Growing up as a young pro wrestling fan in the 1990s, I was lucky to have experienced a magical time when WCW Nitro and WWE Raw were running hot and heavy. I also discovered another renegade, rough-around-the-edges (in the best possible way) company called ECW.
I somehow came across it on a local station that also aired Memphis’ USWA and late at night on Sunshine Network in South Florida. The atmosphere you could liken to a rowdy rock show or college rager. Beers and blood flowed on the regular. Characters were more grounded and gritty. The show’s biting video packages and overall presentation were accompanied by a killer soundtrack. In fact, I’m pretty sure I was introduced to the likes of Alice & Chains, The Offspring, and Pantera through ECW.
Since ECW produced a more adult-oriented product, it was no surprise that when it ran the War Memorial Auditorium in South Florida I remember you had to be a certain age or be with an adult of 18 and over to attend. Now this could have been what my parents told me, but I do also vaguely recall that being a rule.
Anyway, since I was a younger teen at the time, I was bummed that I couldn’t find anyone to take me when they were in town. So now decades later, I think about how cool it would have been to go to an ECW event, let alone at the world-famous ECW Arena.
Fast forward to a few weeks ago when WrestleMania 40 invaded Philadelphia. With it came your usual cornucopia of shows including at the 2300 Arena. Yes, the beloved ECW Arena. This was my chance to be in, as they say in Hamilton, “the room where it happens.” With the schedule jam-packed, the only opportunity I had to experience the venue in its glory was the Mark Hitchcock Memorial Supershow.
Pulling up to S Swanson Street, you see the big 2300 Arena signage and immediately get goosebumps. Of course, I had to get my photo in front of the building just like Paul Walter Hauser did. He was marking ou as well, and you can’t blame him.
The award-winning actor would headline the show in a bloody street fight against Sami Callihan. More on that later. Walking into the building, you see the time and care the owners put into updating the place while still respecting the ECW history in the past.
It was certainly surreal to see the banners celebrating the legends, past show posters, and the mural in the men’s bathroom in person. While there is no way you can recapture that lightning in the bottle of ECW, I think there were elements throughout the card that gave you the feeling you were transported back in the day.
Nostalgia could be felt seeing the likes of Rob Van Dam, The Full Blooded Italians, Masato Tanaka, Bill Alfonso, ring announcer Stephen DeAngelis and Jim Molineaux. However, the real icing on the extreme cake was the surprise during the Hauser and Callihan final match with an appearance from THE Sandman! Between the lights going out with the sounds of Metallica beginning to play and his iconic entrance, it was one of those moments that reminds you why you became a fan. What a moment in time.
You could say I finished my own story in a sense with another legendary spot off the bucket list. Insert ECW chant. Gone but never forgotten.
There are many ways the “American Dream” Dusty Rhodes’ memory is kept alive. We see it in those who he helped guide before his passing in 2015. It’s also seen through the career of his sons. A future Hall of Famer Dustin Rhodes and his son Cody Rhodes, who is gearing up to headline two nights of WrestleMania 40.
Outside the ring, a lasting legacy continues to be forged through the Dusty Rhodes Foundation. The nonprofit organization was formed by the family in 2022. Their mission is to assist community organizations geared toward youth sports and initiatives across the country. One of the driving forces behind the endeavor is Rhodes’ daughter Teil Rhodes.
“We saw a need,” she said. “There is such a big gap now for kids are getting priced out of sports. Kids from rural areas, and underserved communities…There is a gap there for a lot of kids as things get more and more expensive. We thought it would be an amazing way to honor my dad because it was something he did privately for years. Buy equipment, help pay travel fees to help kids pay for sports. He was an athlete himself and really believed in the skillset kids learn from playing sports.”
Since its inception, more than $50,000 has been given away to the cause. Funds have been generated through appearances, autograph signings, sales from Pro Wrestling Tees and generous donations. With the Foundation having very little overhead, they can put most of what is raised back into their efforts. Teil says they are looking for corporate sponsors to make a bigger impact.
“It has been a label of love,” she said of the time. “We’ve done everything from giving equipment to the Lahainaluna High School baseball team Maui that lost everything in the fire to wrestling equipment for a team in South Carolina. We’ve had people reach out to us and we’ve reached out to them.”
Through the experience of helping others, the Rhodes family has benefited in strengthening their bond. Lending a hand to someone else can be a powerful conduit.
“My siblings and I and for my mom, it was kind of a healing thing too,” Teil said. “We would ask, ‘How can we make a difference? How can we honor our dad in a way separate from wrestling and the things you see on TV?’ It speaks more to the man he was than the character on TV. Everybody has been involved.
Fans in Downtown Philadelphia at Wrestlecon can contribute to the Foundation in several ways. Dustin Rhodes will be signing on April 5 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. with Ricky Starks appearing April 6 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the convention held at the Sheraton Hotel. Proceeds from the signings go toward the Foundation. They’ll also be raffling off a Cody Rhodes weight belt each day and providing a unique opportunity to take a picture with the “American Nightmare” robe he wore for SummerSlam. You’ll also have a chance to receive Dusty Rhodes Foundation bracelets, the perfect accessory to rock at WrestleMania.
Their ultimate goal is to raise $20,000 for the Foundation’s local recipient Beat the Streets Philadelphia. The sports-based nonprofit helps at-risk kids through amateur wrestling and mentor programming. These programs are so important with schools in the area being some of the most underfunded in the country. To the point where certain high schools don’t have weight rooms.
Teil has been touched by how the pro wrestling community mobilizes for important causes. Even with all the talk of fan tribalism.
“I’ve always had a friendly relationship with Tony Khan,” she said. “He has been generous enough to let us use his talent. Yes, Dustin is a board member of the Foundation, but he didn’t have to let us use Ricky or another talent who has signed for us in the past. That’s never been a problem I’ve encountered [with AEW]…When the wrestling community comes together, it’s so powerful. Pro wrestling I feel is the most loyal of all fandoms.”
As one can surmise from her social media, Teil is also a fan. Ironically enough, now more than ever. She attributes this to the changing landscape of the business with old fans even coming back who haven’t watched in years.
“I feel like that is where I was for a while,” Teil said. “I had a younger family then too, so I wasn’t watching too much TV. You’re seeing amazing matches and storylines across pro wrestling. It’s that feeling you don’t want to miss out. You want to tune in every week. It had been a while for me since I felt like I wanted to watch live.”
I’m sure it helps watching brother Cody Rhodes’ journey to finishing his story while headlining his second WrestleMania. Thanks to the Rhodes to the Top reality show, Teil is more of a public figure. That has her build an even stronger connection with fans.
“I felt a strong connection with a lot of wrestling fans after my dad passed,” Teil said. “They wanted to share things with me. Wrestling Twitter for so long. It boosted me at a time when I felt so low…For me, [being on social media] has been much more positive than I’ve seen negative, even now. That’s why I still enjoy interacting that way.
“I think being more public was born out of all the things Cody did and created and getting things going. I had a hand in the back when we were doing All In. I’ve carried that through working with the Foundation. That has been fulfilling with me.”
Teil has also had a blast with her involvement with Turnbuckle Championship Wrestling, which has undergone a revival. They just had their first event with a pilot for their show to be watched through the Nightmare Family YouTube page.
“We had a great first event,” Teil, the executive vice president, said. “Right now, we are building out the studio at the Nightmare Factory so we can run Turnbuckle hopefully once a month. We’re still looking at distributing and the best way for fans to view the shows. That’s been exciting. It wasn’t anything I thought I would really do. Indie wrestling is so different now. It’s exciting to have a place where the Nightmare students can hone their craft, but we can also bring in the great indie talent and hopefully a TCW legend from the past for a match each show It’s a family show. Our shows are family-friendly, That is what it was before, so I’m trying to continue that. It’s new but exciting.”
The Rhodes family has not only been at the forefront of the story between Cody Rhodes and The Bloodline. The Rock even made things even more personal by including mom Michelle Rubio in the smack talk.
“I think it’s always assumed the Rhodes family is just an extension of Cody because he talks about us so much. That we are required to participate. With my mom, it\’s funny because she is really a private person and shy. Yet she gets drawn into this great storytelling in wrestling,” Teil said. “Cody is so much like her. I think of course we are so proud Dusty was our dad, but we’re really proud Michelle Rubio is our mom.
“Her heart for helping others and the things she has done to build people up in the business, I don’t think people will ever know about. Sometimes I feel bad for her. She is just watching Raw or SmackDown, and here comes The Rock talking about my sweet little mom. It’s a wild time for the Rhodes family.”
Teil also has the family trait of having no fear. Not to mention being someone you don’t want on your bad side. She is also open to being included in the story if necessary going as far as to say, “I’m always there if they need me. I can certainly get ready to go.”
Another Rhodes who fans would fantasy book and hope to appear alongside Cody is Dustin, currently contracted to AEW. Will we see him show up?
Teil answered with an, “I don’t know,” Adding that, “Dustin was there in the suite last year…Of course, your brother is main eventing two nights of the
biggest WrestleMania in history. I think Dustin will be there. Will we see Dustin though? That I don’t know.”
I’ve always had a special place in my heart for Major League Wrestling. Whenever I hear MLW, it brings back memories of attending the promotion’s early shows in Florida. There was the memory of Steve Corino and Terry Funk battling around Tabu nightclub while I was trying to take photos ringside as a young college student and not get caught in the crossfire.
There were times I’d find myself backstage at the War Memorial Auditorium before shows among a who’s who in the business. I’m always grateful to Court Bauer for allowing me opportunities to talk to the late Mike Awesome and CM Punk before War Games. Those were two of my first pro wrestling interviews. Forever grateful for those experiences.
Fast forward to 2017 and MLW returned, taking a One Shot show at Gilt Nightclub and running with the momentum it created ever since. These Orlando events allowed me to see the likes of MJF, Ricochet, Matt Riddle, Shane “Swerve” Strickland, and even a familiar Florida name in MVP. Early highlights for me were watching Darby Allin jump off the balcony to the ring and meeting Tony Schiavone.
More Sunshine State memories were created on March 29 when MLW returned with the War Chamber at the St. Petersburg Coliseum. The historic venue was built in 1924 and was converted from a former movie theater into an event space perfect for hosting pro wrestling events. For you movie buffs, scenes from the 1985 film Cocoon were even shot there. When you soak in the atmosphere and look around you see a very cool aesthetic.
The show was the first time MLW had run St. Pete in 20 years, and the people were ready for it. A great turnout with an invested crowd made for a fun experience. The main card kicked off with Janai Kai successfully defending the featherweight championship against Unagi Sayaka. I watched Sayaka wrestle alongside the legendary Masato Tanaka a few months later in Japan. Kai is building quite the reign with Salina de la Renta by her side. De la Renta was one of the breakthrough performers of MLW’s relaunch and continues to be an important fixture of the show. Later in the night, I got to watch Kai watching other matches, learning from her colleagues. At one point or two, she was asked for an autograph and picture. I’m sure these little moments will be something the fan and Kai won’t forget as she goes on in her career.
Next up was A.J. Francis, who defeated Alex Kane in controversial fashion. Whether you love or hate Francis, you have to respect his drive. The former football player turned wrestler has hit the ground running building a brand, putting in the work appearing for top promotions like MLW, conventions, and getting the name out there in every way. It was also my first time seeing Kane live, and he proved to be every bit the powerhouse you see on TV. Bad Dude Tito also impressed. Matt Riddle also had a big night with family in attendance, pulling double duty against Timothy Thatcher earlier in the evening and then successfully defending his NJPW television championship against Kosei Fujita. It has come full circle with Riddle returning “home” to MLW.
The same could be said about the MLW champion Satoshi Kojima. MLW does a good job bringing in emerging talent and veterans like manager Bill Alfonso. Through this show, I’ve decided there needs to be more doors used as weapons in matches. They are the new tables. Although tables can be effective two. Team MLW’s Matthew Justice was an MVP during the first of two War Chamber matches. Shoutout to the MLW crew, the unsung heroes, for setting everything up. The second War Chamber match saw the legendary Raven entering the two-ring cage match. After the Death Fighters were victorious against The Calling, Raven dubbed Akira the future of the business. Hearing the Offspirng and Raven end the night with “Quoth the Raven \”Nevermore,” certainly struck a cord for older fans.
Out of all the stars in MLW, I’ve dubbed Akira’s traveling partner Kota as my favorite. His shiba was there during his meet-and-greet after the event. We need more Kota on MLW television. Given how successful the night was, it’s no surprise the promotion is returning to the venue on July 12 called Blood and Thunder. I’d recommend checking it out if you didn’t go this time around.
It has been a family affair on WWE NXT lately for Mr. Robert Stone. The veteran wrestler and manager saw his twin sons Carter and Cash on the show. They’ve had a hand helping Stone’s client Von Wagner prepare for his big match this week for the Heritage Cup against Noam Dar. I recently spoke with the proud dad, who says it\’s gratifying to see his boys go on this ride.
“They are like the coolest kids in their school,” Stone said. “I try to think back. When I was seven years old, my older brother loved wrestling, so I was obsessed with professional wrestling if I could have been on TV and shown up at school and showed all my friends myself on TV.
How cool would that have been? They are going through that now.They’ve been on twice in the past two months or so, and it is the coolest thing. The parents watch. The teachers know. It’s a lot of fun for them. I’m happy for them.”
Stone isn’t sure who initially had the idea to get the kids a role on the show. At the same time, he isn’t surprised about it either as he describes them as naturals in front of the camera.
“When you meet them, you just say these kids should probably be on TV,” he said. “They are pretty wild. I think everyone was on board when they heard it b because why not? You never don’t like something when children are involved. This is such a big match for them. They’ve been rooting for Von so much. They helped him train. They called themselves his coaches. They’ll be watching, at least from the audience. As long as the matches aren’t too late and it’s not past their bedtime I think my wife will let it happen.”
