Mike Aldren Writes An Open Letter In Regards To Dawn Marie And Wrestler’s Rescue
Posted by Larry Csonka on 07.29.2010
The plot thickens…
- Mike Aldren sent out the following open letter, discussing Dawn Marie and Wrestler's Rescue…
The following statement is a public response to Dawn Marie's open letter regarding Wrestlers Rescue which featured on several wrestling websites earlier this week:
For the last three years Dawn Marie has promoted Wrestlers Rescue as a charity to raise monies to help and support the health care needs of retired professional wrestlers. During that time Dawn has sent me numerous emails asking my help to spread word of her fund raising activities through my writings relating to this project. I duly obliged in most instances.
One of the primary benefactors was to be journeymen wrestler Dr. Death Steve Williams who sadly succumbed to cancer in December, 2009. Shortly after Doc's passing I asked Dawn what she planned to do with the thousands of dollars she had raised—whether that would be in terms of covering funeral expenses for the family or a talked about trust fund for Doc's son.
Dawn told me on-the-record in a January email, "We are talking with the family and trying to figure out the best way to use the dollars that weren't used."
I asked Dawn again a few weeks later and received no response.
A few weeks after that I asked Dawn whether Wrestlers Rescue was in fact a registered charity and what other retired wrestlers she planned to help in the future. Dawn replied and told me that her representative would be in touch soon and furnish me with the information I requested.
Dawn's rep later turned out to be her New Jersey based attorney. I was shocked to learn from said attorney that Wrestlers Rescue, after three years in operation, was NOT a registered not-for-profit nor were they willing to open their finance books to the general public or the people in the wrestling business who have helped them raise thousands of dollars in the name of a dying man.*
And so here we are today.
While Dawn's passion may be viewed by some as admirable, she as the founder and chair of her organization, should be more forthcoming regarding the monies she has raised, nor should she falsely represent herself as a charity, just as she did last week when quoted in a New York Times article.
Is she stating that up until now, the supposed charity has been for profit? If so, who has profited from the proceeds of Wrestlers Rescue? If not, then why has the non-registered charity been so secretive regarding the proceeds of the monies raised?
Who has actually benefited from anything done by Wrestlers Rescue up to now? Check delivered, bills paid, someone rescued?
I hope that Dawn Marie will address these reasonable questions in a public forum very soon.
Should'nt they do SOMETHING to help these women wrestlers?
Instead of trying to sue TNA, how about some healthcare for the sistas!
Posted By: Marcus PSP (Guest) on July 29, 2010 at 12:37 PM
Ok I will say it, its all Vince's fault.
Now all you guys in Ct can say its Linda's and we all win.
Posted By: Rich (Guest) on July 29, 2010 at 12:40 PM
Hope Dawn is in the clear. I still find it quite hard to believe that she's been scamming donations and pretending that Wrestlers Rescue is not-for-profit.
Posted By: Guest#0073 (Guest) on July 29, 2010 at 12:49 PM
All sound like reasonable requests. Share the dirt Dawn.
Posted By: Guest#8830 (Guest) on July 29, 2010 at 12:50 PM
I've been wondering how Dawn Marie has still been financially getting by from her flash-in-the-pan wrestling career...
Posted By: Kip (Guest) on July 29, 2010 at 01:01 PM
Mike 1 Dawn 0
Posted By: reveal (Guest) on July 29, 2010 at 01:20 PM
slut got rich off wrestler's deaths how disgusting
Posted By: Guest#9230 (Guest) on July 29, 2010 at 01:28 PM
Hope Dawn is in the clear. I still find it quite hard to believe that she's been scamming donations and pretending that Wrestlers Rescue is not-for-profit.
Posted By: Guest#0073 (Guest) on July 29, 2010 at 12:49 PM
Me too. People I respect have always spoken highly of her...and let's not forget how complimentary Steve Williams himself was to her when he was still alive. Based on past experience, I'd find myself on her side of the fence rather than a dirtsheet scribbler like Aldren. I'll watch this with interest, but I'm giving Dawn the benefit of the doubt until there's more than allegations.
Posted By: Canucklehead (Guest) on July 29, 2010 at 01:57 PM
Pssshhh! Like Mike Aldren is ever credible along with most of shitsheet writers.
Posted By: Guest#5195 (Guest) on July 29, 2010 at 02:20 PM
Doc was not a "journeyman" wrestler, schmuk.
And it seems Dawn Marie's heart was in the right place...even if she did screw up some of the details.
Posted By: Ronnie (Guest) on July 29, 2010 at 02:21 PM
mike aldren works for the sun. an english tabloid that won't let the truth get in the way of a story, regardless of who it hurts. some people say the sun is a racist newspaper full of propoganda and hate...
aldren should print some evidence or keep his mouth shut about people who are trying to help those less fortunate.
i'd like aldren to publish his bank statements as proof that he isn't funding the taliban.
