Ok, Ok – don’t hate me for slacking off with the launch of DieHard Pro Wrestling. I’ve had my hands full with a series of outside projects and to be honest, the wrestling business took a backseat.
Since the summer of 1992, I was active in this industry non-stop and after a while, I was looking at the big picture and realized – there was no big picture. I dedicated so much time and effort to a business that doesn’t give a rats ass about anybody in it. Between WWE and TNA, I looked at the product and asked myself – is this something I would be a fan of today? I still haven’t answered that question but have been heavily leaning towards – NO!
This isn’t the same wrestling I fell in love with in my childhood. Plus, I grew tired of hearing the same bullshit from the people I know in the business, and opened my eyes to see how miserable people involved in this business really are. People’s word in this business is worth spit and you can trust people about as far as you can throw your car. Sad to say, but it is what it is.
Just as I was enjoying my exile, I started getting contacted by people, and oddly enough, they all referred to me by the same name – DieHard.
That was the name I adopted so long ago when I broke into the business – DieHard Derek. At that time I was doing things that nobody had ever done before and it opened so many doors for me. This was way before the internet existed and a true hustler had to earn his stripes the old fashioned way. Who would have thought that in 2010, people would still be calling me DieHard? Everytime I heard it, I felt like Ben Kenobi telling Luke Skywalker – “Obi Wan Kenobi…Obi Wan Kenobi.. I have not gone by the name of Obi Wan Kenobi since, oh, before you were born…”
I was flattered to hear how much friends and fans loved and connected to the products I had produced. They loved the interaction. They loved the innovation. They loved DieHard. Not just as a character, but as a character who gave them the chance to come along for the ride.
When I started DieHard Pro Wrestling, I had always thought of it as my own personal museum for the work I’ve done. I never thought anybody would remember or care about who I was or what I did. But then the messages started coming in, and it sparked something in me. Like Rocky Balboa said, “I feel like I still have some stuff left in the basement”.
I never once thought to check any of my wrestling related email boxes. I never thought anybody would care to contact me unless I could offer them a booking or a payday. And the truth is – most of the wrestlers, managers, promoters, etc. still don’t contact me for anything. – probably because I have nothing to offer them. But the box wasn’t empty. It was full of messages from fans asking me what I’ve been up to, where am I going next and my thoughts on the business today. I never thought my vote counted until now.
I was humbled when I was told how “different” and “fan friendly” I was. I was touched by the memories fans had of my old show”…And Justice For Brawl”, as they would recall and tell me about their favorite episodes. I was proud to hear from fans who attended the shows I booked and promoted with my dear friend Billy Firehawk, and how they wish I would come back and do more shows. And I was moved when I got a few calls and emails saying they had some ideas and I was one of the first people they thought of to get involved.
For over 15 years in this business, I worked hard and thought I had nothing left to show for it. I thought because I wasn’t working full time for the WWE or TNA, it had a been a waste of time and effort. I didn’t really realize the privilege I had of entertaining you fans by sharing my creative passion and how much it was appreciated. And because of that, DieHard might have one more fight left in him!
I’ve never been a big fan of blogs, but it seems the fans are interested in my “rants”. They remember the cheap pops I’d get when I scream “Can You Dig It”. Those rants died 10 years ago at Pseudo.com – but I think I have the magic to bring them back from the dead. I have a few ideas that I’ve been working on. Unfortunately I can’t put in the 100% time commitment that I use to because life’s caught up to me, but there’ll be enough for you to enjoy.
Through this site, I’m going to work on new content -including videos, interviews, DVD’s, commentaries, photos, etc. – and will communicate with fans through a series of blogs entitled, “Can You Dig It”. I’ll share my thoughts on wrestling then and now, offer my personal opinions and critiques as a “creative writer”, tell some stories and answer questions you submit. All you have to do is email me at diehardderek at diehardprowrestling.com.
Times are different now. Most of my contacts at WWE probably don’t work there anymore, and Jeff Jarrett and Vince Russo haven’t returned my phone calls in 2 years. I’m Mr. Solo Dolo now. I’m just gonna call it how I see it, cause I’ve got nothing to lose. DieHard’s not following no footsteps…He’s making his own!
DieHard Pro Wrestling is for all my fans – old and new. And for my kids, who never got to see DieHard in his prime!
Can you Dig It!?!
