Independent Wrestling Alliance

[berrysi]

Independent Wrestling Alliance

Owners Meeting
Local Bar, Broad Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Friday, 1st July, 1988

[Herb Abrams - Joel Goodhart - Tod Gordon] ​

[Gordon] - "Everything seems to be on schedule for the 16th, we just need to discuss what we're going to do with Jim Crockett's affiliation offer, I mean I'm all for going alone but making a possible enemy out of the NWA by turning him down, its going to give us an unnecessary disadvantage from the get go."

[Goodhart] - "The NWA isn't exactly in a stable position at the moment anyway Tod, plus we've got loads of local wrestlers willing to go that extra mile for us, I highly doubt that'll be the case with alot of big names."

[Abrams] - "Look guys, we didn't decide to call our promotion Independent Wrestling Alliance for nothing, did we. You just need to stop worrying Tod, Crockett is a little creep, he is out for himself and its affecting his talent, some guys down there aren't happy, so lets just do our own thing and everything will work out nicely, trust me, we need to create our own identity."

[Gordon] - "Okay Herb, I'm just worried you know, because of the money I'm investing, I've got nearly double the amount of money than you locked into this, so forgive me for being a touch on the nervous side. Anyway, have you heard back from Brody yet?"

[Abrams] - "Calm down now Todd, yeah, you've put the most money in, but do you really need to bring it up every five minutes. As for Frank, yeah, he phoned late Wednesday night, he said he's due back in Puerto Rico next weekend, although he's been having some issues with one of the bookers down there, so isn't sure if he'll be going. Whatever the score there though he said he'd be okay for either the debut show or week after, so looks like we can kick off the feud with Kerry however we want."

[Goodhart] - "I know Kerry is a great wrestler and a good guy to boot, but maybe we should consider putting the title on someone more local. I mean Kerry is an outsider, sure fans will like him cause they know of him and will cheer him over Brody, but they won't have that connection like he has back in Texas. Don't get me wrong, I'm not against bringing in these wrestlers, I'm a huge fan at the end of the day, but we need to build someone up as the local promotion hero so to speak, give the fans someone to connect with."

[Gordon] - "Thats all well and good Joel but the bottom line is will they draw now, will they make us money now, we need to hit the ground running else we won't be in the business for long."

[Abrams] - "Joel Tod's half right, we need to hit home runs early, but that doesn't mean we can't look into building stars through the under card, they will get their chance and if we introduce a lower level title they can be the focus of that. As for giving the fans someone to connect with, I'm sure they will connect with Kerry, he'll be the first ever IWA World Heavyweight champion after winning the title in a tough brawling battling royal and then he'll get attacked by Brody on the second show, its all about booking it right and Brody is a beast, I'm sure it'll be great, these guys know how to work Joel."

[Gordon] - "You'll have to work over the rest of the booking plans together, I've got to go now, meeting with someone from WTXF-TV to go over some final details, nothing major, just loose ends and technical stuff. Oh, before I forget Herb, I was put in contact with Brian Blair the other day, you know one half of The Killer Bees from WWF. Well he is still under contract but is looking to see what booking he could get if he were to leave, apparently Vince hasn't pushed through with a promise of becoming tag team champs. I said I'd see if we need anyone, so could you give him a call one way or another, he did say though that Jim wasn't looking to leave, so its not a tag team deal."

[Abrams] - "Hell yeah I'll call him, Brian's a talented guy Tod and we could even use him as a placeholder feud for Kerry whenever Brody or Stan aren't available. I'll give him the go ahead to leave, he could be a real assist for IWA, trust me."​

==============================​

 

[KF4E]

Berrysi I know you from somewhere else, and I know you're very into the indy scene. I'm more of a mainstream guy to be honest, but I still enjoy some BTB fiction, so expect me to be tuning in.

All looks good so far, I see you've gone for the less normal approach of meetings and stuff. That's good and I can't wait for the next one.

 

[McLovin]

Looks really interesting, haven't watched much Indy Wrestling so I won't be able to spot if your wrestlers are in character or not, but I'm still interested. Good layout.

 

[berrysi]

Independent Wrestling Alliance

Phone Call
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Wednesday, 6th July, 1988

[Herb Abrams - Joel Goodhart] ​

[Goodhart] - "Hi Herb, just calling to see how things went with Brian, will he be available for the debut show?"

[Abrams] - "It doesn't look likely, WWF aren't best pleased with the idea of splitting the Bees up and are demanding he fulfills his commitments for the rest of the month. He still wants out though and is willing to walk, he is pretty pissed at Vince."

