In the Throggs Neck section of the Bronx, NY, the weather is kinda strange. One day it’s freezing cold and snowing, the next day it’s crystal clear and warm. Maybe Al Gore was right about that whole “global warming” thing?

But the one thing that remains constant is the neighborhood’s leading source of current events information: the local newspaper “Bronx Times Reporter”. Among the many featured articles inside this week’s issue is one written by none other than lifelong Bronxite, and LCW Mercury star, Daniel William Clark, complete with a picture of him from when he was the North American champion, proudly wearing his belt around his waist.

The following is what his article reads:

~Well, after a couple of years pass by, everything can change.

LCW Mercury’s closing was a bit bittersweet for me. On the one hand, I felt happy in some areas, because I would be getting a much deserved break from the wrestling business. I was also able to finish up college, which I had to set aside temporarily while concentrating on my wrestling career. Books and body slams do make a bizarre combination after all.

But then, after that was all done with, I began to think “what am I going to do now”?

During this time, my faithful mentor and friend, Dina Michaels, had decided to move back to Santa Monica to tend to some business of her own. Sometimes, I wonder if she secretly wants to try and get back into the ring herself? If so, I’d like to think that I inspired her a bit since there is no question that she taught me very well. After Bret Hart, I didn’t think anyone would come close to being able to further my training, but Dina was more than just a mentor, she was a good friend and I loved her like a sister. We do still keep in contact though, and I wish her all the best in her journeys, as she does for me.

One of my passions has always been performing in front of a live audience, so I decided to do some community theatre throughout the Bronx. I did pretty much everything from Shakespeare to musical revues and they all had great turnouts. You know you’re an excellent Thespian when you command the lead role in “The Fifteen-Minute Hamlet”. Heh heh heh. While this was going on, I managed to secure a job working as a TV cameraman for a cable station to help pay some of the bills. For all the time I had spent in front of cameras, I decided to see what it would be like behind one for a change. Occasionally, I would even work on a freelance basis with the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB), testing out some of the upcoming video games and deciding which ratings would be best suited for them.

Then last October, I had been granted the opportunity to meet my favorite video game designer, Ed Boon, co-creator of the Mortal Kombat game series. It was definitely a wild experience, and he was such a great guy, giving me a package of Mortal Kombat related goods and even playing a few rounds of the new game, Mortal Kombat: Armageddon, with me! The battles were back and forth, as my Cyrax and Sub-Zero proved to be more than a match for his Tanya and Kintaro. For once, I was the one asking for the autographs…and got it too! He told me to keep in touch with him also and says that he’s a big fan of my work, and coming from him, that’s pretty darn sweet.

Though the two jobs paid me well enough to handle the essential stuff, it didn’t leave much room for luxury, since a good deal of the extra money I had made from my previous run in Mercury was used to finish school. So when I got the call from LCW Mercury president, David Beaumont, I was more than happy to oblige, especially when I found out that the wrestlers would be owning shares of stock in the company. It isn’t money that motivates me, but it doesn’t hurt to have either.

What will be in store for DWC this time around? All I know is it’s going to be a bit different this time without Dina by my side, but rest assured, I will feel right at home once again when I hear the Mercury crowd chanting my name.~

To Be Continued (on page 22)...