The end of an era

[sh17]

I started here at SNW over a year ago. When I joined, I had started a brand new journey doing something I hadn't done in over two years. I embarked on this combining my passion of professional wrestling and creative writing. It was a fun time, getting back in the saddle. I met new people, I tested my own creativity, I started learning more about wrestling and e-fedding as a whole. Once I got hot, I got hot and my characters did pretty well for themselves. Pay per view main events, titles, Sportys, weddings, we did it all. It all culminated with Wrestlestock II, where the plan was to have the most kickass show imaginable and re-set the heights of what this company could accomplish. I knew my fate, because I saw what was in my rearview mirror and welcomed it. After writing and RPing constantly since I came here, I was burned out and hoped that a brief LOA would be able to cured what ailed me. I would come back with a revamped, fresh character with new ideas and things would operate as status normal.

Then, something happened. I came to write my RP(s) for 4 Up, and everytime I sat down to write one for whatever reason I couldn't. I'd sit there in front of a new post, and for whatever reason it'd be like I was staring at a brick wall. This was early on, so I said "OK, maybe I just need more time to plan." So I took about two-three days, and tried again. Nothing. It was like if I was a pitcher and I walked out onto the mound and I couldn't throw my fastball. It wasn't as fast, and I couldn't locate it. That's what it felt like, and it was humiliating to say the least. I had all these big plans, all these great expectations and I couldn't even write an RP. It was then I figured out that RPing here was not going to be how I contributed to this fed anymore. So I worked that out so where everything was cool and I dedicated myself to being a staff member and a match writer. Doing what I could to help the fed behind the scenes. That is what I hoped would be the case, because I wanted to still contribute something and help this fed.

However, I have done an extremely poor job of that as of late. I've put off writing my assignments, and caused shows to be late because of myself. I don't feel like any of my matches as of late have been up to the quality I am used too, and to me that is robbing the RPers here who work hard on their RPs. It is not fair to you that you work your asses off on RPing, and I just mail it in. So I put out the call for anyone who was curious about writing to come in, and learn to be a writer. We'd gladly teach you, critique, encourage, all that fun stuff. We needed a fresh idea, a fresh perspective, and just new blood. Vince stepped up to the plate, and he's done quite a great job with that. I'm very impressed by his progress, quick learning, and enthusiasm. He reminds me a lot of myself back in his position.

Which is very fitting, because I am writing this to announce my retirement/resigning from Sports Nutz Wrestling. I've come to realize that for whatever reason, I don't have whatever it is I used to have. I can't RP to my old Texas Championship standards, and my match writing has become more of a chore than a pleasure anymore. This proves to me that there is something wrong, and I can't figure out what's wrong. I do know that no LOA will fix it, because I had one and if anything that just seemed to make things worse. It's not doing me any good staying here in a position of power, and it's not doing good to you the people of SNW to have late shows and less than quality matches from me. You don't deserve that, and I don't want to drag the place down because of it.

Now, I still have admin powers as of right now so I'm taking some liberties and doing some last action before those are more than likely taken from me. As of now, Vincent Matthews is retired. His pic base will be retired, as I am adding it to the list after I finish penning this. Myke Rhines is no longer my character, I am signing him over to the company at large. He will be basically like an interviewer or a staff member, you can use him as he will. I'm sure he will be used well, especially with this election coming up. I have also promoted Vince, since he has gone above and beyond the call of duty and has shown me that he deserves it. He is now your #2 writer, and I have complete faith in him to do the things that he needs to for you. He is a talented young man, and I am sure he will do this job admirably.

I am not doing this with ease. This is something that I hope I would never have to do. This company is what gave me my first real start in e-fedding. I have had a lot of fun writing, talking, and being here. However, all good things must come to an end. I love this place too much to let myself, who is obviously not contributing like I need to be, try and drag it down. There is a lot of young talent here, and I think they will form the foundation of SNW for a long time. I hope so at least, because I think this place is in place to stick around for a long time. I'm saddened that I won't be apart of it, but it has become apparent to myself from myself that continuing here wouldn't be a good thing for myself or the fed. So I hope that you will remember me not for my lackluster 4 Up RP a couple of months ago, or the poor matches I have written since my return. But for the good RPs, the wildass matches and house shows, and all the fun times I had here. It's been a hell of a ride, and it's certainly one I'm not excited about getting off of.

