirez and Doug Anderson (Melissa's dad) worked their fannies off and put in some of their hard earned money, sweat and tears and decided to make Gym Wars something special for the fans and for the wrestlers and for the students.

Recently, we made the garage more production friendly. We still only allow a certain number of people inside and when there is an overflow, they sit in chairs outside under a canopy. Some great shows have taken place in the famous garage. We still don't charge per city regulations and only ask people to bring an unopened toy and 3 canned goods of food to donate to the needy. We do our part to help give back to the community in addition to supporting Cauliflower Alley Club where if not for the legends, we would not even exist. The neighbors don't complain and some come to the shows. The Police Department comes by all the time and love the shows. As a matter of fact, there were a couple that stopped by just to see the womens match Saturday night. They all understand the pro wrestling business and the cutthroatness and backstabbing that takes place. Their only concern is the number of people in the building and no drugs or alcohol in the parking lots.

SUPPORT GYM WARS and THE FAMOUS GARAGE
Every fan should be so lucky to have the famous garage. Every wrestler should be so lucky to have the garage and every student show be so lucky to be enrolled in the APW BOOT CAMP. Those that are considering joining a pro wrestling training school. Besides all the things one should look for before joining, ask the training school if they have a famous garage. Ask them if they have a famous garage that can gain them valuable experience and exposure in an arena setting on a regular basis. The experience and exposure from wrestling people they can learn from. The experience and exposure they can gain by wrestling big-names in the famous garage. The experience and exposure they can gain by being on ClickWrestle or a nationally distributed DVD taped from the famous garage at BEST BUY and FRY'S. The price tag is the least expensive in the industry once you qualify for a few of the discounts offered. The payment plans are very reasonable and affordable. You too need a garage to make it in pro wrestling.

WE WELCOME IDIOTS
So next time one of you idiots wants to post on the garage and we can't draw more than 30 for a free show in a garage, think before you open your big mouth and hide behind that computer. Reconsider! Come to the garage and check it out and maybe you too will be hooked and no longer make have those negative thoughts. If you decide to take me up on my offer,