After last week's interview with former referee Pete Stevens, this week we speak to former TNA "Knockout's" and star's of Challenge TV's British Bootcamp, The Blossom Twins!
Ring Name(s): The Blossom Twins (Hannah & Holly) Age: 25 Hometown: Stockport, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom. Height: 5’ 3’’ Promotions Competed For: Ohio Valley Wrestling, Gerry Norton Promotions, Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, Futureshock Wrestling All Star Wrestling Pro Wrestling: EVE Many more Championships and Accomplishments: 2 Time OVW Women's Champion each!
1. When did you first get into wrestling and what drew you to the sport?
Hannah and Holly: We first got into wrestling at 12 years old. Our brother was watching it at the time and we joined him and became hooked. 4-5 years later we still loved it and knew that’s what we wanted to do, so we headed to Futureshock Wrestling in Manchester. It’s hard to explain why we loved it so much. It just became our thing, we could escape to that world every Friday night and it made us happy.
2. You recently announced you were taking a break from TNA, how did you come to that decision?
Hannah and Holly: We both got married last year and it just felt like the right time for us. We have been wrestling for 9 years and as much as we love it, it takes it’s toll both mentally and physically. We want to concentrate on family time and a few other dreams we have!
3. If you could work a match with anyone from the history of the industry, who would it be and why?
Hannah and Holly: You know one of our dreams when we were younger was to wrestle Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania, not sure who he was supposed to team with but we would go around saying it to our Mum and Dad! Don’t think we’ve told many people that before! But hmm if we were to have a tag match now we would love to go up again Serena Deeb and Beth Phoenix. They both came from OVW and we have admired there work and styles for the longest time. So we would have to say them.
4. What are your Top Three matches of all time and why?
Hannah and Holly: One would have to be Jeff Hardy vs Undertaker in the ladder match they had for the Undisputed Championship, we were so emotionally attached and believed in it, we were drawn in and that’s what we love about wrestling, it’s the whole point to it. It was exciting and entertaining and we were sat 2 inches away from the TV. That will always be a favourite. Two would have to be The Rock vs Stone Cold at WrestleMania 19, this is due to the fact that we just watched it last night and again anything that draws out that emotion and gets the crowd fired up is what it’s all about and these guys are simply awesome at what they do which makes it amazing to watch. Three would have to be any Rockers match. We just love to watch them and learn from them. The passion, the love and the energy in all that they did captivates us every time! We do have so many we love though, we are always watching old tapes so our favourites change every now and again!
5. Where can our readers catch you in action next and what have The Blossom Twins got in store for us in 2014?
Hannah: At the moment I am writing a blog which you can check out here www.lululocket.blogspot.com that will keep you up to date with some of the things we are up to lately and I just love to write, so really enjoying that right now! Holly: We are working on little projects and are always doing something and keeping busy. Follow us on twitter @TheBlossomTwins for more up dates as things unfold.
Thank you! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- And thank you Hannah and Holly for allowing us this interview! Across The Pond wishes you all the best with your future projects!
After last week's interview with Zach Gowen, as well as the special interview with Christoper Daniels, this week see's Brit-Wres referee Pete Stevens take centre stage. #FiveQuestionsWith... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Name: Pete Stevens Age: 27 Hometown: West Bromwich Known For: Being a British professional wrestling referee.
1. When did you first get into wrestling and what was the drew you to the sport?
I'll start my answer to this with the latter part of the question if I may. To define a specific thing, person or moment that drew me to the sport of pro wrestling is difficult as I have been a wrestling fan for as long as I can remember. Growing up in a hard industrial town right opposite a industrial estate my early years can be hazy and unfulfilled. I do however always remember the moments I would see wrestling regardless of where I was or what we were doing. Two moments that stand out the most was when Bret Hart defended the WWF championship against Virgil and when Owen Hart brought out Yokozuna as his partner against the Smoking Gunns. Those two moments stick out for me as early memories. As for my involvement, this takes me back 12 years when I was 15 years old. Myself and a friend at school Paul Phipps went to a local show round the corner from the high school we both went to. The show's main event was Jonny Storm & Jody Fleish. After the show we met with the promoter and we exchanged details then we attended training. For Paul that journey ended suddenly, but for me it was my life on and off for the past 12 years.
2. As a referee, how involved would you be in a match and how much would you know beforehand?
This is always a question which I have to take care in how I word my answer based around how proud I was of the work I did every time I stepped in the ring to officiate a bout. I've had various degrees of involvement over the years. Most of the time it depends on the need of the bout and the experience of the people in the ring. I've called matches where all I've been told was the finish to the contest and then that's it. On the flip side of that I've been in the ring with the guys who were less than polished to say the least and they either haven't got the crowd on side for the match or they have lost their next spots and I have had to call an audible as it were and call a few spots to bring them back to life or in some situations finish the match for them spot for spot so it really depends from one match to the next. The last statement is sometimes difficult for people to comprehend but what can be missed about refs is that we are just as knowledgeable in the workings of a match from point A to point B but we just don't bump.... unless called upon but we can get onto that later!
