To follow-up on
our report yesterday about
Impact Wrestling stealing the
Crimson gimmick, I was contacted yesterday by independent worker
CK3 who portrayed the "Joker" from Batman under the name. This of course is a gimmick that
Sting is now using on TV. Obviously CK3 is upset that not only did they swipe the name but also a character he has used on the independent circuit for years.
CK3 sent us the following comments:
I have been doing the character for almost two years on Pro Wrestling Ohio TV on Sports Time Ohio.
He also enclosed a letter he sent to
Dixie Carter which you can read below:
Dear Mrs. Carter
My name is Justin T. Carnes, I was trained by Scott D'Amore along with Alex Shelley, Petey Williams, and Chris Sabin. I have been working for almost 11 years, nine of those as Conrad Kennedy III (CK3), and for the last two years I have been working as "Krimson," in the states and in the UK, a character based off the Joker. I have been sending promos to TNA since I started doing the character, and last September, when I was on the road with Rhino, who is one of my best friends, D-Lo Brown approached me at the show in Windsor and told me he wanted to bring me in for a try-out as "Krimson, the Joker character." I went again on Rhino's last loop with the company, and was told by D-Lo to keep sending promos, the more I send, the more he could pass on to creative, and the better my chances of getting a job. So I did.
In January, I learned from one of my promoter's in the UK that TNA had taken my name, "Crimson." I was obviously upset by this. Tommy Dreamer, another friend, called me and told me that although it's upsetting, think of a different name, at least it's not your character. So I did just that. I continued to send promos under a different name, "Villain." A few weeks ago I even received an email from D-Lo praising them and told me he has sent all my stuff to creative, and will let me know. Now, I see Sting doing a character eerily similar to the promos I have sent.
I realize TNA has promised me nothing, but I feel though, that the appearance of the new "Joker-Sting" character, years after the film debuted, and after a year of me sending promos, is more than mere coincidence. Now I am faced with the problem of trying to find bookings throughout the states, Canada and Europe, and potential promoters, taking a look at my work and saying, "You have TNA's 'Crimson's' name and Sting's Character. No thanks."
I'm quite certain that you were unaware of this happening, and truthfully, I don't know if anything can be done. I feel though, that the manner in which I was handled on TNA's part was nothing less than unprofessional and appalling. I would have much preferred a "creative has nothing for you" than encouragement to keep sending in my work, just to see them steal my name and gimmick, and to watch Sting doing essentially the same character on TV. Furthermore, instead of injecting a fresh and undiscovered face into your product who writes his own promos, and is more than willing to go on the road full time with an established company, your writers see fit instead to giving the character to an already established star such as Sting, who is in the twilight of his career and does not even work house shows?
In conclusion, I thank you for your time in reading this. I have included all the promos I have sent D-Lo both as Krimson and as Villain. I invite you to watch them and I feel you will see why I am upset by this situation. I have always wanted an opportunity to be a part of the TNA family, as I feel I have a lot to offer the company. I'm sure your creative team would agree. At the behest of my Attorney, I will also be sending you a certified letter with a disc of the promos and a copy of the emails from D-Lo as well."
Sincerely
Justin T. Carnes
