IAPW Folks & Things We Enjoyed 2k22, Part 2
Last year we thought it would be a great idea to pay things forward and bring some eyes over to the people in wrestling and our lives in general, who are doing cool things and maybe get some more eyes on those people. So we created a Holiday Buyers Guide for 2k21. Well things happened, as they always seem to do, and we did not get this out in time. So instead of the shopping guide, Doug and I are just going to give you some names of some folks and companies we think you should keep an eye out for. These are folks that we not only have enjoyed, but also think do the right thing by everyone involved in professional wrestling. In part 1 we covered wrestlers and promotions that we felt fit the bill. Now in part 2, we are focusing on those good folk who work outside the ring, and support the professional wrestling culture in a positive way. If you’re interested in other things we enjoyed this year check this out.
Wrestling Adjacent Folks:
Podcasts:
Yup, we have a podcast that every now and then gets done (planning on changing that soon), and we appreciate you listening when you can. However, these are a few other wrestling podcasts that we listen to when we can. Enjoy.
Marty & Sarah Love Wrestling
Some of our favorite wrestling buddies. Both Marty and Sarah have the absolute best perspective on professional wrestling for all of us who love it. Though they are currently on a hiatus, they are one of the few wrestling podcasts that you can listen to their back catalog and be highly entertained. We hope the best for both Marty and Sarah.
We Watch Wrestling-
Matt and Vince are two lifelong wrestling fans, and comedians who have a great eye on up and coming talent in the indies, West Coast professional wrestling scene, NJPW, AEW, WWE and much more.
Old School Wrestling Review (OSW Review)-
Jay, V1, and Mr. OOC is one of the main reasons why I came back to pro wrestling. Their many wrestling story arcs ranging from WWF Hulkamania to 2007 TNA are all incredibly entertaining. High caliber content and production.
Photographers:
Ringside and backstage wrestling photographers are essential to professional wrestling. From their presence at the shows making each match a greater spectacle, to being able to capture the art of a moving performance in a single shot is amazing. These are a couple of photographers that we really feel have the ability to capture everything great about professional wrestling.
Michael Watson aka BRAINBUSTER
Ringside and locker room photographer, intimate portraits of wrestlers from all over the world. Seriously, this is some of the coolest photography in all of wrestling, each picture has so much emotion behind it. Also, his new merch line is amazing!
Hidden Vision Photography
Hidden Vision is a local artist, and has been the primary photographer for Lucha Libre and Laughs for quite awhile now. They have an uncanny ability to not only put a part of the action, but also use the unique quirks of The O to make really interesting and beautiful shots.
Wrestling Merchandise:
Sure go ahead and purchase something from AEW Shop, WWE ShopZone, IMPACT Warehouse, Pro Wrestling Sell Your Credit Card Info, or some insane right wing shirt guy. But for us this is where some of our money has been going.
STASHPAGES
Stashpages specializes in vintage, hard to find, lucha, and japanese merchandise. Some of it is produced, some if it is imported, some of it is collected. Either way the merchandise in general is one of a kind and perfect for those into wrestling nostalgia or eccentric merchandise.
Stiff Blade Apparel Co.
Stiff Blade is an apparel company that sponsors independent wrestlers (some of which I mentioned above). Their design team is next level as far as vision is concerned, as these are not your run of the mill PWT draw something and get it out design. They definitely have a cyberpunk meets near apocalypse aesthetic that is very different and interesting when it comes to wrestling wear.
Non-Wrestling?!:
Did you know that there are things outside of wrestling that can be thought provoking, and also entertaining? Well my friend, let me tell you there is! See one thing about wrestling, like all art, it is a reflection of current cultural movement and thought. Sure sometimes it’s about two years behind, but not necessarily all the time. So here are some things that I have enjoyed over the last year that you may be interested in moving forward, you know in case you want to take a wrestling break.
Music:
GOD’S HATE
Hey you know Brody King, the big huge scary guy in House of Black? Well he has a hardcore band that seriously wants nothing but violence, pure unadulterated violence. Doug, who is afraid of almost all music that is not pop-country, even likes it, he texted me about it.
Books:
I am not including links to these books because I would prefer if you could find them either at your library, or a small mom and pop bookstore. Anyhow these are just a few of the books that I really enjoyed last year, and ah heck you just might learn something, and you just may learn something to boot!
The Death of WCW– by R.D. Reynolds and Bryan Alvarez
Damnit, it’s a wrestling book, and I said no wrestling, oh well. This is seriously a pretty well written tale of the rise and collapse of WCW. Minus the constant ratings report for each Nitro and Thunder it keeps you pretty interested in the goings on of one of the biggest promotions ever.
Chaos– by Tom O’Neil
In 1999 Tom O’Neil was given an assignment for a now dead entertainment magazine about the 30 year anniversary of the Manson Family Murders. The assignment turned into a life’s mission for O’Neil to attempt to find out what really happened at 10050 Cielo Drive, and why. T
It Came from Something Awful by Dale Beran
The rise of the alt-right, incels, Q, Anonymous, 4 Chan, memes as we know them, and many more true “internet” incarnations that have plagued the United States, and even the world for the last 10 years all come from somewhere. Dale Beran presents his theory on the rise of internet culture running wild, all from the site Something Awful.
The Jakarta Method– by Vincent Bevins
When speaking about the Cold War, the average American can give you the basic synopsis of America winning, and Russia losing, and Americans were afraid of being blown up by atomic warheads. However there is much more to the story, and The Jakarta Method looks at how the Cold War, and specifically the United States of America interfered with parts of the Global South, and in particular Indonesia, and Brazil.
Catching the Big Fish– by David Lynch
This book is short, simple and absolutely splendid. Lynch opens up his mind a little bit to see how the madman thinks. It is incredibly positive, yet real. If you are looking to get inspired and have a couple hours read this book.
