September 3, 2003   In some ways, UPW has been in a "holding pattern."  In others, as UPW approaches its fifth anniversary, we've seen more growth than ever in our Company's history.   By appearances, due to a very limited live show schedule, it looks as if we've slowed down.  After our last extravaganza at The Grove, a realization hit clear as day   In the world of pro wrestling, live shows are --for the most part-- big losers from a financial perspective.  At UPW, we've always had a philosophy that each and every show must be a special experience.  This results in many talented individuals putting many hours into creating a "show."  Pre-tapes, storylines, props, etc.  It's time consuming, costly, and generally results in a financial loss.  End of the day, does it make sense to work dozens and dozens of hours to produce a live event, only to lose $1000?   I keep coming back to financial references because there certainly are reasons to do these shows.  Each show is so well done that even major entertainment industry "players" are impressed when they see them.  This can --and has-- resulted in UPW talent being cast in major theatrical and commercial roles, in new sponsorship and merchandise deals, in creating content for DVD and Video releases, etc.   So, on one hand, there is a real value in doing our "home"/" Entertainment Overload" shows.  But for now, with the exception of our upcoming "Possession" event at The Galaxy (with Roddy Piper!) on October 22, and with our upcoming 5th Anniversary spectacular at The Grove, we're taking a bit of a breather so to speak.  Live shows will consist mainly of casino engagements and through our diligent agents at Mountain High Entertainment, the calendar is filling up.  Oregon, Washington and Nevada dates are inevitable, as are others.  This is doubly a blessing, as the onus of promoting these events is on the Casino, plus we go in knowing that everyone is getting a good payoff.   So, while we're taking our "breather," we've in fact turned our attention to strengthening and developing areas that will hopefully contribute to the longevity of UPW.   I'm happy to say that Chris Bell has returned to the UPW fold.  Along with myself and the ever multi-talented Todd Keneley, we're busting our collective asses putting together a UPW TV Pilot.  Yeah, this is a "spec" endeavor and like most UPW projects, done on a virtual shoestring.  But I'm excited.  We've returned to our early days in doing this.  No drama.  No politics.  Just fun, enthusiasm and like our early days, very, very rough.  The concept behind it is extremely unique....actually, really unique.  And that, coupled with its roughness and the talent behind it, will I believe, result in a well-received effort.    After nearly five years in this business, so much of which I've spent being both a hobbyist and being caught up in the bullshit and politics often inherent in pro wrestling, I've come to realize that to make UPW meaningful, some things must change.  The biggest realizations are to focus on what simultaneously can and will bring UPW to the masses and advance/create careers for the many exceptional talents who comprise the UPW Superstars roster, as well as its talent folks working  "behind the scene." .  TV is obviously one way, if not the way to accomplish this, and I'm confident we have both the concept and the ability to execute.  The story will be told over the next couple of months.   Another important tool to utilize in our development is upw.com.  I get e-mails every day --from around the world-- complimenting us on our site.  Yet, with an average of roughly 4000 unique visitors (and over 80,000 "hits") a day, upw.com is a vastly underutilized tool for us.  Murphy McDermott is and has been for nearly a year, our Webmaster.  During that time, under Murph's watchful guidance, I believe that upw.com has become in terms of content and overall look, one of the finest sites in all of pro wrestling.  Les Honig, with UPW from its early days, continues to make a big contribution.  As with TV, we're also now turning our attention to the "cleaning up" and marketing of upw.com.  By executing our current plan, I expect and hope that upwards of 30,000 wrestling fans worldwide will soon be logging onto and enjoying upw.com each day.  Part and parcel of this new "launch" will be a whole new line of UPW logo merchandise, courtesy of Speedwear, the folks behind Tito Ortiz, Social Outcast and Team Punishment.   Of equal, if not greater importance, is maintaining and continually strengthening the backbones of the UPW operation.   As I seem to have written in each Ultimate Update, I'm happy to write again that UPW sister-school, Ultimate University, is stronger than ever.  We have an amazing "student body," who you can meet at Rollcall at upw.com.  Consistency has also been key at UU, as our excellent "Faculty" has not changed in nearly two years.  