Midnight Zeus

There was relatively little we did away from what WWE released themselves, but the steel book PPV releases were an initiative the company took upon themselves. At the time we thought they'd be highly sought after  as collectible pieces, but in reality they cost a lot more to produce and we had returns in the thousands. The  steel book releases also went on far longer than they should have because we were tied into a deal with the production company to produce X number of steel book DVDs. I still have a bunch at home as we wouldn't even sell them all off for peanuts in the end, and places like CEX aren't interested in the few I've taken in. Maybe I'll give them away on here.

Screenshot of the Silver Vision website I took on October 3rd 2007. Coincidentally showing the same Vengeance 2007 DVD that Gary talked about earlier.

Wow, so much I could write - some of which will never see the light of the day as I'm still with the company that was born out of the ashes of Clear Vision! Can't believe you found the Tout account Gary - that was WWE's newest toy so I thought I'd join in, for about a week anyway!

The Beginning...of Me at SV/CV

Tiny bit of background on my start... back in 1999 I wrote a letter to both Vince McMahon and Silver Vision, outlining my love for the WWF and why I liked it as a commercial entity. I went on to describe my relevant working experience and also things I thought I had an aptitude for, which ranged from research to commentating - no, really! I have the letter somewhere and will find and scan it for everyone's amusement soon. Well I got a call from the boss of SV and we arranged a time for me to go up (I was in Devon) to Enfield for an interview/chat. So a week before this was to happen I decided, in my infinite wisdom, that I was having too much fun partying with my friends and was in a relatively new relationship, so I turned the interview down. I actually did this in the form of a letter, and ended it by telling them how much of a mistake it was to release Mayhem In Manchester as a video of highlights and not the full event. A combination of immaturity and arrogance saw me a taking a pot shot as the right way to sign off.

Fast forward 12 months and I was a lot more settled and regretting my decision to turn down the opportunity to meet up. I wrote another letter, explaining how I'd matured and showcasing my wrestling website (fallscountanywhere.com if anyone remembers it - it had about 8 writers, so there's a tiny chance one or some of you may even post here), that I believed would impress them enough to give me another shot. I even said in my letter that everyone deserves a second chance and this was me asking for mine. Well to cut a long story short I got that second chance, had an interview, had a second one and started in February 2001 where I worked on WWFVideo.co.uk, then Silvervision.co.uk, and every company website since.

WrestleMania XX Limited Edition Boxset

So remembers these and I' guessing some of you still have one knocking around somewhere?

When these came in, on many pallets, the boss had about 10 of us go in to the warehouse and open every single box until we found number 0001/6000. It was a few hours and a few more curse words later, but it was yours truly that found it. He wanted it for his office where it sat until the day he left. I was given the choice and took 0013/6000, as 13 has always been my lucky number. i say always, actually ever since I became a Dan Marino fan in 1985 and he wore 13 on his jersey.

WWF Buys WCW

I'd only been with the company a matter of weeks, but the first big story I was ever told ahead of time was when WWF were to purchase WCW. It was only a few days, but I was a party to this information and told, obviously, to keep it quite and tell absolutely nobody. As an active member of the alt.pro-wrestling.wwf newgroup at the time that was tough, but of course I did it. This was bitter-sweet for me, as a huge fan of WCW since the late 80s I was devastated to see it go, but from a business stand point I saw the opportunities. I then also saw them, along with everyone else, get flushed down the toilet pretty soon after.

Ric Flair Goes Mad At Reporter

One of my jobs early on was to write interview questions which would be passed onto a journalist who we employed to do the interviews and then I would publish on the website. One such of these was Ric Flair, and one of the questions I'd asked was 'do you prefer being a heel or face?'. When asked this question he went berserk, saying the journalist had no write to use such words, and they were insider words etc. Apparently this made it into the Wrestling Observer and was picked up by wrestling sites the world over. It wasn't long before I managed to persuade the boss that I should conduct the interviews as the journalist wasn't a wrestling fan so the interviews didn't flow. This of course had nothing to do with me wanting to meet all the wrestlers, oh no. My very first one was Matt Hardy and the recorder never recorded anything, so I spent the train ride homing trying from memory to write down every one of his answers. Thankfully I have a good memory.

