December 3rd, 2004 Since I last wrote an “Ultimate Update,” a lot has happened.  We’ve formed Valor Fighting and Management, a “Mixed Martial Arts” (still “ultimate fighting” to many) Company.  (see www.valorfighting.com) In today’s sports/entertainment world, pro wrestling and MMA cross-over and compliment one another in multiple ways.  So, it seemed like a good business move (plus, since 1993, when I attended UFC 1 in Denver, and since ’98-‘99, when I managed Mark Coleman, Mark Kerr and Oleg Taktarov, I’ve been a huge fan). As I start to semi-regularly again write these Updates, I’ll cover our activities both with UPW and Valor.  Before I continue, some thoughts who are likely UPW candidates to cross over…Jack Bull, Mikey Henderson, Marshall Knox, Apocalypse, Skulu.  Legitimate tough guys, one and all. Valor’s first live show took place at the end of 2004 at Northern Lights Casino in Anacortes, Washington.  We sold out with 2000 enthusiastic fans.  We return to Northern Lights in April and thus far for 2005, have calendared February 16 at Barona Casino (near San Diego) and March 5 at old UPW stomping grounds, Edgewater Casino in Laughlin, NV.  We expect to announce 2-3 additional casino dates for Valor within the next few weeks.  All Valor shows will be shot on video and released for nationwide retail.  This past year, Valor signed with K-1…a deal akin to the old UPW/WWF Development Deal. K-1 is a forward thinking organization of major proportions, and in addition to scouting and “developing” talent for them, we’re working with them on a variety of unique projects. December is a HUGE month for UPW in Japan.  Let me first mention that UPW has signed Roddy Piper (my singular, all-time wrestling idol), Diamond Dallas Page, Konnan and Rikishi for exclusive Japanese management.  I expect to see each regularly making a big splash in Japan throughout 2005. Now onto December activity: Rikishi, Oliver John, Ricky Reyes (back in the UPW fold) and Jack Bull (aka “Russian 54”) represent UPW at HUSTLE on December 23 and 24. Skulu is off to Saipan (well, not Japan, but in Asia) for Riki Choshu’s 30th Anniversary show Sylvester “Predator” Terkay and Sean O’Haire represent UPW/Valor December 31 on K-1’s New Year’s Eve “Dynamite” show.  BTW, look for a different, hungry, dominant Predator.  One that I believe can beat anyone in the world. In 2001, the wrestling world was introduced to Zero-One.  On their very first show, I had the pleasure of participating, along with Tom Howard, Keiji Sakoda and Samoa Joe.  Since that time, UPW has sent a total of 45(!) wrestlers to compete at Zero-One.  As many know, Z1 bosses Yoshiyuki Nakamura and Shinya Hashimoto have had a parting of the ways.  The venerable Mr. Nakamura has retained the vast majority of the stellar Z1 roster and has formed Fast On Stage Corporation.  “FOSC” launches this week, with UPW’s Sam “Andrew Hellman” Culver and… “Lil’ Nate” Nickerson!  Each is on his first trip to the Land of the Rising Sun.  I’m particularly gratified that Nate is going.  Along with select individuals like Skulu and Brian “Al Katrazz” Fleming, I consider Nate in a different type of league…at first glance, you may not see “it,” but upon further study, you discover a uniquely talented and charismatic individual, who is a truly good guy.  The total package absolutely = “it” and I see nothing but good things in the future for Nate, Skulu and Al, amongst others.  Due to an always-busy pro rodeo schedule, Don “Hollywood” Yates had to turn down FOSC’s December tour, but I look forward to seeing ‘Wood make his Japanese debut soon. HUSTLE held an “open” tryout November 21 in Los Angeles.  Of the many dozens that “auditioned,” 9 were selected to participate at HUSTLE through February.  6 come from UPW!  IN addition to the aforementioned Ricky Reyes and Oliver John, also selected from the UPW contingent are Referee Marty Rubalcaba (heading a UPW heel faction), John “Shooting Wolf” Williams, Tony “Big Babi Slymm” Drake and…Lil’ Nate! Between UPW’s relationships with FOSC (formerly Zero-One) and HUSTLE, all I can say is….Japan, here we come in ‘05! It’s worth mentioning Sean O’Haire here.  