Kai Scott first made his appearance on the national wrestling scene as a manager for Jeff Andrews back in the LBWF, the predecessor of OLW's predecessor IWA. His in ring career started alongside a man named Chris "Mr. Dude" Redpath in IWA's early days, back in 2001. Serving as part of the Untouchables, IWA branch, Kai Scott's rocky career path started when he was eliminated from a battle royale for the inaugural CAL World Tag Titles. This incident, and another CAL Tag Title related match a few months later that ended in a draw, started Kai on his path of CAL-hating resentful bitterness that would eventually cause him to create OLW.
Fast forward several years. Having turned on Redpath and the Untouchables in 2002, Scott had established himself as one of the top heels in all of wrestling. He was riding career momentum in 2004, when Jeff Andrews pulled IWA out of the CAL, and CAL President Angelina Bishop responded by revoking IWA's television deals and arena bookings. IWA closed. Kai may have hated all people in general, but he did care for IWA, and set out to make Bishop regret it. With the remnants of the IWA roster, Scott set about buying other feds. Big West Wrestling Alliance was bankrupt from expensive production values, MSWA's fanbase was gone and the fed was drawing no money. Scott bought out both the BWWa and MSWA rosters for cheap, and opened a fed in his home state of Maryland, calling it Old Line Wrestling, after the state. Scott was careful to keep his ownership of OLW anonymous, using his ex-girlfriend (and ex IWA Commissoner) Dawn as OLW Commissioner, and a weird little man named The Voice to vocalize presidential decrees.
Using his presidency, Scott insinuated himself into the CAL and mounted a challenge against Angelina Bishop, breaking the business wide open by forming the first ever Union in pro wrestling. In the end, he was able to force the previously considered unbeatable Bishop to a draw after acquiring another CAL fed, CRW, in a behind-the-scenes deal. Bishop and Scott agreed to a stalemate, with Bishop stepping down as CAL Prez. Scott threatened then to sell the combined OLW/CRW to Primetime Central, but was stopped by Heidi and TJ Killingbeck. This would be the last time Kai Scott was seen in a wrestling ring, and excluding one brief appearance on camera, the last time the fans would hear from him for nearly 2 years.
The uninvolvement came to an abrupt end when Kai reformed The Untouchables stable alongside Jeff Andrews, Danny Vicious and Ronnie Long, then shortly afterwards formed his own version of The Untouchables. However, he has not attempted to use presidential powers to his advantage, and in fact has what orders Cito Conarri has given him. This in turn has caused some to question whether Kai is still in fact the president and owner of OLW. He has refused to comment on the issue.
Maybe he still reigns, maybe he doesn't, but Kai Scott's influence will likely always be felt in OLW.
CITO CONARRI [Commissioner & Play by Play commentator]
Cito Conarri needs no introduction to long term CALvanists. Conarri first made his name in the CAL commentating in the old IWA, and later build his reputation as a force in the ring wrestling in MSWA's Gravity Title Tournament. During his MSWA run, Conarri and his tag partner Quinn Tate came within inches of winning the CAL Tag Titles. Conarri also has a great reputation as a trainer – CAL World Champions Heidi and Jeff Andrews were both trained by him.
During MSWA's second run, it appeared Cito was going to break into the main event scene, but the promotion folded. At the behest of his wife and 8 year old son, Cito retired from the ring and returned to commentating, taking the play by play job at OLW.
Conarri's a bit unusual as a play by play commentator. He's not overly-dramatic, and he's not at all afraid to share his opinions. He has a dry, sarcastic sense of humor, and enjoys punching Steven Styles for saying stupid things. Cito won Commentator of the Year in 2003. Having grown up a third generation wrestler and started wrestling at the age of eight, there's not much he doesn't know about the sport. Conarri is infamous for treating everyone with respect, and in a business where alliances and betrayals are made with casual indifference, he remains almost universally respected and liked by his fellow wrestlers.
While previous commissioner Robert Lancaster was AWOL, Conarri took it upon himself to perform the necessary commissionary duties to the best of his ability and authority. When Lancaster finally handed in his resignation, Conarri was promoted, much to the pleasure of the wrestlers.
He has an extraordinarily out-of-date and out-of-canon biography from back when he used to wrestle here.
LESLIE STANTON [Technical Commentator]
The ex-wife of one-time Big West Wrestling promoter [and subsequent BWWa Commissioner] Brett Stanton , Leslie Stanton first appeared on the pro wrestling scene in 2001 as the valet to Stanton 's estranged nephew, Marty Sugar. After a noted stint with Sugar on the independent wrestling scene, and after a short period serving as a business foil to Stanton in BWWa, Stanton broke away from her alliances and took a post as a color commentator for the Big West Wrestling Association that rose out of Las Vegas. Despite having only a general knowledge of pro wrestling, Leslie 's wit, fast tongue and insightful comments served her well, and she soon seemed to click professionally with fellow BWWa announcer Lester Bash, their popularity as the "Les and Les Express" soon becoming much of the reason that fans tuned in each week. However, it was not until she was paired with veteran CAL commentator Cito Conarri at CAL pay-per-views that she truly seemed to come into her own fully, Cito's knowledge and passion for the sport bringing the best out of Leslie and seemingly making her rise to the challenge of delivering superior commentary.
