It’s a come full circle moment for Paul London as he returns to Major League Wrestling for the first time in 21 years at Summer of the Beasts ‘24. The live event streaming worldwide on the company’s YouTube will see the revolutionary veteran square off with emerging talent BRG. London remembers stepping foot in an MLW ring at a similar career stage as his upcoming opponent in 2003.
“I remember that I was really excited about working with Jerry Lynn like I always am,” London reminisced. “I’m always happy to see him. He is probably the most lovable person in wrestling or one of them at least. I know [Christopher] Daniels was there as well. I think I was most excited about the caliber of talent that Court [Bauer] amassed. I was freshly 22 or 23. It was pretty cool.”
The now-44-year-old calls the experience of returning to the promotion after so much time surreal. “The fact it has been more than 20 years,” London added. “I really am old.”
London had one hell of a run since his first appearance in MLW. He went on to Ring of Honor followed by multiple years in WWE before his release in 2008. From there, he continued entertaining crowds around the world and made a stop back on regular television in the form of Lucha Underground. London is excited about facing BRG.
“It’s an exciting opportunity, especially for him. I got to see what he is all about. He has a lot of talent but a big mouth,” London concluded. “He has long hair. I’m sure it’s his natural hair color. I’m curious which Ryan Gosling is actually his favorite. I’m a curious guy. I also think about other famous people Mark Paul Gosselaar. Maybe he and I will have something in common after I give him a wrestling lesson.”
After all this time London has enjoyed the journey. He remains grateful that people still responding to him after all this time.
“I don’t want people to respond for some nostalgia nonsense though,” he said. “I want them to respond because they didn’t have a choice. That’s always the challenge for me is how can I either not become stale and give the audience something else. It’s intimidating. New York City is a place I’ve always had a lot of good matches there. The one-year anniversary of Ring of Honor we had there. I had a lot of good moments and friends there… have a lot on my plate and none of it is soft food.”
Returning to Wrestling Full-Time
Working in various places throughout the year is something London has always enjoyed. However, he doesn’t rule out signing a contract with another major company.
“I think about it every now and then,” he said. “Sure, if the money is right, but there are other things to consider. I think at this stage of where I’m at so much has to do with if I like this. Am I into this? Is this creative? Am I in a position where I feel I’m going to look stupid or this is bad? It’s very similar to acting where if you get handed a terrible script. What is the point? Then it doesn’t matter what the movie is. I have to like what I’m doing.
“There are projects that don’t pan out. That’s fine. I’m not saying I haven’t taken jobs because of a payday either. It can be a crippling decision-maker if that’s what you base your value on. To me, to sign a contract with a wrestling company would be a matter of who is on the roster, who is in the office, what kind of responsibilities they are looking for in me, and traveling. Will I go to a place where I’ll get devoured by mosquitos? Those kinds of things.”
Giving Back
London enjoys guiding the next generation along. It’s something he aims to do in this current aspect of his career.
“If I can help someone preserve their body or avoid mistakes I made,” he said. “If I can help someone avoid that stuff, I’m happy to do that. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing the lightbulb go off. I like to help those who do want this for the right reasons.”
His Former Partner Brian Kendrick
In this world of reunions, one we shouldn’t expect any time soon is London to get back into a tag team with Brian Kendrick. The dynamic duo of high flyers turned heads with a strong run in WWE, evening winning the tag team titles.
“No. We don’t talk,” London answered on the potential of a reunion. “He is doing his own thing and I’m doing mine. It has been mentioned in the past, but I’m just not interested at all. I’m not saying it will never happen. If some money mark wants to come in and say, I’ll give you $50,000 for this one match.” I’m interested now. That’s not going to happen. Who knows? As of now, there is no interest in my book. I wish him well though. I hope he is a happy man.”
The State of Pro Wrestling
Given how ahead of their time the popular team was, Kendrick and London certainly would have made waves together in 2024. However, London doesn’t live in this line of thinking.
“Anyone can be a wrestler now. The standards and integrity have been lost in the wrestling business. That really bothers me,” London said. “I like seeing what creative people do with wrestling now. The athleticism is there and better than it has ever been. It’s outstanding and spectacular, but I don’t buy in the way I used to. I don’t feel the way I used to. We’re all marks at the end of the day. There are varying degrees of mark-ism. We all want to be led along a great story. I want to believe. Wrestling is overly planned, choreographed, and overly produced. It takes a lot of the soul out of the wrestlers.
“I don’t know. Trust your talent and see what happens. There is something thrilling and exciting about not knowing what will happen. That’s as real as it gets. I do love wrestling. I really love it. Thank god for YouTube because I get to watch all these things.”
Despite his hot takes, London still genuinely enjoys what he does for a living. He even has some favorites that happen to be under the MLW umbrella.
“I’m a big Matt Riddle fan. I met him in Germany years ago before he went up to Stamford,” London recalled. “We got along. He is a real dude and I really like the guy. Then I watch his work and i reminds me a lot of Kevin Von Erich. It’s not because of being barefoot. He has a really organic way of how he moves. He was a fighter so he gets it. I’m excited to see his match with Matthew Justice, who I know is a wild one.
There are so many guys I think highly of. TJP is another one. He is an encyclopedia of wrestling holds and moves and combinations. There are so many that impress me.”
There is another London that also admires and will be in action at the big show – and he happens to wear a mask.
“Buying generic toys meant to be The Rock or someone has been fun for me,” London explained. “I recently bought this crapy little ring with luchadors in it and I think it was like $3. One of the figures is Mistico. I was like, ‘Should I bring that? Should I have him take a picture with it?’ I know it’s weird, but I’m such a fan. I love wrestling.”
MLW Summer of the Beasts ‘24 airs live at 7:30 p.m. ET on YouTube.