Before I barely knew the guy, I always mentioned Sean as, along with Edge (before his current push), as one of the most under-utilized guys in pro wrestling.  There was charisma-plus waiting to be pushed.  Upon his release from WWE, we did something that we hadn’t done in a long time; recruited an individual for management.  Sean relocated to San Clemente with us and went into hard-core training, at my partner’s Eddy Millis’ Shark Tank.  During this time, he went from real enigma to true friend.  Uniquely dedicated to training –especially for a Heavyweight—Sean debuted with a huge splash, quickly dispatching (1 minute 45 seconds in the first round) Team Punishment’s 6’9” Anthony Roberts in August in Long Beach.  This was booked for Sean to “prove himself.”  He was asked to prove himself again, at November 20’s “Rumble on the Rock” in Hawaii, against Japanese veteran Shungo Oyama, whose record included a victory over Renzo Gracie.    Well, Sean seems to have found his vehicle in MMA.  Cornering for Sean, I barely had the time to realize how cool it was to be in his corner on my BDay in Hawaii before he had knocked Oyama out cold (31 seconds!).   And, he looked like a legitimate star in doing so.  I’m happy to announce that Sean O’Haire has signed a long-term deal with K-1.  I look forward to his continued development in the always-growing world of MMA, where his potential for genuine superstardom is bright. To wrap up fighting notes for this Update, as of this writing, Valor Management client and all-around good guy “Mighty Mo” Siglia is a few hours away from competing in K-1’s year end “Grand Prix,” the granddaddy of worldwide kickboxing competition.  Mo “came from “nowhere” earlier this year to win the US Grand Prix and has trained diligently for his shot on the world stage.  With Eddy in his corner, I like his chances to win it all. WWE.  Internally, we sometimes like to say…”if Raw is War,” then “Smackdown is UPW.”  As most fans know, UPW’s Nathan Jones and Ryan Sakoda are recently departed from Smackdown (more on these 2 soon, as each are making their marks in other aspects of the sports and entertainment industries).  This leaves “only” Matt “Horshu”/Luther Reigns” Weise, John Cena and Aaron “Hardkore Kidd”/”Jesus” Aguilera as main players on the Smackdown roster.  And this is before you include Mike Mizanin and Justice Smith in the equation.  Of the thousands that tried out, only eight made it to the finals of Tough Enough.  Of the 3 remaining, “Miz” comes by way of UPW and Justice from Valor Fighting!  This means that UPW/Valor will be represented on next Sunday’s “Armageddon” by a minimum of 4 talented individuals!  Well, there goes $39.95 and 3 hours; a great investment of time and money in my book.  I really couldn’t be happier about this and a special heartfelt congratulations goes out to Aaron, who’s looking great on TV and who deserves this as much as anyone I know in this business.  I also want to give a quick shout out to the RAW side of the roster where UPW/Ultimate University alumni Lisa Marie “Victoria” Varon, Jon Heidenreich, and Chris “Masterpiece” Modetzsky got their starts. Another special congrats to UPW inspiration and friend Mike “Nova”/”Simon Dean” Bucci; another guy who deserves all the good things that come his way in life. This is where I like to predict who we’ll see next at WWE from UPW’s roster…IMO, Dereck Neikirk and “Outlaw” Mike Knox (Hettinga) are ready for WWE TV…now.  I think it’s just a matter of time –and a very short period of time—before we see them on RAW and/or Smackdown.  Both would be valuable roster contributors.  Of all those associated with UPW, none would be more valuable to WWE NOW then Todd Keneley.  Without question one of the most knowledgeable, talented and even-tempered individuals I’ve met in wrestling, Todd is an absolute triple threat as on-air talent/writer/booker.  I would like nothing better than to see Todd soon get his much-deserved shot. In other UPW news: Tomorrow night, December 4th, UPW ROAD WARS presents “Empire” in Redondo Beach.  I like Road Wars, where we present a relaxed, no frills shows, which allows me to relax and take a real look at UPW’s developing talent.  