Robert Stone On His Time With WWE
It’s been quite the journey for Stone, who spent almost 20 years putting in the work before getting a WWE contract in 2019. The former TNA Impact Wrestling star has managed to find his footing in a very competitive atmosphere and stay in the mix. He takes pride in being a personality on the show, even described by Shawn Michaels as this new age Bobby Heenan or Jimmy Hart.
“It’s crazy when you say 2019. There have been so many changes in NXT since that time,” Stone said. “I’m actually one of the longest people within the locker room since that time that is still in NXT, which is crazy when you think about it. I went from Black and Gold to 2.0 to kind of Black and Gold again. It is a family. You train together. You do the weekend shows together. We do the PLEs on the road together. It’s a very tight locker room.
“Everyone is rooting for one another. Everyone works together at TV to make the best possible product, which I think is coming out now. NXT is hotter than ever. It’s a cool thing to be a part of. I have been in the industry for so long and locker rooms are not always like that. They are very cutthroat and everyone is out for themselves. It’s not like that here. It shouldn’t be any other way. It’s great to be a part of.”
Transitioning to a Personality
The 40-year-old credits his longevity to his ability to evolve and adapt. He is always looking at taking on another skill set or challenge to be a valuable asset to WWE. And that often means not lacing up the boots but being the guy ringside and still being an important part of the presentation.
“I wrestled in 2000, so when 2019 came around my body has been beat up. I’ve been doing this for a long time. So when it got offered to me this role where I’m not wrestling so much and was a manager, I was the right guy to come to. I feel like to be an on-air character and not have to do all the physical stuff as often, I’m the perfect guy for that. As I get older, with my body it’s harder to handle wrestling. As they say, this isn’t ballet. I was pretty beat up, so it was nice to do something different.
I like learning different things. I commentated on Level Up a few times, so I’m learning commentary. Now I’m doing a little producing and coaching matches. I’m always down to learn something different, so I wanted to take this head-on…”
Working With Chelsea Green and Von Wagner
Before being linked to Wagner, Stone worked with a number of talents. Among them was Chelsea Green, who is currently been making the most of her second chance with WWE. Stone couldn’t be happier to see her success. And if she really needs a manager, he is still one call away.
“When I first debuted on TV, me and Chelsea were together. It was short-lived. We were actually in the 2020 Royal Rumble. It was three or four months we worked together. We really bonded. We still have a connection. We’re still pretty close. I’m obviously excited for her and how great she is shining right now.”
Stone’s focus remains on building up Wagner. Someone who had all the physical tools and potential to be a major WWE superstar. What the standout athlete has missed is a connection to the audience. However, through vignettes and Stone as his mouthpiece, he has been able to come out of his shell a little more.
“I think it has been the best thing for him. When they see him. A big guy. A monster who screams. He is like everyone else. Why should we like this guy or be interested in him or why deserve to be here? Fans thought this without knowing him. He had that story about his head. When he was born and had multiple surgeries on his head and battled through that. It shows you what he has been through a lot. A reason to like him.\”
Like a great manager/agent, Stone sells his client\’s credentials and upside.
They also don’t know he is a second-generation wrestler. He was an amazing athlete in college. He was a Division 1 football player at UCF, a three-sport athlete in high school They don’t know he genuinely cares about this industry. He grew up in it. His dad wrestled. He absorbs and wants to learn and regularly trains and is not just the guy who is going through the motions. He wants to keep getting better. He is continuously getting better with every match. He has a bright future, and now people are starting to get that.”
When that teaser came at Bound for Glory that Impact Wrestling was returning to its roots of TNA Wrestling, I admit to questioning the thought process. However, seeing the energy and excitement in the weeks leading up to Hard to Kill those concerns melted away. Then after a strong pay-per-view, I witnessed the rebrand firsthand over two nights of television tapings at the Osceola Park in Kissimmee. I can now say with confidence they made the right move. TNA! TNA! TNA!
The company used the venue just a year prior, but there was something about seeing the set complete with the yellow and red color scheme, and tunnel and hearing those TNA chants again. Talk about goosebumps. So many memories started flooding back for TNA’s Orlando homecoming, thinking about all the shows I used to attend at the Universal Orlando. A lot of the promotion’s history can be traced to Central Florida. My wife remarked to me on the first night of the shows that she felt the nostalgia, especially seeing longtime talents like Chris Sabin, Alex Shelley, and Frankie Kazarian.
Friday’s event proved extra special for Trinity Fatu. The former Knockouts champion had family in attendance for this homecoming. This Orlando native and former Orlando Magic dancer glowed a little more than usual as she teamed with current women’s title holder Jordynne Grace against Gisele Shaw and Savannah Evans. Following the match, Trinity spoke to the fans about what her TNA run has meant. It was a tearful goodbye, amid rumors of where she would end up next including going back to WWE. Claps could be heard from the TNA team when Trinity made her way backstage.
It may have been the last night for one performer, but for the former Dolph Ziggler, the tapings served as the continuation of a new chapter. Nic Nemeth worked Trey Miguel and advanced his feud with Steve Maclin. In a nice tribute to Trinity, and in typical Nic fashion, he wore Trin’s robe during their meet-and-greet after. The Grizzled Young Vets showed up and showed out in their Orlando return, this time under the TNA banner, with two great matches during Friday and Saturday against ABC Bullet Club tag team chants Chris Bey and Ace Austin. Their chemistry was on full display.
TNA Impact Tapings (Night 2)
Night 2 featured the TNA in-ring debut of the former Dana Brooke, now known as Ash by Elegance. The entrance, complete with George Iceman\’s grand intro, made her come off as a big-time star. It’s too early to tell how fruitful this run will be, but it’s clear a lot of time and care is being put into Ash’s presentation. That alone is a step forward for the new signing. Speaking of fresh starts, it looks to be one for Simon Gotch. A strong return for the former Vaudevillian. Another AJ in AJ Francis certainly making an impact. The former Hit Rower had an entertaining segment with Joe Hendry.
It was fun experiencing high-production entrances at the events. At the top was PCO, whose Frankenstein-inspired visuals really added a lot. The same for the Decay and MK Ultra. Speaking of the female talent, Xia Brookside has come a long way since her first introduction to audiences in the WWE Mae Young Classic.
For me, a breakout during the tapings was Kevin Knight. The New Japan Pro Wrestling star really turned heads working with Alex Shelley and Kushida against The System. His interaction, particularly against TNA Champ Moose, made me want to see two from both of them.
In all, a good set of shows leading into the No Surrender event in the weeks to come. TNA is gaining momentum one fan at a time. I took someone who had never seen pro wrestling or been to a show before. She had the time of her life. So if you find them in your town, make sure to check them out and support this crew because they will give you your money’s worth.
As a young pro wrestling fan, I was enamored with many of the stars from Japan who would pop in on WCW shows. At the top of the list for me was Jushin Thunder Liger followed by others like the Great Muta, Ultimo Dragon, Masahiro Chono, Bull Nakano, Akira Hokuto, Kensuke Sasaki, and others. I remember listening to “The Professor” Mike Tenay running down the list of accomplishments and backgrounds of the performers. These appearances were a gateway to wanting to consume more from them.
This was before the explosion of YouTube or any streamer service. I know it’s hard to believe today. The idea was that if you wanted this type of content, you needed to hunt down tape traders, and or some early marketplace websites including eBay or Highspots. Some of my favorite finds were the Super J-Cup from 1994 and 1995, as well as some compilation sets like those wars between Vader and Stan Hansen. I also remember spending many nights going to a friend’s house who happened to have “King of Colosseum,” which wasn’t easy to get and play in the States.
All this compounded into a grand desire and probably unattainable fantasy to one day visit Japan and get a taste of the culture firsthand. Now years later I can say I had that opportunity to cross a trip to the “Land of the Rising Sun” off the proverbial bucket list. A truly surreal experience and something that I didn’t know would ever happen after COVID. It exceeded all expectations. The country is a truly wonderful place. I encountered some of the nicest people right from the moment I landed. Basically, Japan is as magical as its toilets.
Before I continue on, I would be remiss not to thank Jim Valley and his wonderful wife and travel agent extraordinaire Kari. They made planning the trip seamless and fun while also alleviating a lot of stress and answering many questions I had.
Also, helping make my wife and I’s time in Japan especially memorable was Fumi Saito. One of the most respected pro wrestling journalists and arguably the foremost historian in Japan. He carved out a lot of his time over three days to connect. Fumi and I initially bonded over WrestleMania 24 weekend in Orlando when we happened to sit next to each other during a Ring of Honor show. We would see each other almost every year since then when he’d come over to America to cover the events. Pro wrestling really does bring people together.
I was honored that Fumi would open up his home to me for an incredible tour. He could charge museum admission. The history was felt the minute you walked through the doors. Photos from his interactions with everyone from Chris Jericho to Hulk Hogan. A library of written pieces, books, and pretty much every issue of the Wrestling Observer. One of his most cherished possessions is a note from Lou Thesz! His knowledge of the business and all he has done in his career is pretty inspiring.
You could also sense what a gutwrenching blow it was when Hana Kimura passed away. Besides having a dedication to her in his home, he even wore a shirt celebrating her and bringing awareness to mental health born out of the tragic loss. Fumi felt she could have been a huge crossover mainstream star in Japan on the level of The Rock. High praise from someone who’d seen so much in his decades-long career.
Of course, going to Japan a portion of the trip was dedicated to hitting many of the hot spots as a fan. Among them was the Tokyo Dome. Unfortunately, I did not get to attend a wrestling show there, but I did get to see Coldplay with opener YOASOBI! The band just happened to bring their world tour over two nights during my stay. Aside from it being a truly immersive concert-going time, I got to take in the legendary venue.
It was so cool to stand outside before going in where I pictured everyone from Antonio Inoki to Okada making history. There is also so much to do around the Tokyo Dome City like riding the Thunder Dolphin rollercoaster. I was taken aback by the fact you could bring food and drink into the venue. I can’t remember any stadium in the United States with such leniency. Although leaving the place you might get caught in a tailwind at one of the main exits. It was entertaining watching people leave through that specific door. Leaving, I also got an outside look at Korakuen Hall next door.
Within walking distance was also the New Japan Pro Wrestling store. I picked up a location-specific t-shirt, but they had other merch from the usual top stars. There was some fun decor. At the same time, it was your typical pro shop you’d find near a stadium for say your local football team.
Then there was my stop at the Toudoukan store. It has two floors of goodness. A fan’s ultimate dream. You could spend hours and all of your money at this place. The bottom floor alone one could get lost in all the vintage programs, magazines, and other pieces from pretty much any decade you can think of. And they are all pretty reasonably priced.
I managed to track down a 1991 program from a WCW/NJPW Super Show and a 1997 Osaka Dome show during the glory days of the nWo. The top floor has various action figures, tons of masks, and shirts, and a space where the store hosts events like talks in an intimate setting. They are constantly getting new items, so no trip will ever be the same. I wish I could have packed the store in my bag and taken it home with me. It truly needs to be seen to be believed.
A special moment came when I got to sit in Ribera Steakhouse. The restaurant was made famous by the late Bruiser Brody. Over 50 years and counting, it has been this rite of passage for those in the business who are lucky enough to receive one of their famed jackets. I was just happy to take home a shirt. Just sitting there, you can look around and see so many of the top names in the industry lining the walls and ceiling. The menu is as simple as can be. A sizzling steak, corn, and white rice. It’s a barebones formula that has clearly worked. I’m happy I got to experience Ribera on the trip.
I didn’t have many days to spend in Tokyo, and it was mostly during the week. So, I knew it would be hard to see an actual show. Luckily, there was one that worked out well. Ikemen, who was just released by WWE, was making his triumphant return back to Japan and helped promote two shows at the Shinjuku Face. A small venue that hosts events of the pro wrestling and martial arts variety.
It was pretty impressive to see Ikemen in his element as he anchored the entire show appearing in just about every match or segment in some form or another. It was awesome to witness Minoro Suzuki in Japan and the energy of the crowd just for his entr
ance. He brings such a legendary aura to him. There was also a fellow legend Masato Tanaka (still in amazing shape and with one of my favorite entrance music) on the card, as well as Kaz Hayashi. The same one from WCW! It’s about coming full circle. The show was a reminder of just how pro wrestling connects no matter what language is spoken.
I’ll never forget my first trip to Japan and can honestly tell you everything you’ve heard is exactly true. A place like nothing else in the world. One that should truly be experienced to really appreciate.
When someone loses their job, that is often a hard pill to swallow. Let alone during the holidays. However, after McKenzie Mitchell was released from WWE not long after Thanksgiving, she took it in stride. The now-former NXT interviewer began hitting the ground running, preparing for what’s on the horizon. It’s that strong work ethic that fueled her success within pro wrestling, starting right out of college with TNA Impact Wrestling and into the deep waters of WWE.
WWE Release
“It’s been quite a rollercoaster as you would expect when someone gets released,” Mitchell said. “For me, it was not expected. I didn’t expect it was going to happen, but I was able to take the news and what happened and move forward. It was unfortunate that it happened during the holidays but also a blessing as well because I was able to spend time with my family and friends, my husband, and my kids. All of that. It has been nice to decompress. 2023 has been a really hard year for us in every facet of life, so I’m able to take these last two weeks and hit the restart button before we hit 2024.”
Mitchell felt an overwhelming response as the pro wrestling world heard the news. Co-workers, staff, executives, and fans from all over the globe reached out. Among the colleagues was one certain veteran and a “Man.”
Receiving Support
“I did have Terry Taylor reach out to me, which was nice,” she said. “He stuck out because he is so respected in the business. So that was really important and awesome he reached out and gave me a personal phone call. Becky Lynch texted me a really nice message. She is so well-respected, obviously, as a top competitor in the women’s division and the world. It was awesome to hear her kind words. It meant so much.”
