"XPW owner Rob Zicari (Rob Black) and wife Janet Romano (Lizzy Borden) were indicted yesterday on charges of sending obscene movies through the mail and on their web site. Both face a maximum of 50 years in prison and $5 million in fines. They are both free, but have surrendered their passport and have an arraignment scheduled for 8/27. The movies themselves are not illegal, it is against the law to mail them or display them on an internet forum that crosses state lines. This is a major test case for the porn industry. Today's Los Angeles Times has a huge article on this at www.latimes.com/business"
I was too lazy to sign up for the LA times, but I never knew all that. How does an Internet forum cross state lines? Or better yet, how does it not?
From why I understand, there are some laws that prohibit Internet content from being seen in certain jurisdictions. I have done extensive research on this (not for porn, but...)
The biggest case to date was a `Canada vs USA' case about two years ago, where a Canadian website (iCraveTV.com) that showed streaming TV channels was forced to close down because it couldn't control the content being shown in certain U.S. jurisdictions.
There are copyright laws, but also there are some areas in the U.S. and internationally have made it illegal to watch certain kinds of Internet content. Just a guess, but I'd bet somewhere there are laws prohibiting Internet porn, and since Black can't guarantee 100 % that it won't be seen there... there's the problem.
It will be very interesting to see where this goes.
Kain Interview: the first since he's been unmasked!!! Major changes to SummerShow main event!!! All this plus an interview with Kain in the latest Inside The Ropes!!!
According to that article, it seems the indictment was specifically based on Extreme Associates pseudo "snuff" films that portray "rape, murder, and other violent acts against women".
The thing is, I wouldn't be surprised to see if they get out of this. I'm sure they have alot of supporters in the porn industry that'll back them up and get them good lawyers and such.
Ironically, this happened on the same day of XPW's pay-per-view. They'll probably be spending the profits for legal fees.
edit: I just found a copy of the indictment too if anyone's interested in looking it over:
Click Here (stunningcurves.com) (it seems to be a porn-based site judging by the ad banners and looking at the domain name. so for safety, i'll judge this as not safe for work)
Originally posted by BigDaddyLocoIs XPW still running shows?
Nope. Pretty much been dead for about 5 months now. In a recent interview XPW VP Kevin Kleinrock said there's no interest in doing another live show in the near future. He said that could change if the PPV does well. Although this interview was conducted before the indictment. Their last show was about 4 or 5 months ago.
Originally posted by GrubbyLongJohnsIronically, this happened on the same day of XPW's pay-per-view. They'll probably be spending the profits for legal fees.
Thanks for the links, it just seemed to me the problem was more widespread for Black to be targeted, what with L.A. and Dallas being the main hubs for porn. Then again, I know nothing on the subject. This should be interesting, might make it to the highest court, imagine the possibilities.
"Ironically, this happened on the same day of XPW's pay-per-view. They'll probably be spending the profits for legal fees."
Okay, I'm in the dark here, could somebody shine some light?
I know XPW, and from what I heard, they were trying to be the next ECW. I've seen tapes of them. They weren't too bad, if not a little gory.
My question is why the foul public opinion on Rob Black? Is it because he's an overall scummy porn baron, or did he actually do something evil in wrestling, like skip paychecks or something? I'm kinda curious as to why everybody hates him.
If ure curious about Rob Black i did know that he was connected to the adult market that is why XPw had money but i know the offices were raided seveeral months ago. Any way wasn't Rob Black's wife an "actress2 for him. It's that sort of reputation
Originally posted by LexusOkay, I'm in the dark here, could somebody shine some light?
I know XPW, and from what I heard, they were trying to be the next ECW. I've seen tapes of them. They weren't too bad, if not a little gory.
My question is why the foul public opinion on Rob Black? Is it because he's an overall scummy porn baron, or did he actually do something evil in wrestling, like skip paychecks or something? I'm kinda curious as to why everybody hates him.
He did sort of, kind of, do something evil in pro wrestling. ECW ran their 2000 "Heat Wave" ppv in LA, XPW bought front row tickets so that their talent could show up wearing XPW shirts and try to advertise themselves for free. Security got a hold of the guys and told them to turn the shirts inside out or they wouldn't be let in. The XPW crew agreed until the main event match where they flipped the shirts back over and one of the females (Kristi Myst, I believe) supposedly flashed the crowd. "Mr. ECW" Tommy Dreamer was involved in the main, saw the guys and started to go after them. There was reportedly a legit fight between ECW and XPW guys outside the venue afterwards. There are probably some other details I can't remember, but that's the jist of it. This was a really smart move as they pretty much alienated the fan base they were trying to steal. Plus the whole "porn boss" thing didn't help at all.
Plus, as FMW mentioned, Black was suspected in being involved in the attack of former XPW worker The Messiah and he tried to feed a puppy to a snake. Black later claimed it was a hoax to pull one on net writers or something stupid like that. Jay Bower can tell you all about it. He got a nice little email from Mr. Black hoping that black men violate his father.
What incited them to go after the XPW guys is when they jumped the barrier and tried to strip Francine. I think they almost did but Dreamer and the ECW security crew got there just in time. I don't think much of it got on the ppv, but I remember Dreamer getting on the mic and yelling EC fuckin' W at the XPW crew.
From what I remember after they were escorted out of the arena to the backlot New Jack, Sandman, Balls Mahoney and I think even Rhyno beat the fuck out of them.
I used to spend alot of time on the net that year looking up wrestling stuff back when there was alot to choose from, and I never encounted any bigger marks then them XPW fans.
But... but... Who will run the Save the Puppies foundation? Who will take care of all those retarded children? Who will bring food to the starving babies in Africa? Will they shut down the bunny day-care center if he is put in jail?
This is truly a tragedy.
"Kevin Nash may have only three moves, but they all hurt"
Taff- Yeah Lizzy Borden was an Extreme Associates actress who got into XPW and all that jazz. She's a whack job. The PBS documentary about the American Porn industry that aired about a year ago really exposed those two for the scum that they were. Lizzy was directing one of those "snuff" movies and taking it really seriously, almost as if it were Saving Private Ryan or something. Anyways they left the set.
Also they showed Rob Black talking to some of his new recruits in a boot camp type of atmosphere. He kept screaming at them "Are you prepared to be f'd in the ass?" and a bunch of whacky crap like that.
Originally posted by NagWhat incited them to go after the XPW guys is when they jumped the barrier and tried to strip Francine. I think they almost did but Dreamer and the ECW security crew got there just in time. I don't think much of it got on the ppv, but I remember Dreamer getting on the mic and yelling EC fuckin' W at the XPW crew.
From what I remember after they were escorted out of the arena to the backlot New Jack, Sandman, Balls Mahoney and I think even Rhyno beat the fuck out of them.
I used to spend alot of time on the net that year looking up wrestling stuff back when there was alot to choose from, and I never encounted any bigger marks then them XPW fans.
How was New Jack treated when he joined XPW? Did he have backstage heat with anyone in the XPW crew? And was Shane Dougles part of WCW or ECW when this PPV took place? Because XPW pushed the hell out of Shane, though I think of Shane as more ECW than WCW, and more WCW than XPW even with him holding the XPW strap.
According to XPW VP Kevin Kleinrock, Jack was welcomed into XPW with open arms and well liked by most of the boys in the back. SoCalUncensored did an interview with Kleinrock and he covered most of the relationship between XPW and Jack.