Royce Garland and Trent Roberts: October 16, 2001

Trent Roberts here, welcoming you to another edition of the Locker Room Report. Royce and I have been on the road most of the week, catching events from both the NYSWF and EWA. In between Royce's late-night hotel room marathons of scrambled porn, I managed to get some actual work out of him. On a side note, I'm accepting applications for a new partner. If you're interested, contact me at...well...I'd give out my phone number, but the massive flood of calls from beautiful women might overload my answering machine while I'm gone. So Garland, your job is safe for at least another week. Without further ado...let's get to the scoop.

Our sources tell us that Michael Draven has been recieved surprisingly well backstage, considering both the amount of enemies he has and the on-again off-again relationship he's had with the NYSWF. One man that is not so pleased about his return, of course, would be one Alexander Haven. The two reportedly had a brief staredown backstage at Up All Night, before being separated.

There's been some talk backstage about a sentiment of anger at the re-arrival of 'Cold' Harding Cash. Many of the wrestlers are none too pleased with the way he's barged in and dominated the television time. However, on the other hand, our sources also tell us that they don't believe the general consenus blames Cash - rather, they blame management. Cash is said to be a total class act backstage, continuously offering to help younger wrestlers out in his spare time.

Speaking of Alexander Haven, he was said to be livid backstage after the conclusion of Up All Night. EMTs tried attending to Haven after the brutal attack from Prudence Collins, but Haven strongly resisted. It's said that one of the EMTs even suffered a black eye at the hands of the new Television Champion. It's said that Chris Kage and Shawn Hunter were able to calm Haven down eventually, and he received the proper medical care. Corey Collins was said to be angered at the escalating danger of the situation between NOTHING and Haven, however, and banned Haven from the arena this coming weekend, in order to calm some of the tensions between the two. Whether or not Haven will comply with the order remains to be seen...

Many wrestlers and staff members backstage are pleased with the job that Chris Kage has done as the Heavyweight Champion. They feel that Kage has carried himself extremely well. On the other hand, though, there are wrestlers that have defeated Kage in the past that are just itching to get a title shot of some sort against him, feeling that this is their chance to win the World Heavyweight Title.

Andrew Spears, also known as The Fallen One, has apparently left the NYSWF and the EWA. He reportedly faxed his resignation to both Collins and Gates, and then called them minutes later to beg them to take him back. Neither accepted.

Shane Cornell picked up another win this weekend, defeating fellow newcomer Shadowhawk. While Cornell has won a few matches since his return, it's said that many wrestlers find the praise he's receiving to be, quite frankly, bullshit. One wrestler was even quoted as saying "Sure, he's picked up a few wins since comin' back...but we'll see what happens when he faces some real f*ckin' competition. If he lives...then I'll praise him." What's he mean? Well, our lips are sealed...but let's just say Cornell has a rather large test standing in front of him, in the form of one of the most feared competitors in the NYSWF.

There seems to be a division of sorts taking place in the NYSWF locker room. Whereas in the past, the locker room banded together with a few notable exceptions (guys who hated each other, NOTHING, etc.), now, the locker room is split into many small groups. Draven and Boden have split up into their own group, as have the Youth. Wrestlers may stop for brief conversations in the hallways, but the days of carpooling and hanging out in mass groups at bars after events seem to be fading away.

Chris Kanyon certainly made his point clear this weekend, with his interference in the main event of Sunday Night Heat. Kage's mind was said to be other places this weekend, due to some personal behind the scenes issues, but with the impression left by the blow to the head from Kanyon using Kage's own World Title, it's safe to say that Kage is fully aware of the threat posed by Kanyon to his championship reign.

Jonathan Storm's fairy tale came to an abrupt halt this weekend, as he was once again caught in the crossfire between bitter enemies NOTHING and Alexander Haven. The casualty? Storm's Television Title...and perhaps his status within the company. As much as Storm would probably like to avenge the loss, new issues have arisen between Storm and his former Pop Perfection partner Shawn Hunter. Speaking of Hunter, he'll have a chance at achieving NYSWF gold this weekend, when he takes on Evan Douglas for the Lightweight Title. It's been a long time coming...but perhaps this boy will finally meet the world of championship status.

Onto the EWA...

Sources backstage after the King of the Ring say that President Duane Gates was in the most cheerful mood he'd been in in years. Reportedly, Gates went around to each individual that wrestled at the event and congratulated them on a job well-done, completely disregarding any former grudges that were held. With the buyrate for the King of the Ring appearing to be at an all-time high for the EWA, things are certainly looking up.

It's no secret that the tag division in the EWA is certainly lacking as of late, with a lack of any competition at all for the current champions, Sean Boden and The Golden One. Gates is obviously looking to rectify the situation, by booking the duo in perhaps the toughest title defense possible. Three teams look to challenge, including the teams of Satre/Kage, Willmott/Storm, and New York Hardcore. Hopefully, this'll jumpstart the action, and restore the titles to respectability. If it doesn't? Well, Boden and TGO could make a quick buck by pawning the titles off.

Chris Kage and 'Cold' Harding Cash had an unbelievable match-up at King of the Ring, and both men were highly praised backstage, not only by management, but by the other wrestlers as well. As far as relations between the two men? Well, our sources tell us that Kage and Cash exchanged a few words backstage, and the two men even shared a friendship. Do I smell a case of mutual respect? In a day and age where tempers flare all too oftenly between competitors, perhaps these two can set an example for us all.

Everyone backstage is reportedly impressed with the way Harvey Knox, a relative unknown two months ago, has dominated the EWA. He's won his first ten matches, all in impressive fashion, and is said to be the one person the boys backstage don't want to face. Already a backstage pool of sorts is taking place with bets going down for the Cash/Knox match, with Knox coming out ahead.

Karma made her television debut on Thursday night at the King of the Ring. Not much is known backstage about this woman, other than that she appears to have a great knowledge of wrestling, and thinks Evan Douglas has a great ass. We'll see if she's got what it takes in the ring against Johnny Flash on Wednesday.

The EWA has a new force to reckon with, following the formation of the modestly named stable, the Midcard Hoes. Consisting of Chris Kage, Joe Satre, Johnny Blaze, Evan Douglas, and the returning Jimmy Walker, the group could make a clear impact within the federation this week. Kage and Satre have a chance to bring home the Tag Titles, and Johnny Blaze could take the Television Title off of Laura. Evan Douglas has the week off, and Jimmy Walker makes his debut against Paranoid Perry. With the lack of a dominant group force in the federation, this could be a literally golden oppurtunity for the stable.

The Golden One is stirring up a lot of talk backstage, as he's set to break the legendary Jeff Bunda's record for longest Intercontinental Title reign on Halloween night. Wrestlers are literally lining up to take a crack at being the one who ended the streak. I'm told The Golden One will have one more televised title defense before the magic date - his opponent is yet to be determined.

Evan Douglas was in a rage after the King of the Ring. He was the only man to completely ignore Gates' congratulations, and instead concentrating on destroying his locker room. Douglas is said to be furious not only over his loss to Jack Daniels, but with Clarissa for leaving him and turning back to Daniels. Douglas asked for the week off to recuperate, but word is that when he gets back, Jack Daniels will have hell to pay.

That's it for the Locker Room Report this week. I'm Trent Roberts, reminding you that wherever professional wrestling exists...so does Royce Garland. Translation? Lock your doors. See you next week.