Perhaps the news didn’t sink in until that first Tuesday broadcast when her husband and WWE NXT commentator Vic Joseph went to work. For Mitchell, it was an adjustment not to join him.
Reality Sinking In
“I’ll be very honest. For four years, we worked together. You just get into the routine of things,” she said. On Tuesdays, we would go to television together. I would go into makeup, and he would start to talk to Booker T and prepare his notes for the night. So the first couple of weeks were really weird. I was like, ‘Okay, see you later. I\’m going to do this at home.’ Or, ‘I’m going to take the dogs on a walk.’ And then he was going into TV. It has an emotional impact on you a little bit. It was very sad for the first couple of weeks just because you get into a routine of things. I have so many friends and my husband in NXT and WWE and wrestling.
“So my love for wrestling doesn’t go away because I get fired or released. I’m able to still watch. I’m kind of taking a break for a little bit. I will say that. The last couple of weeks I didn’t watch as I was spending time with family. I did watch the week after I got released. I don’t know why. I was just like, ‘I feel like I still have a part in the show.” I wanted to support them in general. Now after the release and taking that time, I’m just giving myself a break a little bit.”
Even before her release, Mitchell was expanding on other interests and passions. It’s that entrepreneurial spirit that led to the launching of Headline by MM in June. Her family has been rooted in the jewelry business for 75 years, making it the perfect creative outlet to keep them connected. “It has been wild to see the success so far. All the love and support I’ve felt from people who have worn my stuff,” Mitchell said. “Natalya loves to wear Headline. I will say that. I’ll see an order come through and will be from Nattie. I’m like, ‘Nattie, why don’t you message me? I would have sent you this stuff.’ She is a businesswoman herself, so she knows the hustle and grind. I’m excited to see where it’s going in 2024.”
What\’s Next?
On the wrestling side, Mitchell has already begun hitting the convention circuit and adding dates. She even began taking Cameo requests. Even while in school, the University of Mississippi grad knew how powerful social media and marketing can be. She also takes inspiration from those within the industry.
“First and foremost I will say Matt Cardona has done it flawlessly,” Mitchell added. “He is my best friend’s husband. Chelsea Green is my best friend. Matt is so business-savvy. Not only when it comes to wrestling and who he is as a performer, but when it comes to his podcast, shows, and all the things he is involved in. He has flawlessly taken the independent scene by storm. I look to him for advice. I’ll text him and say, “What do you think about this?” He is one I reached out to.
“I have also been able to ask my husband. Social media is so different now. It’s such a catalyst and way to promote yourself and connect to people all over the world. It has been that way, but I think since COVID it has taken a different approach. You’re able to speak for yourself. Just put up a camera and say, ‘Hey, let’s film this. Let’s go live.’ That has been really cool. I think social media is a different way to navigate the world now, but it’s also new and exciting given I’m situation I’m in right now.”
Mitchell is overall proud of her evolution, following in the footsteps of so many who have come before. She feels it’s a good time to be an interviewer with more freedom and bandwidth to express who an individual is as a personality rather than just hold a microphone. The broadcaster felt it’s that authenticity that shines through and connects to the audience. She felt nothing from support from her fellow announcers over the years.
“We’re all in the same position,” Mitchell said. “If someone is struggling with something it’s, ‘How can I help you?’ When I was learning ring announcing, people thought when I was at Impact that I just kind of knew how to do it. I knew quite a bit of things. How to host, interviews, but I never picked up the skill of doing ring announcing. So when I was transitioning to doing WWE live events more often, that was a skill I had to figure out. Byron Saxton is someone that is very underrated. He has so many skills and facets and things he can do. He is one I love to learn from.”
Her Time with TNA & WWE
Mitchell’s intro into the business was trial by fire when she joined TNA Impact Wrestling in 2016. It’s while their the TV personality built her foundation and ever-lasting bonds that continue today.
“I think people still don’t know that I didn’t watch a day of wrestling in my life before I got the job,” she said. “I spent time learning on the spot. Learning as we went along. Who these people were. Who are these superstars? Where did they come from? What is their background? Who are they as humans? I put my head down and got to learn and put the work in during my time with Impact. I’m thankful for that opportunity to start at Impact where it was a little more forgiving than WWE sometimes. We had some taped shows, so I was able to learn as we went through.
“Then with WWE, you’re live, so if you mess up, you mess up on the fly. But that was a really unique experience. That when the red light goes on can you do it or not. I loved my time at Impact because of the camaraderie from the talent, executives, and everyone involved that we got established. Then it was cool down the road when I got to see Bobby Lashley, Cameron Grimes, LA Knight, Chelsea Green, Allie. We all are still a family and hang out and talk to each other. I’m t thankful for that experience from day one.”
On if we’d see her in TNA again or another promotion, she is open to opportunities. Adding,“I can’t reveal all my cards. I’ve had some fun auditions that are outside of wrestling. That’s all I’ll say… There is one project I’ve been very passionate about that I’d pitched for four years.
It never got followed through with. I never did it. So, I’m stating that in January, which will be independent on my own. I’m looking forward to that. That will involve wrestling.
“Tap into the celebrity more and outside media into entertainment as well. I think with wrestling it’s hard once you’re in you’re in. You’re sucked into it. It’s like what next?…But it’s okay to say you don’t know sometimes and take a moment and breathe and ask yourself, “Where do you want to go? What’s my new direction?’”
Mitchell takes pride in her time with WWE. From NXT to even stepping in on the main roster like SmackDown a time or two, she was up for any challenge.
“I’d say some of my highlights were hosting the kickoff shows for NXT. That was 30 minutes or an hour where it’s just genuine real conversation. We got to do more things on the fly. That was a moment of, \’We trust you and this is your show and make it your own and see what you can do.\’ That was for me a breakthrough moment. It was a different McKenzie you saw. What’s NeXT will always be very special to me with Alicia Taylor. We had Triple H on the show, which was really cool. When we asked for him to be on the show, I didn’t expect him to come on our little grungy-type show that was in the back of the Performance Center because we didn’t want to make it feel too staged.
“When he said let’s do it. It was awesome. We had Finn Balor, Johnny Gargano, and the list goes on. That was really a learning curve in my experience with WWE too because I was able to take those real moments and just respond by doing interviews. Rather than on television, you get a timed amount for a segment or different interview. This allowed us to have fun.”
Mitchell names Wes Lee among her favorite interview interactions. They’ll always share the high-five.
One of the most buzzed-about films this holiday season is A24\’s The Iron Claw. Yes, it centers on pro wrestling but the story transcends the ring. The movie follows the life of Kevin Von Erich and the Von Erich family, which was snake-bitten by a string of unspeakable tragedies.
From the outside looking in, they were Texas royalty during the peak of patriarch Fritz’s World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW) based in Dallas. Given the project was written and directed by Sean Durkin, who happens to be a big fan, you know a lot of time and care went into making sure the presentation was as authentic as possible.
This was not only a unified goal by the star-studded cast including Zac Efron (Kevin Von Erich), Jeremy Allen White (Kerry Von Erich), Harris Dickinson (David Von Erich), Lily James (Pam Adkisson), and others. It trickled down to the unsung heroes working on set behind the scenes as well.
The Iron Claw
The Iron Claw: The Interview
Jennifer Starzyk (Costume Designer), Elle Favorule (Makeup Department Head), and Natalie Shea Rose (Hair Department Head) got together to discuss their process. Favorule in particular was no stranger to pro wrestling, working on Lucha Underground.
“That show beautifully combined live wrestling matches with a scripted vignette series,” she said. “Being a part of that was so exciting. I was immediately sucked in. I knew nothing about wrestling or the amazing characters that were coming in. The athleticism that these people brought each day and doing multiple matches a day. I was like, ‘You guys got me hooked.’ The fans surround the entire world with luchadors from Mexico and worldwide stars from WWE and other places. That was my first foray.”
A24
For Rose, the movie was a trip down memory lane. An admitted Hulkamaniac growing up, she was fully transfixed by the 1980s larger-than-life figure. “I knew going into it how much all these characters meant to the fans because they were my heroes,” Rose said. “Up until my parents told me I had to stop watching because me and my brother would wrestle each other. They were like, “I don’t know if we want you watching this anymore.”
Starzyk makes no bones about the fact she did not watch wrestling, know wrestling, and even had those preconceived notions about it. The cynical perspective softened as she became more immersed and went down the proverbial rabbit hole. Now Starzyk considers herself a fan with a newfound respect for the craft.
“It’s live theater, it’s so dynamic, so electric. These performers need to know the choreography and work together. There is showmanship and costumes. I feel it’s a gift getting to know wrestling now. I enjoyed all that. Not to mention we’re all in this with Sean. He was such a beloved fan of this and the story, so when you hear him talking when we first met. It touches people.”
The new admirer hit the ground running on costumes with her team. Her deep dive included watching Dark Side of the Ring, Heroes of World Class Wrestling, and sifting through the Von Erich’s photo albums. It’s where she got a sense of the vibe, presentation, and feel for the time and atmosphere. Another source was binging 13 seasons of the classic TV series Dallas.
Rose had her own experiences being from Houston and spending time on the family ranch in Buffalo, Texas. She knew, when it came to things like hair for example, people in Dallas wore their hair different than in other cities and regions.
“It’s not the 1980s where everyone is glammed up or done up. Out in the country, [the Von Erich\’s] were rock stars, but weren’t done all up the same way…They didn’t do their hair like when you see the 1970s or 1980s portrayed. It was about keeping that authenticity.”
A24
When it comes to period pieces, authenticity is key. And this trio knew they wanted to get it painstakingly right. For Favorule, the baseline was the understanding that these were real people. The challenge was to show the change in years and look visually. But with so much bandwidth, it was about finding the middle ground. Quality photos also weren’t the best. This made it harder to zoom in on the little things.
“Did the guys shave their legs? What’s the tan situation like? We’re getting into the nitty gritty,” Favorule explained. “…Zac, Jeremy, and Harris multiple times have told the story where during our camera test Zac and Jeremy meet for the first time and Jeremy is in my chair and my key Courtney is on the ground full body shaving Jeremy. As Zac walks in to introduce himself, everyone starts laughing because this is the world we’re going to be in the next few months. So get ready.”
A few liberties here and there have to be taken in the world of cinema. However, when it came to all aspects of pro wrestling, the team was thankful to have great experts on set at all times. The pro wrestlers themselves include consultant Chavo Guerrero, who brings a wealth of knowledge from his own time in the ring but on the sets of GLOW and Young Rock. He also portrays Edward \”The Sheik\” Farhat in the film.
“He taught me how they tuck in their laces of boots or where a knee pad should feel,” Starzk said. “[The wrestlers] were so open to wanting to dress up as people they admired as well. The clothes fit differently than back then. Especially, with our main boys. The Von Erich trunks were higher and worn up to their belly button where now they wear them down. Zac would want to pull them up where we’re like, ‘No, it’s down.’ We met in the model where it should fit on the body.
She continued: “When Chavo put on The Sheik trunks, he was like this is the most covered I think I’ve ever been almost a big diaper with a camel on it. They were so much fun to work with because they were such decent people and wanted the film to be a hit as well.”
MJF and The Iron Claw
Other familiar faces fans may know who helped on set were Ryan Nemeth (Gino Hernandez) and Brady Pierce (Michael Hayes), and of course, AEW World Champion Maxwell Jacob Friedman (Lance Von Erich). All three speak highly of MJF, describing a different side of him many may not see away from the bright lights of the arenas. Favorule recalls one particular moment when Durkin let his mega fan flag wave.
“We spent a day with him in the trailer testing out hair and makeup making sure we brought the character to life. Natalie and her team were working on wig stuff and Sean was like, ‘How is he? Can I go in there and say hi?’ He was so excited to get in there with him. MJF was the loveliest. He was so excited to be there. That energy transcended every department.”
Starzyk added: “Maxwell was a total blast on set. I watched him before and was like, “I got to get the answer on this Burberry scarf. He had just won the title and it had this Burberry print on his belt because you can customize the belts.
He was delightful and a blast, funny, professional, and rolled with it… He even asked to keep this purple jumpsuit.”
The three were individually touched by the finished product. “It’s easy to get swept up in these emotional performances because they are so real and true,” Favorule said. “Getting to see it, I remember being in Dallas and looking at the screen it’s so easy to nitpick your work. Then these big emotional scenes come up and then that washes away and I‘m focused on this film…Being able to be part of the story that means so much to so many people, I looked back at my fiancée, and she had tears streaming down. She was like, “I think I need to call my brothers. It was that sort of film. I think everyone will take something different from it.
Starzyk was moved by Kevin Von Erich, not only by his touching story but how he has weathered the black cloud of tragedy. Despite the loss of so much of his family, the Hall of Famer has somehow persevered. “He had to overcome so much, I have so much admiration for him,” she said. “I said that to him at the premiere and he was like, ‘I’m a regular guy and stuff happened to me.’ That’s the person he is. It’s a choice to wrestle barefoot, be Zen, and move to Hawaii. Those things give him a sense of being grounded.”
Getting confirmation of a job well done by the family also filled Rose’s heart. It also was a further motivator and source of inspiration.
“While we were shooting Kerry’s daughters came up to me. We also had Kevin’s sons. “They were like, “That’s what dads’ hair looked like. That meant a lot to me that we did it right and did it justice.”
Coming out of the pandemic restrictions and reopening of the world came a reboot for Chris Adonis. The wrestler former known as \”The Masterpiece\” Chris Masters still had a passion for performing and a nice career under his belt starting at a young age. However, the veteran felt there was more he could show.
“I had to look at my past and realize I was never my best self,” the NWA star said, checking in from Mexico City where he would join others on the roster for the AAA vs. NWA The World is a Vampire show.