We actually had the opportunity to do a phone interview with Christian, and I passed that on to Gary/Onyx2, as it was always me who did them and thought it would be nice for him to get a chance. Poor Gary - that had to be the most corporate by the numbers interview Christian ever did.

I have to get on with some work but will add more over time, like when I commentated on a Man Utd match with one of WWE's Executive VPs or the time when I came up with Tagged Classics and our then MD taking it as his idea and telling everyone as such for years after!

EDIT: I also have pretty much all the old Mega Mails going back 20+ years, so when I get a chance I'll scan some including, including the one that had a wrestling tap on the front cover. That was chosen because "it looked like a fun image", and not because it was relevant in any way!

Heatseekers was chosen because it was the one I liked the look of the most, and it had Luger on the cover, who I always liked. Commercially it was the most appealing to the masses too, and my thinking was that if we go out with the one most likely to sell to the most people then we stand a chance of the rest of them being green lit. Of course the time between the initial pitch and putting the DVD to market meant the boat had been missed and probably sunk. 

Apologies for the derailing, and feel free to bung all this in its own self indulgent Gary and Steve chat old work shit thread.

Network! I am considering it, and based a lot on becoming interested in the current product from hearing people chat on the Jericho and Austin podcasts. The one thing holding me back is the Raw and Smackdown airings. I'm not about to get Sky and now can I stay up in the early hours to watch them live, so if I get the Network I can see PPVs, but not the build up for them. Of course there's all the archive footage which is more than enough justification for me anyway, and NXT too, but the weekly TV problem irks me.

This was the first wrestling show I've watched all the way through for many years, and did so at the urging of StrongStyle Mark, who has been telling me about NXT for some time now. I watched the build up video for the main event on the WWE website last week and was drawn in immediately, and after watching a few matches at Mark's house at the weekend decided I'd watch this show. Aside from the aforementioned Sunday viewing, Rival was the first time I had seen any of these guys, and gals, perform, in spite of hearing the names of some like Pac for years.

I wasn't overly sold on the first few matches, and the tag match I didn't like at all. It just seemed to be a succession of moves with nothing linking them together and no story being told. At this point I was thinking NXT wasn't for me, then came Fin Balor. I was totally drawn into his character, right from his entrance and all the way through the match. Though both appeared to come in as babyfaces, he seemed to take on that role more in the match, with a heel turn from Neville seeming like a possibility more as the match went on. I was delighted Balor won and he's someone I definitely want to see again.

The women's match surprised the hell out of me in how physical it was, being used to the Divas division from some time ago as my only source of reference as to what to expect. I didn't have a favourite going in, not through the match, but I did like the finish. The bit afterwards seemed quite real, but knowing the story or personalties that could just be my ignorance.

Onto the main event and I wasn't sure who I wanted to win. Zayn is a very likeable babyface, but Owens' reasons for doing what he did or and wanting more for his family are not immediately hateable qualities. As the match went on I wanted Owens to win, because his dominance deserved more than having victory taken from him by a plucky roll up, as I feared might happen on one of the first powerbomb attempts. Great match and the right ending, which sets Owens up as a force to be reckoned with.

All in all I enjoyed it, but I did think they all looked quite small. As a big fan of wrestlers like Sid, Zeus, Vader, Warrior, Henry, Sapp etc., I like to see big huge guys that have you in awe just on their appearance alone - all of these guys could walk down the street and I wouldn't bat an eyelid. Maybe that's just me stuck in my old ways and having a Vince McMahon eye for the larger than life characters. But yeah, NXT, I'll be watching again next week.

That Legends DVD had a run of just 2,000 which all sold out and made a profit way before the sell off point. It took so long to get it released that almost everyone who wanted to see it had at that point.

The discussions we used to have with our own powers that be make WWE necrophilia angles seem like the result of logical and well advised booking meetings. Gary was far more restrained but I'd suffered years more of this idiocy and would often be taken to breaking point, and beyond.