3. Who were your favourite people to work with in the business and was there anyone who wasn't so easy to work with?
Favourite people? I don't have many favourites in this business, wasn't you told? No, seriously I have far too many to mention. It was a pleasure to me to ref a good number of Sami Callihan's matches before I departed from FCP & he left to join WWE. On the same WWE route El Generico (Sami Zayn) was a sweetheart both times we worked together again before he left for the WWE. On this side of the shore I must say Ryan Smile mostly, I'm biased, however as he is one of my best friends away from wrestling. Seeing Pete England develop from a 14 year old Rookie into a 18 year old international star has been a delight. Same with MK McKinnan. He was bouncing around AWW when I met him and he made me the only ref he wanted to call his matches! Someone I discovered on my way out of a promotion who I wish I could of worked with more is Tyler Bate. That kid when the time is right take not just UK wrestling but the WORLD by storm. Everything I have predicted about that guy right back to the first time I saw him training way ahead of the pack in a small unit about 2 years ago has come to fruition. I'm so proud of him. As for not being easy to work with I wouldn't like to say. People who know me and know from previous interviews I've done can name the names for me but this business is like everything else in life, you work well with some people but not others. I didn't get along with one particular import who as mentioned before will remain nameless but my concussion was his fault not mine so does that count as not being easy to work with as I cant remember it to be honest?
4. What are your Top Three matches of all time and why?
This is easy. Number 1 is Terry Funk Vs Ric Flair I Quit Match at Clash of The Champions 1989. This match gave you everything, Drama, Intensity, Compassion, Concern, Outrage & anger from the pit of your stomach and at the heart of it a match well worked by two of the best physiologists this business ever created. Number 2 is American Badass Undertaker Vs Triple H Wrestlemania 17. What more needs to be said? Equally as good as the second to matches recently at Wrestlemania but both guys were quicker, fitter & could both work hard without having to think about the next day. I'll use this one for a modern match but I won't actually name one. I want to go on record here and use match 3 like a WWE 2K14 CAW slot. One slot for 3 attires. Match Three's slot is going to any one of William Regal's matches from NXT in 2013. Amazing. He has still got it!
5. If you could referee a dream match, what would it be?
My dream matches change every day. I always wanted to be a WWE official for Wrestlemania 30 but that's not happening. My Dream match would most likely be Triple H Vs "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair for The NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship & Belt. I'd love to put Terry Funk in there but Triple H Vs Terry Funk isn't something I can say I have given much consideration too.
Slightly early this week because of travel to TNA's taping Glasgow, but it's time for #FiveQuestionsWith. This time around we speak to former WWE and TNA wrestler Zach Gowen!
Ring Name(s): Zach Gowen/Tenacious Z Age: 30 Hometown: Livonia, Michigan, USA. Height: 6' 1'' Weight: 11 stone 13 lbs Promotions Competed For: Juggalo Championship Wrestling, AAW: Professional Wrestling Redefined, Xtreme Intense Championship Wrestling, Independent Wrestling Revolution, All Japan Pro Wrestling, IWA Mid-South, World Wrestling Entertainment, National Wrestling Alliance, Collective League of Adrenaline Strength and Honor, Insane Wrestling Federation, amongst others.
Championships and Accomplishments: MAW Tag Team Champion (with Silas Young), CURRENT CLASH Tag Team Champion (with Greg Iron), 2 Time and CURRENT PRIME Tag Team Champion (with Greg Iron), CAPW Junior Heavyweight Champion, AAW Tag Team Champion (with Krotch), IWR King of the Indies Champion, IWR Tag Team Champion (with Kamikaze), 3XW Heavyweight Champion, XICW Light Heavyweight Champion.
1. How did you get into wrestling and what was it that drew you to the sport?
I used wrestling as a much needed escape from a not so great childhood. The pain of my dad taking off at 4 years old, the pain of losing my leg to cancer at 8, the pain of never really feeling like I fit in anywhere....all of that disappeared when I got lost in the wonderful world of wrestling.
2. How did your disability effect your approach to wrestling and how do your opponents differ their approach when putting together a match with you for the first time?
A lot of people ask me, "Is it hard to wrestle with only 1 leg?". Here's the thing: I've never wrestled with 2 legs so I don't know how much harder it is on 1 leg. Hell, it might even be easier! I do know I'm very blessed and a lot of the planets had to align for me to do what I do in terms of my athleticism, balance, body type, etc. I feel like guys might get nervous wrestling me for the first time simply because it's something brand new for them and out of the ordinary. It's human nature for fear to develop there. But that goes away every time within the first minute of a match. I take great pride in my work and my ability to work with anyone in the industry.
3. During your 2003-04 run in WWE, you worked with some of the biggest names in the Industry over a relatively short period of time, what did that feel like at the time and how do you think that molded you into the performer you are today?
It was an amazing, surreal experience. I wasn't equipped mentally or emotionally or spiritually to appreciate and receive that gift at the time. It's taken a number of years in growth and maturity to truly appreciate what was handed to me. But I also think that run hindered me in some aspects. Fans and promoters alike have this perception or idea of what kind of performer I am based off of what I did on TV over 10 years ago as a kid. I feel like I've grown immensely as a performer and have matured to an appropriate level to handle the responsibility that my story brings to the table. I'm grateful for all of the opportunities to share that, this interview included.
