Gladiator - True or False

[ddevoto]

I had just written this letter to a friend who does tournaments regarding my thoughts on promotions. I wouldn't normally post it but thought I would give some of you my thoughts on past disasters and preventative measures, which can keep us safe.

I am concerned regarding the Gladiator thing and your getting involved or for that fact any of our friends. I would post this but it would be taken as a competitive thing and it's not.

Several times over the years these types of “promoters” or possibly “con men” have approached me with this approach. Their ideas sound great. The problem is some of them take the money and run. Once I had them put the prize money in a joint account with me for security. He said he was going to lose money and cancelled before the event. I paid everyone for his or her cancelled tickets etc. from his account. Another had $50,000 prize money and a new ford pickup. I said I wanted the money in a joint account and a copy of the letter from Ford. Nothing ever happened. Unless you are willing to take the chance or take the lead and see the letters from Pepsi and Hummer etc. then why take the chance to look like you are part of the scheme. I have done many hundred of tournaments over the years and would not risk my reputation without the confirmed financial responsibility and contractual proof.

Look at the Niagara thing and the Universal studio situation. NO PAY. Who gets burned? The pullers and supporters of the event who didn't do their homework. My suggestion to you is ask for the Hummer commitment letter. If that is BS then everything is BS. He is hoping to get a ton of money from the entrants and then what? Why are they doing this? Love of the sport?

Dave

[CHRISTIAN BINNIE]

[Sol "Arm and Hammer"Ingram]

Thanks Dave...
We are listening to you..

[Jay Carlisle]

Thanks for your comments, Dave. I have always respected your opinions and devotion to the sport. It's true that many persons have talked the talk, but to date no one has walked the walk - and I mean no one. Not one armsport organization has done this. Not one. All of the different promotors are too busy "Fighting for the scraps of Longshanks table" to pull together to do an event of this caliber. Sorry, but that's the truth. If you're going to come on-line and call me a con-man, then the gloves are off. I am not starting trouble, I speak the truth as I know it and I am in this promotion hook, line, and sinker. I am not the backer of this event, but it is my name out as director. If Nick put anyone's nose out of joint, it was not because he did not think that your opinions did not matter. The facts are rather simple. When he talked to different people about this event everyone kept telling him why it could not be done. He was not asking for advice nor seeking it. He was interviewing for a tournament director and a promotor who said not only could it be done, but that they could do it. I love this sport. I have spent years and thousands of my own dollars promoting it. Many of you may be saying "I never heard of this Jay guy". So what? I've never heard of most of you. I had been wrestling for nine years, before I heard of you. The largest armsports guy in the business and in my small town in New Mexico (I now reside in MI) only two states away and I never heard of you. With this kind of publicity it's no wonder BALLROOM DANCING made it to the Olympics before we did. BALLROOM DANCING? This is why I have never joined on with any armsport organization. Everyone is too busy telling us(armwrestlers) why their way is the best way. Everyone is too busy worrying about their little piece of the pie to give us a full course meal. I have heard the buzz that $275 entry fee is too much, yet know that they lined up like lambs to pay $300 for a required team sweat suit, when they had already won the honor of national champion, then needed a suit to be on the team. I have heard the horn blowers shout they are biggest and the best. Yet as far as I know, only Jerry Halverson (World National Wristwrestling) has been earning a living at this sport for thirty-five years. He has held over ten thousand tournaments. Can anyone out there compete with that? Can all of you together? I don't think so. I can tell you his National events have had over five-hundred entrants. Now go ahead and tell me all the bad things you want about your competition, why you're better, why these guys are not, but do not distort the facts. Do not tell me that you're all about the sport, while I'm watching BALLROOM DANCING, unless you want to show me your NON-PROFIT business forms and can tell me where to send my tax-deductible donation. It was my idea that no one other than myself will approve the referees, rules, or define the application of said rules. It was also my idea to use the straps. Yes Virginia, this will give the "guy off the street" a fighting chance. Nick does not care if an "armwrestler" wins this event, he is looking for the next "KING OF THE RING". This is a recruiting tool for his wrestling events. So, even if you're not an armwrestler, maybe you should come sign up, because (pay attention) the real payoff is after this tournament. I am willing to take a chance to move this sport to the next level by putting my name on the line. If anyone wants to win some money, come on down.

