wrestling / Columns
The Professional 3 6.16.13: Why You Should Know Who Mark Shurman Is
Welcome to another edition of the Professional 3 on 411wrestling.com! I’m Jon Harder and before I go any further, I just have to talk about the feedback on the Paul Roma column last week. Wow, it was quite the mix. Although I will not lie when I say I expected some backlash, the positivity some brought into the feedback meant a lot. Thanks to those fans that genuinely had their Paul Roma moments. It’s pretty cool to see. This week, hopefully I can divulge into a little more of the current independent scene and showcase a fantastic up-and-comer.
Before we go any further, please check out this week’s Hardway Podcast on TheJonHarder.com with Brittney Savage. Brittney has made a lot of waves about retirement and leaving the wrestling business. Thankfully I was able to swoop in and grab a great interview with this former WSU standout. You can find her on Twitter at @TheBrittySavage and most importantly, check out the podcast.
Also, make sure to find me on Twitter @TheJonHarder and let me know what you think of the Professional 3 and anything else on your mind revolving around the world of wrestling.
With that all said, I decided to dedicate this week’s P3 on someone who deserves a little exposure in the realm of independent wrestling. Unlike the majority of the fan base online, I truly am a fan of wrestlers that can draw me in with their characters. Every wrestler should have layers of depth to them which should be enough to draw people in emotionally. This one guy in particular has really caught my eye over the past 18 months as a breakout star in the Northeast. He has the look, the passion, the charisma, the in-ring capabilities, and most of all, the “it” factor. Basically, he has all the tools. Combine the tools with the absolute love of old school wrestling, you have a wrestler with blue chipper written all over him. His name…
“The Sure Thing” Mark Shurman.
I first saw Mark Shurman back in 2011, when I was doing commentary for NWA on Fire with the legendary Savoldi family. Out walks this 6’4 gentleman onto my monitor, yelling at the fans in Maine, throwing derogatory remarks at the On Fire faithful. When I finally had the chance to work with “the Sure Thing”, I jumped all over it in Beyond Wrestling, as a member of my Professional Revolution. Although Shurman nearly left me for dead at the hands of Dan Barry on October 13, 2012, I always had an affinity for the Boston native.
Shurman has found a way to invoke a series of catchphrases and make them memorable in New England. Coming out of the New England Pro Wrestling Academy, which is run by New England standout Brian Fury, He has won a plethora of championships over a few months span, including the CTWE Tag Team championship. He has really created a name for himself on the Indy circuit, most notably in Chaotic Wrestling. You don’t believe me? Look at this uncut video on “the Sure Thing’s” Chaotic career.
Even more, he HAS A FAN CLUB! The Shurmaniacs are followers of Shurman and go to every show he has. A loyal fan base indeed. Check them out HERE: http://twitter.com/Shurmaniacs
If that’s not enough for you, grab a pen and pad and write these reasons down, as it is time for…
1) SCOTTY SLADE HAS SHOWED HIM #FRIENDSHIP
In 2012, Mark Shurman was on quite the losing streak in Chaotic Wrestling. After threatening to show and show the entire company who he was, Shurman started off 0-20. During a time where “the Sure Thing” needed guidance, ENTER SCOTTY SLADE. “That Guy” showed him the ropes and how to handle himself in wrestling; thus starting a team based on #Friendship. Slade and Shurman have been running the New England tag team division ever since. The current CTWE Tag Team champions have also placed several incredible promos online which quite simply HILARIOUS. Most of all, Shurman has been on the rise ever since the pairing with Slade. “The Sure Thing” might have finally found his footing due to Scotty Slade’s Friendship.
2) THE SURE THING HATES JOHN LAURINAITIS
Not many of you people may know, but Mark Shurman has appeared on WWE television before. He was hired by Theodore Long, among other Boston big men, to personally escort John Laurinaitis out of the building during an episode of Monday Night Raw before WrestleMania 28. However, in this writer’s mind, it was Shurman that made sure the job got done. Also, several months later, Mr. McMahon was so proud of the job Shurman did that before the go-home Raw to No Way Out 2012, Shurman was hired again to personally escort “Big Johnny” out of the venue. Although it turned into a ruckus with Big Show and John Cena, it was great to know that “the Sure Thing” detested People Power. Most of all, it at least got Shurman’s face out there so people could recognize the legend as he continues to ply his trade.Personally, these actions were the reason why Shurman was my bodyguard in the Professional Revolution.
3) TOMMY DREAMER IS HIS MENTOR
Over the 0-20 losing streak Mark Shurman suffered in Chaotic, one man was none bigger in the streak than “the Innovator of Violence” Tommy Dreamer. The ECW Original got into a classic affair with Shurman in his match, ultimately taking a picture with “the Sure Thing” and making friends with the man. However, Dreamer got the last laugh that night, pinning Shurman after a Spicolli Driver through a table. Yet, Shurman and Dreamer maintained a connection throughout the following year. Dreamer wished Shurman “A Happy Hardcore Holidays” with a card during the holiday season. Shurman wanted Tommy to come to a show during the Cold Fury 12 mega-event, but tickets were sold out.At Breaking Point on June 7 in Woburn, MA, we witnessed Tommy Dreamer coming to Shurman’s aid. In a match which “The Scene” Scott Reed, “The Real Deal” Brandon Locke & Tony Omega were going to face Shurman and Slade 3-on-2, out came “the Innovator of Violence” as a surprise partner and help Shurman and Slade come out victorious. There is legitimate proof Shurman has a mentor in pro wrestling, and Tommy Dreamer is that person.
