“I’m a Paul Heyman Guy!” CM Punk – 6/27/11 Monday Night Raw.

That one line in Punk’s promo kicked off this whirlwind ride we’re on in the “Summer of Punk” story. This period is being talked about as having lead to resurgence of interest in pro wrestling. Over the next three days, I’m going to look back at three different periods in 2007 when CM Punk became the center piece of the ECW Brand. These stories will shine a little light on the frustration surrounding Punk’s early run in WWE.

This article looks at the time period around the ECW PPV December to Dismemeber including how Heyman wanted to book Punk, how the agents did book Punk against Hardcore Holly and the WWE Hall of Famer who spoke up to save Punk. Read the whole article at

http://iwantwrestling.com/2011/07/26/hall-of-famer-saved-cm-punk/

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He’s On The Nighttrain, And I Can Never Get Enough

By Leper Khan

Any professional wrestler whose nicknames are “The Final
Freebird” and “The Charlie Sheen of the Wrestling Scene” has quite a
reputation to uphold. Fortunately for Damien H.S. Darling, his life
both meets and exceeds one’s expectations. The 6’1”, 220-pound former
bodybuilder and bodyguard is more than just a braggart; he is the real
deal with the skills and resume to back up his claims.

Darling, who tells me he was born “sometime in the 1990s,” grew
up in the mean streets of New York City, fighting and scrapping his
way to success. After a delinquent childhood he won’t discuss, he
spent time floating between New York and Las Vegas, Darling trained in
2002 under the tutelage of local New York wrestling legend “Magic” and
afterward honed his considerable skills working all over the Eastern
seaboard under the further mentoring of legends like Tom Brandi and
Matt Borne. He continued to train in Orlando, FL at Team Vision Dojo
under Larry Zbyszko, Alex Pourteu, and Chasyn Rance.

Former nWo member and WWE Light Heavyweight Champion Sean “X-Pac”
Waltman recently praised Darling on Matt Borne’s radio show "Carney
Knowledge", calling him one of the up and coming young talents in the
wrestling business. Praise from Sean Waltman does not come easy, but
it is easy to see why Waltman would feel that way.

Darling’s accomplishments are astounding considering he has been
a professional wrestler for just shy of a decade: a featured spot on
Scott Hall’s “Last Call With Scott Hall;” a feature in Pro Wrestling
Illustrated; a starring role in a Yellowtail wine commercial; and, as
one would expect upon meeting him, a former lead singer in a heavy
metal band named “Darlings N’ Disciples” that once opened for Warrant
at the height of their fame. He’s wrestled against such superstars as
The Patriot, XPac, Matt Borne, Superfly Jimmy Snuka, Nikolai Volkoff,
Tito Santana, Eric Young, Shark Boy and became the World Wrestling
Stars Heavyweight Champion with a win over Wrestlemania III star
“Dangerous” Danny Davis. He has also recently held tag team gold in a
regional New Jersey promotion.

I asked Darling what his secret is when I phoned him for an
interview. He merely responded “Whiskey, Women and Winning, brother!
They’re all out ta get me, but I’m livin’ in paradise city! If you
want a piece of me, just get in the ring and I’ll show you my world!”
Words from a man who knows he’s on top and the sky’s still the limit.

Damien Darling is going places. Get on the train now because the
ride’s not stopping until he’s the champion of the world.

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