4. What are you top three matches of all time and why?
Top Three Matches of All Time?? This may be a weird list because I have certain emotional attachments to them but I think that's where the magic of pro wrestling lives... in it's ability to make you feel a certain way.
i. Ric Flair vs Lex Luger Great American Bash '88. Flair at his best, Luger at his best, Jim Ross at his best....wish the finish came out a little better but I can't even be mad about it because the rest was so good.
ii. Rey Mysterio vs Sabu One Night Stand '05 was it? Sabu and Rey are my wrestling idols so it was a dream match for me. And I knew how much it meant to Rey. When they told Rey he was wrestling Sabu, he broke down in tears because he was so happy. So to see these 2 guys tear it up the way they did brought a huge smile to my face.
iii. Necro Butcher vs Samoa Joe ECW Arena 2005 IWA Mid-South. That match is just surreal, everything from the action to the atmosphere to the commentary.... that was a moment. Wrestling is all about creating these moments. That was special.
5. Where can our readers catch you in action next and will you be making your way "across the pond" anytime soon?
Not sure when this will come out but there's a ton of exciting projects in the very near future. I have a DVD documenting my story coming out before Wrestlemania, I feel like it's going to be special. We were talking about moments in wrestling and what kind of emotional, positive impact they can have on an individual. A 16 year old kid afflicted with Cerebral Palsy saw me on TV and was inspired to follow his dreams of becoming a professional wrestler. 10 years later, Gregory Iron is not only one of the best wrestlers in the world but I'm proud to call him my tag team partner. As "The Handicapped Heroes", we had an amazing 2013 but 2014 looks even better with some of the opportunities lined up in and outside of the ring. And I have Greg to thank for re-igniting my passion and love of wrestling. As far as getting to the UK, it would be monumental. I've never wrestled there. I think my biggest strength is my ability as a live performer and if you put me in front of an audience that has never seen me live, the possibility of creating some magic is there. I met Mark Andrews and Pete Dunne over the summer while they were touring in the States. Incredibly talented guys and it's inspiring to see them put in the work that's necessary if you want to make a career out of this. I'd love to come across the pond and hook up with those guys again, lots of positive vibes.
Peace!
www.zachgowen.com (coming real soon)
www.facebook.com/zach.gowen.52
www.twitter.com/zachgowen
Five Questions With... makes it's triumphant return with the first interview of 2014. As last year we'll be bringing you a great mixture of interviews with everyone from the world of wrestling. Kicking us of in 2014 is OSWtv's Billy Strachan! Enjoy!
Name: Billy Strachan Age: 23 Hometown: Elgin, Moray, Scotland Known For: Ask Billy and OSWtv on YouTube
1. When did you first get into wrestling and what was the drew you to the sport?
My friend was a wrestling fan and I went over to his house and The Undertaker vs Kane inferno match was on and I was hooked straight away. After a few nightmares of Kane and Undertaker coming to take my soul (I was 8/9 at the time) I watched more videos at his and then found WWF Heat on Channel 4 and every Sunday I'd sit down in my bedroom and watch Heat, then tape the events like Royal Rumble 2000 on Channel 4. When my folks got On Digital I got to watch Smackdown, Metal, WCW Worldwide and very occasionally RAW is WAR. I loved everything about it the shows, the action, the characters and the storylines.
2. Tell us a little about OSWtv and how that came about?
- OSWtv really started from my original YouTube show Ask Billy where I would answer questions from the Old School Wrestling community from bebo then Facebook (facebook.com/OSWChatV), A couple guys from the page had made a one off show talking about wrestling and I thought it was a great idea. After a 30 minute pilot talking about WWE, TNA and SWE I realised that no-one had a YouTube show specifically talking about Scottish wrestling. I'd been keeping up to date with Scottish wrestling and attending several events over that last year from SWE, Wrestlezone and W3L and just ran with it. The first proper show in June got over 200 views so convinced me that this was something people wanted to see. That in turn made me create the Facebook page (facebook.com/OSWtv) where I would share announcements, results, events, pages and articles about Scottish wrestling.
3. Who do you see as the next breakout star of Scottish Wrestling and is there anyone on the scene who could possibly take the next step to a international promotion?
I could talk about who should be an international star from Scottish wrestling for hours. The scene is bursting with talent. Especially the women with the likes of Viper, Kay Lee Ray, Bete Noire and Nikki Storm tearing it up in all over the UK. In terms of the guys I'd love to see Jackie Polo on an international stage, he just has 'it' and he'll be going to Japan next year so they will be in for a treat. Breakout stars? I'd say Joe Hendry for sure, if you haven't seen IC Double Me and You on YouTube it is amazing, he oozes charisma. Martyn Stallyon will be a huge star as he's just a delight to watch in the ring. Also Sammii Jayne and Debbie Sharpe in SWE are better and better every time I see them perform.
4. What are your Top Three matches of all time and why?
This is the hardest question you've asked by far. Edge vs Mick Foley - WrestleMania 22 The match was violent and brought Edge to the big time. It was Mick Foley's WrestleMania moment also so it made it extra special. With the current PG environment it's almost guaranteed that we'll never see anything this brutal in WWE again. Bete Noire vs "Crazy" Mary Dobson - ICW Luke...Who's Yer Da? I do love matches that make me audibly shout OH MY GOD and this did just that. Hardcore, crazy and amazing risks that these two took. It's on YouTube so I would tell everyone to check this out and they would not be disappointed. Shane McMahon vs Kurt Angle - King of the Ring 2001 For someone who had very little training, Shane McMahon was brilliant in the ring and putting him in there with a technical machine, the perfect wrestler in Kurt Angle this was always going to be great. Nothing about this match disappointed me.