Guys like Kevin Zacaula, Pete Zwissler, Brendan Hill and Kjell Hansen, each of whom are improving by leaps and bounds, have a chance in this type of setting to take the next step in their continued quest to make a name for themselves in pro wrestling.  Ultimate University instructor Shannon Ballard (along with a big assist from Kent Wilson and others) heads up Road Wars.  Shannon is a guy who really, really cares about our students and the future of this business, and as much as anyone associated with UPW, deserves any and all good that come his way.  He, along with brother Shane, is as well a talented worker in his own right, and I look forward to seeing him do well in this business. On the DVD front, St. Clare Entertainment will soon release “Title Wave,” UPW’s October show at Nevada’s Buffalo Bill’s Casino, featuring DDP, Konnan, Sean O’Haire, Rikishi, Psychosis and Juventud Guererra, along with special footage of Joannie Laurer, participating in UPW’s July “Overload” event at The Grove in Anaheim. In early 2005, Rocksteady will release a 2 DVD set of the “Best of UPW,” featuring highlights of 6 years of UPW stars facing some of the biggest names in pro wrestling.  Stay tuned to www.upw.com for a special preview by new writer/UPW staffer Anthony Rosas. UPW returns to its old stomping grounds, The Galaxy Theatre, January 26 with a HUGE show, including Tom Howard, Rico, Chuck Palumbo, Johnny The Bull, Skulu, Lil’ Nate, Al Katrazz, Just insane, Erica Porter and many, many more. As many know, UPW was slated to start in syndication this year through Post Modern Television.  After clearing more than 30 stations across the US for UPW, Post Modern folded.  Well damn…that’s life. We’re “close” to a deal that if it comes to fruition, will see UPW on TV throughout Nevada, on very strong stations.  We’ll see, as in this business –in any business for that matter—you never know until you know.  Bottom line, UPW is in it for the long haul and we’ll get there eventually.  Samurai TV in Japan and The Wrestling Channel in the UK both await a regular UPW program and simply, it’s a matter of everything making sense, as opposed as to succumbing to pressure of outside forces.  This a lesson (and a costly one at that) that took a long time learning.  Having come to terms with this is part of what makes this business enjoyable and relatively stress-free these days. On a personal note, I’m enjoying working with “rival” Pete Doyle (www.irishpete.com) , whose enthusiasm level for this business remains high.  Ditto for Les Honig, and for Brett “Big Schwag” Wagner (www.bigschwag.net) , who is absolutely tearing it up on “Monster Nation.”  The UPW “crew” to this days, is still these guys, along with TK, Marty, Murphy McDermott and Josh Waldrop, along with ever-faithful UPW/Valor Office Manager Carey Young.  For a group operating on a shoestring and a passion for this business, I’m 100% confident in saying that this is one the finest front offices ever assembled in indy history. A huge focus as of late has been the establishment of our new gym/training center, OC Dojo.  Equal parts high-level training center and membership gym, the state-of-the-art 8000 square foot OC Dojo opens in San Clemente this January.  Another unique aspect of OCD is our emphasis on “Body, Mind, Spirit” (see www.ocdojo.com for more), which is largely the brain child of UPW Heavyweight Champion/Ultimate University Instructor/Pro Wrestler/Pro Fighter and my best friend in the business Tom Howard.  OC Dojo presents us with a unique opportunity to bring into play all aspects of our business – live show presentation, DVD shoots, world class wrestling and fighting training and more—into one location.  It’s a true pleasure to be able to put this venture together in partnership with Tom, along with integral assists from Eddy Millis, Sylvester Terkay and Ken Shamrock. As UPW approaches it 6th Anniversary, I thank you all for your continued support. Rick                      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:   December 4th, 2003   September 3, 2003   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