[Goodhart] - "You think it'd be a good idea for us to align with someone Vince will be angry at? Doesn't sound wise if you ask me, we have plenty of local talent ready to go."

[Abrams] - "Joel, Joel, Joel..... I'm on board with using local talent but we need names and experienced wrestlers to really get IWA off the ground, sure invite these kids along, but we can't simply throw them out there and on TV until they are really ready, or sell tickets for that matter."

[Goodhart] - "I suppose, I just want our fans to have their own group of wrestlers to cheer and watch progress. We need some extras for the battle royal though right?"

[Abrams] - "Yeah we can throw them in that match, Brody and Kerry will need some bodies to eliminate. Oh, I need a big favour, when I spoke to Brian about coming in he recommended a couple of friends from Florida, I need you to put them up for a couple of weeks."

[Goodhart] - "What?! Who are they?"

[Abrams] - "Howard Brody and Chris Cohen, first guy has been used down there as a photographer and the other is an expect in videography, whatever that means, but regardless they may prove to be useful. Best thing about them is they are proper fans of the business, so aren't looking for huge pay days, more the experience of being involved."

[Goodhart] - "Fair enough but only for a couple of weeks right, just till they find somewhere to rent. You hear about Keith?"

[Abrams] - "Keith who?"

[Goodhart] - "Keith Franke, as in Adrian Adonis? He and a couple of other wrestlers died Monday night in a crash, drove into a lake after avoiding a moose or something, sad stuff."

[Abrams] - "Man thats bad news, I heard he was recovering well from his ankle injury, such is life. Back on the Brian note, I told him to film some type of baby face promo, that way we can include him on the debut show without being in the dog house, once he finishes up proper he'll come in, so expect a tape arriving someday soon."

[Goodhart] - "Baby face promo? I thought we mentioned him feuding with Kerry when Brody or Stan aren't around."

[Abrams] - "Yeah I did, but I think it'll be better to start him off as a face, even up the numbers with Kerry, they can main event a few shows as a team against Brody and Stan, then when the time is right, he can turn on Kerry, simple. Anyway I gotta go man, I'm meeting up with someone to see what sort of shape he's in, I'd tell you who but you'll just insist he isn't local enough, I'll see you at the weekend."​

==============================​

 

[berrysi]

Independent Wrestling Alliance

Owners Meeting
Local Bar, Broad Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Saturday, 9th July, 1988

[Herb Abrams - Joel Goodhart - Tod Gordon] ​

[Gordon] - "I spoke to Jim Crockett about his offer, I told him we weren't interested in being part of the NWA at this point in time and baring in mind we were declining his advances, he seemed okay. We've just got to hope he doesn't take it too personally."

[Abrams] - "At this point in time? Aghh Tod..... you should have just said no thanks and left it there, you made it seem like we might want to take him up on the offer in the future, that isn't the case, right."

[Gordon] - "Of course we don't, but we can't afford to burn any bridges now, who knows what the future holds."

[Goodhart] - "It just sounds like something people say without meaning it Herb, don't worry about it."

[Abrams] - "Fair enough, onto other matters, firstly, Abdullah The Butcher is forking his way around Japan for the next couple of months, so he is a no for the foreseeable future. Secondly, both Sika and Snuka have confirmed they're availability and they particularly like the possibility of working together, weather that be in a program against each other or in a team."

[Goodhart] - "Sounds good, I also had a bit of good news, or interesting news at least. I spoke with that Howard Brody guy you said needed a place to stay, they'll be arriving on Monday by the way. He seems to have a few contacts in Florida, he said he's fairly close with Lawrence Simon, aka Boris Malenko, well his sons Dean and Joe are wrestling in Florida as a team at the moment and reckons they're a can't miss, very technically sound workers who are looking for more options outside of the Southeast, thoughts?"

[Gordon] - "If he can get them along on the cheap, we could do with some teams for a few non televised bouts."

[Abrams] - "Yeah, I heard some good things about them when I was down with Howard last, so I'll sort it out, as we do need some variety on roster and tag teams for that matter. On that note, I know we were going to use that Mick Foley kid on his own but on reflection I really think he could do with working in a team with someone more experienced. I've someone local in mind, Damien Kane, but gotta see if he's is available."

[Goodhart] - "Finally some local love, just kidding. I've seen Damien wrestle a few shows in New England, very underrated, the guy just has that mad intense look about him, should fit well with Mick."

