Former Extreme Rising Talents & Staff, Including Matt Hardy, Speak Out On the Promotion Shutting Down

By Nick Paglino

extreme rising​Earlier this week, Extreme Rising closed its doors after a streak of canceled shows. The closure was accompanied by a lot of angry fans claiming to have never received refunds for advanced ticket purchases on several shows. The only statement from the promotion or promoter, Steve O'Neill, was for them to contact their credit card companies for refunds.

WZ's Justin LaBar, who has a brief experience working with the promotion, offered his thoughts on the whole situation in his wrestling column on TribLIVE.com. LaBar's column initiated several talents who worked with Extreme Rising to contact WZ and offer their opinions.

An email sent from Axl Rotten:

Thank you for the insightful and truthful article about Extreme Rising. I can honestly say I've been fired by the best. That being Vince McMahon Ted Turner and Paul Heyman. I also can say I've been beguiled by the worst, Steve O'Neill. Thank you for a great and insightful piece. I personally know he is cost me thousands of dollars and I'm sure others more but the fans are the one in the end that are continuously hurt by unscrupulous wrestling promoters it's a sad story of our business.

Thank You,

Axl Rotten

@AxlRottenECW

An email sent from referee Troy Davis:

I worked directly with Steve O'Neil and I know him personally. There are many fans that paid hundreds of dollars and most likely will never get that money back. There are wrestlers that are owed money. Steve repeatedly stated that the boys and fans would get their money. Not only did these things not happen but the shows themselves didn't happen on at least 5 occasions! Instead of handling things he shuts down all communication and hides. If you think this is OK and you want to defend this man then your an asshat.

Troy

Matt Hardy noted the following on Twitter:

As we reported earlier this week, the current reigning Extreme Rising Champion, Luke Hawx, will be defending the Extreme Rising title at the upcoming Pro Wrestling Syndicate event on May 17th in Rahway, NJ. PWS' Eric Pleska has sent in the following statement regarding Extreme Rising:

"I liked Extreme Championship Wrestling. They created their own stars, took pride in their fans, booked matches that made sense, and were different in 1995. They were an alternative.

You know what's not creative or different? Promotions in 2014 that fail to create their own stars, have no regard for their fans, and aren't an alternative to anything because all they're doing is attempting to copy something that was done NINETEEN YEARS ago.

For me the irony of watching Extreme Rising fold again is that something that really hasn't happened since ECW will happen at Pro Wrestling Syndicate on May 17th as Extreme Rising's heavyweight champion Luke Hawx whom has just inked a deal with PWS will be defending The Extreme Rising belt against two time PWS Heavyweight Champion Devon Moore.  What will happen to the belt?  Will Hawx be victorious and continue to defend it? Will Moore win it and trash it?  Be there live on May 17th in Rahway NJ to find out, as well as see Jeff Jarrett battle Kevin Matthews, The Warlord's Full Nelson Challenge, and more including PWS stars Bonesaw, Starman, The Drunken Swashbuckler, The Lifeguard, and more. " – Eric Pleska , www.ProWrestlingSyndicate.com

Nick Paglino
Nick Paglino

Nick was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, and lived there until the age of 18, when he decided to pack his flack jacket and move to New York City.

Nick attended New York University and graduated in 2001 with a degree in Drama.

Nick first entered the internet wrestling community back in 2004 when he became the co-host of The Voice of Wrestling Radio Show. From there, Nick made the transition from radio personality to editor when he began working with WrestleZone in 2008.

Nick is a member of two Off-Broadway theatre companies, Another Urban Riff, and the Drama Desk Award winning Godlight Theatre Company. Nick has appeared in over a dozen Off-Broadway plays since he moved to New York City, and has shot several short and feature length films. In 2010, he completed principle photography on a film titled "How to Score Your Life," which also features TNA Knockout ODB.

Inspiration in his life has come from many people including his family, Woody Allen, Steven Spielberg, Jack Nicholson, The Beatles, and of course, Lassie.

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