After Old Line Wrestling swallowed BWWa in 2004, Leslie was signed on as a color commentator and paired up with her pay-per-view partner, the two of them developing a banter and style that covers for one another's weaknesses wonderfully. Today, Leslie sits as one-half of the most well-loved and well-respected commentary teams in the world - so well-loved, in fact, that CAL territories outside OLW have backed them both as the accepted CAL-wide event team time and time again.
Leslie Stanton is in her mid-twenties, is slim and slender, possesses expensive fashion tastes, and has very lengthy golden hair that she will style for important wrestling events. An extremely attractive woman, Leslie has a sultry, smoky voice that often has a playful edge when speaking with Cito. Although she's friendly and loyal to both her territory and her announce partner, Leslie likes wrestling rougher than most, often preferring heels to faces simply because of their edgy appeal. She favours female wrestlers heavily, as well as good-looking wrestlers, and feels absolutely no shame about this whatsoever.
"The Incomparable" STEVEN STYLES [Color Commentator].
Steven Styles rose to infamy in the old LBWF where he threatened to sue the LBWF for using his name on their broadcasts after he quit. Instead, he became the jobber to end all jobbers, and spent the next two years of his “career” the most mocked figure in wrestling. He was repeatedly forced to go out and embarass himself at house shows and LBWF weekly televised events, losing matches in pathetic fashion. IWA ended up dragging him into the fold, but, as a janitor.
Styles didn't ditch the routine of being the most hated until, in a decision that still inspires wonder, Alternative 2.0 decided to make him their manager. Styles helped Alt 2.0 become the IWA Tag Champions, after he hit one of Alt 2.0's opponents with a push broom. Shortly after becoming their manager, however, Styles ended up behind the commentary bench full time alongside Cito Conarri when IWA Commissioner Dawn fired Steven Cook and Mike LaRocca.
Bringing his own brand of inane, off-the-wall humor to the commentary booth, Styles has slowly transformed into one of the most popular non-wrestling figures in the entire CAL. If he ever stepped back into the wrestling ring – not that that's likely to happen, ever – he'd likely get a reaction that would make several marquee names envious.
DUANE ECKELBURY [Backstage Interviewer]
Duane “Double-Decker” Eckelbury is one of those guys you see once, you never forget him. He stands about 6 ft 3 and probably weighs close to 300 lbs. A former powerlifter who got into broadcasting after retiring from the sport, Duane's frame has gone to seed, and he has a large paunch that would seem a lot bigger if his arms and shoulders weren't still massive. Duane is bald, and has a wide face, with a huge smile as a default expression.
Personality wise, Duane's like the “cool uncle” every family has… you know, the one that declined to get married so he could keep drinking beer, listening to loud music at night and sleep in a racecar. Duane is loud, manly and corny, in pretty much that order. Either you love the guy or hate him – there's no in between. As an interviewer he does a pretty good job. He doesn't beat around the bush when it comes to asking questions, and he can be totally oblivious to when he's angering a wrestler with his loudness. His favored attire is jeans, held up by a belt, and a Gold's Gym T-shirt stretched tight across his massive frame, and on the rare occasions he's forced to wear a suit, he looks miserable throughout.
In addition to commentating, Duane forms the backup commentary team alongside Jenna Lyons. Because of his combined size and strength, he isn't particularly intimidated by the wrestlers, and instead is sometimes used as security.
JENNA LYONS [Backstage Interviewer]
Jennifer Lyons, sometimes called "Miss Jenna", or just Jenna, is an attractive woman with light brown hair. She got her start, like a few others in OLW, in a England based federation called the LBWF. There, Jenna was a wrestler, albeit a typical 90s female wrestler. She also functioned as a valet, frequently being handed to young talent that staff wanted to encourage. Jenna would eventually get partnered with the under achieving, jobber-to-the-stars Tri-Angle. She would leave LBWF with Tri-Angle and join Bad Blood Wrestling, run by former OLW superstar Chris "Mr. Dude" Redpath. Jenna took Tri-Angle to two reigns as BBW United Kingdom Champion, and got a reign as BBW Women's Champion herself. When BBW closed after its stadium was destroyed in a bombing, Jenna left the business and went to law school.
She was brought back to the business by Keep It Real Kid. Jeff Andrews had gotten himself in trouble for attacking a radio talk-show host, and KIRK needed someone to get him off the hook. Jenna did this. She then bounced around doing various jobs. Secretary for KIRK, manager of his stable The Unforgiven II, valet for Danny Vicious, and she eventually faded from the scenes, taking a more backstage role in OLW affairs.
Now, hoping to take some of the workload off Duane Eckelbury, she's also functioning as an interviewer. Jenna and Duane also make up the backup commentary team.
