History of Nick Maniwa
My name is Nick Glenn but I’m known as Nick Maniwa. My original screenname was nickmanIWA. Chris Hero, Brent Blades & Dave Prazak started calling me, Maniwa & it stuck. You wouldn’t believe how many people think that’s actually my name.
My sister, Patti & her friend Lisa took me to USWA shows when I was younger. Patti then met Ian Rotten. Ian went on to become my brother in law & in 1996, started IWA I know Ian gets a lot of shit on the Internet but if it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be doing what I love.
From the age of 8 years old, I helped with IWA MS. Whether it be putting up chairs, selling hot dogs, setting up the ring (COUNTLESS times), doing the sound (2002-2008, did 1 show in 2011 as there was no one else there), commentary, ring announcing, etc.
In the summer of 2010, I helped two good friends of mine with the first ever D1W show. I thought of & “produced” an angle involving Bull Pain, Mitch Page, HyZaya & Cash Flo. I got a rush & goosebumps as I watched it unfold before my eyes. I was actually giving Bull Pain cues & telling him what to say. 20 year veteran listening to some kid he used to bodyslam on the couch.
With that, I started going to local shows & overall, just trying to better the product. I got to help out a bit with Wolfpack Championship Wrestling. From Wolfpack, D1W started running shows again & I was slated to help with the booking. I booked for the first 3 shows D1W had in 2011 then I got “released”. I really tried to help the scene & change stuff up but it didn’t work out. Win some, lose some.
I jokingly call myself Papa Maniwa because I’m constantly trying to help guys out. I currently help run 9 facebook fanpages, manage countless youtube accounts, & am the webmaster (or co-webmaster) of 2 or 3 websites.
I’ve pretty much done it all in wrestling besides managing & wrestling. I reffed a Drake Younger seminar in October of 2011. Did 3 matches that were about 5-6 mins each. I hosted a roast for pro wrestler, Ian Rotten in March of 2008. I’ve commentated for IWA Midsouth, Heartland Wrestling Association, Destination 1 Wrestling and Supreme Championship Wrestling. On Saturday, I actually did commentary for an HWA DVD. Every other show, I’ve done it live. I would love to manage, just once, to say I’ve done it. I might get the chance to do that & maybe more in 2012 :).
IWA had done 500 shows as of March 2008. I can safely say that I’ve been to 75% of those, if not more. I missed too much school to go to nowheresville, Indiana or Muscataine Iowa or Rock Island, IL. I’ve been to a show at the historic ECW Arena. The main event included Samoa Joe taking on The Necro Butcher.
Respected guys like Chris Hero & BJ Whitmer ask my opinion on their matches. I got the opportunity to see guys like CM Punk & Colt Cabana, twice a week for 2+ years. I’ve ridden in cars with Road Dogg, Billy Gunn. Jerry Lynn, Sabu, among others.
I’ve attended wrestling shows in 10 states (Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Iowa, Wisconsin, & New Jersey.)
I’ve met the majority of my friends through wrestling. Most importantly, I’ve met the love of my life thanks to wrestling. To some, they may think it’s silly or isn’t true for them but for me, Wrestling is Life.
Some pictures to go along with the blog-
http://nickmaniwa.tumblr.com/post/15567974916/some-pictures-to-along-with-my-earlier-blog
http://nickmaniwa.tumblr.com/post/15567916139/some-pictures-to-go-along-with-the-my-blog