I think the last time I wrote about wrestling for pleasure was the last RIM video review, and I got given Muta v Hogan. Someone was being kind that day. I'm in, and feeling in the mood for a Nishimura match.

Great idea Ricky, and you can count me in. I was wondering if a memorial show might happen, given what a huge presence he was on the UK scene, and on the women's scene worldwide. You look back to that ChickFight show in Great Yarmouth, and how pivotal it was. The talent on display and the people he met - so much came out of that weekend.

It was on this very forum that I met Stew, many moons ago. We shared a love of wrestling, rock music, comics, Star Wars and many other things. We marked out at seeing Great Muta in London, Shawn Michaels in Birmingham, Rebecca Knox in Ware, and the safety of the Holiday Inn in Liverpool. I have a particularly fond memory of driving to a ChickFight show in Great Yarmouth, where we both made mix CDs for the journey and met up with a whole bunch of other peeps at the show.

He was simply put the nicest guy you could ever hope to meet, and touched the lives of so many in such a positive way.

You'll be missed Stew, so much.

My first attempt at street photography this past Saturday. Even though I was on the other side of the road and pretending to take photos of the building behind them, she appears to have clocked me and doesn't look impressed!

I think the main news item there is that people still use Lords of Pain!

I still use it too, and the comments are hilarious.

The articles are not very well written and often what they post is not news at all, but it's a tough habit to break.

Back in the day I always used DDT Digest for my Nitro reports - fantastic site.

For some reason I've never been able to get into video games, aside from puzzle games like Tetris and Bejeweled. The one exception to that would be Mario kart which I used to play quite a bit on a friend's PS2. I've just recently bought F1 Race Stars which I played on Saturday and liked, but haven't played since and has been put away for an undetermined time. I also this past week bought Disney Universe and played for a bit, but I did find it a bit samey for the few levels I completed, with guide mode on!

I do like the idea of becoming immersed in the fantasy world of a video game, but at the same time I don't care enough, if that makes any sense? Like with this Disney game - being a big fan of Disney and it being fairly simple I thought it would be ideal. However after a few levels I found myself not having any motivation to go any further and I had no interest in defeating the bad guys or reaching the end. Stepping up to the challenge of completing a video game doesn't tickle my fancy, and maybe it never will?

Maybe it's because I'm playing the wrong games or I'm just not a gamer. Even the simple controls on the Disney game seemed complicated to me as a non gamer, so I can't imagine how I'd cope with one of the bigger more complex games. I'm not really sure why I just typed all this out - maybe I'm hoping someone will identify and say they felt the same until they played such and such game. More than likely it's just a 5 minute break away from work while I wait for the British Gas engineer to arrive, or maybe posting in the same thread as Black2 and pretending it's 1990s APWW was the real reason.

I found Y had a bit of an underwhelming climax but I did enjoy the journey.

The Boys on the other hand, aside from the odd occasion where it goes off at a tangent too heavily, was great all the way through and unlike Y had a great end.

I'm still loving Fables - need to get vol 18. I'm shocked it as been going this long and still maintained such a high quality - exceptional. Jack of Fables was equally great but i found the first Cinderella spin-off so disappointing I never bothered with the others.

Currently on volume 2 of Star Wars: Legacy and awaiting volume 4 of Morning Glories, both of which are great fun. Morning Glories has a bit of a Lost feel to it so far, and I can imagine it translating quite well to a TV show.

I'll believe it when I see at but at the moment I don't see that happening, not while Alonso is there. There is no way he'd agree to someone being his team mate who could actually challenge and beat him. Plus Vettel is on the verge of possibly winning his 3rd title in a row with Red Bull, a team who has also given him a car that has enabled him to rack up many pole positions and fastest laps too, something he cares a lot about. Unless Vettel has a burning desire to drive for Ferrari, that is stronger than his desire to win more championships, then I don't see this happening. Then again, Hamilton is off to Mercedes next year.

No, although MOJ recommended I do after tweeting about The West Wing last week. Looks like I have more boxsets to look out for once The West Wing is completed. I also have season 1 of Coach which I've been meaning to watch for years.