Without any of what he called past B.S. or baggage boggling him down, the 40-year-old believes he can now be the best pro wrestler he can be. There are fellow former colleagues of WWE who have taken advantage of the platform NWA has given them and found tremendous success. Names include Matt Cardona, JTG, Trevor Murdoch, and the man currently at the top of the mountain in Tyrus.
After WWE in particular signed a lot of us, we never really got the full chance to develop,” Adonis explained. “Back in the day, you had guys working territories and all these places. Then they go to WWF and halfway have it figured out.
“What you’re seeing from guys like myself and others coming into our own. We might have come into our own sooner if we had a longer run in WWE. But we have done it ourselves on the independent scene. That comes by virtue of first wanting to get better and still caring. Through the natural course of developing and evolving as a character. Trying to find your final form so to speak.”
The master of The Master Look took WWE by storm 20 years ago and it didn’t take long before he was working with the likes of Ric Flair, Shawn Michaels, and John Cena. A second stint with the company never really reached the heights he would have liked.
“I came into WWE I was the body guy, the muscle guy,” Adonis said. “It’s not like I’m not completely that anymore. That was my ticket in, but I wasn’t the performer I wanted to be. I didn’t want to be the one-dimensional big guy.”
He aims for a more athletic presentation today in his matches. After landing in the NWA, he joined up with Strictly Business, the top faction made up of the likes of Thom Latimer and champ and recent opponent Nick Aldis. Sacrificing the National Championship for a crack at Murdoch and the heavyweight gold didn’t lead to a positive result. He hopes things end differently as Adonis gears up to challenge Tyrus for the “Ten Pounds of Gold” at the NWA 312 pay-per-view on April 7.
“He is a polarizing figure for a number of reasons,” Adonis said of his opponent. “First off, when you work at Fox News, that is going to be part of the deal anyway. One thing I will say about the IWC is one thing they don’t know is the true love Tyrus actually has for pro wrestling….The love he has for professional wrestling is not fake. He sits around and watches old Dusty Rhodes matches on his TV at home. He is legit about that. That doesn’t change the fact when it comes to Tyrus and myself, I’ve made it pretty clear he may be the NWA champion, but I am the better wrestler. That is what it all comes down to on 312 pay-per-view.”
Adonis will come into Chicago for the big show with a chip on his shoulder. For the driven competitor, it’s the biggest match of his career and the ultimate proving ground.
“I was slated for the Intercontinental title, the tag titles, potentially the youngest WWE champion of all time,” he said. “But to me, this shot at the world title is my shot at redemption. To me, what matters is what I leave behind in these last few years. If I can look back and say I put forward my best body of work and became the NWA champion world champion, the most prestigious championship in all of wrestling. At the very least, that is going to be a feel-good story for me. It matters to me. It’s important I close my career out right.”
NWA/Hiban Huerta
Beyond Tyrus, he believes 2023 is going to be a big year for him. And if this latest run might be his last, he still has goals to attain and opponents to cross off his list. They range from Moose, Harry Smith, and Aldis to Jon Moxley, Hangman Page, and Drew McIntyre. Yes, there are some that are forbidden door opponents and outside the NWA, but he is still putting it out there.
“There is no part of me that thinks he is going back to WWE full-time or am I campaigning for that,” Adonis added. “But what I have campaigned for the last two years is coming back for the Royal Rumble spot. It means a lot to me to get in front of that audience one more time to show them what I can do now and the worker I became…I know if I was put in the Royal Rumble, and even if I was in there for two minutes I would shine. It would be pretty cool.”
When looking at the WWE roster today, he is impressed with emerging talent like Austin Theory. There are some similarities between the young gun and “The Masterpiece,” who came onto the scene right out of his teens. Adonis likens “A-Town Down” to a little brother.
“Austin Theory, Killer Kross, and LA Knight are my guys on the roster. I root for those guys\’ success and believe in them,” Adonis said. “I think when I watch Austin Theory, I don’t have to give him advice…As long as he keeps his head on straight, he’ll be able to do all the things I wasn’t able to do because, at his age, I made a lot of mistakes. I was impressionable.
\”A lot of what I know about Austin Theory from hanging out with him and talking to him, this guy has no interest in getting involved in extracurricular activities. The business isn’t really like that anymore thank God…He is going to do great as long as he keeps his nose clean. He’ll be able to do what I wasn’t able to do on my first run.”
Watch NWA 312 on April 7 at 8 p.m. ET on FITE TV. Catch NWA Powerrr on Tuesdays at 6:05 p.m. and NWA USA on Saturdays at Noon on YouTube.
When you look at all the social media collages from pro wrestling companies celebrating “International Women’s Day,” there was one constant among many of them. It was Taya Valkyrie. Rather than take her ball and go home after her WWE release more than a year ago, she used the setback to fuel her fire, even more, to show the world what she could do. Rising like a phoenix from the ashes, Valkyrie was reborn.
She became the Reina de Reinas Champion once again in AAA. She returned to Impact and won the Knockouts Tag Team titles along with her Death Dollz sisters Rosemary and Jessicka. The hard-working veteran continued to make history as the first-ever MLW World’s Featherweight Champion.
“I keep feeling like last year happened in a flash so to speak,” Valkyrie reflected. “I’m very proud of myself. I’m not going to apologize for that. I worked my butt off and got it done and proved myself. It has been exciting. I’m excited about what’s in the future as well.”
Taya Valkyrie\’s Next Move
Her future has been a hot topic lately if you look at the pro wrestling sites. And given all Valkyrie has accomplished in such a short time, it’s no surprise she is wanted by numerous companies.
“Everyone wants to speculate and talk and gossip. I just want everybody to enjoy what I’m doing. That’s it,” she said. “No matter where I am or what I’m doing, I’m just trying to put out the best version of myself and performance, the best moments and best experience for the fans and the viewers. That’s what I want to do in the next year. Do I know where I’m going? No. Are people gossiping about it? Of course. That’s the nature of the beast. Keep them talking. I see no problem with that. Just wait. Everything will work out.”
Speaking of talk, many fans have fantasy-booked Valkyrie to be the mystery opponent for AEW TBS Champion Jade Cargill. The undefeated title holder issued a challenge to the best Canada has to offer. “La Wera Loca” certainly would fit the bill.
“Canada is notorious for having amazing pro wrestlers. Let’s be real here,” she responded when asked about the challenge. “There have been so many people from Canada, so, of course, she is going to try to call out someone from Canada. Guess what? We are some of the best in the world. All the best of luck to her because we are tough.”
Her Time in MLW, Working Alongside Husband John Hennigan
One thing we do know is Valkyrie is set to defend the MLW gold against the newly signed Delmi Exo on April 6 at War Chamber. She is looking forward to this first-time matchup against someone known in the tag ranks as part of the Sea Stars.
“It’s very exciting because I’m the first women’s champion in MLW history,” she said. …I don’t think I’ve ever faced it before…We’ll see what happens. I clearly have proven myself at MLW at building this division on my back and giving more opportunities for women to be seen. It’s exciting to be at the forefront of that.”
Another fun aspect of being part of MLW is being able to work with her tag partner in life, husband John Hennigan. It has been a sort of Lucha Underground reunion of sorts with many alums finding their way to the company, which has been enjoying its best exposure with Underground airing on Reelz.
“[John and I] hadn’t tagged together or been in a faction together since the summer of 2019 when John worked for WWE. So much time has gone by. Just being there with Cesar Duran, having Willie Mack there, Matt Striker on commentary, I’m like, ‘Is it 2017?’ It’s really exciting,” Valkyrie said.
“It feels very comfortable and fun. We play so well off each other. Just creating magic again. Lucha Underground was such a wonderful part of my career. I will always speak highly of it. It was really that first big break for a lot of us. When you look back on that show, it was groundbreaking. A lot of people have taken from that show without even acknowledging they have. This was a groundbreaking show with so many new faces, and those faces are everywhere on your television. It has been really fun to get the band back together.”
Impact, NWA & Finding Her Spot in the Business
Valkyrie sees pro wrestling as creating art where there are so many ways to present this art form. In her eyes, everything doesn’t have to be for everyone. She feels creatively fulfilled being able to play in various places. This includes Impact where there is a supernatural tone to her character’s development these days.
“The last few months working with the Death Dollz have been so much fun,” she explained. “I think it is written all over our faces. We’re having the best time learning from one another and working off one another. When we go to signings together, we call it the Death Dollz experience because there is just mayhem all the time.”
Valkyrie has broken through many doors, forbidden or not, during this new era in her career. Add the NWA to the list where she is gunning for the new NWA Women’s Television Championship. During her time in the Billy Corgan-owned promotion, she has developed respect and admiration for Kamille, who has surpassed more than 600 days as Women’s Champion. For Valkyrie, the imposing figure hasn’t even scratched the surface of what she is capable of doing in the business. Adding that, “She is one to watch.”
Other names she passes along are Heather Monroe & Raelyn and the teenage prodigy Billie Starkz. Her advice to them is to work so hard, decision-makers can’t say no.
“I have worked very hard to find my spot in the business,” she said. “Rejected over and over again. I had to really claw and find my way. For me, it’s always cool to meet people in the business that have the same respect for it as I do. I feel they are doing a phenomenal job.”
Wanting to Work with Mercedes Moné
One star the former Franky Monet would also love to tangle with is Mercedes Moné, who recently won the IWGP Women’s championship. Valkyrie has no problem adding another award to her stacked trophy case.
“Mercedes bet on herself. I see a lot of similarities in both of us because that is what I feel I’ve done with myself over and over again. I feel she has such respect for lucha libre. Whenever I see her, we talk about Mexico and lucha libre. So I would love to get in the ring with her and have a shot at that New Japan Women’s Championship. She is at the top of the list for a lot of people right now She is on top of my list. So we’ll see.”
Valkyrie has the same answer about if she wants to settle down with one company. She goes back and forth on the idea.
“I’ve been having so much fun working everywhere,” she added. “It would be nice to be with one company. But I have never chosen the easy road. And I don’t know if I’m going to start now. We’ll see what happens.”
MLW Underground airs at 10 p.m. ET Tuesdays on Reelz. MLW Fusion airs at 8 p.m. ET Thursdays on Pro Wrestling TV
When Cesar Duran arrived in Major League Wrestling (MLW) in the summer of 2021, it didn’t take long for his presence to be felt. Fans knew he would take the unique opportunity to use his prior business experience in Boyle Heights and the Lucha Underground Temple for a new company.
The former Dario Cueto signed on in the role of MLW matchmaker, as well as owner and proprietor of Azteca Underground. A brand of Azteca Lucha that he plans to grow stronger. Duran teased in a recent interview that the ruthless mogul looks to bring in more familiar faces.
“They are going to make this show something that will take the audience from other promotions very fast. You wait and see,” he said. “That’s what I’m looking forward to. We are having a big component of lucha libre to MLW. The audience will love it. I’m trying to put more lucha libre style into the mix.
It’s hard to believe next year will mark 10 years since Lucha Underground arrived on the scene. Duran came in from an acting background and, admittedly, zero pro wrestling experience and minimal product knowledge.
“Immediately, it caught my attention,” he said, “It’s like a bunch of people putting their lives at risk for our enjoyment. Beat that. I started to get a lot of respect for the wrestlers because people don’t know what they have to go through. Then unfortunately we had an incident where Hijo del Perro Aguayo died at the tapings. For me, that was life-transforming. From then on, it became like a religion.”
Getting that behind-the-scenes perspective really opened Duran’s eyes to this new world. His openness to listen and learn attributed to his success. He built an organic connection to the audience as a popular, yet extremely villainous figure. Elements of Cueto could certainly be seen in Duran, but for the performer, they are also different in ways.
“All I learned about wresting I did through Dario Cueto and Lucha Underground,” he said. “… This character is not Dario Cueto. Cesar Duran has his own visions. I think Dario Cueto was more devilish. I was literally the devil reincarnated.”
Duran may be somewhat more grounded, at least from what we’ve seen now. Yet he is not above backdoor dealings onscreen. For the star, there are other similarities between one show’s atmosphere and the other. He gets the same sense that everyone working to produce the events and programming is part of a big family. One that continues to get bigger with the addition of more talent including former coworkers like the returning John Hennigan. The popular wrestler joins his wife and former LU alum Taya Valkyrie.
“I feel like I grew up with them,” Duran added. “…Everyone on Lucha Underground wants to come with us, even those from WWE. When they knew I joined MLW they called. I think you know who I’m talking about.”
MLW continues to grow as a new era recently began with MLW Underground joining the Reelz. There is excitement felt backstage. “You get the feeling everyone wants to make this a big thing,” Duran added. There is a sense on his end that this is only the beginning for the company, saying “I think it’s going to go to big places.”
Duran is happy to be a part of the team, bringing his diverse acting resume to the table. His experience no doubt helps when working with new and emerging talent.
“Before shooting a scene I always share a background story we may have,” he said. “Moments or something that may have happened before, even when it’s not in the script. I like to share that with them because then they get in the mood without knowing it. Then when the camera is rolling, they are present…”
Duran believes MLW stars including champ Alexander Hammerstone could do well in Hollywood because of their expansive abilities to entertain and tell stories. He himself works on projects along with other MLW dealings. In fact, Duran took time from shooting Mayans M.C. for this very interview. He’ll also play a boarding school principal for an upcoming summer project.
“Whoever is a fan of wrestling when I get to a set they are, ‘Oh my god.’ They want t a picture or something. There are big stars on sets…the ones that do follow are very happy they see me on set. And I\’m very happy to see them around.”
MLWUnderground airs at 10 p.m. ET Tuesdays on Reelz. MLW Fusion airs at 8 p.m. ET Thursdays on Pro Wrestling TV
Kamille will be the first to tell you that she isn’t the same pro wrestler she was more than 600 days ago when she first won the NWA women’s championship. “The Brickhouse” has evolved and taken from every experience in the ring.