Posted By: columbo (Guest) on July 29, 2010 at 03:25 PM
All charities are a scam.
And why aren't wrestlers smart enough to plan for their future?
Posted By: Guest#5020 (Guest) on July 29, 2010 at 04:21 PM
Hope Dawn is in the clear. I still find it quite hard to believe that she's been scamming donations and
Posted By: Guest#0073 (Guest) on July 29, 2010 at 12:49 PM
It's a fact that Dawn pretending that Wrestlers Rescue is not-for-profit cause it's not listed anywere as one. Also She said they listed a not-for-profit under a other name that works with Wrestlers Rescue. Thats not how things work.
Posted By: Guest#6975 (Guest) on July 29, 2010 at 04:29 PM
Honestly, Dawn Marie is one of my number one dream fucks and it would break my heart if all this charity was was a lie. I hope she openms the books and shuts this bean down.
Posted By: Brass Nockle (Guest) on July 29, 2010 at 04:43 PM
She should have just made a sex tape rather than stealing money from a fake charity. She would have made more money and not made everyone hate her! This (if true) is just terrible.
Posted By: Guest#4019 (Guest) on July 29, 2010 at 05:28 PM
"Doc was not a "journeyman" wrestler, schmuk.
And it seems Dawn Marie's heart was in the right place...even if she did screw up some of the details."
Some of the details? He's asking where the money is, that's the only detail that matters. It's far more important than where her heart is. If she didn't give half a shit about Doc, but raised this money for PR or whatever reason and gave it to his family, it's still better than having the best intentions in the world and not giving them their money.
Posted By: Jim (Guest) on July 29, 2010 at 05:46 PM
"All charities are a scam.
And why aren't wrestlers smart enough to plan for their future?"
Shut the fuck up, moron. You probably have never taken out insurance in your life, not even from an employer. You probably have never made 20 grand in a year. You do not know shit about dick. Shut your mouth and have some respect for the dead, and one of the greats at that.
Posted By: Joe (Guest) on July 29, 2010 at 05:51 PM
slut got rich off wrestler's deaths how disgusting
Posted By: Guest#9230 (Guest)
I don't care. I'm still going to vote for Linda if she gets that far.
Posted By: Guest#6675 (Guest) on July 29, 2010 at 05:56 PM
I don't think anyone should jump to conclusions. I do believe that Dawn's heart is in the right place with Wrestler's Rescue. And we all know she's not the brightest, so how about giving her the benefit of the doubt.
Posted By: Devin (Guest) on July 29, 2010 at 06:16 PM
...and P.S. - who the fuck is Mike Aldren anyway?! Did HE donate any money? If not, why are we even acknowledging this person in regards to the situation?
Posted By: Devin (Guest) on July 29, 2010 at 06:19 PM
Oh please, anyone who's ever been involved with a 501c3 knows they're hard to get because the feds want a full blown organization with coporate structure. Most small time charities don't meet those requirements, but that doesn't keep them from doing charitable work. It just means donors can't get a tax deduction for their gifts. And considering how much individuals have to give to qualify for a tax deduction anyway, I doubt the hassle is worth it to either Wrestlers Rescue or their donors.
Posted By: guest (Guest) on July 29, 2010 at 06:29 PM
"I've been wondering how Dawn Marie has still been financially getting by from her flash-in-the-pan wrestling career.."
At least she was IN the pan and not some fucking troll mark who impresses abso-fucking-lutely NO ONE because he knows the wrestlers' real names.
Posted By: Guest#0208 (Guest) on July 29, 2010 at 07:02 PM
Mike's letter is fair and balanced, Seems like Dawn is in the wrong here no matter how good her intentions were. He isn't saying Dawn is scamming anyone, just that she should open her books.
Posted By: smokey33 (Guest) on July 29, 2010 at 07:39 PM
All charities are scams, like all religions, all politics, and virtually anything involving human beings and money. Suck on that crybabies.
Posted By: Pencil Jr (Guest) on July 29, 2010 at 08:08 PM
Mike's letter is fair and balanced, Seems like Dawn is in the wrong here no matter how good her intentions were. He isn't saying Dawn is scamming anyone, just that she should open her books.
Posted By: smokey33 (Guest) on July 29, 2010 at 07:39 PM
Why is her books any of this guys business.
I have no problem with a reputable person or reporter asking these questions but he's just an internet/tabloid writer. Since when does anyone answer to them, let alone take them seriously.
It's the equivalant of a celebrity like George Clooney starting a charity for the people affected by the BP oil leak then someone from TMZ asking to check Clooney's finincial records. Who the hell are they and why would he answer to them.