5. Where can our readers find your work and what have you got coming up?
- I'm everywhere are the moment, YouTube at youtube.com/VoiceOfOSW, Twitter @VoiceOfOSW and Facebook at facebook.com/OSWtv. I'll also be popping up on Scottish Wrestling Central doing reviews for shows that I attend. Most exciting of all is I've been given the chance to help promote PBW Rock N Wrestle 2 at The Ironworks, Inverness on March 21st which will have Jay Lethal, Sonjay Dutt, Joe E Legend, Grado and Jack Jester on the show to name just a few stars and will have music preformed by Toby Michael's Rolling Damned so worth grabbing a ticket while you still can! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We'd like to thank Billy for allowing us this interview, now go and check out OSWtv!
After last week's interview with SoCal Val, it's time to delve into the world of the wrestling Youtuber, as we speak to Marc Pearson.
Name: Marc Russell Pearson Age: 31 Hometown: Congleton, Cheshire, England Known For: Being an average commentator and an awful wrestling reviewer
1. When did you first get into wrestling and what was the drew you to the sport?
I've been told I used to watch World Of Sport while sat on my father's lap when I was very young ( I was born in 82 so its plausible) but like most people in the UK I really got into wrestling when SKY got the rights to the WWF in the early 90's. Our group of friends had a mate who we didn't like too much but he had sky so once a month, usually on a Monday afternoon we would run to his house after school and watch the latest PPV. I was hooked good and hard, I had the trading cards, the blue plastic ring and the figures and still have some of those old ppv's on original vhs recordings. I was drawn in by the larger than life characters, by the excitement, the action and the drama of wrestling. As I grew older I began to appreciate the storytelling of wrestling and that made my appreciation of it increase tenfold. Outside a few blips (such as 1995, urgh what a terrible year!) I've been watching ever since
2. Tell us a little about your YouTube Channel and how that came about?
Well, it pains me to say that I started on YouTube by uploading backyard wrestling videos. A few friends would get together and do backyard wrestling, but indoors!!! We thought we were the absolute greatest thing online and believe it or not we actually had quite a big following at one point. I watched a few wrestling q&a's at the time and a user called bigrob1991 (known today as Sarcastic Venom) said I should give it a try. He supplied me with a few questions and the rest is history.
3. Where do you see British Wrestling heading in the next five years or so and why?
If British Wrestling continues the way it has since I became aware of it, it can only get better and better. We're in a really privileged position at the moment as there are so many good promotions that put on great shows every month. My worry is that people see how good these promotions are doing and want a piece of the action. It would be very easy for the market to become over saturated. But at the moment there are so many good promotions out there and pretty much the whole of the UK is covered by a great promotion. So many WWE fans complain about the product and you can see people love of the business dying out but if they just went along to a britwres show I guarantee that love will come back tenfold, there is nothing like live wrestling. My passion for the business was almost gone when I discovered Futureshock in August 2011, these days it's never been higher and that's almost nothing to do with WWE!!!!
4. What are your Top Three matches of all time and why?
Shingo Vs Yokosuka 3 from DragonGate's UK Invasion 3 in Nottingham in November 2011 is the single best match I've ever seen be it in person or on TV. A drag out knock down war which featured the best selling I've ever seen. Just an incredible match from an unreal night of action. The other 2 matches are very hard as they change all the time, so today one could be the Undertaker Vs Shawn Michaels while tomorrow it could Rock Vs Stone Cold.
5. Where can our readers find your work and what have you got coming up?
The best place to find me is on my YouTube channel which is http://www.youtube.com/themarcrpears0n. I upload the latest WWE PPV and Raw reviews combined with reviews of old shows in my 10 years ago series where I look at the PPV from the corresponding month 10 years ago, so for example in December we will be looking at WWE Armageddon 2003. I can be found on Twitter @marcrpearson101
After last week's interview with legendary wrestling journalist Bill Apter, this week see's the lovely So Cal Val of TNA fame sit down with us for Five Questions.
Ring Name: SoCal Val Age: 27 Hometown: Beverly Hills, California, USA Height: 5’7’’ Weight: 114 lbs Promotions Competed For: Total NonStop Action Wrestling BSE Pro Wrestling Pro Wrestling Fighters
1. When did you first get into wrestling and what drew you to the sport?
I had my first show in 2002, three days after my 16th birthday. I had been consistently watching wrestling a few years before that. What initially drew me in were the story lines. Especially anything involving the girls. Love triangles, cat fights etc. always excited me most. I loved the drama. The stories that made the rivalries & matches so much more meaningful.
2. You're over here in the UK in November, what do you have in store for the UK fans and what are you most looking forward to?
I study British history, art and art history so visiting England is always very special to me in terms of sightseeing! But to have my very first UK wrestling experience is something I've hoped to do for quite some time. It means I'll have an entirely new group of fans to meet and a new scene to get familiar with when it comes to learning about the local talent. There is such a rich history when it comes to British wrestling. I look forward to seeing who the newest stars will be!
3. Who have been your favourite people to work with in the business and who has proved difficult to work with and why?
I don't think it is ladylike to openly discuss who was ever difficult or unprofessional at work. That would be ME being unprofessional, no? :) (Editors Note: Can't blame a guy for trying ;) ) But to pick a favorite? Oooh that is a tough one. I think back to interviews and chemistry between me and another personality that led to entertaining segments. Guys like Rob Van Dam, Bully Ray, Kazarian & Daniels & Joseph Park were always my favorites on set. In terms of managing I'd say Jay Lethal and Sonjay hands down. It's funny to be friends with them but still be big fans of what they do. I don't think they even realize how talented I think they are. But I do!
