Post by Dave on Apr 26, 2021 3:31:26 GMT -5
BWF STAFF
In October 2002, David Lee Slayton, as David Blazenwing, made his pro wrestling debut for the SmackDown! Wrestling Federation. Less than a year later, in July of 2003, after securing the biggest contract of his young career with the American Justice Wrestling Federation, Slayton made the decision to invest in the product he loved and opened his own company, the Blazenwing Wrestling Federation. Over the next two decades, BWF would attract some of the biggest names to ever lace up their boots and become a wildly successful wrestling company. Slayton often found himself in the background after conceding his company ownership in the mid 2000s, focusing instead on running the parent company that financed the BWF, Slayton Brands Inc. After a series of personal mishaps and tragedies waylaid the BWF's recent 2020 return, however, Slayton knew that if BWF was to thrive again the way he knew it could, it would only happen with himself at the helm. And so, in October 2021, Slayton returned to the head of the BWF as its new President, full of ideas for the company and dreams for the heights it might reach once more.
A new face to BWF fans when the company relaunched in 2020, but not a completely foreign one; Liam Stewart is the son of BWF's longest-tenured and beloved(?) color commentator, Rob "Rayne" Stratowzsky. Of course, it would be best not to bring up this familial link to Liam... as it turns out, he and his father have been estranged for a number of years, though Rayne has made it known that he's still proud of his son continuing his legacy regardless. So far, the fans seem to have taken to Stewart, and it seems he inherited a few of his father's silly quirks to boot, much to his chagrin, we're sure.
A former Empire Wrestling Tag Team Champion, Riley Rouse made their debut at the BWF commentary booth on February 27, 2022 when Survival of the Sickest kicked off from Minneapolis. Riley replaced Alison James, who left commentary after a few years to return to the ring. Entertaining and quick-witted, Riley immediately gained a legion of new fans as their biting commentary meshed well with Liam Stewart's off-the-wall style and general aloofness.
In the late 1990s, Scott Benjamin and a pre-wrestling David Slayton met while in college. A few years later, when Slayton opened the doors of BWF for the first time, he contacted Benjamin with a job offer; the first-ever BWF ring announcer. In love with theater and performing in front of fans, Benjamin leapt at the job opportunity, and the rest is history. For nearly 20 years, Benjamin has been perhaps the most recognizable voice in the history of the Blazenwing Wrestling Federation. He has called nearly every title match in the company's history, and been a part of a countless list of historic moments with the company. Although he wasn't necessarily a wrestling fan when he began his BWF career, Benjamin couldn't help but fall in love with the sport and now considers his BWF tenure as his greatest personal achievement. And this dude has played King Lear. (Yes, we're still looking for the tape of that performance. We'll keep you updated.)
BWF INTERVIEWERS
(Free to use for any promos or segments!)
Don McMichael has been with BWF since day one. He's a tenured, professional presence when he's in front of the camera, and after nearly 20 years of doing this, not much rattles him. While he may seem uptight at first glance, those who get to know him say he's a much more relaxed guy once the cameras stop rolling. While they ARE rolling, though, you can be sure that Don will do his best to portray himself, his subject and the BWF as a whole as professionally as he can.
Will Irwin got his start in BWF's offshoot federation Revolution X Wrestling in 2006. When RXW reverted to BWF, Will stayed on the payroll and quickly became a welcome presence at events. He's goofy, jovial and likes to have fun - compared to Don McMichael, Will is definitely a more laid-back personality. He also scares a lot easier, and is quick to exit the area if he senses any sort of danger may be on the horizon.
Hired in 2004 alongside her brother, Akoda, Toshi Yang briefly wrestled in BWF before settling into a more comfortable role backstage. While Akoda's broken English earned him a lot of fans, Toshi was primarily raised in the States and speaks perfect English. Eventually, Akoda would return to Japan to pursue other interests outside of wrestling, but Toshi loved BWF and always returns when the company does. She is more professional than Will, but more relaxed in her interviewing style than Don is - something of a happy medium between the two.
Kimmy Evans is BWF's newest backstage personality, joining the company in the mid 2010s after it broke away from the AoWF. She's very bubbly, easily excitable and a bit spacy at times. (We're not saying the ditzy blonde stereotype is real, but if it were, Kimmy would probably be the poster child.) Regardless, she dives into her job 200%, and is always eager to get the next big scoop and prove that she belongs backstage in BWF.
