A hundred and forty metres off the ground is a really, really long way down. Especially when you’re at the high end of it, contained in a small steel pod suspended over a canyon by a high-wire, to which you arrived courtesy of a small tin cart propelled over said high-wire. It seems even further when viewed through the glass beneath your feet, which gives you the impression of a tenuous grip on your lofty perch, one that could be released in a heartbeat.

The Queenstown Nevis High-Wire Bungy… this was the unlikely location in which I found myself when news of the shocking Chris Benoit tragedy reached me. And I can assure you that there is no more vivid reminder of one’s mortality when circumstances such as these combine. Adrenaline combined with shock to the extent that I literally, for the first time in my life, felt my knees give way beneath me. And I didn’t even know the full extent of it yet.

I’ll be honest; when I first began formulating what would be NZPWI’s first Editorial in my head, I had no intention of it starting out on such a downer. But since that extraordinary day two weeks ago, I’ve had trouble getting those opening paragraphs out of my head. To be confronted by two instances I NEVER believed I’d find myself facing, at the same time, was a unique experience indeed. And with that in mind, it’s something I feel best dealt with early.

There was a lot of discussion amongst NZPWI staff immediately following the tragedy, as circumstances were revealed. Limited to internet cafes, I felt isolated from my colleagues – not just in terms of certain decisions that had to made, but out of touch with the people who knew and understood the magnitude of what had happened. My friend Jess, with whom I was sampling the delights of the Queenstown Winter Festival, was remarkably understanding, but it was a strange paradox indeed: to find myself amongst throngs of happy snow bunnies while another area of my life had been dealt a blow.

In the end one person seemed most suited to tackling what has been wrestling’s darkest hour, and even then we waited several days. Skipping Gimme Five that week, the team at NZPWI let events sink in, until long-time contributor Troy Rawhiti-Forbes put pen to paper and published one of the best, rational, and eloquent columns NZPWI has seen. Troy’s reputation goes before him, but the feedback we’ve received since Troy offered his take on a terrible situation has served only to confirm not only his literary talents but his empathy for the industry and those who work within it.

My own thoughts on these series of tragic events have been voiced in recent Gimme Five editions; I have no intention of re-hashing them here. I did, however, want to acknowledge the issue head-on and not shy away from an event that will, I believe, define how professional wrestling moves forward from now on. We have been witness to a major tremor within the industry, one where the aftershocks will be felt for a long time… but more than that, an unspeakable tragedy. Will we ever have all the answers? It’s doubtful. We want to know what drove Chris Benoit to such a desperate act, but the reality is we likely never will. All we can do is hope that the souls of Chris, Nancy and Daniel are at peace.

In terms of an overall Editorial, one of my initial intentions was to showcase and highlight my NZPWI colleagues and their various contributions and content. It’s harder than one may think; not because any of them are found wanting but because it’s difficult to accurately convey my own opinions without sounding sycophantic. In the end I decided: the hell with it. An extraordinarily talented team has elevated this website to the success it enjoys now, and I want to dedicate this, my first Editorial to the people who make NZPWI the internationally recognized site it is today.

Leighton Cox
Black & White has been through several evolutions but two things have remained constant: Leighton’s literary skills and his penchant for inciting one hell of a good giggle. His gift for biting satire combined with an extensive knowledge and instinct for the industry – not to mention his passion for all things Wrestlecrap – have meant that his columns and Gimme Five contributions are among the most popular content on NZPWI.

David Dunn
He might be NZPWI’s youngest contributor, but you’d never know it from the maturity of his content. David handles Television, and this is a HUGE commitment; recaps of three weekly shows as well as previews of what’s to come. Not only that, but David also juggles his TV duties with reporting for Wellington promotions KPW and NZWPW. His maturity is evident to those outside the wrestling industry; in 2007 David was elected Head Boy of Waiopehu College.

Benji Jackson
Our resident Pom, Ben’s Rant From The Rising Sun brings to NZPWI an element hitherto not covered in great detail: the Puroeso perspective. A virtual encyclopedia of Japanese wrestling, Ben balances this extensive knowledge with a solid basis in the history of the sport. Ben’s talents extend not only to writing, but also to radio and television presentations.