Have a kickass summer, and fall, and all the rest of the seasons,
Sam AKA Shaggy

[Versus & Tiger]

Hey, man, I thank you for the promotion, I don't want to feel like I'm replacing you. I really wish you didn't have to leave, but what must be done must be done. Thanks for being here though, its gonna be different without you.

Bai

[Hollywood]

Anyway, this is one of those things that everyone at some point in life goes through, whether it's efeds or real life. Hopefully we'll see you make your return down the road.

Oh, and before anybody tries to blow the whistle and say "Hey, how come Shaggy said he doesn't have what it takes here in SNW, but is doing fine in THW?!" I was already aware of Shaggy being in THW... Hell, I was the one that told him about it and gave him my blessing for him to RP over there. His stuff there is up to par with his standards, whereas he feels his stuff here isn't up to par, so he's doing what he has to do, and he has my blessing to do so.

Angel and Vince, I'll be taking care of the Hardline Pool Party now, so don't wait on a PM from Shaggy due to his SNW retirement.

In the meantime, Vince and I will split duties with Onslaught, GNO, and Main Event. When PPVs come up, I'll post the list of matches and leave it open for people to choose which match(es) they want to write like over at APW. So needless to say, we are in good hands with Vince coming along, but would love for anybody else that can help write to help out.

In closing, I leave you with this bit of audio to totally cheapen this rather serious post.

Attachments:

[emokid]

What a huge blow. Shaggy, I gave you alot of crap during this time. I guarantee those gray hairs that you have on your head are from me, and I apologize. I'm gonna miss you, man. May God bless you in all you do.

[Versus & Tiger]

Jun 28, 2010 15:40:56 GMT -6 Hollywood said:

Anyway, this is one of those things that everyone at some point in life goes through, whether it's efeds or real life. Hopefully we'll see you make your return down the road.

Oh, and before anybody tries to blow the whistle and say "Hey, how come Shaggy said he doesn't have what it takes here in SNW, but is doing fine in THW?!" I was already aware of Shaggy being in THW... Hell, I was the one that told him about it and gave him my blessing for him to RP over there. His stuff there is up to par with his standards, whereas he feels his stuff here isn't up to par, so he's doing what he has to do, and he has my blessing to do so.

Angel and Vince, I'll be taking care of the Hardline Pool Party now, so don't wait on a PM from Shaggy due to his SNW retirement.

In the meantime, Vince and I will split duties with Onslaught, GNO, and Main Event. When PPVs come up, I'll post the list of matches and leave it open for people to choose which match(es) they want to write like over at APW. So needless to say, we are in good hands with Vince coming along, but would love for anybody else that can help write to help out.

In closing, I leave you with this bit of audio to totally cheapen this rather serious post.

Alright, the writing thing was what I was wondering about. I'm all for the fed, and I've already given myself more time to contribute here.

Here's to living on Sam's legacy.

[sh17]

Thank you for all the kind words, I really do appreciate this. And Vince, you aren't living in my legacy or trying to fill my shoes. That's not what you're doing at all. You and I have different styles, different mind sets, different everything. You will blaze your own trail, and I've got no doubt you will do a great job. With work, education, and innovation you will be a better writer than I ever was. This I know for sure.

[Versus & Tiger]

I don't know if I'll be better than you, but I will certainly try and deliver for the fed.

[Bubba JD]

i would like to start off by letting you know that i've got major respect for what you did for SNW, Shaggy. i, for one, will always appreciate what you've done for the fed. i can only hope that i can be half as good of a match writer/booker/fed boss as you have been.

will you still be hanging around? it would be a shame if you stopped visiting us around here.

also, i have to give you some serious props on your difficult decision. there are many fed bosses that don't know when to call it quits. i've seen many fed bosses start fed after fed, hoping that they'd finally see success. i've seen others continue, with their roster doing nothing more then "going through the motions".

for your sake, leaving was probably the best move. you've done more then most people would/could do.