With every defense, confidence grows for the impressive athlete. Chelsea Green, KiLynn King, Taya Valkyrie, Max The Impaler, Jennacide, and the list goes on and on. Coming up is one of the former softball standout’s biggest tests to date in the form of veteran and multi-time women’s champion Angelina Love at Nuff Said on pay-per-view.
Despite a long travel day to Tampa a few days before the show, Kamille made the drive to WWE superstar couple Natalya and TJ Wilson’s training space for a last-minute session.
“It was great,” she said. “Me and Nattie, it’s one of those things where we have been friends on Instagram but never really gotten the chance to sit down and talk. Being able to get in the ring with someone like her. First off, her family lineage with the Hart family. To learn from her not only in the ring but hear what she thinks about the business side of things. I’m very grateful they let me join in.”
Kamille\’s Road to Greatness
Kamille certainly came in with a tremendous look, but she knew early she’d have to put in the work to succeed. She really entered pro wrestling seven years ago. Cutting her teeth on the independent scene and joining the NWA at the end of 2018 as Nick Aldis’ insurance policy.
“I didn’t start wrestling matches until 2020 and then COVID. Then really getting into it at the beginning of 2021,” she contends.
It has been an on-the-job training experience for Kamille. NWA head Billy Corgan had given her the ball in the form of the women’s championship, and she has been running with it ever since. Momentum continues to build as Kamille continues to put in the work to be her very best.
“I went from having four squash matches in NWA to now having these championship-worthy matches,” she said. “I won [the championship] from Serena Deeb. Getting in there with someone who had been in the business for so long. Not only is she an amazing wrestler but an amazing person.
“I actually texted her to just say thank you for setting me up for my entire run. Every match I’m learning something new. I’m working with someone different. And different styles. It is on-the-job training. There are going to be hiccups but you learn from them and keep going. I definitely think now I can go in there with anyone in the world.”
She cites facing Leyla Hirsch at EmPowerrr and Taya Valkyrie at NWA 74 in the main event as benchmarks. The latter made her feel, “You can do this. You were meant for this.” Speaking of EmPowerrr, Kamille wants to see a sequel but also believes absence makes the heart grow fonder.
“I think the fact it didn\’t happen last year will make the next one more special because people want it now,” she explained. “I can’t wait to see what sorts of talent are out there. You have talent from all different companies coming together. I hope we have that same dynamic of everyone working together and seeing matches you wouldn’t normally see.”
Kamille on Charlotte Flair being a Dream Opponent
And if that proverbial “forbidden door” opened, Kamille has one particular opponent in mind. A WWE queen.
“Businesswise and putting butts in seats and people wanting to see it, it would have to be Charlotte Flair,” she responded when asked who she would face if she had her way down the line. “She is the best in the world. I think we would have a good backstory and story that could lead into it. Getting in there with someone who is so talented could help me learn and grow. And it’s something people would want to see. I believe we are around the same size, so I think the dynamic of that would be very interesting.”
Angelina Love and NWA Nuff Said
Despite having that dream match in mind, Kamille remains focused on her next big defense against Angelina Love. Respect remains for the challenger.
“The fact is Angelina is a veteran. She has been doing this for a long time. When she was part of TNA, she was a needle mover. She got people watching,” she said. “I think she surprises a lot of people because not only is she beautiful but so talented as well and intense. Her as my opponent, I know I’m bigger and have the advantage in that way. But she has that veteran status. I’ve never been in a no-DQ match. I\’m sure she has been in a few scuffles here and there. She might have that advantage over me. I think it will come down to who wants it more. It is going to be a fight.”
NWA Nuff Said is available exclusively through FITE TV. It is available for preorder now for $24.99.
There is a new sheriff in town at Impact Wrestling, and his name is Santno Marella. Yes, the son of a gun who once pulled off one of the biggest upsets ever against the late Umaga. The DOA (Director of Authority) has taken over for Scott D\’Amore, who is recovering from an onscreen attack from Bully Ray. Marella, real name Anthony Carelli, attributes his run with Impact to timing.
“It’s a great company. I’ve been around a couple of times as a guest. I knew it would be an awesome place to work,” Marella explained. “The stars lined up. We’re back, and the fact I get to be Santino is amazing.”
– Santino Marella to SEScoops
The 48-year-old is happy to step in the shoes of one of the most entertaining characters in WWE history. “Instead of being a knock-off, I get to be the genuine article,” he added. “It’s the icing on the cake for sure.”
Santino Open to Wrestling Again
Impact’s parent company Anthem Wrestling Exhibitions was able to secure the trademark for the ring name in December. One that went dormant in 2021. Marella may be helping maintain order on Impact, but he doesn’t rule out having a match or two.
“I don’t know when I will be distributing or administering the first cobra, but it’s always with me,” he added. “…I think I can wrestle a little bit. I’ve got some injuries, so it really just depends on how meticulous I am with my rehab. I have a bad back, so I’ll really need to warm it up. I can’t do it consistently but I can do a match here or there if need be.”
Impact\’s Promising Roster
The veteran is impressed with the talent pool in the company with champ Josh Alexander at the top of the list. He also appreciates the backstage atmosphere.
“A locker room is supposed to be a mix of younger guys and older guys with the older guys helping teach,” Marella said. “If it’s the same education, there is no teaching. It can’t be rookies teaching rookies. In this case, it’s a really nice balance.\”
\”It\’s a fun locker room. There are no locker room cancers. Nobody is complaining. It’s an upbeat locker room, which is what it’s supposed to be because you should be grateful if you’re a wrestler for a living.”
– Santino on the Impact Locker Room
The Canadian certainly has the credentials to be a coach as the founder of the Battle Arts Academy. Even though it’s not a role he was hired for, he’ll give pearls of wisdom. Like how certain moves and motions can contribute to an overall story.
“I always wanted to be some form of developmental,” Marella said. “We’ll talk about that more as I get settled in.”
When asked about his future with Impact, he responds, “I’m here period. As long as they’ll have me.”
Santino\’s Plan for Impact
As far as what we’ll see in this next chapter, Marella looks to bring comic relief. He also wants to bring some structure and consistency to the show. “So many bad guys who think the rules don’t apply to them,” he said. “I’m here to make sure the rules do in fact apply to them.”
Along with his Impact commitments, he’ll also watch proudly while his daughter Bianca looks to pave her own way in the business. “She is going to surpass anything I’ve ever done in the business within the next two years,” Marella predicts. “It’s so fun to watch.”
One member of the family he hopes we don’t see is Marella’s “twin sister” Santina. From the sounds of it, we won’t be seeing “Miss WrestleMania” in the Knockouts division any time soon. “She would do well, but she is very irritating backstage,” Marella said.
By the same token, he feels the future is bright with the company. Marella is happy to be back in the mix.
“I never really left the business,” he said, about his journey. “I just pivoted from entertainer to coach. I guess I was a promoter a little bit to get my students some shows. I did enjoy that. Back onscreen…I’ll be a coach again in a different capacity or a producer down the road. I realized I’m in this business for life. I’ve got a four-year-old who wants to be a wrestler, so I guess I got to stick around now.”
Gail Kim likens herself to a proud parent when she watches Impact Wrestling talent do their thing from behind the curtain. The trailblazing former multi-time Knockouts champion retired from the ring in 2019 but still contributes in a big way as a producer for the company.
The veteran was beaming with pride when we caught up with her days after the Hard to Kill pay-per-view where Mickie James defeated Jordynne Grace for the gold in the main event, effectively keeping the run of “Hardcore Country” alive.
“Making that decision to walk away is difficult for any athlete I think,” Kim said. “ It took me a good two years plus to decide to retire. I like the way Mickie did it. It was a very interesting way to test herself to see if she still got it. She absolutely proved she did because Jordynne Grace is one of the best female wrestlers out there today. Talk about any company, all across the board. She was on top of her game.”
Much like the fans, Kim was emotionally invested in James’ “Last Rodeo.” For her, it’s the story-telling and quality of PPVs especially that really makes Impact stand out. Not to mention the positive work environment that has made Impact in recent years a land of opportunity. A prime reason Frankie Kazarian re-signed with the company.
“You can talk to anybody who works for our company or has worked for our company in the last couple of years. The joy, self-satisfaction, and fulfillment of why you love this business is in Impact Wrestling. I think it’s a very well-known fact in the industry that we are a great place to work because we’re like a family.”
More \’New\’ Faces Coming to Impact
Kim teases Kazarian and Santino Marella aren’t the only new or returning faces we’ll see on Impact TV in the coming weeks. And if she had her way, some of those names would come from the acclaimed all-women’s Japanese promotion Stardom.
“I have pitched I wanted a Stardom-Knockuots pay-per-view,” she said. “That was my thing I sort of threw in the bucket. It’s something I have to push a little bit harder because we do get busy, and we’re always constantly planning the next show and the next show.
“But I know the fans want to see another all-women’s pay-per-view. The last Knockouts Knockdown was great. EmPowerrr was great that Mickie ran, and now Mickie is part of our company. I would love to see collaborations with companies and Stardom was at the top of my list. I think that would create great interest and maybe a collaboration with other companies with women.”
Gisele Shaw
At the same time, Kim takes pride in the pride and evolution of its current talent. Among them is Gisele Shaw, who she believes turned a corner in 2022.
“When she first started with the company. Even before she started with the company, I would watch her and feel like she was holding back. I could feel it. I didn’t know what it was,” Kim explained.
“She just recently came out [as transgender]. She is now living openly and freely. It just changed the game with her feeling like herself. She is performing at the highest level right now. Everything she is doing is incredible. I feel like it’s only an upward trajectory from here. That is where she is now. I’m stoked to see where she goes next.”
One More Match?
Kim candidly revealed there have been numerous times watching from the sidelines that she felt the fire to compete again. The 45-year-old doesn’t rule out one more match under the right circumstances.
“It has been happening in my head a lot. It’s hard,” she said. “When you love it so much. Then when you see the talent out there. ‘What kind of match can I have with them?’ Mickie and I have joked. While she has been on this ‘Last Rodeo’ asking, ‘Why don’t you wrestle me again?’
“I said, ‘Mickie if you want me to, I respect you so much that I would if that\’s what you truly wanted.’ But we have wrestled each other a bunch. For me, if I would come out of retirement for that one match, I would love it to be a three or four-way. So I can get as many talents as I could. And I love multi-women matches to be honest. It would be a dream match of all dream matches. It’s just about getting in cardio shape and preparing my back to get ready to go.”
Impact Wrestling airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET on AXS TV. Catch Impact Wrestling live on January 20 and 21 for “New Year\’s Revolution.” in Kissimmee. For tickets, visit here.
It’s all settling in for Mickie James. The legendary women’s wrestler has battled top talent on Impact Wrestling in a series of matches dubbed the \’“\’Last Rodeo\’”\’ in recent months. Often these in-ring experiences have been trips down memory lane for “Hardcore Country.”
Among them was facing Mia Yim at this stage of her career. It got her thinking about working with a fellow veteran early on in Maryland Championship Wrestling and the opportunities given as a young talent.
After putting all the blood, sweat, and tears into her body of work it comes down to the aptly titled Impact Wrestling pay-per-view Hard to Kill on January 13. There the future Hall of Famer challenges Knockouts champ Jordynne Grace in a title versus career battle.
James tells us it was around the NWA EmPowerrr show that the wheels were put in motion for this current run. One that sees the 43-year-old come full circle returning to Impact Wrestling. A home for her at different points dates back to Alexis Laree in Raven’s The Gathering during those early TNA days.
\”I didn’t anticipate I was going to come back and be a full-time part of the roster in the first place,” James tells us in an interview. “I think after I lost the championship and the conversation with Tommy Dreamer too. I was like, ‘Tommy I don’t know what I can do. I’ve done so much and been really fortunate to do so much. If I go out, I want to go out on top of my game and not overstay my welcome and not stay too long or when I’m on the downward spiral on my career…’”
She wants to put a bow on things by riding out the old-school way. Working her way up on the grind against a mix of talent including Hyan, Gisele Shaw, Taylor Wilde, and Deonna Purrazzo.
“I wanted to prove that not only I’m the best in the locker room but the best ever. And if I can’t do that I don’t belong here anymore. And then I’m okay with that.\”
– Mickie James
The challenger is excited to test her mettle against the imposing Grace. James has upped training ahead of the marquee main event and studied tape. Not only of Grace but a fellow powerhouse in Beth Phoenix.
“I’ve never faced Jordynne before,” James said. “She is probably one of the hardest-hitting women in wrestling. I can probably just say hardest say in wrestling, and it would be accurate.”
Thoughts on Retirement
If James walks out the gold, her mindset is it would be the start of one last reign at the top. Although the word “retire” in wrestling is admittedly a difficult pill to swallow.
“Wrestling is s drug for us,” James said. “Once it’s in our blood, it it’s hard to escape it. There is no better feeling you get than when you’re out there performing in front of people. I never wanted to outstay my welcome. I always want to go out on top and to a place in my career where I was still putting on great matches…I didn’t want to just fade off into the sunset but go out in a blaze of glory.”
With her in-ring career one way or another coming to an end, she is weighing options. The former multi-time champ would enjoy working behind the scenes and as a coach to help performers with their character development.
Along with other projects, James would also like to focus on keeping the memory of her grandma’s horse farm alive by finding generational horses. Her son Donovan would certainly enjoy seeing mom at home more. For James, Impact is a special place because it gave her the family she has today. It was the place she got together for her now husband Nick Aldis.
“I’m excited for Nick because he is a free agent,” she said. “He has a lot of options…Maybe it’s time for me to step back so he can have those opportunities because I’ve had a pretty incredible career.”
