DAN “THE BEAST” SEVERN “OPPORTUNITY IS KNOCKING”
- 02/23/2006 (11:40:07 pm)
- Press Release
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Dan “The Beast” Severn Newsletter”Opportunity is Knocking”
I was up in Calgary, Alberta, Canada this past month for a Professional Wrestling Event. For those who don’t follow Professional Wrestling, Calgary is most famous for Stampede Wrestling and the Hart Family. Stu Hart, who has since passed started this legacy many years ago and produced a number of famous wrestlers from this area
including two of his own sons Bret and Owen Hart.
I was brought in as a technical advisor to oversee some matches and make changes as I saw fit. After spending the day with the athletes, managers, staff personnel you get to know people a little and I have a tendency to ask a number of questions anyway (enquiring minds need to know). So I find out even more information. Being that this was Professional Wrestling I had a tendency to ask 'So what do you do for a real job? How do you pay the bills? The answers do vary, although many seem to be involved in the professions of: doormen, bouncers and security personnel.
On this particular occasion I came across one individual which was involved in the construction sector, specifically electrical wiring of residential and commercial buildings. I asked more questions and it seems that Calgary, Alberta is going through quite a growth phase and there is a great need for all phases of construction help such as: framers, plumbing, concrete and electrical. I asked if I could pass this information on with a contact e-mail and was told yes. Those that have interests could contact him directly and he would reply with various company contact information. After that you are on your own to find out whatever else you need to know to make an informed decision.
Let me make one thing straight so I don’t catch any flack, I love the United States, there is no other country like it and I would do anything help keep it stay strong but there are a number of companies that are either down sizing, laying off, or shutting down and people are looking for work. This could be a short or long term opportunity but none the less an opportunity. Take in consideration that the currency is different so when being quoted figures more than likely it will be in Canadian currency and you will have to do a quick conversion to see how it stacks up to the US. As for taxation, housing, and anything else you need to know you are on your own, although there are websites and people you can call to find out the particulars.
Flash to the past: Montrose Hill Mc Cloy High School I am but a lowly freshman, the only freshman on the varsity wrestling squad. We are wrestling Durand High School in a dual meet that will determine the conference championship. I am wearing the 155lb uniform as our heavyweight representative! That’s a whole story onto itself that I will go into at a different time but all I will say for now is that as a heavyweight you are supposed to way a minimum of 175lbs and I did not. The dual meet was very intense and both communities turned out in force to support their team. The Montrose Rams V The Durand Railroaders. With each progressive match the score went back and forth. I was getting nervous because it was getting closer and closer to the end of the dual meet and I was the last match of the night. I did not want it to come down to my match because I would be going against a seasoned senior who was very good and my odds of winning were about a million to one.
As fate would have it, it did come down to the final match but Montrose held a slight edge. We had just enough points that all I had to do was not get pinned and we would win the conference championship. My coach, Tom Casteel stopped me before I walked out on to the mat. He made sure that I understood the situation I was walking into and that this wrestler was going to do everything in his power to pin me so that his team could win. For me towin the match was never a consideration, just not getting pinned. As I walked out on to the mat I had a lump in my throat. I did not want to let my coach, my team or my Mom and Dad who were in the stands down.
As I stepped onto the line for the start of the match my hands were trembling. The ref blew the whistle and the match was on. I was doing everything I could do to stay out of the grasp of this big behemoth but to no avail. He took me down and had me on my back in no time at all. It was deafening with both squads and the crowd screaming. When I could hear, I heard stuff like: pin him, get off your back, fight, don’t give up, and every combination that you could think of. I did fight off my back and my opponent continued to physically abuse me until the end of the first.
In the second period it was my choice for top or bottom position. I chose the top position hoping to slow this guy down a little. My neck and back already hurt from bridging and fighting off my opponent in the previous period. My opponent already had a score of 8-0. The whistle blew again and my opponent was out in seconds and we were back up on our feet with me fending off my much larger opponent’s attacks. Again I was taken down and again I was put to my back and somehow I fought from being pinned in the second round as it came to and end.
Third period his choice and he chooses the top. I was doomed. He was going to be starting out this period already on top of me. How could I ever fend him off now? Every bone and muscle ached in my body as I got down into position and then the ref motioned for him to get into position. The whistle blew and the match was on. He flattened me right down with his body weight and then proceeded to rip my face off with a technique called the cross face. The ref cautioned me for stalling because I was doing nothing more than trying to defend myself from being put on my back. I tried to get back up to my hands and knees but couldn’t because of his sheer size. The ref cautioned me again for stalling and now I lost a point. He went for a power half smashing my face on the mat with his forearm cranking on top of my shoulder and neck. I fought it off just to receive another vicious cross face. I was warned for stalling again and lost another point but never even knew it because I could not hear for all the noise from the two teams and the spectators.
All I could remember was don’t give up, fight, don’t get pinned, don’t get pinned, don’t give him anything or he will put me on my back and finish me off, I've got to get out from under this monster. Somehow it happened. I was able to first post up one knee, the next, then my hand, then the other hand and started coming up to my feet when the whistle blew for the end of the third period. The score of my match was fifteen to zero and the ref raised his hand for the victory but it did not matter to my team because they were going crazy jumping up and down for joy because we had just become conference champions.
As I walked off the mat I was met by my coach who gave me a big hug and all my teammates who were patting me on the back saying what a great job I did. I got mobbed by a number of my teammate’s parents and school friends and even my Mom and Dad. As everyone was rejoicing I made my way to the locker room. I was all by myself. I went in and leaned on the sink and turned the cold water on. My entire body ached. I splashed water on my face, soaked my head while rubbing cold water on the back on my neck. As I looked up I stared at myself in the mirror. I had just been put through a meat grinder of a match. My face was red and I had scuff marks here and there from the vicious cross faces. I stood there for what seemed like a couple of minutes and I thought to myself - I did not give up.
All the best, from the Beast...
Dan Severn
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Go to www.dansevern.com to receive an autographed 8x10 of your choice and Dan’s Match Promise poem for only $4.95. This special ends March 1st.
Price of Glory Wrestling returns to Michigan Sports Camps in Coldwater, MI on March 19th for “Moment of Truth.”
Danger Zone 33: Resurrection – March 11th in Lafayette, IN still have table seats left if you are interested in going to this event.
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