Almost a decade and a half behind the rest of the world I've started watching The West Wing, having owned the boxset for over 2 years. Almost finished season1 and I'm absolutely loving it. The collection of characters is fantastic and I can't imagine any of them leaving, though I did accidentally find out one does indeed leave soonish. I initially thought Sam was the main character, but then thought it was more Josh, but it really is more of an ensemble cast. I'm intrigued to see how they deal with 9/11 in a couple of seasons.

There are some great photos being posted in this thread. I've been on and off with DSLRs for the last 18 months and owned one 3 times, along with about 6 different compacts. My problem is that I really like macro photography and to get good results with a DSLR I need to invest in lenses and budget has never allowed me to that - having children does that! I can get good results with a compact but blown up you lose quality and you have to get close to a subject which will often scare said subject away. When Lucas is older I'll invest time and money propetly, for now I'll make do with what my Panasonic TZ10 can offer.

First half decent photo taken with my TZ10 - it was quite windy so I was lucky to get a brief moment of calm.

Ladybird Grub taken with a Panasonic FZ38.

Hoverfly just taking off. Taken with Panasonic FZ38

Lava of something or other! Only 1cm in size - the macro capabilities of the Panasonic FZ38 are pretty good for low res requirements.

Tree bug taken in black2's back garden with a Panasonic TZ8

Hoverfly taken with a Panasonic TZ8

The Book Depository - great website, often faster and cheaper than Amazon.

Whoops - just seen your edit! Enjoy, you have another fantastic 7 volumes after the one you have just found.

If I was looking to get into the whole World War Hulk story, what would be the best graphic novel to begin with?

 

I've seen the Planet Hulk book out there, and the World War hulk book as well, but was wondering if it's worth going back further than that?

I read Planet Hulk followed by World War Hulk and found they workded fine without much more of an extensive backstory. Both very good, though Planet Hulk is the better of the two.

Finished reading Batman: The Dark Knight Returns on Wednesday, despite buying 4 years ago! Fantastic, in every aspect - story and artwork were both top notch. I was all set to get Batman: The Dark Knight Strikes Again but then read some really damning reviews on Amazon. Has anyone read it and cam verify it's poor standard?

I have just started Powers: The Definitive Hardback Collection vol 1 which I have been trying to find for ages but nowhere seeemed to have it in stock, thank goodness for The Book Depository. Only read about 20 pages so far, but it seems pretty good and the kind of thing I'd like, which as it's written by Bendis is not surprising. In fact it was Bendis on Twitter talking about a new Powers series that made research and then order the original series. The publication itself is gorgeous with many 'extras'.

Last night I ordered Fables vol 12 and DMZ vol 7 from Forbidden Planet. It works out slightly more expensive than Amazon but they get the American stock so they have them a lot sooner, in fact Fables vol 12 is in stock already for them, which is fantastic news as it's my favourite series....ever!

Am I the only one watching True Blood? HBO, you crazy bastards, you've done it again.

 

When and where? Or is this torrent-only at the mo?

Started last Thursday on FX, maybe there will be a repeat before episode 2?

Cheers guys.

Only just started watching TNA again and wondering if someone can tell me when PPVs, like Sunday's Victory Road, are shown on Bravo, if at all. Thanks

All the chat about Track and Field made me dig my DS out last night to have another go. It still tickles me that they retained the original arcade music untouched.

I played a bit this morning and got PBs in the Long Jump, Pole Vault, 400m and Skeet Shotting - with a WR in the latter. I played with a new character for the first time, Kiko - she's quite the athlete.

My top 15 are mostly older games and you'll probably notice that they all have fairly simple controls - I'm no good when it comes to combos!

1. Tetris - Gameboy

Got a Gameboy with my Uni student loan, that alone makes me feel very old! I spent hours and hours and hours playing Tetris and it's one of only a handful that I was actually very good at. Something very satisfying about getting those 4 row block elminations. I also remember there was a different gameplay mode which ended, if successful, with a little band playing or a rocket going off - cute.