James is proud of the evolution of Impact’s Knockouts. She just wishes the company had more visibility as it continues to grow back its fanbase.
“We have some of the best wrestlers in the world. We have definitely the strongest female roster that one can ever imagine,” James said. “They are getting opportunities like the first-ever Ultimate X match or the Last Knockout Standing and all the things…I don’t know if it’s about that as much as I would love for more people to be able to see it and watch it. I think if more people saw it, they will see how great it is.”
When comes to summing up her career and Impact Wrestling story, it comes down to one hope. For the small-town girl who lived her dream, it comes down to being remembered.
“I just want the women to keep thriving and to have made a difference. Hopefully, I’ve done that. And to be honored on the way out on a positive note.”
Catch Impact Wrestling\’s Hard to Kill on Pay-Per-View and FITE TV at 8 p.m. ET on January 13
Eric Bischoff is enjoying this new phase of his life. The days in the pressure cooker of running WCW, and working in the many roles he took on in WWE and TNA Impact Wrestling are in the rearview. He has found the perfect balance.
However, the former television exec has been able to reflect on his experiences through a new lens thanks to his 83 Weeks and Strictly Businesspodcasts, as well as a recently released book, aptly titled Grateful. A collaboration with Nitro book author Guy Evans, and the perfect bridge from Bischoff’s best-selling autobiography Controversy Creates Cash.
For the WWE Hall of Famer, there are a few touchstones that brought him back into the familiar and unique world of pro wrestling. He thinks back to an independent show in Albuquerque, New Mexico where he picked up a booking days before the show. He asked himself, “Why not?” And so Bischoff put his dog in the truck and made the drive from where he lived at the time in Scottsdale, Arizona. There was a point the 67-year-old had second thoughts about going into the backstage area.
“When I walked into that building, I stopped for a second and looked around and saw 20-25 people, young wrestlers, young talent getting ready,” he said. “I was like a fly on the wall. It reminded me of how much fun wrestling can be. This reminded me of when I first showed up in the AWA.”
This nostalgic feeling continued during a panel he hosted between Sting and Hulk Hogan. A fan by the name of Amanda introduced herself and brought a tear to Bischoff’s eye hearing how she bonded with her late father over wrestling. She would later reach out to his wife Loree on social media going into detail that the only bonding time they shared was watching Nitro.
“She explained her father passed, and her mother passed. She had no brothers or sisters. She had no family. She asked my wife if I would be willing to step in for her father and give her way at her wedding,” Bischoff remembered. “I of course said absolutely. It really opened my eyes to how much professional wrestling can positively affect relationships.”
These instances get him thinking about his own childhood and watching the shows with his grandmother, Agnes. Podcasts, conventions, autograph signings, and other appearances reinforce that love that lured him into the business in the first place. Even today, Bischoff remains a fan.
The State of Pro Wrestling
When asked about what he is most grateful about the industry today, he responded that it remains \”healthy.\”
“You look at rights fees for WWE and AEW,” he explained. “ Look at the global footprint of WWE and how far the professional industry has evolved and become not only mainstream in terms of television and primetime. What we’re seeing on Fox network. Who would have thought 20 years ago we’d be watching professional wrestling live on Fox? It’s mind-boggling…It’s such a big step for the industry.
The same for AEW. I never got a nickel for licensing fees. I never got a dime. I see that now, and it indicates to me at least, that the professional wrestling product is so mainstream now. That it’s going to be here for a long, long time.”
Will WWE be Sold?
When you think about the rollercoaster ride WWE and its stock has taken in 2022, fact is the company continues to bring in boatloads of money. This despite Vince McMahon being embroiled in scandal, which ultimately led to the now-former CEO and chairman stepping away.
The current landscape in the market with these billion-dollar television contracts coming up combined with other financial data has caused the chatter of whether WWE were to sell to grow louder.
“I’d say right now it’s more plausible to me that the WWE would sell because Vince McMahon is no longer, at least visibly in the picture,” Bischoff said. “He is still in the picture as a majority shareholder, and guess what? He can still say no. It’s his company. It is possible even though Vince isn\’t the CEO or chairman that Vince could step up and prevent a sale. I don’t know why he would do that at this stage of his life with the amount of money that would be involved
“What is there to gain from impeding an acquisition like that? I don’t know, but I don\’t know Vince McMahon. I don’t know if too many people do. It’s plausible. It makes sense, which is why people keep talking about it…You can make a really strong story for an NBC, a Fox, or at one point Disney…but it makes sense. As long as it makes sense and people continue to project it, it’s probably going to happen. I don\’t know though.”
2023 Predictions
On the topic of 2023 predictions, don’t expect to see Bischoff back as a regular figure on television. He enjoys the one-off or a few appearances when asked, as well as the work he does for WWE docs.
“I’ve had so much fun in my career and I\’ve made acquaintances that I still consider to this day to be some of my closest friends,” he said. “I’ve got nothing but fond memories of me in the wrestling industry even though I went through times that weren’t so much fun. That’s part of the reason I wrote the new book. Even being able to look back at those miserable times, and find a way to be grateful for them. Lightens my load.”
AEW & Warner Bros. Discovery
Looking at the crystal ball, Bischoff can see good news when it comes to AEW and its television partners at Warner Bros Discovery.
“My prediction, not based on knowledge but on conditions of the market and where Discovery is at. And full disclosure, my daughter has worked for WarnerMedia for seven or eight years, so I have a little bit of an inside view. But I do think AEW will get renewed. I don\’t think there will be a major increase in licensing fees. That’s just based on instinct and anecdotal information. I could be dead wrong.”
CM Punk
Another question that looms into the new year is if we will see CM Punk will wrestle again. After the controversial media scrum from All Out, the future of the Chicagoan and AEW remains in flux.
“I can’t imagine,” Bischoff responded when asked if he could see Punk back in the ring this year. “Who would want to hire that guy? First of all, I’d say he is a miserable guy. I’m talking about his character now. We’ve never spoken a syllable or face-to-face conversation. Every time I see him come out, the character comes out and he is morose. My daughter will even say every time he wins something, he breaks down crying.
“Look, Punk came into AEW with a tremendous mystique because of the ‘Pipe Bomb’ interview and walking out on WWE. Deep down inside, all of us want to give the bird to our boss and walk away and take this job and shove it sort of thing. That’s what Punk did and built up this mystique. He brought that to AEW, but I think once fans started seeing him and that mystique was gradually beginning to wear off, he wasn’t that interesting of a character to me. It\’s subjective. Others may have found him more interesting. I don’t know.
I just know how I feel about it. I was losing interest in him. It’s like falling off a cliff. If I saw him wrestle one more guy I never heard of and have a match that was so close. This is your champion This is your guy who is larger than life. This is the guy that you are building your company around? Against some guy who works part-time at Walmart who comes in and takes him almost the limit.”
If you’re looking for more hot takes from Eric Bischoff on “Ad Free Shows.”
It was in 2015 when I covered the WWE Tough Enough reality show competition. Among the hopefuls I spoke to over the weeks was a driven fitness model with big dreams named Amanda Saccomanno. She certainly turned heads as a blond bombshell, but beneath the surface, it became apparent there was so much more than an attractive aesthetic.
The future Mandy Rose won over viewers and judges with her dedication and athletic ability. Comparisons were made early on, that WWE may have the next Trish Stratus in the wings. There was also a relatability as the native New Yorker opened up about what the opportunity meant to her and her family. The Miz, a judge on the series, saw the makings of a future superstar, and at one point, saved her from elimination.
Rose ultimately couldn’t overtake fan favorites Sara Lee and Josh Bredl who would win Tough Enough and receive the contracts. The setback only fueled her motivation. “I’m going to come back and pursue getting into NXT and getting a developmental contract because this is what I want to do,” she told me at the time. Adding. “I’m not going to give up on this. I already have my foot in the door. I’m just going to keep going.”
Coaches and management ultimately signed the impressive prospect to a contract. Rose continued to flourish in developmental and NXT, alongside fellow Tough Enough alum Daria Berenato. The best friends quickly found themselves on the main roster, joining Paige in the group Absolution.
Rose and the renamed Sonya Deville benefited getting the rub from a top-tier former women’s champion. Rose was thrown in the deep end on a number of occasions early on with Deville as a team called Fire and Desire and solo. She started developing a reputation for being someone who could run with the ball when given the opportunity.
Her first real story she got to sink her teeth into was a heated rivalry with Naomi. Rose made it personal when she played mind games using Naomi’s husband Jimmy Uso. During the Royal Rumble, the “Golden Goddess” turned heads lasting more than 25 minutes in the battle royal.
In 2019, we also saw a true tale of WWE’s beauty and the beast that unfolded between Rose and a loveable blockhead in Otis. The two captured the hearts and imaginations of fans each week. The audience felt a real connection to the couple. Rather than Rose ending up with the proverbial big man on campus in Dolph Ziggler, she was instead drawn to the blue collar personality. Unfortunately, we never got that \”Macho Man\” Randy Savage/Elizabeth wedding I wanted to see at SummerSlam.
Besties eventually turned bitter enemies with Rose and Deville on opposite ends. They both upped their level of intensity, taking each other up to another level in the process. Deville became a regular fixture as a WWE official. Meanwhile Rose surprisingly returned to NXT. This was at a time when the black & gold brand was set to undergo a major shift. A refocus to developing young and emerging talent.
When someone from Raw or SmackDown makes the move “down” to NXT, there was a perception of a demotion. Not to Rose. She approached the relocation as an opportunity for reinvention. The familiar face came in hot, literally and figuratively, right out of the gate with a new look (brown hair!). Beyond just inserting herself right into the NXT women’s championship mix, she formed Toxic Attraction with Gigi Dolin and Jacy Jayne. The devious trio became a dominating force in the 2.0 era of NXT.
Within a matter of months, Rose secured the women’s title while Dolin and Jayne took home the tag championship. The leader of Toxic Attraction upped her game and grew stronger with every successful title defense. Rose’s reign ultimately lasted a remarkable 417 days before dropping the strap to Roxanne Perez.
Yes, Rose had the money look. That can be a blessing and a curse given the track record of those before her. There are those flashes in the pan who depend solely on how they look on camera. Then there are others including Rose, who much like Trish Stratus, had to work that much harder to be taken seriously as an in-ring performer. Rose earned respect the old-fashioned way over the course of a lengthy reign at the top.
Someone who also had an entrepreneurial eye. She would become a popular attraction on social media, started a fitness app “Fit with Mandy,” and formed the donut enthusiastic business Damandyz Donutz with Deville. Among her other projects was also started a FanTime account, providing exclusive subscription content for those who sign up. Content reportedly on there got a little too hot and heavy for WWE’s liking. A shocking release came on December 14, less than 24 hours after losing to Perez.
Regardless of the circumstances of her exit and where you stand on the whole ordeal, nobody can deny what Rose accomplished. She came a long way from running the ropes and participating in fitness challenges on Tough Enough. Whatever Rose decides to do next, she is in a good place. Someone with built-in equity, a dedicated fan base, and an impressive body of work in WWE. The ball is in Rose’s court. I’m sure promoters from major companies and conventions would want to get this soon-to-be big-time free agent in the marketplace.
This isn’t the end. The bloom hasn’t fallen off this Rose. Who knows what’s next? I would never rule out a WWE return down the road, too. We’ve seen it countless times. But whatever the superstar alum decides to do, she’ll be laughing all the way to the bank.
I remember going to the grocery store as a child and seeing the flyers for independent pro wrestling shows taking place in the neighborhood gym or flea market. Sporadically, there would be a few names from WWE, WCW, or ECW I would recognize. These events would draw anywhere between a hundred to hundreds most of the time. The majority of the wrestlers who appeared regularly would stay local or within the state. It was pretty status-quo.
The same formula has been used over the decades, but in recent times something happened. Promotions across the country and worldwide now draw thousands despite not having traditional major network clearance or exposure on weekly television. They’re even breaking attendance records to the point where “independent” is no longer a dirty word.
And the reason for this uptick can be traced to a number of factors. Among them is the talent, who have become their own advocates. They’ve built their own brands, had hand in creating unique eye-catching merchandise, and smartly promoted themselves through platforms across social media. There are countless tools for a performer at their disposal, and many utilize them well. Then there are the companies themselves who have invested in presentation. Little things can make all the difference. You don’t necessarily have to be a millionaire or billionaire to produce a good product for viewers.
Perhaps, the major reason for this boom period within the indie world is fans have the accessibility to consume content in so many ways. They become invested as a result. Streaming services like Independent Wrestling TV and FITE TV emerged as important resources, revenue generators, and game changers for a company. Speaking of which, what Brett Lauderdale has done with Game Changer Wrestling is nothing short of remarkable. Their shows often trend on Twitter thanks to a dedicated fanbase that has been likened to ECW during its early days. GCW’s The Collective, a mobilization of companies and talent from all over, is a staple during WrestleMania weekend.
There have been a number of landmark events that have shown the power of independent wrestling on a grand scale. I think back to the excitement for All In, a major investment in time and resources by Cody Rhodes and the Young Bucks. Yes, Ring of Honor backed the vision, but this was still a rolling of the dice that extended more than a response to a Dave Meltzer bet.
Renting out a major venue and counting on fans to really get behind something different. The one-off paid off with more than 11,000 fans packing the Sears Centre to witness the historic pay-per-view. A true demonstration of what could be accomplished if the pro wrestling community can come together. Of course, we know the success of All In setting the stage for what would become All Elite Wrestling.
Then there was Ric Flair’s Last Match, promoted under the podcasting/Starcast convention kingpin Conrad Thompson, who dusted off Jim Crockett Promotions trademark for the occasion. A lively crowd of nearly 7,000 at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium saw an assemblage of stars join the “Nature Boy” for another draw. All In and Ric Flair’s Last Match ended up being the highest-grossing North American indie shows of this modern era. Not to mention the global reach.
