THE REAL DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD
As long as we're "just a dirt sheet", we're never going to be taken seriously by those "in the business". Why? They claim that we aren't credible. But that's the contradiction of it all — how are we supposed to gain that credibility when we're shut out solely due to the fact we're apart of the IWC?
Example: It wasn't until my Voice of Wrestling radio show got on terrestrial radio (an FM sports-talk station out of Conway, AR when I was going there for college) that I was allowed to interview WWE superstars. In fact, WWE offices worked with me very closely when they had a PPV, or DVD, or book they wanted to promote. If you wrote for an actual newspaper or were on "real radio", you were legit. As soon as my show was taken off the station, I was taken off WWE's media list.
I know Justin LaBar has experienced the exact same thing recently. He just interviewed Miz, but it wasn't because of his involvement with WZ that allowed it to happen. Rather, it's his work on the local Pittsburgh station that got his foot in the door.
I understand WWE's defense. There's a lot of garbage on the dirt sheets, no doubt. There's a lot of "bad seeds" ruining for the rest of us. In their mind, the fact that there's more garbage than there is credible journalism, it's best that they simply stay away from it altogether. It's a sad-but-true reality about our business.
However, I know for a fact that more — not all, but more — individuals would strive and work harder to be better journalists if they felt it was worth it at all. If they didn't have to fight such resistance ALL THE TIME, they might actually take MORE time to do their due diligence and put more pride in their work.
But really, what's the point?
We are the result of years and years of resentment by those in charge. Vince has hated the IWC since its inception. He vows to fire any "leaks" on the spot and most working for him are in constant fear of losing their jobs if they cooperate at with the dirt sheets at all.
So, most of them don't. UNLESS it serves THEM.
Which brings me to my last point — don't think that we're useless. In this day and age, even McMahon can't deny they power of the internet and its constant growth. It's truly becoming an invaluable source of information, promotion, opportunities. etc. As such, the wrestling companies and those in it regularly take advantage of the dirt sheets and the people that run them.
Celebrities have come to realize they can use it anonymously to better their public image, company standing or position, and other self-serving reasons that may come up.
Again, as an example, I had a former TNA star and current WWE employee call me one time stating that he or she wanted out of their TNA contract. TNA was playing hardball and they wanted to see if I would help them "strong-arm Dixie" if it became necessary.
How would I do that? Well, I would post a few inside truths about her and her company that once they got back to her, she'd know they come from that person, and would have no choice but to let them out of their contract. That is, unless she wanted more of the same.
She'd have no legal evidence against them either, unless of course, I gave up my source(s).
Needless to say, I didn't have to report anything and the individual was let out of the contract.
It's called politics, and some wrestlers and wrestling personalities know how to play the game better than others. They work with dirt sheets for a variety of reasons, but primarily to serve their own personal agendas.
Is it fair to us? Absolutely! It's the one leverage tool we actually have in our bag.
