The rivalry between Josh Bishop and Matthew Justice took a wild turn with their “Chicago Street Fight” during the June 13 episode of Major League Wrestling’ Fusion. Bishop stood victorious after a violent brawl saw the “Intense Icon” deliver a trademark powerbomb off the balcony stairs through a table. The packed Cicero Stadium was a grand spectacle, which has gotten lots of play via MLW’s social media.
“It’s right up my alley. I’m the king of hardcore. I’m probably the greatest hardcore wrestliner of all-time if we’re being honest,” the confident Bishop said. “Obviously, Justice is going to bring it and hit you with the chairs, trashcans and everything he can. He is going to take high risks. He probably took too big of a risk, and it didn’t pay off for him. Luckily for me, I took him down Exit 187 classic Bishop style, except this time it was out of the bleachers. I got the one, two, three, in the crowd. It was awesome.
“Any time MLW is in Chicago it is truly one of my favorite places to work. The vibe and those Chicago crowds are hot. It comes through on the TV pretty well. It is just eclectic out there. After I beat him down one, two, three, I walked right back to the ring and made sure I got my poses in for the camera so everyone could see how jacked I am, how sweet I look, and then went back and celebrated with that winner’s purse.”
When it comes to mindset in these physical matches, it’s all about survival for the 29-year-old. He also strives to give fans something they’ll never forget. “Every match I have is about moments,” he said. “It’s funny after years where now I’m a moment wrestler. I like building moments and having great moments in a match because I think people relive the moments the most. They go back and watch a moment and not a match. What moment made you want to become a wrestling fan? What moment made you want to fall in love with X.”
Bishop is part of a hungry locker room looking to take MLW to the next level. The company has continued to build momentum including this weekend’s string of sellout shows at the Melrose Ballroom in New York City and the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia. Performing in the iconic “ECW Arena” will never be lost on Bishop. The bus ride from NYC to Philly put things in perspective. He thought about the legends who made the place famous. Perhaps, the “ghost of New Jack” was shining down on him.
“It’s something different,” he said. “You know the history and know this venue is known for X style of wrestling for so many legendary moments. I hope that I was able to give a couple of moments this weekend. They seemed pretty pleased. There is pressure to deliver too because you don’t want to be the stinker, horrible and do bad in a venue that has so much history. The pressure is on.”
The force of destruction enjoys working for a variety of companies, staying booked and busy. He even has a few names in mind that the imposing figure wouldn’t mind seeing in an MLW ring.
“I would love it if Joe Alonzo and Donovan Ruiz came to MLW. I’m with them in ALW in Chicago. We’re a little crew together,” Bishop said. “I think they are hilarious. I would love to see Wes Barkley in MLW in some regards if that was possible. We used to tag back in the day and do our own singles thing, but I would still love to see him in some regards to MLW for sure.”
Bishop may come off as cocky or arrogant, but he still isn’t above soaking in knowledge from the veterans of the MLW roster. Names like Donovan Dijak, Bishop Dyer, and the Good Brothers.
“I don’t want to peel back the curtain too much, but it’s awesome to work with these guys and learn from them because I feel like I’m at a place where I need some veteran leadership,” Bishop admitted. “The Good Brothers, I’m so grateful for the guys in MLW that helped me out in so many regards. The Good Brothers, I can’t thank them enough honestly. They mean the world to me. They have broken down so many different aspects of wrestling for me. It goes into more than the matches. It’s all about everything to be a star.
“That’s what’s so great about guys like Bishop Dyer and Dijak, they helped me how to be a big guy because I am a big guy, but they are helping me get my presence out more to show more of how to have a mean streak. I’m extremely grateful for that because you don’t have to help everyone out. I’m grateful for their time and opportunities. Killer Kros I love beating him up and want to continue beating him up. I’m extremely grateful to be able to beat him up because when I beat him up I learned something.”
Coming off the big win over Justice, Bishop makes no bones about what his has his sights on next. And that’s gold. He tells viewers to look out for moments you haven’t seen before from him, along with matches that are “off the charts.”
“Violence will be at an all-time high. Intensity will be at an all-time high. I just can’t wait. I love causing destruction,” he said. “I love causing chaos and destroying my opponents into oblivion. But I also love winning titles. That’s why I’m trying to win every title. The Southern title I’m coming for it. I might become the tag champion just myself honestly. It might just be me, myself, and I in the trios and go out there. Kross, your days might be numbered because I want to be champion.”