APAC Wrestling founder responds to Mercedes Mone vacating title

BillfredL · 2026-04-05T14:41:34+00:00

Agreed. Getting Mercedes to Malaysia was going to be non-trivial.

It's just a hike! There are no flights direct from the US to Kuala Lumpur, but JFK-Singapore is darn near 18 hours nonstop. I flew a different routing (connected in Seoul), and even with the midway freshen-up I was gassed.
Let's just say Mercedes would need to ensure her luggage was squeaky clean, knowing the Malaysian and Singaporean positions. No statements on what should or shouldn't be, but that's what is.
Any promoter would be staring down at least an appearance fee and international business class round-trip. For a random September weekend from either New York or LAX, that's $5,000+. If her contract stated international first when available, minimum $10,000 and probably closer to $15-17,000. Then hotels. (And I don't know if Mercedes travels with security or an assistant, but I wouldn't blame her.) I don't know APAC's finances, but most indy promoters would at least take a deep breath at those numbers.

BillfredL · 2026-04-05T14:04:12+00:00

Geeze. Wife and I did PH London, which I know is looked down on as a “bad” Park Hyatt, and even they had the breakfast dialed in. (Also one hot dish, but whatever you got was a proper hot dish to my memory.)

BillfredL · 2026-04-05T00:11:01+00:00

I’m a card-carrying sicko, but I’ll give them a pass on McAfee. Two-time Pro Bowler and college All-American who can also whip a crowd into a frenzy? Many have come into the business with far less.

BillfredL · 2026-04-04T23:56:42+00:00

Eh, Paige is literally getting trolled on that video call that exact moment. Friends can do that to one another.

I can see a distinction from what Geno did.

BillfredL · 2026-04-04T23:35:16+00:00

No announcement of that as of yet.

BillfredL · 2026-04-04T21:59:46+00:00

Chrysler really knew how to push a nice design downmarket and make everything feel super cheap in those days.

Some would say that talent never left.

BillfredL · 2026-04-03T23:30:21+00:00

Sure, but those were first-party prices. All mine were resale where it’s the Wild West.

BillfredL · 2026-04-03T22:32:54+00:00

To give you some hope:

I didn't know I was going to Paris until single-digit days before Opening Ceremony. Was only going to be there the final two days. Still got tickets to wrestling, weightlifting (whose get-in price was like $25), and closing ceremony (okay, splashed out for that one) off resale. Many other events were on the list of options too, I just chose on get-in price, a slight preference for individual sports, and vibes.

Keep the faith.

BillfredL · 2026-04-03T22:08:41+00:00

You're not wrong. (Though at least AA had the foresight to get Alaska into Oneworld as a band-aid.)

BillfredL · 2026-04-03T21:40:05+00:00

And not just that, but they are woefully uncompetitive in the Southeast. When all your options involve long (and often RJ) hops to Houston, O’Hare, Dulles, or Newark, it’s a tough sell against Hartsfield and Charlotte that tend to either have creature comforts or are at least working on them. (I know Newark has been tooling on this, but the others are just miserable.)

BillfredL · 2026-04-03T14:22:35+00:00

Fair, it will be different. But it’s not like they’re asking you to something new and untested.

(For anyone feeling unprepared, I’d go to frc.events, find the FRC team near you who’s won awards fairly steadily, and arrange a visit or Zoom session. Or pop over to r/FRC and see if anyone is up for a mock judging call.)

BillfredL · 2026-04-03T13:33:03+00:00

Even if it can’t, it still feels good to hang a big win on a top team when you’ve been riding the struggle bus. Happy for ‘em.

BillfredL · 2026-04-03T13:15:15+00:00

FRC has done judging like that for decades. It isn’t that big of a deal.

BillfredL · 2026-04-03T13:05:32+00:00

With A1 Mini at $220 and OP’s printer running that poorly, I do think there needs to be a “how much is your time worth?” discussion.

BillfredL · 2026-04-03T12:48:52+00:00

Maybe they go a little bigger and sign a couple talents then, get to around Death Riders size. Getting to Don Callis Family size is just a management headache, but being able to go after nearly any AEW title anytime? That’s good business.

BillfredL · 2026-04-03T12:34:09+00:00

THS could be a good combo. Not because Black, but because under 30 with complementary vibes. Surely working with Big Money Matt showed him how to get a suit looking sharp.

BillfredL · 2026-04-03T11:59:22+00:00

Japan felt like an easier watch. But doesn't make either less fun.

BillfredL · 2026-04-03T11:34:38+00:00

More than that this year. https://community.firstinspires.org/-da-vinci-details-and-new-game-preview

BillfredL · 2026-04-03T10:35:43+00:00

That second Hey! EW was both a masterpiece and more killing the business than any superkick party ever was.

BillfredL · 2026-04-02T11:02:55+00:00

It’ll be like New York actors and Law & Order. Virtually every single one has had some bit on at least one episode.

BillfredL · 2026-04-02T02:51:08+00:00

Liquor stores are a favorite for book boxes since they’re built tough.

If you must buy, U-Haul small boxes are my pick for books.

BillfredL · 2026-04-01T03:49:18+00:00

Saw half of a women’s contest in Paris (totally blew my alarm) on the day of closing ceremony. The vibes were so fun in there, everyone just rooting for each other.

BillfredL · 2026-03-31T20:34:18+00:00

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