[Gordon] - "Not sure if they will mesh well with the Malenko boys though, seems like two very different styles, maybe we should look to bring in a couple of other teams to feud these guys with, hell The Sheepherders aren't doing much I hear, can't get more intense and mad than them crazy Kiwis."

[Abrams] - "Fair point, very different styles, but thats what we need, options and sometimes the most unlikely of styles can just click, lets throw them out early doors and see how the crowd reacts, no harm, thats what pre-TV show bouts are for, see how they turn out. Oh and good call on Luke and Butch, maybe your only use isn't just putting the most money into IWA, ha ha ha."

[Gordon] - "Yeah, yeah, very funny. Before I forget, I'm meeting with a local guy who prints T-Shirts, a friend of a friend, not looking into anything fancy, just plain T-Shirts with the IWA logo on front. What do you guys think? Is it worth it yet or should we wait a month or so first?"

[Goodhart] - "I like the idea of shirts with IWA on but I dunno, how about you get a few printed off, we can hand them out to the staff and then just see if the fans ask about them, no point in wasting money as you say."

[Abrams] - "Joel's spot on, get some printed off, a sample or trial type deal from him if you will, use your business skills Tod. On the point of saving money, I had an idea which could save us some, plus time and effort, basically I thought it might work if me and Joel worked as the announce team, I mean who better to get points across to the audience at home than the people who know exactly what points we want them to know."

[Gordon] - "You serious Herb? Thats one hell of a risk, I mean I know I'm a stickler for saving money, but you guys have no experience at it at all."

[Goodhart] - "I'm with Tod, you know I'd love to be involved like that but I'm not sure I could pull it off. I think I'm more suited to behind the curtain stuff, its such an important role....."

[Abrams] - "Come on Joel, have some faith in yourself, this is our promotion, our dream, lets live it out fully and get in the thick of things. You'll be fine at it, but if your not sure lets get together and work on a few things, just trust me guys, it'll work."​

==============================​

 

[berrysi]

Independent Wrestling Alliance

Phone Call
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Wednesday, 13th July, 1988

[Herb Abrams - Tod Gordon] ​

[Gordon] - "Hey Herb, what's up? Nothing wrong I hope."

[Abrams] - "Oh no, just the opposite Tod. Look, I know we set out a wage structure and budget for our first year in the business, but something has come up, we need to go over it, trust me."

[Gordon] - "Herb..... we said we simply can't, its too much of a risk, regardless of who its for. On that note, who is it?"

[Abrams] - "This risk could reward us greatly though. Over the weekend Vince fired Jake "The Snake" Roberts, apparently there was some type of showdown argument between the two about something, one thing led to another and now, well he is now the biggest free agent around. He doesn't have much love for Crockett and this could be our chance to really gain some publicity, not to mention one of the best workers in the business."

[Gordon] - "I understand all that, its just something we said we wouldn't do, it could cost us in the long run. How much over the budget?"

[Abrams] - "Its not hugely over, a couple of thousand dollars and if we can assure him that we won't step in his way of outside booking in Japan and such then he'll sign. Can you imagine Jake sliding into the ring on Saturday after Kerry has won the title only to receive a DDT, it'll be huge!"

[Gordon] - "What about Brody, he and Kerry were set to feud, we can't just change things this late in the day."

[Abrams] - "Of course we can, its our promotion and it'll be okay, I'll sort out something for Brody, if anything it'll be good to save that program for later in the year. If its all about the money I can ask around a few guys, try and get someone extra on board as an investor."

[Gordon] - "No, no. No need to do that, lets do the deal with Jake, but don't guarantee him too many dates, if the ratings and attendances aren't boosted from what we've predicted by this then we could be in trouble, yeah its just a couple of thousand, but business is business, we need to keep our house in order Herb. Looks like you and Joel definately have the announcers jobs, I might have to be the ring announcer or something at this rate. Anyway get it done and whatever you do, speak to Frank, we don't want to piss Bruiser off."

[Abrams] - "I'm on it Tod, trust me, it'll be fine."​

==============================​

 

[Beer]

This is, I have to admit, getting quite interesting. Looking forward to reading more.

 

[Evil Austin]

looks good an interesting way to start your BTB - I mean no roster no clear anything at the moment but this is quite intersting first few posts Ill be reading more good job. :thumbsup:

 

[The Rated R CMStar]

It's an amazing start. You're saving everytime and you are just creating big time for your BTB, which imo is working. Great..let's call it backstory. I can't wait to read more of it.


Check out BTW Show, show and preview for next show have been posted