Posted By: Mister Mike (Guest) on July 29, 2010 at 10:33 PM
THE LATEST from The Official Wrestlers Rescue Website
July 27, 2010: AN OPEN LETTER FROM DAWN MARIE
On behalf of myself, the Wrestlers’ Rescue organization, and the many volunteers and donors, I'd like to strenuously deny and condemn the false and baseless defamatory statements currently circulating concerning an alleged investigation and corruption in Wrestlers' Rescue. Not only are the accusations false they contain no merit and they are disrespectful to the volunteers who have invested their time, energies, and hearts into helping former professional wrestlers in need.
These statements (most of which appear to have begun following comments made by Mike Aldren) are defamatory and contain no basis or fact. These unfounded false allegations have put at risk our efforts to help the former stars who currently face major personal, medical, and financial crises. The damage these falsehoods may have done to real people (not wrestling “characters”) is immeasurable.
I am currently weighing options for an appropriate and comprehensive response. When I have decided on my best course of action, as well as exploring legal options on behalf of both myself and Wrestlers’ Rescue, I will address all allegations.
A full and complete refutation of all false claims will accompany our forthcoming formal response, in the courts and/or other venues. More importantly, though I wish to express the anger I feel that for the sake of a few web hits and some false ego-gratification, all those who spread his falsehoods as “truth” may have put at risk Wrestlers' Rescue's attempts to aid good and well-loved people facing enormously difficult circumstances. Unfortunately, internet rumor mongers feel that they can tarnish people and an organization’s reputation without any evidence and still have impunity. It is truly shameful that I must even dignify these individuals who have nothing more than time and a computer, to address these harmful and baseless allegations.
I give thanks to all my friends and colleagues who have called and written to express their anger at this attack and their support of me. It is for people like you and not the Mike Aldren's of the world that Wrestlers' Rescue exists and will expand.
Dawn Marie
Posted By: Anthony_McMannequin (Guest) on July 29, 2010 at 11:27 PM
You could round up all the 'honest' wrestlers in the world and easily fit them into a minivan, if not a sedan. Sad to say that's true. People who are honest and of good character don't stay around the business as long as most of these people have. And they don't run around with the likes of Missy Hyatt. I worked for a not-for-profit before, and can tell you: more times than not MOST of the funds do not go where theyre supposed to. Most "chairman" of these orgs also pay themselves a generous salary, as if they were working in a private company. Yes, they may "mean well" on some level, but it doesn't mean they are or would do it for free. In addition to the attention she has gotten, she has also found a way to make a living without having to punch a clock like most washed up entertainers are one day forced to do. I'd be damned surprised if even 25% of the money raised has gone to the wrestlers. Granted, it's better than nothing but still... I agree with the tabloid writer, if there is nothing to hide then DM should be a little more forthcoming in disclosing where all the money has gone.
Just stating the facts people.
Posted By: Guest#6156 (Guest) on July 30, 2010 at 01:17 AM
I don't think anyone should jump to conclusions. I do believe that Dawn's heart is in the right place with Wrestler's Rescue. And we all know she's not the brightest, so how about giving her the benefit of the doubt.
Posted By: Devin (Guest) on July 29, 2010 at 06:16 PM
She was bright enough to dodge those questions and have her attorney contact Aldren. Doesn't sound too dumb or irresponsible to me. Don't kid yourself... just because she was once a hot piece of ass doesnt mean shes a dumb bimbo.
Posted By: Guest#0846 (Guest) on July 30, 2010 at 01:22 AM
Don't listen to a word that scumsucking asshole Mike Aldren has to say. Not only is he a hack of a writer, he's also a horrible human being.
Five years ago, Aldren used to run this shitty little newsletter that he sent out to people - it was chock full of week old information, spelling errors, and half the time the wrestlers didn't even have their names spelled correctly. In addition, if anybody didn't give an interview request or let Aldren use their material he'd throw a giant hissy fit and bash the hell out of them in his dirtrag. The reason he's pretty much done shit for the last several years was because his little newsletter was shut down by the domain that sent it out because of copyright infringement, among other things.
I don't know Dawn Marie, but I know Aldren. And the enemy of my enemy is my friend.
Posted By: Black Scorpion (Guest) on July 30, 2010 at 03:29 AM
Because you dummy, charities are required by law to declare their finances. The reporter was enquiring for public record info and was shocked to find out Dawn was lying to people about being a charity.
She is accountable. Wrestlers Rescue seems like a big scam to me.
Posted By: smokey33 (Guest) on July 30, 2010 at 07:30 AM
Mike Aldren writes a dirt sheet. He is a man who sits at his computer and writes about wrestling at night, and probably packs meat by day. Dawn Marie should ignore him and continue with her life.
Posted By: Guest#8059 (Guest) on July 30, 2010 at 11:52 AM
Mike Aldren runs a pretty good newsletter. Don't know what he did 5 years ago but these days he's among the best reporters on the Net and breaks lots of stories, this thing about DM included...
Posted By: bobbybo (Guest) on July 30, 2010 at 12:56 PM
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