Tracie Ferraro [Ring Announcer]
Very little is known about Tracie Ferraro's background, or even her life away from the wrestling ring – and this is the way she prefers it to be. It's known she was born in England and that she went to college there. It's believed by some that she was once an aspiring field hockey star, but that's unconfirmed speculation. She first appeared on screen in the old LBWF as a backstage interviewer. As the LBWF was in the process of increasing its production values, she was shuffled to the side, and when IWA opened, they took her on as a ring announcer instead of as an interviewer.
Tracie is an extremely attractive young woman, and has earned the nickname “The Ice Queen” from various wrestlers, due to the brutal disinterest she shows in conversation with them. In IWA's later days it appeared she was going to be dragged into the action by Llewelyn Yr Penaig, who was completely fascinated by her. However, Llew was fired from IWA before anything really happened.
After hiring random DJs for their first few cards to do the ring announcing, Kai Scott finally managed to get in touch with Tracie, and promptly re-hired her for OLW. She continues to frustrate wrestlers by doing her job well and utterly ignoring them.
Rumor has it she may be a fairly accomplished wrestler herself, having taken wrestling lessons from fellow England native and former Vice-President of the Innovative Wrestling Alliance, Carol Malechai, better known as "The Advocate" Set Malachai.
Charlie Strembatel [Head Referee]
Charlie Strembatel, the native of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, was a wrestler who gained his fame in the late 70s, working under his now infamous “Rabid Opossum” gimmick. The Rabid Possum was a wildman type of babyface. He wrestled barefoot, hung upside down from the ropes by his knees, played dead and chased other wrestlers and managers around the ring on his hands and knees, biting them on the leg if he could manage it. He especially enjoyed terrorizing managers.
The problem with the Rabid Possum gimmick was that, while it guaranteed him a firm position in the upper midcards, it precluded him from becoming a marquee name. As the 80s dragged to a close and the family-friendly gimmick became obsolete, Charlie retired as a full time wrestler and began working as a trainer. In the mid 90s, Charlie met Cito Conarri, and joined his wrestling school as assistant teacher. It was OLW's demand for referees that brought Charlie back into the ring.
Standing at 6 ft 4, weighing in at around 240 lbs (down from his competitve weight in the mid 260s), and in his mid 50s, Charlie is still easily recognizable as the former wrestler he was. He has brown hair, graying around the temples, that hangs to the back of his neck, and a stubbly beard of mixed brown and grey. Charlie's a fairly easy going referee who sees it as his job to enforce the rules – but not at the expense of making the match dull. He also doesn't suffer disrespect from wrestlers, being perfectly willing to get in their face and shout like a baseball umpire. He tends to be far more resistant to ref bumps than most referees, although that generally just leads to the wrestlers trying harder to knock him out.
As the head referee and trusted for having a good mind for the business, Charlie has a fair amount of control over matches. He is happy to make matches no DQ, turn singles matches into tag matches in case of excessive interference, and basically do whatever he can within his power to give the fans and wrestlers what they want. In a match that took place in November 2007, for example, when the fans booed the thought of a count out, he simply didn't bother counting.
Sean O'Meara is rumored to be the younger brother of former LBWF wrestler Crippler, but that has yet to be proven. In the late 90s, Sean was an aspiring wrestler, but he tore the ligaments of his left knee to shreds during training. Rather than undergo surgery to repair them, he opted to become a referee instead. Scooped up by the IWA without having gained much experience, O'Meara learned the trade through trial and error of the kind that involved wrestlers who were displeased with officiating mistakes hitting him.
Sean stands 6 ft even, and weighs in at around 180 lbs. In good shape but not muscular, he sports close cropped blonde hair and odd yellowish-brown eyes. O'Meara generally has good judgment, but he tends to enforce the rules fairly strictly, which doesn't endear him to some wrestlers.
"Spaz" Easton [Junior Referee]
If wrestling was a word – and it is – Spaz wouldn't be able to spell it – and he can't. Having made his *ahem* reputation dumbassing all over the CAL, he was unable to find employment until Kai Scott hired him for OLW out of sheer spite, or possibly a twisted sense of amusement.
A vegetarian pacifist who has no business within 2000 feet of a wrestling ring, Spaz is completely lost and inept while trying to do his job. He wears puca-shell necklaces, puts iron-on patches of Dragon Ball Z characters all over his referee shirt, wears hemp pants instead of traditional black ones, stand about 6'3 but weighs no more than 150 lbs, and makes incredibly stupid calls constantly. You know that referee who for no apparent reason will suddenly try to keep the face from doing a flying attack off the turnbuckle? That's Spaz. He can't seem to see the obvious in front of his face, sometimes manages to get in the way of the wrestlers, and has been known to attempt to disqualify wrestlers for being Republican. Allegedly he once attacked one for this egregious offense, and the resulting beatdown further damaged his mental capacity.
Spaz tends to draw abuse from the wrestlers - even the few who agree with his political positions can't stand him or his piss poor officiating. Spaz has been DDTd, chair shotted and superkicked, each one furthering his mental fog. He has been known to wear a foil hat in the ring, and he once tried to restore order in the ring with a spontaneous die-in. It did not work, for the record.