4. What are your Top Three matches of all time and why?
It would be easier to say what my favorite series of matches or feuds would be. Immediately I think of two: Christopher Daniels against A.J. Styles is a guarantee for an amazing match. Always. That pairing always made me look forward to what I was about to see. In WWE I remember being in awe of the matches between Kurt Angle & Chris Benoit. They must've wrestled each other a thousand times and every single time it was just….WOW. I also really love Divas matches. The one I watch the most is the WWF/WCW Invasion match between Trish Stratus & Lita against Torrie Wilson & Stacy Kiebler. I just loved the story leading up to it! Maybe it takes a girl to understand why that match was so fun. Wrestling was involved sure...but there was a fantastic build up with the Hardys in the middle of this hilarious cat fight and then the sex appeal of adding the 'Bra & Panties' stipulation was just perfect. I miss matches like that!
5. What's next for SoCal Val and where can our readers catch you in action next?
Luckily my Twitter (@SoCalValerie) is always updated with what I am doing next. I have a lot of projects in and outside of this great sport that I'm promoting: A short film entitled "That Which Falls Apart" that will be released soon. It has a really thoughtful, inspiring message I think will resonate with a lot of people. I feel honored I was chosen to be a part of that cast. After my trip to England I have a few hosting opportunities, one with the makers of "Minecraft" for a gamers convention. Lots more modeling of course and discussing details on a trip back to Germany for the Deutsch Wrestling Alliance. Am I blessed or what? Traveling and playing dress up for a living. Life is good. ;) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ We'd like to thank So Cal Val for allowing us this interview.
After last week's interview with True God Immortal from WrestlingHeels Radio, this week it's time for us to speak to Legendary wrestling journalist, the one and only, Bill Apter. Name: Bill Apter Age: Ageless! Hometown: New York City, New York, USA but now living outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA Known For: Pro Wrestling magazines, 1Wrestling.com, Host of Wrestling Conventions, The Apter Chat, Indy Broadcaster.
1. When did you first get into wrestling and what was the drew you to the sport?
I was a fan since I was a kid (watching it on TV). I loved it from the minute I saw it. I first got into the business when I was doing a radio show in New York, got press tickets to a wrestling show, shot some photos, did some interviews and sent them to a wrestling magazine.
2. You've had a long and storied career in the wrestling business, but for anyone who (for some reason) isn't aware of what you've done, could you explain a little bit about your career and how you got to where you are today? It would take me hours to do that! Best to go to www.wikipedia.com for that information! (Editors Note: We walked into that one!) 3. Is there anyone in wrestling that you haven't interviewed that you would love to get the opportunity to speak to and why?
I've interviewed everyone except -- Vince McMahon. I've talked with him dozens of times but never sat down for an "Apter Chat."
4. What are your top three matches of all time and why?
Jack Brisco vs. Dory Funk Jr (series) Ric Flair vs. Ricky Steamboat (series) Shawn Michaels vs. Razor Ramon (ladder match) **Hogan vs. The Rock makes the list as well.
5. Where can our readers find your work and what have you got coming up?
WWW.1wrestling.com, twitter @apter1wrestling, bapter@1wrestling.com You can find me at most wrestling conventions in the US as well. Thank you for having me on this 5 question interview. I really enjoyed it and thank you fans for all your support through the years! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We'd like to thank Bill Apter for allowing us this interview. Next week: So Cal Val
After last week's interview with "Swiss" Tony Warner from King Bingus Wrestling, it's the turn of WrestlingHeels' True God Immortal to step into the Five Questions With... hotseat.
Name: True God Immortal Age: 26 Hometown: Baltimore, Maryland, USA Known For: Hip Hop Artist, VP of WrestlingHeels, Co-Host/Host of WrestlingHeelsRadio, etc.
1. When did you first get into wrestling and what was the drew you to the sport?
I started watching wrestling back in 1991. I was really young at the time, and I remember Saturday Night's Main Event was on and I saw Ultimate Warrior vs Sgt. Slaughter. I decided to keep it on because there was some interest and then I saw Bret Hart vs Ted DiBiase on the same show and something connected at that moment. As a kid, there's something that captivates you about professional wrestling. I can't explain exactly what drew me to it initially because I was just a kid with a remote. As soon as I saw Bret Hart however, I instantly became a fan. Everything for me changed after that. I would go to the supermarket with my family and see Pro Wrestling Illustrated and automatically pick it up and read. That was where I learned the most about professional wrestling was inside of those magazines. Coliseum Video became a fixture in my household. I would go with my mother and she'd get some of the latest VHS tapes that came out. At that point I discovered how amazing Randy Savage was, Ricky Steamboat, Hulk Hogan, Tito Santana, Jake The Snake Roberts, etc... and then around 1992, I became a big fan of Shawn Michaels. That was the guy who kept me watching weekly on Superstars. I watched Shawn through his entire rise and I was extremely marking out as a kid when he faced Tito Santana(El Matador) at Wrestlemania 8. That match seemed like something special to me for some reason. I remember I was such a WWF fan at the time that I neglected to look at NWA/WCW or the overseas promotions but that's what PWI provided for me. I went back to watch some WCW and NWA stuff, and even old WWWF stuff. My uncle and my grandfather had old tapes they used to watch and I would sit in front of that old big and bulky television with a pack of Chips Ahoy and watch wrestling all day. Funny enough, I tend to do the same thing now(laughs). Professional wrestling honestly in many ways is my escape. I've been a fan for 22 years now, and despite life taking its toll on me over the years, having that sport and being so invested in it as a fan has been helpful. Besides music and my daughter/family, there's nothing that's been as vital to me than wrestling. To witness the changes and evolution of this business firsthand and to see so many different historic eras in wrestling with my own eyes has been something special.
