wrestling / Columns

The Professional 3 04.09.13 The Best of Scotty Goldman

April 9, 2013 | Posted by Jon Harder

Welcome to another edition of the Professional 3 EXCLUSIVELY on 411Mania.com. I’m Jon Harder and TODAY IS THE DAY! It’s WrestleMania Sunday! After all the columns written by every columnist and blogger imaginable, including myself, it all comes down to today at MetLife Stadium. However, this weekend has been phenomenal for myself to say the very least.

This is the second day the Hardway Podcast has taken over WrestleCon! An amazing experience thus far, especially with all the legends and all around wrestling that was consumed the Con. If you are reading this early Sunday morning and are heading towards the Con in Secaucus, we still have t-shirts, wristbands, and the Best of the Hardway CDs at Good News Hughes, Leon St. Giovanni, and my table, so stop on by and say Hello.

Besides my own, there are SO MANY wrestling podcasts and web-series that have graced the internet over the past few years. There are many different types of podcasts: wrestlers conversing with other personalities, promotions utilizing a forum to sell their upcoming events, and fans voicing their opinions on wrestling events. It is a great forum to get your voice heard. However, within the realm of wrestling internet radio, there is only one KING of the wrestling podcast that we all aspire to be. He’s the King of Social Media and more importantly, the King of the independent circuit: COLT CABANA.

Whether he’s “Classic” or “Boom Boom”, Colt Cabana has taken the independent wrestling scene by storm. He wrestles practically every weekend, has had multiple successful web-shows – Creative Has Nothing For You and Worst Promo Ever – on YouTube, has completely revolutionized how to market oneself on social media, and most importantly, has mastered the wrestling podcast called the Art of Wrestling. Colt is living proof that “funny equal’s money” and that comedy within the wrestling realm is a successful venture. However, on the major level, Colt Cabana is not a household name. Save “the Shoot” reference from CM Punk in 2011, Cabana’s name has barely been uttered on national television. Yet, someone “resembling” Colt had a cup of coffee within the WWE Universe. You might know well, internet fans. You might know this person as SCOTTY GOLDMAN.

Scotty Goldman only had 4 official matches on WWE television, but he, for a short time, made a bit of an impact on the WWE Universe on the grassroots level. The internet crowd (the YouTube generation) loved what he was doing, yet the major players (the older crowd) didn’t “get” Goldman, hence his release in 2009. However, this nerd has found a way to wrangle up 3 pieces to make up the BEST OF Scotty Goldman. Without further adieu…

THE PROFESSIONAL 3: The Best of Scotty Goldman

1) WHAT’S CRACKIN’

In late 2008, WWE.com was chalk full of web-shows. The Dirt Sheet, Santino’s Casa, and Word Up were the name of the game on the official website of WWE. However, one show in particular took the internet by storm, particularly of the die hard internet wrestling community. What’s Crackin’ with Scotty Goldman debuted on January 14, 2009 and developed a cult following on WWE.com. According to Colt Cabana’s shoot with AIW, What’s Crackin’ received as many views as the Dirt Sheet with John Morrison and the Miz, and Goldman was virtually NEVER on TV, which says something about the internet fan base Cabana had. His web-shows were unique and never unfunny. And although the last episode was known as Good as Goldman, What’s Crackin’ was vastly underrated and got Scotty Goldman recognized in the WWE Universe. Personal opinion: He was two years too early with the true major following with a web-show, as Zack Ryder got that honor in 2011. Regardless, Scotty made an impact with What’s Crackin’ and quite possibly spawned the social media dominance Cabana has today.

2) SCOTTY GOLDMAN’S DEBUT VS BRIAN KENDRICK

On August 15, 2008, Scotty Goldman made his WWE debut on Smackdown facing The Brian Kendrick. Although The Brian Kendrick was on quite the roll, undefeated in singles competition on Smackdown, combined with having Ezekiel Jackson as his muscle and steamrolling his way to Unforgiven in the Championship Scramble match. However, Goldman made his impact well, utilizing his comedy and British styling for the short time he had. The biggest impact was his 30 second promo as he headed towards the ring. True comedy. Regardless, Goldman looked to be on his way to becoming a midcard fixture on Smackdown…but things happen.

3) FCW MATCH VS KIZARNY

During his stay under WWE contract, Goldman was mainly known to the Florida based FCW, the WWE developmental territory during that time period. Goldman was perfecting his craft as a unique character and this match with Sinn Bowdee demonstrates just that. Funny to see that both men were released within weeks of each other. The bottom line: Scotty Goldman had so much potential and FCW only perfected his craft.

BONUS PICTURE: THE SCOTTY GOLDMAN POKER CHIP

Yes, this was his only official piece of WWE merchandise.

Colt Cabana took whatever he was given and developed it into what his career is today. He is a total international ambassador to the world of independent wrestling. He is a mini-mogul in his field. If only WWE knew what they had in Scotty Goldman. He was a great talker, unique wrestler, but most of all, he had IT. Colt Cabana is an inspiration to everyone attempt to make money in independent wrestling.

Enjoy WrestleMania 29, guys. See you next week on the Professional 3.

Jon Harder

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@TheJonHarder