WWE Draft 2011: High Velocity Wrestling in North Carolina

The WWE Draft is going down on the April 25 edition of Monday Night RAW. At this point, there have been several columns already posted, speculating as to who may move where, and which of the two WWE programs will come out better in terms of talent.

To be honest, I for one am not really sure if any of it makes a difference.

First off, the word “draft” bothers me.

I get it, okay? WWE plays out this event as though it is actually happening, that perhaps the flash movie of Superstars’ faces on the Titan Tron is random in its selection. As if the fate of any of the WWE performers would be left up to chance.

But, this is pro wrestling, where everything is a work. I know it, whether some other fans realize it, is another story. So, I have to find a way to actually care about this earth-shattering WWE moment in time.

Don’t misunderstand me here, the draft is a nice little plotline for WWE TV, a way to, in Vince McMahon’s own words “shake things up.” Excitement is often promised during this annual event, and yes, we as fans cross our fingers and hope that is indeed the case.

But, more often than not, we usually end up with a vast array of mid-card talent moving from one program to the other, and only a few big names making the change.

So, yes, part of me is looking forward to WWE programming next week. But, not entirely because of the Monday night draft special on RAW.

RAW will be emanating from the RBC Center in Raleigh, N.C., on Monday, April 25, and Smackdown will be taped from the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro North Carolina on Tuesday, April 26.

Yes, I am a Carolina boy, and no, I unfortunately will not be in attendance for either event.

But, three guys I do happen to know will be in attendance and will be used on the air in some fashion.

Independent pro wrestlers Ken “Loaded Gunz” Magnum, Tom Williams and Nick Wilson are booked to appear on both nights. All three guys are currently top stars in High Velocity Wrestling, a promotion that operates out of Hendersonville, N.C.

HVW is the pride and joy of Viper, a guy that yours truly ran with when I first got into the business. Viper is a great worker, a savvy ring veteran who is running a top-notch outfit with HVW.

He has worked with WWE a few times in the past, and the fact that he was contacted to hand-pick three of his guys for Monday and Tuesday’s programs is testament to the high level that HVW has reached since its inception seven years ago.

This business is all about heart and dedication. No matter what level you’re on, if you want to make it, you have to believe in yourself and be committed to doing whatever it takes to learn your craft and excel at it.

It is this simple approach to business that has caused HVW to be successful, and it is the same theme that led WWE to reach out for some of the best local talent North Carolina has to offer.

Now, what role will Magnum, Williams, and Wilson play on RAW and Smackdown? To be honest, I have no idea.

It is possible one, or all three, could end up in the ring. It is also very possible that they could be simply plants in the crowd, yanked out at just the right moment, to take a bump with the whole world watching.

Either way, I definitely have a good reason to watch on Monday, and later, on Friday night.

Yes, the WWE Draft will hopefully be full of surprises, and end up being very meaningful for their programming from that point forward.

And, yes, three of HVW’s biggest stars will do their part, no matter how big or small, to ensuring that their particular part of the show is the best it can be.

After all, they are professionals. And, that is what professionals do.