2. Tell us a little about the Wrestling Heels and how that came about?
Well, previously I was a host on a different show. Me and my brother/partner Kanabrewski were both active parts of that show and we were really focused on growing that into a bigger thing, but somewhere along the line our goals didn't match up with the other hosts of the show I guess. From that point when it becomes apparent that your goals aren't aligning, you have to make a change before it gets too much. That's where WrestlingHeels came about. On the previous show/brand I was a part of, I was the HEEL of the brand. I was the complete asshole that would rag on all the Hornswoggle bullshit we'd see, and completely shit on Cena (that will never stop). I even had a segment called "True God's Rant of The Week" where I went into full heel attack mode and would aim directly at the "sheep"(this will never stop haha). So, when we decided to break off and start up our own brand, which is WrestlingHeels. With me being the HEEL of the previous brand, I think the basis of WHeels was already set in foundation. Kanabrewski shares a similar view of the business that I do, so it just worked out perfectly. And now, as people have seen, you grow from just a radio show to a full fledged brand. T-Shirts on ProWrestlingTees(www.prowrestlingtees.com/wrestlingheels), sponsorship for Wrestlecade (www.wrestlecade.com), and of course now, PWX Wrestling (www.pwxprowrestling.com) which is now owned by my partner in crime. It's become a full fledged Heel takeover and it's been something special. To think that you started out as just a little kid watching Superstars and Saturday Night Main Event to interviewing those same wrestlers you watched like Jake The Snake Roberts, Bruno Sammartino, Hardcore Holly and more and having them follow you or tell you they really enjoyed talking the business with you. You go from being that kid in front of the television to being backstage at a PWX Wrestling event listening to storylines being planned out months ahead, giving out ideas that you see come to life, feeling like a part of the Creative team for them, it's honestly something else. I sat in a room with guys from Highspots, Rich Swann, Luke Gallows, etc.. just talking and shooting the shit while they played N64 man. In so many ways, I'm living a dream. I used to sit up and think up matches in my head when I was younger. Like call an entire match that never happened in my head and create storylines. So, at this point, it can only grow and get bigger from here man. I'm just blessed to have this opportunity and I know that without the previous show I was a part of and without WrestlingHeels, none of this would be possible for me or any of my brothers/partners. It's definitely special.
3. What, in your opinion, makes the perfect wrestling heel and why?
A perfect heel? Honestly, I think the perfect heel is somebody that gets under your skin, but you can't help but be fascinated by them. Someone who usually tells the truth, but it's so unsettling that people shun him or paint him as the bad guy. A perfect wrestling heel to me is just a truth teller. Someone who says what's on his mind regardless of the general public opinion, someone who's not afraid to draw heat against the masses. I think in wrestling, to be an effective heel, you definitely have to naturally be an asshole. In the business today though, it's really tough to be a truly effective heel. It's a tough art now because being a heel is so revered by all the die-hard wrestling fans. Even some of the casuals have started gravitating to the heels because it's usually a better role for a wrestler to play. You don't have to be so white-washed or timid like when you're a face. The heel that gets under your skin so much that you just want someone to set them straight or kick their ass, but can never turn the channel from them? That person is a perfect wrestling heel, in my opinion.
4. What are your Top Three matches of all time and why?
Putting me on the spot here, but I'll keep my selections limited to WWF/WCW/NWA here as I have a TON of indie matches and three just isn't enough choices.
1. Shawn Michaels vs The Undertaker- Wrestlemania 25-
I love this match. It's definitely my favorite match of all time. I remember when Wrestlemania 25's card was announced, THIS match was the only thing that I cared about. These two definitely delivered for a classic match. I could watch this match over and over and over. The action behind it was great, the false finishes and the kick out of the Tombstone by Shawn are classic moments in Wrestlemania history. I'm such a big fan of both men and for them to put on a 30 minute classic at the biggest show of the year is something that will stand the test of time with me. Love this match
2. Ric Flair vs Ricky Steamboat- Clash of The Champions 1989
The match went 55 minutes and was 2 out of 3 falls. Nothing could compare to the series these two men had against each other. When I first watched their series as a younger child, I said "wow that was awesome", but I came to appreciate their series and this match especially as I got older. Looking back on it now, it was just absolutely amazing. Classic. Epic. I heard the story that none of this match was pre-planned and they called it out in the ring and just had fun. It shows man. Such a classic battle.
3. Stone Cold Steve Austin vs The Rock- Wrestlemania 17
A lot of people aren't huge fans of the finish of this match and I can understand. I, however, think this match was so great. The back and forth action, the stealing of each other's finishers, the pacing, everything was just spot-on. I have a few small things I would change to it(I would've let Austin kick out of the People's Elbow himself without Vince, and rather just have Austin use Vince after BOTH men kicked out of each other's finishers instead of Vince saving Austin, but that's minor). I honestly think this match is one of the greatest, if not the greatest Wrestlemania main event of all time.