COVID could have easily taken down the indie scene, but instead, promoters got creative to keep the show going. They hosted events in outdoor spots like fields and parking lots. Just this year F1RST Wrestling brought its Saturday Night Nitro to the Mall of America. And this is not even considering all the great things going on in countries globally. It’s an exciting time for pro wrestling in general, but the possibilities are endless in the indie space as well. No longer do you have to be signed by a major company to be considered successful in the industry.
What is your favorite independent promotion? Tweet me @smFISHMAN.
The stage was set for 2020 to be among the best years in pro wrestling history. Keith Elliot Greenberg had all the intentions of writing the follow-up “Too Sweet: Inside the Indie Wrestling Revolution.” And then, COVID happened.
“This is more of a legacy book than a book in the moment,” the New Yorker explained. “I understand how people now might not want to relive the ‘COVID Age.’…I do think you read things like the books about the death of WCW where it almost has more resonance now than it did at the time.
He continued: When [last book] was completed I thought it called for a sequel because it ended with the first broadcast of AEW Dynamite. There were a lot of loose ends like what happened to indie wrestling now there is this promotion that has acquired a lot of the indie wrestlers. Then COVID hit so I said, ‘“I think this has to be a COVD book.’”
Much like all his work, he took a deep dive and immersed himself. Not only on the pro wrestling side but what was happening in politics and society as a whole. He likened his approach to that of Jonathan Mahler’s “Ladies and Gentlemen, the Bronx is Burning.” More than a baseball book about the Yankees, it’s in essence a time capsule back to 1977 with the Son of Sam and the New York blackout.
“I think in the time of COVID you really couldn’t distinguish what was going on in professional wrestling from what was going on in the real world,” Greenberg said. “Here you have matches in empty arenas so you can’t pretend COVID isn’t there. You have the George Floyd case, and you have certain wrestlers come to the ring with Black Lives Matter singlets or armbands. You have to acknowledge how the outside world is affecting professional wrestling.”
The show must go on has always been a mantra followed by this unique form of sports and entertainment. That reigned true even as the world shut down, owners and promoters put their innovative minds to work. We saw the ThunderDome, Stadium Stampedes, unorthodox venues, and everything in between to keep the proverbial lights on and give people regular shows to watch while sheltering in place.
“We also had indie wrestlers with limited budgets who were improvising as well,” Greenberg said. “I remember being in Indiana during an afternoon show in the park and everyone was spread out and socially distanced. I asked promoter Brett Lauderdale of Game Changer Wrestling, ‘Why are you doing this in the afternoon.’ He said, ‘So I can save money on lighting.’ Honestly, there were wrestlers who needed to wrestle. Their constitution called for it. There were fans who needed to watch wrestling and see it live.”
Photo By: Nick Consalvo
The book also does a great job of painting the picture of what was happening outside the United States. Greenberg adds that “When you see this Finnish promotion use COVID as an opportunity to expand into Estonia. That’s none of us in the U.S. or very few of us would have known. I wanted to have that all in there because I want people to walk into a library and open this book and say, “This is a snapshot of history.”
The writer took feedback from his last book and made a conscious effort to focus more on women’s wrestling. Despite all the steps forward, the “Speaking Out” called for more changes that needed to be made.
“You had wrestlers being called out for sexual impropriety,” Greenberg said. “I work as a TV producer and cover the true crime. I thought, ‘How would I handle this if I were covering it, and it was not a wrestling story? This is bigger than wrestling.’ When I’ve done stories about sexual abuse don’t name the actor because you don’t want people tracking down that accuser and calling her a liar and terrorizing her. That’s how I treated the speaking-out accusers.
He continues: “I wasn’t going to put their names in the book….I confined the stories I told to the males who vigorously defended themselves in a public way. David Starr, Joey Ryan, Marty Scrull, and Matt Riddle. Those are the folks who were very public about defending themselves. Some people say I spent too much time on the defense, but that was out in public. So, I’m not embarrassed or second-guessing it. This is the beginning of a dialogue. It’s in the book. If you don’t like the way I handled it, let’s continue this dialogue. Sexual abuse has been in society and professional wrestling for a long time. Like racism, let’s figure out ways to make things better.”
If you’re a fan of this book and want more, Greenberg has returned to his magazine writing roots as a regular columnist for Inside the Ropes. At the same time don’t expect another book from him right away.
“So much is happening right now, and so much will happen,” he said. “I don’t even know where to begin. So right now I’m sitting back and waiting to see what happens in professional wrestling. There will be another book, but I might not start writing it for another two years. I’m still waiting to see what the trends are and the lessons are.”
Can you imagine what the world of pro wrestling would be like had social media been around in the 1980s or even the 1990s? In the glory days of the Four Horsemen, Dave Schultz, Roddy Piper, Iron Sheik, the “Monday Night War,” Brian Pillman, DX, ECW…The list goes on and on.
Today platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok have become an important piece of the business for better or worse. A proven double-edged sword in which pro wrestlers and personalities must walk a tightrope. They are in a unique position compared to an actor or athlete. Do they stay in character or not? Many times it’s a hybrid where the lines of reality are muddled, which can help advance a storyline. Then there are the missteps where a single Tweet can make or break someone.
We’ve seen shoots, work shoots, and instances of being worked into a shoot. Among those who I think manages the waters of social media well is Becky Lynch. She’ll chime in at the right time, knowing what will get people talking. The popular performer has also been known to clap back with receipts like a recent interaction with Vince Russo or shutting down body-shaming attacks on boyfriend Adam Cole. Another good one is Britt Baker, who brings a similar approach. They’ve each grown their popularity, even when they aren’t on TV.
MJF is known for his outspokenness on AEW shows. It’s this authenticity and confidence that has made him must-watch each week. The same can be seen on social media in which the much talked about star will provide entertainment sparring with the likes of Dionne Warwick. Though he\’ll also use the space to draw awareness to some really serious issues.
MJF has called out antisemitism including comments made by Kanye West. Even when tweets are deleted, they live on in cyberspace and headlines. It’s an interesting position to be in when MJF is considered a “heel” on television delivering some pretty harsh and controversial promos.
Social media can be a slippery slope. A back-and-forth between Sammy Guevara and Andrade got heated on Twitter regarding comments Andrade made about Guevara being stiff in the ring to Más Lucha. A war of words boiled over into reported physicality backstage at Dynamite, which led to Andrade being sent home.
Unfortunately, social media has also given attention to trolls who like nothing more than to rile someone up. Cyberbullying and body shaming are real problems, and the pro wrestling world is not immune. Hateful things are said just to get a reaction when in actuality it only does harm to your mental health. Imagine getting inundated by these horrible messages on a daily basis.
That doesn\’t make you feel good. After all, deep down these figures, we watch in the ring are human beings just like anyone else. There is a reason Jade Cargill took a break from Twitter and Toni Storm just left it altogether. It got so bad for Stardom athlete Hana Kimura, she took her own life. If that doesn\’t get you thinking twice about sending a message with the intent of making someone feel bad, I don\’t know what will.
Matt Cardona knows how to use social media to help grow his brand. That can be traced all the way back to Cardona’s YouTube show. He has used it as a way to spread the word about everything he has going on and selling. A tool and means to an end. Making money.
Social media can be a powerful way to get a message across and create awareness for a cause. Nobody knows that more than Mick Foley, who has raised thousands of dollars over the years through many fundraisers. Drake Maverick’s emotional reaction to losing his job after being released in 2020 went viral. So much, John Cena took note and WWE couldn’t ignore the groundswell of support. Triple H presented him with a new contract down the line on NXT.
The pro wrestling community has also mobilized on a number of occasions, coming together to help. When the shocking news broke that Tough Enough alum Sara Lee passed away at age 30, a GoFundMe was set up for her family by friend Bull James. Thanks to wrestling stars and others spreading the word more than $103,000 were generated. A heartwarming response to a sad story.
Social media isn’t going anywhere. And if you’re a pro wrestler it can be a blessing or curse. The ones who find success are those who maintain a level of authenticity and a genuine voice. They also practice a rule we should all be following. Think before you post.
Who is your favorite follow? Why? Let me know in the comments or by tweeting me @smFISHMAN.
Jessie Jones is here to make wrestling great again. WOW (Women Of Wrestling) to be exact as the promotion enjoys a rebirth with huge syndication clearance across the country and beyond. The proud Bardstown, Kentucky native wasted no time letting her intentions known on the microphone to creator David Mclane. She wants gold around her waist.
Jones even beat Foxxy Fierce and Ice Cold solo to prove a point that she belongs in the women’s tag team title mix. The veteran took time out from raising hell to talk about this new incarnation of WOW in this SEScoops interview.
WOW has so much reach with syndication. Talk a little about what it has been like. How would compare the feel, and the atmosphere this time around from what we’ve seen from WOW in the past?
Jessie Jones: There is a lot of excitement. There is a lot of buzz. Everybody is just ready to make a statement. We’re ready to make everyone feel like, “Wow, these women are entertaining and can wrestle.”
Of course, new this season is AJ Mendez. What do you think she bring? She brings such a big fanbase. How has it been interacting with her?
It’s amazing. I totally attribute AJ basically giving the women the platform they have now. She is the person who tweeted to give women a chance. That really got the ball rolling for the women’s revolution. I think of her in the locker room as someone who has done so much and can learn from. She also has this huge fan base where it can be, “AJ supports this. Let’s see what this is about.” I think that her fans are going to be happy. She loves being there. She loves being a part of WOW. I love having people like AJ there who I can learn from, talk to, and ask questions. It’s a privilege having someone like her in the locker room and available to us.
As a veteran, have you taken the new faces under your wing to help them acclimate to the wild world of pro wrestling?
It is definitely a whole new world. You know I’m kind of selfish. I don’t help too many people unless I see something in them. You might see me help somebody out as the season goes on. I can’t give away too much. I’m more of a sit back and watch and if someone asks me, then I might help them. It depends on how I’m feeling that day.
You’re known for being outspoken in the ring. Who has helped you along the way in building those mic skills? You feel you believe what you’re saying.
That’s the key to a promo. You believe what you’re saying. I honestly had the great honor and privilege of being trained and mentored by Tracy Smothers, who is one of the best on the microphone ever. It definitely goes back to the foundation. Tracy Smothers, working with Mickie Knuckles, Brian Knobbs, Ohio Valley Wrestling. I would say my ability. And through college and school, I was doing speech and drama, and forensics. I’m not one who has been shy with a mic in my hand. Having the confidence to do it and knowing where all the trainers at OVW having helped me out.
You mention OVW. Do you see WOW partnering and building relationships with other wrestling companies like others have?
No, I don’t think WOW is going to partner just because with Ohio Valley Wrestling they have males, and females. What we are really about is empowering and uplifting women. We’re the only all-women wrestling company to have a national, worldwide, footprint. I’m grateful for Ohio Valley Wrestling. I don’t see a partnership coming. I definitely wouldn’t be surprised if OVW’s girls are scouted by WOW.
Is there anyone from the outside you want to come into WOW?
Mickie Knuckles. There are a few, but maybe they’re coming in and you don’t know it yet.
Speaking of which you had that big win with Ice Cold and Foxxy Fierce, demanding being involved in the tag team tournament. We might be seeing a new partner emerge. Can we expect a new partner to appear?
Definitely. I’m going to pick a partner, force people to be my partner, and talk them into being my partner. I will find someone to stand on the apron. You can expect me to be searching.
The story was built with you and Selina Majors. There is a bond and history there. Do you expect to see her in the ring for WOW again, either opponent or on your side?
I don’t know, but it would be amazing if she did. I might be a little upset with her. I like to tag with her, but she bailed on me. It depends on my mood that day. It would be cool to tag with her again and make Southern Pride the tag team champions. But then again I might be in a nasty mood and am like you bailed on me after I traveled to California on a bus. I want to fight you. I don\’t know. We’ll see.
“When you get a Texan and Oklahoman together, they are either going to do two things: fight each other or sit down and drink a beer. He was too damn big for me to fight at that time. I chose to sit down and have a beer with him.”
This is what Gerald Brisco said regarding the origins of his friendship with John “Bradshaw” Layfield. If you’ve heard or seen their “Stories with Brisco and Bradshaw” show, you immediately sense there is a special bond between the two. One built on mutual interests including a love of wrestling and football. Perhaps Brisco saw some of his himself as a competitive athlete.
He fought hard to recruit him for WWE back in the mid-1990s. A time when the war between WCW and WWE was hot and heavy. A member of Vince McMahon’s inner circle for decades, his opinion certainly went a long way.
“Jerry and JJ Dillon pulled me aside in the shower,” Layfield recalled. “[Jerry] said, ‘I understand you’re going to WCW. Well, I don’t want you to go. How will I know you’re not going to WCW and take our contract.’ I hadn’t seen a contract. I said, ‘Well, how do I know I got a contract?’ He said, ‘You have my word.’ He stuck out his hand, and I shook it. We’ve been friends ever since.”
“One fo the most giving people,” Brisco added. “I see the work he does not just in America but Africa and Bermuda where he sets up these rugby leagues.”
Bradshaw’s philanthropic efforts combined with his accomplishments in the business made him an ideal candidate to be recognized by the Cauliflower Alley Club as the 2022 Iron Mike Mazurki honoree. The WWE Hall of Famer and multi-time world champion, along with Brisco, will be part of the 56th Cauliflower Alley Club Reunion. The ceremony takes place September 26-28 at the Plaza Hotel & Casino.
“It’s a huge honor,” JBL said. “I look at the guys who won the award including Gene LeBell, Lou Thesz, ‘Stone Cold’ [Steve Austin], Harley Race, Jesse Ventura. I never dreamed of being in the Hall of Fame. I just love this business. I wanted to be in it. Going into the Hall of Fame with names like this. I feel like I should be buying a ticket to be in the room with those guys including Mr. Gerald Brisco.”