[leonard]

Jay, I will not get dragged into a “Johnson” comparing contest but I do have some questions.
Dave asked if the prize money is in an escrow account and if you have seen and verified the letters of intent from Hummer or Pepsi. Could you answer his question?
By the way the United States Wristwrestling / United States Armwrestling Association are a non profit but don’t send any checks because we are not a charity.
PS
Team USA in South Africa required team gear cost 30.00
;D

[guy]

WHERE ARE THESE nATIONALS THAT jERRY HOLDS WITH 500 COMPETITORS, NEVER HEARD OF IT?


Where is the escrow funds?

where is the locations for MA and CT and the dates?

Where are they advertising?

[Ryan Thames]

Is new mexico really two states away from michigan?

Sorry dont mean to butt in this one but that confused me.

I think i just read that wrong.

[Denise Wattles]

Dear Jay,
I am also concerned about the athletes. Some have been burned and, as a promoter, also have some questions.
1) If you have secured a major sponsor and prize money why is the entry fee so high?
2) If only 2 or 3 show up in a weight division will the cash still be paid out in that class?
3) Are you the only referee?
4)If you, Jay, have not heard of us, how involved have you been in the sport? Bill Ballinger, Tony Villa and Cobra Rhodes have all competed in "our" events. You have never competed in a USArmSports event or a USWA/USAA event.
5) Comparing Jerry Halverson to what we do proves that you really are not aware of what is really happening in the Armwrestling World.
6) What rules are you using?
7) I, personally, find your agresssion suspicious, and know others do also.
8) If you plan to do tournaments in other states it is odd that they are not already scheduled since you do have sponsors. After all, your first tournament (this one) has already been postponed once.

I do not wish you failure, I only want to make sure that the participants aren't dissapointed when they do attend.

Denise Wattles
President United States ArmSports
Executive Director USWA/USAA

[Steven Lareau]

Ryan said:

Is new mexico really two states away from michigan?

Sorry dont mean to butt in this one but that confused me.

I think i just read that wrong.

Hey that confused me too......actually this whole thread confused me.

[enginterzi]

i dont know Nick,never heard of him.i prefer to follow the ppl who i know and trust.

let him prove himself at the 1. event,then there will be more tournaments to compete if nothing negative doesnt happen.if he doesnt care about if an armwrestler wins this event,then his purpose surely is not serving armwrestling.so its impossible for him to find ppl who will be grateful to him from the armwrestling world.he will do it for money and for his own name,and we will be competing to collect the all money:)

there is nothing wrong for promoters to make profit from the tournaments that they organise,they need to keep themselves strong enough to serve armwrestling and armwrestlers with higher levels.the only problem that i would have with a promoter,is that if he has no love for armwrestling and he does promote tournaments just to use and control us.in every happy family,the members dont seek to use eachother.

so there is a great difference between two type of promoters,one has a heart that beats for armwrestling,and the other has a heart that beats for money.i have been part of AAA and USA armsport tournaments.they all have a great love and respect for armwrestling and armwrestlers.

Jay,we all wait for him to do what he has been telling us to do.but again,one word that you used will not be forgotten by me,"Nick does not care if an "armwrestler" wins this event".it was enough for me to realise how he sees us,who are the members of this great armwrestling family.

[Jim Wagner]

I agree Engin. I am positive an armwrestler will win though. Chris Myers showed him what a pro can do! If he is looking for a juiced up loud mouth he will not find it in us. I think it will show the nation how good a pro really is. I wish you could go engin, and slam all his giant wrestlers! That would show them when a guy over 100lbs lighter beat all of them

[enginterzi]

there is no doubt that if an armwrestler will go there he sure will win as long as anything buls..t doesnt happen:)

our fellow armwrestlers from NY will take care of things,dont worry

[leonard]

I just went to the Gladiators site.
You guys will get a foul for talking to the referee so I guess you had better be very quiet

[CHRISTIAN BINNIE]

He said he lived 2 states away from Daver Devoto, BEFORE moving to Mi.

Wasn't the WPAA out of the WEST COAST? Yet, Jay never heard of Dave Devoto... Just asking, so please Jay don't beat up on me...:-(.....LOL...

I CAN"T WAIT TO GO WATCH THIS ONE.......ITS GOING TO BE FUN!!!!!!

NOTICE EVERYONE: in Jays post that Nick is looking for his " next KING OF THE RING " and that "this is a recruiting tool for his wrestling events "...GOOD LUCK ARMWRESTLERS WINNING THIS ONE...If you don't have the "look " for WRESTLING, you MIGHT NOT WIN!!!!!!

[leonard]

Bring your 30.00 to get in to watch