Steve Ogilvie
Also known as The Ost, Steve is NZPWI’s unparalleled historical expert. His vast knowledge includes all aspects of professional wrestling, which he combines with an un-erring instinct for the industry as a whole. His column, Katie Bar The Door, offers readers in-depth thinkpieces on many aspects of the history of professional wrestling. A veritable almanac of the industry, what Steve doesn’t know about wrestling isn’t worth knowing.

Troy Rawhiti-Forbes
NZPWI’s longest-serving contributor, Troy’s versatility and literary talents, combined with a unique sense of humour, make him one of the cornerstones of the site. Author of the always-compelling Through The Lens, Troy’s repertoire as a contributor expands to include exclusive photography, not to mention a multitude of public and behind-the-scenes duties in terms of the annual NZPWI Invitational. Never afraid to tackle the controversial topics, Troy backs up an extensive knowledge of the industry with an eloquent penchant for striking at the heart of the matter.

Simon Sweetman
A name that is recognized in many areas of New Zealand journalism, Simon brings to the table a considerable level of experience in media. An accomplished music writer, interviewer and reviewer, Simon applies his not inconsiderable talents to the world of professional wrestling, offering his unique take on the industry in his column, Scheduled For One Fall. In addition to that, Simon also offers his skills as a reviewer to the various books and DVD’s on offer in the professional wrestling arena.

Dayna Wall
Dayna handles one of the largest commitments on NZPWI. Responsible for recapping all WWE PPVs, Dayna also keeps readers informed as NZPWI’s lead News Reporter. Her ability to be both eloquent and succinct has meant that her bearing on all her content is invaluable. In addition to these responsibilities, Dayna also keeps New Zealand fans up to date with Impact Pro Wrestling (IPW), both in terms of reporting on the live shows and the weekly Alt television episodes.

Dion McCracken – Editor-In-Chief
The title says it all, really. He’s the boss. The man. The one who first conceived NZPWI and gathered around him a team of people to help him elevate it into one of the top pro-wrestling websites in the world. In terms of interviews and recognition from some of the industry’s leading organizations, few websites come close to NZPWI, and its success is largely due to its founder. Now a promoter himself, Dion has seen the NZPWI Invitational garner immense accolades. There are few who would disagree with the assertion that Dion is one of the most influential figures in New Zealand professional wrestling today.

Though many readers are familiar with the names above, it must be said that there are those from days gone by who have contributed enormously to NZPWI’s success. People who were here before my time. We'll be inviting some of them to join us in a Special Guest Edition of Gimme Five in weeks to come. And speaking of staff who have been with NZPWI almost since its inception, I'll take this opportunity to mention a fantastic new wrestling audio drama written and directed by Amanda Fitzwater, formerly of NZPWI. Body Slam Alley is a an audio drama with punch, a ballistic ballet for your ears, if you will. Well worth a listen.

Here’s the thing though. No matter how talented the staff on NZPWI, no matter how many interviews we secure or how many events we promote, none of it is worth much unless you, the reader, are here to appreciate it. And with that in mind, the launch of the first NZPWI Editorial will be introducing Letters To The Editor. Just like a magazine or newspaper, certain letters will be referenced and responded to in subsequent Editorials, and at least one will be chosen each fortnight to be published in full. Highlighting the opinions of our many readers, both nationally and internationally, is important not only for the direction of the website but for NZPWI staff in terms of feedback. Additionally, we recognize that many people have valid and interesting opinions that deserve to be widely published. As the new Editor, I’m very keen to interact as much as possible with all our readers, both here in New Zealand and in the wider international community. So no matter what aspect of the industry or NZPWI you have an opinion on, send it to . We value your input, and we welcome your opinions.

In bringing this inaugural Editorial to a close, I want to emphasise the importance of the camaraderie bred throughout the international wrestling community. We are followers of a form of entertainment that has more than its share of detractors. At the risk of sounding precious, this camaraderie is no more important than now, when the industry and all those who work in, and follow it, face a tumultuous time. There is little to be gained from battling each other from within.

When NASA’s Apollo 13 mission was aborted by an explosion caused by an O2 stir, the crew was forced from the Command Module Odyssey into the Lunar Excursion Module Aquarius. Using only the moon’s gravity, they attempted to slingshot themselves around the moon and set a course for earth. With no guarantee this would happen, Commander Jim Lovell slid into a communication blackout with the following transmission to Houston:

Catch you on the flip side.

I’ll see you there.