Brisco knows the importance of the CAC over the years as it has helped colleagues in many ways. He stresses the organization not only helps the old-timers but today’s talent too.
“It’s so important that our current wrestlers get out and get involved and come to these CAC events,” Brisco said. “See exactly the camaraderie that the talent gives out to the fans that come to these. This is a tremendously attended event that is in Las Vegas every year.”
Much the contrary to many veterans, JBL and Brisco have a positive outlook on the current landscape of pro wrestling. They feel the business is certainly booming.
“My opinion is it is as healthy as it has ever been in the history of the business.,” Brisco said. “You have so many choices now…If there is something on Raw or SmackDown I want to watch, I’ll watch it, but my favorite go-to is the NXT show. You’re going to see a lot of raw and young talent building that dream and taking the next step. You see their successes and feel their failures too. Watching like John and I do, you can see a failure. Not as a person. A failure of a spot and see the disappointment in their body language and expression.
“But 99 percent of the time they are right on the money. To see these kids come from absolutely never seen a wrestling ring before or what the ropes or turnbuckles are like to taking a giant step center of the ring. You are there seeing them take that first step and see how uncoordinated that first step is. Then you see how they advance, makes goosebumps come to both of our arms.”
Layfield added that “the business is as hot as it can be. These guys have their own buses and own plane. I’m not saying that in a disparaging way. I love it. I wish we had that. They are making a ton of money, and good for them. We’re not those old guys who say they don’t deserve it. Those guys deserve it as much as we did. I’m so happy there are billion-dollar TV contracts selling out huge arenas. It’s fashionable to knock the current business. You seem smart if you do and a ‘mark’ if you put it over. You have to put it over. Something is going incredibly right. All these independent shows are drawing. I hadn’t seen that in 20 years or more, maybe the late 1980s territories that drew. It’s a wonderful time.
Visit the CAC site for more information on the organization and to attend the CAC Reunion.
Whether it was in the pro wrestling or monster truck arena, Madusa has always been about breaking through barriers. The Hall of Famer is now looking to do her part to help along others do the same. It’s why she has gotten more involved with the Cauliflower Alley Club. A nonprofit organization that has helped so many within the industry in need. The 56th Annual CAC Reunion takes place September 26-28. Madusa, also known as Alundra Blayze, will be co-hosting the award\’s dinner with John Arezzi.
“I found myself in a different transition in my life. I wanted to get into some charity work. What better way to get back into charity work than look to our business and give back,” she said. “Especially 40 years in the entertainment business and understanding what our colleagues go through, tragedies to triumph.”
Madusa hopes to lend her outspoken voice to the board of the CAC. Taking a seat at the proverbial table is just the beginning the former women’s champ envisions.
“The organization has helped with a million dollars of charitable funds dedicated to helping people,” she said. “I would like to get the word out more.”
Dream Opponent She Never Worked With
Along with hosting duties, Madusa is planning to help recognize Jacqueline Moore as the 2022 Women’s Wrestling Honoree. The legendary performer recalls almost crying when asked to participate.
“Here is a woman basically parallel through my whole career,” Madusa said. “Same age started at the same time. We were in the same organization at the same time. Do you realize she and I never wrestled each other? What the hell?”
Madusa loves throwing it out there that she still has the WWF women’s championship. You know the one where she helped ignite the “Monday Night War” by throwing the title in the trash can. A similar scene took place earlier this year when Cora Jade canned the NXT women’s tag titles.
“When I saw that, I said, ‘Damn, at least that b—tch got to keep her job.’ Good for her,” she quipped.
The veteran superstar actually appeared on an episode of NXT. She has also remained active in helping the next generation of the NWA. An opportunity Madusa cherishes. As for a retirement match, it’s the old never say never.
“I would love to have a retirement match,” Madusa said. “That may have gone and sailed. Maybe not. Maybe it’s Jacqueline? We’ll finish it off. That would be unexpected and great. It would have to be someone that would have great chemistry and that could carry my ass in a way that if I bumped my head and didn’t know what was going on, they could carry the match.”
Upcoming Autobiography
Last match or not, Madusa no doubt has a story to tell. And she finally will with an anticipated autobiography coming out in 2023 with James C. Melby Historian Award winner Greg Oliver.
“I’ve been writing this book for 30 years. It first started in WWF. I was sitting down with Vince Russo when he was working there. I said I would like to write a book. He and I would intermittently sit down and talk. He would record me on those little cassette thingies,” Madusa recalled. “I would say eight years ago he said, ‘Deuce, I still have those tapes. Would you like them back?’ I’m like, ‘Sure!’ He sent me all the tapes.”
Encouragement from others including Arezzi led to the project continuing on with Madusa inspired. She is excited for everyone to read the finished product.
“I will tell you this book is so well-written. So me.… The title of the book is ‘The Woman Who Would Be King.’ I’ve been queen my whole life. I’ve been ‘Queen of Carnage,’ ‘Queen of the Ring,” Madusa said. “I was talking to Paul Heyman, a very dear friend of mine to this day. I’ll text and bounce ideas. I said, ‘I’m about done with the book. I’ve got to two or three titles. I don’t know.’
“He said, “The Woman Who Would Be King. Deuce that’s you. That was all Paul Heyman. He did write the forward of the book. I’m so honored. This book is not a tattle tale book. It doesn’t throw anyone under the bus. It’s not about that crap. It’s about a woman and her story, surviving in two male-dominated businesses. The stories will make you happy, cry, piss you off and overcome. It’s a great story.”
Visit the CAC site for more information on the organization and to attend the CAC Reunion.
The rock and wrestling connection remains strong. No band knows that better than Shinedown. This popular band is taking the charts by storm with their latest album “Planet Zero,” which brought them a 19th number one on Active Rock. Their smash “Daylight,” also gave them their 18th Mainstream Rock number one. We’re talking the most in the 41-year history of the chart’s existence.
Helping them over time no doubt is the exposure that comes when six of their songs play on WWE shows. This includes WrestleMania, and for quite a while, Raw every Monday night. Shinedown’s Zach Myers got a sense of the company’s reach very quickly.
“You’ll be on a day off in Albuquerque and go to a restaurant,” Myers recalled. “I look like I’m in a band I guess, so they’ll ask what band I’m in. I’ll say Shinedown. They’ll respond with, ‘Yeah, you guys were the Raw theme song for two years.’ It’s really cool to have that relationship.”
Myers along with lead singer Brent Smith, Barry Kerch, and Eric Bass have had wrestlers at their shows. They’ve also been at WWE events. Friendships have formed, built on mutual respect and exchange of fandoms.
On August 28, frontman and Knoxville, TN, native Smith was surprised with the key to Knox County, presented by mayor Glenn Jacobs (aka professional wrestler Kane) on stage during the band’s show at Thompson-Boling Arena. Through their relationship with the WWE, Shinedown guitarist Zach Myers and the band’s head of security John Guarnieri helped to plan this special honor for Brent with the mayor’s office. The key was crafted by students at Brent’s alma mater South Doyle High School. PRESS HERE to watch.
“The parallels between those two universes are way more similar than most people realize,” Myers said. “I would go even further as to say there is a percentage of our fans that came from the wrestling world…I think a percentage of our global fan base has come from that which is really cool. It’s always really nice. We were never the cool band. We were never on MTV. We were never on VH1. We kind of made our own cool. We are a radio band that just did the work live and really gained fans from radio and our live shows.”
Myers will make it a point to attend shows when he is home when WWE is in town. Even before being part of rock’s go-to hitmakers, the musician has been a longtime fan.
“I was at one of the Raw’s Hulk Hogan came back after being gone for a long time,” he reminisces. “I remember seeing WCW a long time ago with one of Goldberg\’s first appearances when I was younger. They take care of us as we go now. We’re usually in the front row. It’s always super fun. I’m a big shoe guy, so I remember when Hulk Hogan came out in his Jordans. I have been there for a lot of them. It has been really cool to see.”
He admittedly doesn’t follow as much on TV anymore. Touring the world is not only Shinedown but Smith & Myers, Hanson, and other music projects will take up a lot of time. Not to mention being a dad.
“I have two kids, and I’m dad-ing full-time when I’m not on the road,” Myers explained. “When the live events come, I’ll usually backtrack Peacock for a couple of weeks. My younger brother is seven years younger than me. He is super into it still. So we go and he’ll catch me up on what’s going on.”
Photo Credit: Sanjay Parikh
When asked who the biggest Shinedown fans in pro wrestling are, Myers runs down a number of top stars. Everyone from Triple H to Fozzy’s own Chris Jericho, who has been a friend of his for 15 years. Memories start flooding back.
“We did WrestleMania in Chicago, the pre-event at House of Blues,” Myers said. “WrestleMania does the whole weekend wherever they are. John Cena came and a bunch of people came. There is a very early photo of us with John Cena. He looked great. We did not. This is the old days of Shinedown when we weren’t as healthy as we are now. [Happy] Corbin and I are really close. Not even through wrestling. We met each other through wrestling, but we are both cooks. We both love barbecue and cooking outdoors to the point that we actually discussed doing a show together and pitching a show to a network.
Then there was the time he crossed paths with his favorite legend in red and yellow.
“I got to meet Hulk Hogan one time. He said he knew who Shinedown was,” he added. Whether he was lying to me or not, that was cool for me …We were walking in Target the other day and my son saw the wrestling action figures and they did this legend\’s remake thing…He pointed to one. I said, “That’s dada’s favorite wrestler of all time. It came full circle for me.
“I told my wife that when he turns 7 I think I’ll let him start watching. He has a brother two years younger than him, and they fight enough for my taste. Wrestling would add more fuel to the fire. I think next year I\’ll start him at events.”
“Planet Zero” is out now. See Shinedown when they come to a city near you!
After more than 40 years Jimmy Hart still can’t get enough of the pro wrestling business. The Hall of Famer has been an active WWE ambassador these days. Who better than the “Mouth of the South” with his trademark megaphone to pump up a crowd? Hart’s enthusiasm is infectious. He crosses generations and is a constant reminder of the industry’s rich history.
Someone whose experience is invaluable, making it even more important to have him around. And at almost 80, the colorful figure still looks like he did managing everyone from Jerry Lawler to Hulk Hogan and almost every baddie not seconded by Bobby Heenan from the 1980s into the 1990s you can think of over those glory years. I always get a kick out of sharing some time with Hart as he is always full of stories and experiences.
Below is a recap from our most recent chat from SummerSlam weekend.
Do you think what WWE is looking for has changed, even in recent years from your vantage point?
Jimmy Hart: \”I don’t know so much about that, but in my opinion, I think somebody that can do a great interview is still important. Somebody that can talk with their hands and grab people’s attention. If you think about the “American Dream \’\’ Dusty Rhodes, he looked great but wasn’t a big muscular guy. He could talk people into the building. Hulk [Hogan] will tell you he is not the best wrestler in the world, but he made millions and millions of dollars selling millions of t-shirts by talking people into the building. I think that is still so important. It’s great to have a good look too. I still love the larger-than-life characters.\”
Is there anyone that you are a fan of when you look at this new generation on TV?
Jimmy Hart: \”I\’ll tell you, someone, I like, that Logan Paul kid. He has captured the whole world with his podcast and doing the crazy things he does. He has a good look. He has good height. He can talk and has millions of followers. He might be someone to look out for.\”
If social media were around back in your days, how do you think the business might have been?
Jimmy Hart: \”Oh my gosh, if we had social media back then it would have been light years for us. There are so many things you can do on social media. Of course, you have to be careful there too. Social media does so much for you. I’ll tell you a quick story, if I may. Bayley and I were in Texas for last year’s WrestleMania promotion. They had us go to one of the Mavs games. While we were sitting down, her leg was hurt, and at the time, couldn’t do much. She leaned over and said, \’Jimmy, would you do a selfie with me?\’ I said okay. We did the selfie. Within 10 minutes, we had almost 800,000 views on it. Think about that. Wow. All the girls that wrestled picked it up from there. It was unbelievable. It made me realize how big social media really is.\”
When I think about Nasty Boys, Andre the Giant, I can’t think of what would have happened if social media was around then.
Jimmy Hart: \”We may be in trouble, but it was mostly funny stuff going on. Harmless stuff. You probably couldn\’t get by with doing a lot of it now. At the same time, they meant no harm doing it. I think about everyone I worked with and my favorite SummerSlam memories. It was Ultimate Warrior and Honky Tonk Man where we lost in 31 seconds! When Honky grabbed the mic and said he’d challenge anyone, I didn\’t think it was a good move. Out comes the Warrior. Rope shake, rope shake, wham bam. \”
Talk about maximizing your time though. We’re still talking about that match today.
Jimmy Hart: \”We had a great time too with \’American Dream\’ Dusty Rhodes. Then we shot a big thing with Andre, but he had an operation and couldn’t come back in time. It was Typhoon and Earthquake versus the Bushwackers. Andre was in their corner with me on the other side. Was that fair or not having Andre and poor Jimmy Hart on the other side? It was all so much fun.\”
You’ve had an incredible career from The Gentrys to Memphis to WWE and beyond. Has there been any further talk about writing a book? A Jimmy Hart documentary?
Jimmy Hart: \”If you’re offering, I’m open! [laughs] I’m doing some docs today. One on Hulk and Andre and whatever they ask me to do. I’m happy to do those for others. I’ve been on a lot of the Most Wanted Treasures episodes. I did one for John Cena called WWE Evil. I just filmed one with The Rock’s production company. It was me Jeff Jarrett, Jerry Jarrett, Dutch Mantel, and Jerry Lawler about the territories. I’m just so happy I’m still rocking and rolling. How many people are left that were part of WrestleMania 1?\”
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