There's a lot of other matches like Flair vs Dusty, HBK vs Bret, Austin vs Bret, Savage vs Steamboat, Punk vs Cena, Punk vs Lesnar, etc that I could include and so many amazing matches off the indies, but those are the three I'll go with right now.
5. Where can our readers find your work and what have you got coming up?
They can follow me on Twitter @truegodimmortal and follow @wrestlingheels and check the website www.wrestlingheels.com. They can also check out PWX Wrestling at www.pwxprowrestling.com as well as check out my album Soul Revival 2(https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/soul-revival-2/id705338753) and my blog www.truegodimmortal.blogspot.com as well as my rarely active YouTube(www.youtube.com/truegodtubetv) channel. As far as what's ahead, there's Wrestlecade, which the WrestlingHeels team will be in full effect at, as well as upcoming PWX events and another album in 2014 with an accompanying mini-documentary and book as well. 2014 is going to be the year of the Heel.
After last week's interview with "The Butcher" Scott Renwick, this week we speak to King Bingus Wrestling's "Swiss" Tony Warner. Name: 'Swiss' Tony Warner Age: 26 Hometown: London born and raised
Known For: IRL for being a new a dad and serial joker, IWC for starting King Bingus Wrestling as platform to start discussing wrestling with as many people who I can and learn as much as I can about the best form of entertainment in the world.
1. When did you first get into wrestling and what drew you to the sport?
Wrestling was introduced to me as a very young kid by my entire family really. They were all fans of Ol' English wrestling, not that "Fake American crap" as they would put it. I never remember when or who started me watching wrestling, but I do remember some time in 1989 or 1990 that an Uncle of mine gave me a copy of SummerSlam '88. I became obsessed with that tape and took it to anyone's house for them...me to watch. From then I would ask for more tapes for any occasion like birthdays, Christmas, Easter, summer holidays any time. As Sky TV took off in the UK I was able to get more up to date and more frequent with the WWE, for a couple of years through the early 90's I was watching new shows almost every week and was becoming a big fan. By '94-95 I had kind of lost touch a little bit and was just drifting in and out, its not that I was going off it but I wasn't bugging people to tape it for me as much. Then in early 1999 we got Sky at our house and wrestling was back in the home! The first WWE show I saw live was Royal Rumble and I saw The Rock vs Mankind in a brutal I Quit match and a huge chapter in the Austin vs McMahon story take shape. After watching the Rumble I was back being hooked on the WWE after a few years in a bit of a twilight. Originally I started watching wrestling because it was something I grew up doing almost by default, but after seeing this new extreme, edgy, louder, sexier wrestling how could I not be hooked? I was a teenager and it was a little bit of everything I wanted to see all in one show and I haven't looked back since.
2. Tell us a little about King Bingus Wrestling and how it all came about?
King Bingus Wrestling came about because a handful of factors. I had been using Twitter as extension of my Facebook profile and just following friends of mine, a couple of celebs and a few funnies but never really made full use of it until WWE started promoting it so heavy. It was then I realised that I could talk with hundreds if not thousands of wrestling fans from all over the world. After gaining a small handful of followers just by exclusively talking about wrestling I started to get wound up by the 140 character limit because sometimes it just isn't enough. More often than not I found myself rewording and rethinking my tweets to fit the limit. Around this time I started talking with Erik from thewrestlingchronicle.com. Erik is a really genuine, and knowledgable fan of wrestling and just wants wrestling fandom to be more positive and wants to just help promote others with the IWC. After talking with Erik for a couple of weeks I took inspiration from him and decided to start a blog (full site in the works) and tweeting as King Bingus Wrestling. I am slowly getting used to other social platforms such google+, tumblr and pinterest, I'm also looking forward to starting a podcast and a video show. My aim and goal for King Bingus is to get as many people to talk with and learn from about the whole wrestling product from all over the world.
3. If you were to book a dream card, featuring wrestlers from any era, how would it look?
I'd have to make it a Wrestlemania just so The Undertaker could defend the streak, as it's pretty much the most important title in WWE right now. I would love to see to held at Wembley or The Olympic Stadium in Stratford so I could experience Wrestlemania on home turf and actually have a chance of seeing it in the flesh. Now considering all the names I pick here are in their prime and height of popularity or the equivalent in heel heat and have been booked so every match has a some momentum and interest going into the night. So without further ado Wrestlemania Wembley starts with the British national anthem performed by Queen and goes onto European Championship Fatal 4Way (Vacant title) Sheamus VS William Regal VS Magnus VS The British Bulldog Regal def. Sheamus Tag Team Championship Match New Age Outlaws(c) VS Bret & Owen Hart N.A.Os def. Harts Money In The Bank Ladder Match Edge VS Jeff Hardy VS RVD VS AJ Styles VS Daniels VS Eddie Guerrero VS Dolph Ziggler VS Kane Edge wins US Championship Submission Triple Threat Kurt Angle VS Chris Benoit VS Daniel Bryan Bryan wins Intercontinental Championship Match Ric Flair(c) vs "Macho Man" Randy Savage Randy Savage def. Ric Flair No DQ Match The Rock VS Mick Foley Foley wins and gets his Mania Moment The Streak VS Career The Undertaker VS John Cena I'm going to have to leave this one open. I think I might have to write a piece about it. World Heavyweight Championship Shawn Michaels(c) VS CM Punk Michaels def. CM Punk
WWE Championship "Stone Cold" Steve Austin(c) VS Hulk Hogan Hogan def. Steve Austin. Edge cashes in MITB WWE Championship Hulk Hogan(c) VS Edge Edge def. Hulk Hogan