Tom Howard, Shane & Shannon Ballard and Aaron Aguilera are still our regular instructors on Saturdays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.  As scheduling dictates, Frankie Kazarian and Ryan Sakoda continue as our regular Substitute Instructors.  Enrolment, including the addition of several legitimate big-time prospects, is at an all time high.  Brett Wagner and I have re-started "promo class," which is adding a whole new dimension to the development experience of our more advances prospects.  Not to mention, it's a lot of fun! The time I spend at Ultimate University is the best I spend in this business.  I am absolutely, 100% confident that there is no better school, in terms of enthusiasm, friendliness, personal growth and professional development...anywhere in the world.   I haven't written in a long, long time, and there are far too numerous "highlights" to list here.  Nonetheless, here are a few: WWE.  Over the past several months, more UPW Superstars and Students than ever before have had the opportunity to appear for WWE in paid positions.  Individuals such as Mako'a, Sabbath, Funky Billy Kim, Tony Stradlin, Antonio Mestre and many, many more have found themselves involved in WWE commercials, dark matches and on RAW and Smackdown!  Here's a bold prediction -- By December, I firmly believe that UPW will announce the signing of at least 3 more of its Superstars to the WWE roster!  This will bring our total to 20! Zero-One.  Tom Howard.  Sylvester "Predator" Terkay.  Televise "Skulu"/"King Adamo" Masalosalo.  Bar none, 3 of the biggest foreign stars in Japanese wrestling today.  Each of the 3 have progressed in my opinion to the upper rung of the ladder in workrate and charisma and they lead the charge for UPW's ever-increasing prominence in the land of the rising sun.  I write this version of the Ultimate Update on Tuesday, September 2.  Tomorrow, September 3, Zero-One boss Yoshiyuki Namakura, along with All Japan Pro Women's Matsunaga-san will visit Ultimate University to take a look at our top Superstars.  I positively expect this to result in jobs for many of our best.  Samurai TV will also be in tow. The Shark Tank/K-1.  UPW has formed an allegiance with famed NHB/MMA and Kickboxing group, The Shark Tank, run by my good friend Eddy Millis.  Our first big announcement...long-time UPW Superstar, Stefan Gamlin, will fight none other than Bob Sapp at K1 in Japan on September 21. Just a few other items of interest: Raw Dawg.  I'm pleased to announce that UPW has entered into an annual multi-level sponsorship with energy drink upstart Raw Dawg Energy Drink.  This is a cutting-edge, progressive minded company and the association is already proving great for all involved. DVDs.  UPW's DVDs are now complete and starting to hit the shelves of stores nationwide.  Quality-wise and content-wise, they're as good as anything on the market.  They'll soon be available at upw.com TLC.  UPW has signed a deal to star in an upcoming episode of The Learning Channel's popular series "Faking It." We'll shoot in October, in and around The 10/22 Possession show at The Galaxy, for a January airdate. Casting.  We continue to stay active, casting UPW talent in all kinds of movies, TV shows and commercials.  Here's a good one...Nathan Jones will take on Brad Pitt, mano-a-mano in Wolfgang Peterson's $200 million+ "Troy," shooting now in Mexico. Joe Millionaire.  With a little time off before starting new movie and TV projects, Evan Marriott has been spending some time around Ultimate University.  Neither success nor fame have changed this quality individual. December 17 at The Grove.  5 years.  Wow!  UPW is down to a smaller, but more quality "core team" than ever before.  Marty, Tom, Todd, Chris, Josh, Murph, Shannon and all that contribute.  Thanks for the continued and dedicated effort as move toward "The Big One" on December 17.  And to our equally dedicated fans, and to the new ones that join us each day...thanks for hanging in there with us.  It's our goal to continue to give you a continued and unique pro wrestling experience.  The time truly is here to take the next step.                     Goldberg goes for a ride!                        Just because I like this picture!                     Backstage at RAW                            With UPW Vixens 2003, l-r Looney Lane,                                                                           Nikki T., Kyra, Maritza, Savvy, Erica, Desire     with the original UPW Vixens, circa 2001  (l-r Carnidge, Savvy, Looney & Miss Delicious)     Ultimate Update Archives:   April 16, 2003   March 5th, 2003 January 29, 2003   November 20, 2002 - It's a shoot!   October 25, 2002   October 3, 2003   September 16, 2002   September 5, 2002   August 1, 2002   July 1, 2002 -- Ultimate University   June 21, 2002   May 25, 2002   --   Japan and more