2. Lumines - PSP

The next generation of Tetris for me, with some great music, within the realms of a Lumines game anyway.

3. Mario Bros. - Game & Watch

I got this for passing my 11+ From what i remember there was a Mario Brother on either side of a bottle factory and you had to pass boxes of bottles from one conveyor belt to another on 3 different levels, ultimately having them loaded onto a trock. Bottle breaking lost a life and a panicked face from either Mario or Luigi! Simplistic by any standards of the last 25 years but utterly addictive at the time.

4. Track and Field - Arcade

10p could last you all afternoon - one reason I enjoyed going down to Torquay with my parents on a Sunday afternoon was the penny flipper and Track and Field. Once I managed to work out the angles on events such as the long jump and pole vault I became a demon at this. I recently bought a Nintendo DS so I could play Track and Field - I enjoyed it, but like most gaming machines I've owned in the last 15 years it's back in the cupboard after minimal use.

5. Streetfighter II - SNES

I could only play Ryu or Ken, effectively anyway. I also used neither to their full potential, but what I did know I used well and was pretty good. Countless hours were spent playing this with friends in the summer I finished school. While I was pretty good at the SNES version, I could never beat the Chinese kid in the arcade, but then nor could anyone else - he got to play Streetfighter II all summer and I swear he never had to put one coin in that machine!

6. Mario Kart - SNES

Possibly the game I am best at, and on most platforms, but this one gives me the greatest memories of playing with friends. Can be heartbreaking at times, like when you are heading for the finish line and you see a friend get a red shell, or when you are chasing a friend and all you get is a banana - though they could be used more effectively once I learned how to throw them rather than just drop them.

7. Breakout - ZX Spectrum 48K

The first computer game I ever became addicted to. When I was at school we had 2 48Ks and you'd put your name down to be able to take one home for the weekend. When it was my turn I took full advantage and played this to death.

8. Double Dragon - Arcade

I've always been a martial arts fan, and practtitioner at one point, so this game was right up my alley. It also wasn't too hard so I could get value for money down the arcade, when I took time away from Track and Field. They made a film about this many years later which was so bad I stopped half way through.

9. Mr Puniverse - Commodore Plus/4

I had to make the most of not getting a 64 like I'd asked for and this game was one of the best I found. It was a platform game with terrible graphics and I wasn't actually that good at it so I never progressed very far. This was a decade or so before the inernet and cheat sites, and no magazine was going to waste space publishing cheats for Plus/4 games - it's a sad tale really

10. Duck Hunt - NES

I don't remember which relative of mine had this, but as a kid I played this lots, but even more so when I went to university and we bought an old NES and would see what weird and wonderful positions we could take aim from - inside cupboards, upside down behind sofas - what wacky crazy students we were :0/

11. Everybody's Golf - PSP

A game that found myself quite good at, to my surprise. Probably because it's quite easy! The characters are fun and winning tournaments is always gratifying. There is one stage I got to where I could progress no further - I seem to remember a big valley and the tee on a plateau, but I could have made that up. One day I'll dig my PSP out and try to get past that point, maybe.

12. Star Wars Lego - PS3

I bought a PS3 predominantly for Blu-ray playback but bought a few games too. As a Star Wars geek this is about the only Star Wars game I've been able to progress in, probably because it's aimed at kids. The Lego and Star Wars universes blend brilliantly and I love the lego re-enactments are very funny - I especially like the Darth Maul death scene.

13. Disney Think Fast - PS2

Recently bought this to play with the wife, as we are both huge Disney fans and wanted a game we could play together. Lots of fun with the Genie from Aladdin as the perfect host. Only problem is I am no good at the fruit toos so she quite often beats me as that's the round with the biggest potential points haul.

14. Operation Wolf - Arcade

You get to hold an actual gun, well almost, and shoot people - who wouldn't love this? I remember having the Spectrum version but using the joystick wasn't quite the same.

15. California Games - Commodore 64

While I didn't have a C64 a friend did, in fact most of them did! California Games ate up many an afternoon whatever year it was that it came out. I was quite good at surfing but useless at hacky sack - kind of mirroring real life!