4. What are your Top Three matches of all time and why?
Wrestlemania XX World Heavyweight Championship Triple Threat Triple H VS Shawn Michaels VS Chris Benoit This match was just amazing from the Royal Rumble of that year. The whole Benoit build was solid and with Michaels already in the fray, things got all Wrestlemaniary. The past history between Triple H and Michaels made for some real depth to the build and gave the match that extra boost in drawing power that in all honesty, Benoit may of lacked with the younger audience. By the time Wrestlemania actually went live the magic was buzzing all around. The milestone event was a true supercard, star studded throughout. The night was themed around a new start, a new era, "where it all begins again" and personally it really was giving that feeling. Everything from the video packages and promos to the feuds and the matches made for a real history making night, with returns and departures from several top stars and matches that had real meaning gave us reason to pay attention. Come main event time I was buzzing. I wasn't suffering that all too familiar PPV-fatigue (watching live PPVs in the UK can be hugely tiresome due to the time difference). But every now and again WWE really just does it right and this was one of those nights. So the the triple threat it self commenced and my living room really became front row of the Garden, me and my friends were all pulling for Triple H, Michaels and Benoit with the latter actually being the favourite of the majority. As the match went on with some of the best ring work I had seen in the WWE for months if not longer, we were marking out all over my living room. One of the moments that got me bouncing was shortly after hitting a banging Sweet Chin Music and getting a near fall on Triple H, Michaels was catapulted into the ring post by Benoit and became a crimson mess in no time at all. This was followed by a Crossface on the bloodied HBK and it was looking like a tap out right there until Trips grabbed Shawn's arm and stopped the submission just in time. This is just one example of many perfectly executed sequences from all three throughout the entire match. The whole thing swung back and forth with seamless in and outs to allow a smooth flow to the epic battle. Being a Triple H fan and thinking I knew so much about the inner workings of the WWE that when Benoit dumped Michaels out of the ring after a SCM attempt and ended up putting Hunter in the Crossface I was sure he couldn't win. I was all too sure that Hunter was the egomaniac backstage puppeteer who wouldn't lose on a stage as grand as this one, but after a roll through counter Benoit still was clinging on. Oh Hell was I wrong! Chris Benoit had Triple H tapping clean, in the middle of the ring, in the main event of Wrestlemania XX and in the words of good ol' J.R "finally become the Heavyweight Champion of this world!". Not only did this match live up to its huge build and then some, but it was just a complete surprise to me. It got my friends bouncing off the walls and just left me gobsmacked and realising what I read on dirt sheets isn't always gospel. Aside from the tragedies that now go in hand with Benoit's name this remarkable match and his crowning as top guy will always be one of my prominent memories of Chris Benoit. Wrestlemania X-8 The Rock VS Hulk Hogan I grew up absolutely idolising Hulk Hogan and he is one of the reasons I became such a huge fan of pro-wrestling in the first place. When I started getting back into wrestling full time The Rock was the new Hogan for me. They had many things in common despite the generation gap, they both had fans by the ship load and helped bring WWE into a new mainstream audience. These were two icons who some of us often talked and dreamed about squaring off. When WWE purchased WCW we all knew the dream became a real possibility and when Mr.McMahon introduced the nWo onto WWE television it was on! The Rock and Hogan came face to face and I could have just punched myself in the neck with excitement and once the match was set I was in full kid at Christmas mode. So here we have my childhood idol vs my teenage idol at Wrestlemania. I still feel grateful that I was able to see it, especially as I don't see this situation happening again for a long long time, if ever. Even before the bell was rung the Canadian crowd was half past bonkers, completely nuts. Both men had every single person in the arena in their palms, the only night in recent memory that has provoked a reaction like that was the post-mania IZOD Raw. Every single action in the ring was met with a huge reaction from the crowd and I feeling it like I was there, believe me or not I really got goosebumps and was in complete awe at what I was watching.
Royal Rumble 1999 WWE Championship I Quit Match The Rock VS Mick Foley This is the match that got me hooked back into wrestling. I had been without any form of satellite or cable for a long time and couldn't watch wrestling anytime I wanted. But in the new year of 1999 we got Sky TV and I was able to watch WWE again! The first match I was able to watch in my own room was this match and what a match it was! I was aware that WWE was in this edgy, extreme Attitude era but never really got it until I saw this brawl. I could not believe the beating Foley was taking in the match and just was instantly amazed by The Rock, no one had ever made swinging a chair look that good before. Just as well really, because The Rock swung for Mankind's head no less than 78,000 times! I really feel that by this being the first match I had seen in awhile and the first time I was able to watch wrestling as it was broadcast in the UK have made me the fan I am today. Now I don't mean this would be a favourite match of mine solely because of those reasons, I mean The Rock and Foley really had a now famously brutal outing that night and it was a spectacle to see.
5. Where can our readers find your work and what have you got coming up?
I have started a blog at www.kingbinguswrestling.blogspot.co.uk which has been stemmed from my twitter account https://twitter.com/KingBingus. In the last week I have been asked to provide some articles for http://www.getrealwrestling.com/ and hope this will become a new platform to talk more journalistly about wrestling. King Bingus can be found on Facebook, Tumblr and Google+. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We'd like to thank Tony Warner for this fantastic interview. Next Time: True God Immortal from Wrestling Heels Radio
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