Annie Social
Becky Bayless
Candice Michelle
Daffney
Dawn Marie
Lacey Von Erich
Madison Rayne
Malia Hosaka
SoCal Val
Velvet Sky
Ashley Massaro Fansite
Christy Hemme Fansite
Tracy Brooks Fansite
Diamond Dallas Page
The Chronicles of DieHard: Can You Dig It!?!
Ok, Ok – don’t hate me for slacking off with the launch of DieHard Pro Wrestling. I’ve had my hands full with a series of outside projects and to be honest, the wrestling business took a backseat.
Since the summer of 1992, I was active in this industry non-stop and after a while, I was looking at the big picture and realized – there was no big picture. I dedicated so much time and effort to a business that doesn’t give a rats ass about anybody in it. Between WWE and TNA, I looked at the product and asked myself – is this something I would be a fan of today? I still haven’t answered that question but have been heavily leaning towards – NO!
This isn’t the same wrestling I fell in love with in my childhood. Plus, I grew tired of hearing the same bullshit from the people I know in the business, and opened my eyes to see how miserable people involved in this business really are. People’s word in this business is worth spit and you can trust people about as far as you can throw your car. Sad to say, but it is what it is.
Just as I was enjoying my exile, I started getting contacted by people, and oddly enough, they all referred to me by the same name – DieHard.
That was the name I adopted so long ago when I broke into the business – DieHard Derek. At that time I was doing things that nobody had ever done before and it opened so many doors for me. This was way before the internet existed and a true hustler had to earn his stripes the old fashioned way. Who would have thought that in 2010, people would still be calling me DieHard? Everytime I heard it, I felt like Ben Kenobi telling Luke Skywalker – “Obi Wan Kenobi…Obi Wan Kenobi.. I have not gone by the name of Obi Wan Kenobi since, oh, before you were born…”
I was flattered to hear how much friends and fans loved and connected to the products I had produced. They loved the interaction. They loved the innovation. They loved DieHard. Not just as a character, but as a character who gave them the chance to come along for the ride.
When I started DieHard Pro Wrestling, I had always thought of it as my own personal museum for the work I’ve done. I never thought anybody would remember or care about who I was or what I did. But then the messages started coming in, and it sparked something in me. Like Rocky Balboa said, “I feel like I still have some stuff left in the basement”.
I never once thought to check any of my wrestling related email boxes. I never thought anybody would care to contact me unless I could offer them a booking or a payday. And the truth is – most of the wrestlers, managers, promoters, etc. still don’t contact me for anything. – probably because I have nothing to offer them. But the box wasn’t empty. It was full of messages from fans asking me what I’ve been up to, where am I going next and my thoughts on the business today. I never thought my vote counted until now.
I was humbled when I was told how “different” and “fan friendly” I was. I was touched by the memories fans had of my old show”…And Justice For Brawl”, as they would recall and tell me about their favorite episodes. I was proud to hear from fans who attended the shows I booked and promoted with my dear friend Billy Firehawk, and how they wish I would come back and do more shows. And I was moved when I got a few calls and emails saying they had some ideas and I was one of the first people they thought of to get involved.
For over 15 years in this business, I worked hard and thought I had nothing left to show for it. I thought because I wasn’t working full time for the WWE or TNA, it had a been a waste of time and effort. I didn’t really realize the privilege I had of entertaining you fans by sharing my creative passion and how much it was appreciated. And because of that, DieHard might have one more fight left in him!
I’ve never been a big fan of blogs, but it seems the fans are interested in my “rants”. They remember the cheap pops I’d get when I scream “Can You Dig It”. Those rants died 10 years ago at Pseudo.com – but I think I have the magic to bring them back from the dead. I have a few ideas that I’ve been working on. Unfortunately I can’t put in the 100% time commitment that I use to because life’s caught up to me, but there’ll be enough for you to enjoy.
Through this site, I’m going to work on new content -including videos, interviews, DVD’s, commentaries, photos, etc. – and will communicate with fans through a series of blogs entitled, “Can You Dig It”. I’ll share my thoughts on wrestling then and now, offer my personal opinions and critiques as a “creative writer”, tell some stories and answer questions you submit. All you have to do is email me at diehardderek at diehardprowrestling.com.
Times are different now. Most of my contacts at WWE probably don’t work there anymore, and Jeff Jarrett and Vince Russo haven’t returned my phone calls in 2 years. I’m Mr. Solo Dolo now. I’m just gonna call it how I see it, cause I’ve got nothing to lose. DieHard’s not following no footsteps…He’s making his own!
DieHard Pro Wrestling is for all my fans – old and new. And for my kids, who never got to see DieHard in his prime!
Can you Dig It!?!