In October 2002, David Lee Slayton, as David Blazenwing, made his pro wrestling debut for the SmackDown! Wrestling Federation. Less than a year later, in July of 2003, after securing the biggest contract of his young career with the American Justice Wrestling Federation, Slayton made the decision to invest in the product he loved and opened his own company, the Blazenwing Wrestling Federation. Over the next two decades, BWF would attract some of the biggest names to ever lace up their boots and become a wildly successful wrestling company. Slayton often found himself in the background after conceding his company ownership in the mid 2000s, focusing instead on running the parent company that financed the BWF, Slayton Brands Inc. After a series of personal mishaps and tragedies waylaid the BWF's recent 2020 return, however, Slayton knew that if BWF was to thrive again the way he knew it could, it would only happen with himself at the helm. And so, in October 2021, Slayton returned to the head of the BWF as its new President, full of ideas for the company and dreams for the heights it might reach once more.
A new face to BWF fans when the company relaunched in 2020, but not a completely foreign one; Liam Stewart is the son of BWF's longest-tenured and beloved(?) color commentator, Rob "Rayne" Stratowzsky. Of course, it would be best not to bring up this familial link to Liam... as it turns out, he and his father have been estranged for a number of years, though Rayne has made it known that he's still proud of his son continuing his legacy regardless. So far, the fans seem to have taken to Stewart, and it seems he inherited a few of his father's silly quirks to boot, much to his chagrin, we're sure.
A former Empire Wrestling Tag Team Champion, Riley Rouse made their debut at the BWF commentary booth on February 27, 2022 when Survival of the Sickest kicked off from Minneapolis. Riley replaced Alison James, who left commentary after a few years to return to the ring. Entertaining and quick-witted, Riley immediately gained a legion of new fans as their biting commentary meshed well with Liam Stewart's off-the-wall style and general aloofness.
In the late 1990s, Scott Benjamin and a pre-wrestling David Slayton met while in college. A few years later, when Slayton opened the doors of BWF for the first time, he contacted Benjamin with a job offer; the first-ever BWF ring announcer. In love with theater and performing in front of fans, Benjamin leapt at the job opportunity, and the rest is history. For nearly 20 years, Benjamin has been perhaps the most recognizable voice in the history of the Blazenwing Wrestling Federation. He has called nearly every title match in the company's history, and been a part of a countless list of historic moments with the company. Although he wasn't necessarily a wrestling fan when he began his BWF career, Benjamin couldn't help but fall in love with the sport and now considers his BWF tenure as his greatest personal achievement. And this dude has played King Lear. (Yes, we're still looking for the tape of that performance. We'll keep you updated.)
BWF INTERVIEWERS
(Free to use for any promos or segments!)
Don McMichael has been with BWF since day one. He's a tenured, professional presence when he's in front of the camera, and after nearly 20 years of doing this, not much rattles him. While he may seem uptight at first glance, those who get to know him say he's a much more relaxed guy once the cameras stop rolling. While they ARE rolling, though, you can be sure that Don will do his best to portray himself, his subject and the BWF as a whole as professionally as he can.
Will Irwin got his start in BWF's offshoot federation Revolution X Wrestling in 2006. When RXW reverted to BWF, Will stayed on the payroll and quickly became a welcome presence at events. He's goofy, jovial and likes to have fun - compared to Don McMichael, Will is definitely a more laid-back personality. He also scares a lot easier, and is quick to exit the area if he senses any sort of danger may be on the horizon.
Hired in 2004 alongside her brother, Akoda, Toshi Yang briefly wrestled in BWF before settling into a more comfortable role backstage. While Akoda's broken English earned him a lot of fans, Toshi was primarily raised in the States and speaks perfect English. Eventually, Akoda would return to Japan to pursue other interests outside of wrestling, but Toshi loved BWF and always returns when the company does. She is more professional than Will, but more relaxed in her interviewing style than Don is - something of a happy medium between the two.
Kimmy Evans is BWF's newest backstage personality, joining the company in the mid 2010s after it broke away from the AoWF. She's very bubbly, easily excitable and a bit spacy at times. (We're not saying the ditzy blonde stereotype is real, but if it were, Kimmy would probably be the poster child.) Regardless, she dives into her job 200%, and is always eager to get the next big scoop and prove that she belongs backstage in BWF.
