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STATE OF THE UNION #22
UIPW News for 2007 January 2008

HEADLINES
~ An Open Letter from the Union Boss
~ First look at February’s “CROWN OF THORNS” event
~ The 1st Annual NORTHERN LIGHTS CLASSIC is coming in March
AN OPEN LETTER FROM UNION BOSS ANTHONY KINGDOM JAMES
Last year’s revival of the Union of Independent Professional Wrestlers was every bit as fantastic as I had hoped it would be. The thrill of gathering together some of the industry’s finest young talents and sharing them with an enthusiastic Toronto audience has been incredible.

However, as many of you know, personal matters have interfered in my running the promotion over the last month or so. There is an on-going and rather serious health issue in my immediate family and as much as the Union couldn’t happen without the support and efforts of a number of dedicated staff and wrestlers, the whole thing still boils down to being a one-man operation. To say I have been distracted would be a tremendous understatement and all I can do is apologize to the fans, staff and roster of the Union for the delay in our return to action. I would also like to apologize to those of you who sent messages of support if I did not reply.

Furthermore, I need to announce that the show originally scheduled for this coming Saturday night, January 12th, has been cancelled. Properly preparing for these events imposes its own set of deadlines and those deadlines have come and gone for January. The Union WILL return to action at Royal Canadian Legion Hall #101 in Etobicoke, Ontario on Saturday night February 23rd for an event entitled “CROWN OF THORNS”. Any advance tickets that were purchased for December’s event will be honored on February 23rd.

In the main event of CROWN OF THORNS, we will crown the first Union Heavyweight champion of 2008 in a special 4-way elimination match. The Union title is again vacant as former champion STEVE CORINO retired as the titleholder on December 31st 2007. As the promoter of the Union of Independent Professional Wrestlers, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Mr. Corino for his friendship and for the hard work he put in to help get the Union off the ground here in Toronto. There will always be a spot on the “King of Old School” in the Union.

I hope that fans across Southern Ontario will come out to the Legion Hall on February 23rd as we get back on track presenting the some of the finest pro wrestling action available anywhere on the planet today!
UNEASY LIES THE HEAD THAT WEARS THE CROWN…
The UNION of INDEPENDENT PROFESSIONAL WRESTLERS presents “CROWN OF THORNS” on Saturday February 23rd at the Royal Canadian Legion Hall in Etobicoke, Ontario (3850 Lake Shore Blvd West at Browns Line). There is plenty of free parking for those who drive. The Hall is also directly adjacent to both the Long Branch GO Station and the the TTC’s Long Branch streetcar loop, so it’s easy to reach via public transit. Doors open at 6:30pm. Bell time is 7pm.
TICKETS are $20 each and are ON SALE NOW at the Legion Hall or via secure online purchase in the “UNION Shop” at www.wrestlersunion.ca. And remember, the event is open to ALL AGES, but for those 19 and older, the Legion Hall includes a FULLY LICENSED BAR. Fans are reminded to bring valid ID and encouraged to use public transit if they plan to purchase alcohol.

MAIN EVENT – FOR THE VACANT UNION HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE
PEPPER PARKS vs. SEBASTIAN DARK vs. ??? vs. ???

This is just the first match on what will be an incredible card to welcome the Union into 2008. Stay tuned over the next few weeks as announcements will be coming fast and furious about more Union Workers, more exciting matches and possibly some special guests joining the fun.

COMING THIS MARCH: THE 1ST ANNUAL NORTHERN LIGHTS CLASSIC
On Saturday March 15th 2008, the UNION will crown a new cruiserweight champion when it holds its first annual cruiserweight tournament: The NORTHERN LIGHTS CLASSIC. This one-night, 8-man tournament isn’t just UIPW’s attempt to bring together some of the greatest cruiserweight talent in the world. More than that, it is our way of honoring a fallen friend.

James Fawcett, who wrestled professionally as DEVIL BHUDAKAHN, was a member of the UNION roster in 2003 and 2004 in Erie, Pennsylvania. As the leader of the DEVIL’S ADVOCATES, alongside GLENN SPECTRE and JAKE GARRETT, he was co-holder of the first-ever UNION Tag Team champions. Fawcett was found dead in his suburban Pittsburgh, PA home on July 15th 2007. Jimmy grew through out his career to be a tremendous source of advice and encouragement to those with whom he shared both the ring and the locker room.
In memory of our comrade, the winner of each year’s NORTHERN LIGHTS CLASSIC will be awarded the JAMES “DEVIL BHUDAKAHN” FAWCETT Memorial Trophy. The UNION wishes to extend our deepest thanks to the Fawcett family for their permission to honor Jimmy in this manner. A portion of proceeds from this event will go to charity to help in efforts to prevent suicide.
CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS
Saturday FEBRUARY 23rd – CROWN OF THORNS
Saturday MARCH 15th – The 1st Annual NORTHERN LIGHTS CLASSIC
Saturday APRIL 19th – REIGN OF TERROR

The UNION of INDEPENDENT PROFESSIONAL WRESTLERS is an exciting new wrestling promotion based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Union features a diverse mix of homegrown talent (including Eddie Osbourne, Rip Impact and The All-Knighters) and international stars (including Steve Corino, Sterling James Keenan and Ricky Reyes). UIPW maintains partnerships with promotions in Canada and around the world. For more information about THE UNION, please visit our official website at www.wrestlersunion.ca