[sh17]

Jun 28, 2010 20:34:01 GMT -6 Bubba JD said:

i would like to start off by letting you know that i've got major respect for what you did for SNW, Shaggy. i, for one, will always appreciate what you've done for the fed. i can only hope that i can be half as good of a match writer/booker/fed boss as you have been.

will you still be hanging around? it would be a shame if you stopped visiting us around here.

also, i have to give you some serious props on your difficult decision. there are many fed bosses that don't know when to call it quits. i've seen many fed bosses start fed after fed, hoping that they'd finally see success. i've seen others continue, with their roster doing nothing more then "going through the motions".

for your sake, leaving was probably the best move. you've done more then most people would/could do.

Nah, even though I'm not working, writing, and booking for you crazy bastards anymore(if I can steal from Paul Heyman) I'll still be around and such. I'll still be reading shows and RPs. I'll be like God, everpresent.

And as to your other comments, yeah you're right JD. Full disclosure here, I knew Summer Bash was roughly a month away, and just for the two matches I did for this week's show, I realized that I didn't have it in me. And Summer Bash is a huge show for us, outside of Wrestlestock some can argue it's our best show of the year. I knew how special that show was to me, its where I won my Texas Title. I didn't want to roll in here and turn in some shitpile matches, That wouldn't be fair to you guys, who for PPVs step it up and RP your asses off. It's not fair to anyone who reads these shows, and it wouldn't be fair to the other staff who work hard to get the show rolling. I saw the writing on the wall, and it's a lot like the veteran player on a football team stepping aside because there's a younger guy who needs the snaps more. Vince is going to need the writing experience, and me standing in his way from getting it isn't going to help him at all. This was the move that all parties needed.

[Chris Angel]

In my relatively short stint as an e-fedder I'd like to think that I've met many people over the years who were good promoters but when I think of an e-federation, only a handful stand out in my mind. To me, these guys are the epitome of what the business is. Without going on too long, some of them are Jonny Nash, Morgan Blackwell, Ryan Gateway, Jack Clinton. I'm even going to say Johnny Moxie and James Jackson.

These guys (there are others of course), strike me as being something truly great, because they're different. They're creative, unique. They bring passion and quality every single time they cut a promo. That, to me is what separates the good feds, from the great feds and SNW is definitely a great fed and I'll go so far as to say that you rank among those people in terms of passion and sheer ability.

Without taking any credit away from the rest of the staff that have made SNW what it is today, I can still safely say that everything we are right now is a testament to your stellar contributions.

As a novelist myself, I understand fully what you're going through. Writer's block and burn out are two very real and serious problems for a writer. It cripples you and leaves you feeling disgusted and miserable. My longest block lasted about 3 years and during that time, I was not myself. It's terrible because you have all these great ideas that are constantly evolving and getting more exciting in your head. You create vibrant characters that come alive but every time you put pen to paper, the words just don't flow. You get demoralized and eventually laziness and defeat seeps in. Most people can't understand what that feels like but I do.

But you need to know that no matter how bad a block is, or how burnt out you are, you can't let that affect you. Time heals all wounds and when your mind has rested itself sufficiently, trust me, you'd need to call plumbing because that pipe isn't turning off.

I would like to thank you for all the shows you've done and all the effort you've put in. I've always respected you as an e-fedder second, a writer first. In our profession, there are far too few people with that same level of passion that you posses. Give yourself time and you'll be bounce back. When I retired from e-fedding for the exact same reason as you, I had never intended or expected that I'd come back so many years later. But here I am.

And if there is one regret I have, it's that we never had our rematch. I for one would love to go up against Vincent Matthews with a dozen promos between ourselves to prove just who is the better man.

But who knows, maybe one day soon, we will.

This isn't the end of an era, instead, it is the beginning of something new and exciting for you.

It has been a pleasure mate and god bless and good luck.

Chris Angel

[Wench]

You gotta do whats best for you shaggy. Best of luck to you.