Evan took me on a whirlwind tour of the back alleys of New York City where we interviewed a variety of wrestlers ranging from "Lowlife" Louis Ramos the hardcore wrestler, to the Mambo King, to the former WWF star Nikolai Volkoff.

Highlights of the experience included interviewing the Mambo King in Brooklyn. This man insisted on wearing his mask during the interview which prompted catcalls from passers by. Mambo King returned the comments in kind. When he yelled "Hey, Yoko!" to a passing Japanese girl, I thought for sure we were going to get the bejesus slapped out of us. We survived!

We met a variety of different wrestlers at the home of Scott Wilson in Massapequa, Long Island (hometown of Joey Buttafuco, Jessica Hahn, Jerry Steinfeld, and others). We met Steve the Teacher, Kid USA, Frankie Starz, Brimstone, Slash, John "Sure Thing" Shane, and others.

Sunday night gave us an evening in Greenwich Village. "Lowlife" Louis Ramos gave an impassioned reading of I Wanna Tell You About Wrestling in which he addressed those who accused wrestling of being fake. Ratty the Rat Girl challenged him, and they wrestled before an astonished art house crowd. You can see their pics at the top of this page.

The last day took us to Baltimore where we met Nikolai Volkoff in the home of his manager, Nikita Breznikov. This was the first time I met someone who had been made into an action figure, had his likeness imprinted onto a children's book, collectible glass, and was animated for a Saturday morning cartoon show. He regaled us with stories about his career as both Evan Ginzburg and Scott Wilson asked questions like, "Do you feel the business has done good by you?"

There's so much to write, but I'm pooped! It's been a week since I've flown back from New York and MY ARMS ARE STILL TIRED! So, now's the time for you guys to write something.

I'm starting a Wrestling Then and Now message board over at Yahoo Groups. When I begin editing the movie, you can see video captures and small clips over there. PLUS, you can tell us what you think!

I've already asked a first question over at the board concerning the proposed title of the movie, Screwjob: The Other Side of Professional Wrestling. Go over, read the question, and answer to your heart's content. Ask your own questions! The board will be unmoderated, so be good. I only intend on stepping in if things get a bit too libelous or out of hand.

People have asked when the movie will be completed. I'm reminded of Charlton Heston playing Michelangelo in The Agony and the Ecstasy. The Pope, played by Rex Harrison, kept asking when the Sistine Chapel mural would be completed. Heston barked, "When it's done!"

There's some California footage I need to get. Hopefully, that will be done by late September. I want to begin editing around then and have the movie completed by December 1st. However, I won't sacrifice quality in order to rush it out to meet a film festival deadline. So, at the latest, you'll probably be able to see it in early 2003.

In the meantime, new info will be posted at the new Wrestling Then and Now Message Board. Click the Nikolai action figure below to visit it: