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As anybody who reads my blog knows, I’m a fan of professional wrestling. Specifically, independent professional wrestling.

I’m a supporter of “local” companies (basically anybody in the Albany/Binghamton/Syracuse area) as no matter the quality of the action, it’s good to support them if you are a fan of wrestling.

However, if I feel I’ve been burned, it ends. One federation has been put on that list, but I’ve debated trying it again after speaking with a few people. But this isn’t about that one.

This is about a trip to Albany this past weekend.

In wrestling terms, this is a bit of a shoot.

There is one wrestler from the Binghamton area (Sean Carr) who several of us are big supporters of and that means we’ll travel to see him wrestle. This past weekend, he was in Albany, wrestling for (redacted).

You’ll see why I say that in a moment.

We had seen this federation before and while they aren’t the best, we figure to support Sean and to support local independent wrestling, let’s go again. We gave up the chance to head to a federation in Pennsylvania to see a matchup that would have been a lot of fun.

Instead, we went to (redacted).

There was a pretty solid crowd there (though this was their big “yearly” show and they had brought in some big names), but it didn’t start right when they started a “pre-show” match while the line was still out the door. Seriously.

We were soon inside and found a place to sit.

Sean’s match was third. And with a little “insider” info, I knew there was going to be a spot of interest, so I wanted to capture it. It involved him and a fan well-known to many local wrestling fans. It was comedic and well done.

I videoed it.

Now, realize that I’ve never had issues in the past with recording clips at wrestling events. In fact, most independent federations encourage it. Why? Because when people see good clips of your federation, they might want to go and see it. When that happens, you sell more tickets and, hopefully, that means selling more merchandise.

Basically, it’s free publicity.

To be fair, I can understand if any federation – good or bad – wouldn’t want to see full matches posted. That makes sense. Especially if you sell DVDs of your shows. But a clip?

Apparently (redacted) doesn’t like you to do that. That being said, I never (in two shows I’ve been to) heard anybody say that in announcements. I don’t see it on the ticket anywhere (though, to be honest, I can’t read everything on the back as it has tiny writing and I don’t have a magnifying glass), and there were no signs saying “no videoing/recording.”

And, again, it’s free publicity for your federation. People like, share and watch. You’d think that would be a good thing.

Anyway, I recorded the spot. I uploaded it to Facebook and tagged Sean and the Viking (the fan). People liked it, shared it, and commented. Everything was positive. They asked where it was. People were saying it was at (redacted). I even noted it in my post that it was (redacted).

NOTHING was negative about it. NOTHING.

That’s why I was shocked when I got a notice from Facebook on Monday … logging me out and then having some things I needed to see.

This is what I first saw (with certain information redacted, of course):

 

Followed by:

 

I can’t make this stuff up. As you can see, I redacted the name of (redacted) because I honestly don’t want to give them any publicity – good or bad.

And this isn’t on Facebook at all. They had to do what they had to do, so I’m not even close to being annoyed with them.

But as somebody who works in PR, something like this would make me go bonkers.

Over the past five years, I have taken thousands and thousands of wrestling photos. At federations all over and of hundreds of wrestlers – good and bad. Many have retweeted/shared/used my photos (usually keeping my watermark, which is appreciated). So many times I could have done what was done to me.

I didn’t.

Why? When I get messages from people saying they enjoyed my photos and wrestlers or others asking if they can use them with full credit – it’s cool. Though I’m a believer in being paid for your work, I also know in this day and age, it’s harder in regard to things like this. Plus, it’s cool to see people use my things – especially when it’s not to make money, rather to show what they are doing.

Just like this video – I wasn’t selling it or making money on it – I was sharing it so people could see the spot and, thus, giving them some free and positive publicity. To put the federation in a positive light. And, as noted, it didn’t say anywhere not to do it and something tells me if you ask each of the wrestlers involved, they wouldn’t have an issue with it.

Instead?

I’m done with (redacted). I’ll never spend another dime there. Ever. I’ll tell my wrestling friends to avoid them at all costs. It’s not like I can bring (redacted) down and I don’t even want to try. But when there’s a place that doesn’t get it – it’s time to say enough.

The things I saw that night made me shake my head. I won’t go into it all because I know my fellow wrestling fan (and one who was with me this weekend) Sean over at Hachland blogged about the whole experience and all.

Instead, I’m talking about this.

Shortly after I had recorded the one clip (it’s all I did), though, my one friend Mike was recording a few clips. Nothing major. He doesn’t even have a smart phone for goodness sake. But one of the “security” guards came over and told him a few “clips are ok, but nothing long.”

Heck, even WWE fan videos are out there. But for indy feds? It’s a good thing all around as it gets more eyes on your product.

So, as for (redacted)? Well, I’ll never go again. I’m sure they don’t care. It’s only a few people, right? That’s not the point, though. The point is having a clue, and (redacted) doesn’t seem to get it. I heard stories about how they operate in regard to their “academy” and such and it makes me shake my head.

It’s too bad 2CW wasn’t still running shows. Josh (the owner) got it. He didn’t care if you videoed, took photos, shared things, posted things – whatever. For the record, during one match, (redacted) mentioned 2CW — I wonder if there’s any copyright things there?

Then you have Jonny Moose, who owns XCite. And he admitted he’d rather people don’t record full matches (which is totally understandable), but clips and such? As he noted, it helps build word of mouth and people post things because it’s something cool – when things get shared, more people see your product.

They. Get. It.

This post is getting long-winded. So let me end with this. (Redacted) is holding an event April 30 in the Capital Region. Though it’s a little longer of a haul for some, take the time to drive to Binghamton and see XCite, where you’ll be able to see matches such as Sami Callihan vs. Joe Gacy; Sean Carr vs Chuck Taylor; Matt Cross vs Greg Excellent; DJ Hyde vs Matt Tremont and so much more. There’s no way the card by (redacted) will compare with XCite on that night, that’s for sure.

Oh, and you can video some clips – and feel free to share them.

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please Like HooHaa Blog on Facebook!