Mick Foley surprised fans at Ohio Valley Wrestling’s Nightmare Rumble event this weekend by reviving his Dude Love persona for a surprise appearance. Not only did the three-time WWE World Champion appear, but he used Mr. Socko at the event.
Foley is no stranger to the world of Ohio Valley Wrestling and appeared for the promotion in June of last year. That appearance would turn sour for Mrs. Foley’s Baby Boy, who was attacked by a mystery assailant backstage.
Last week MICK FOLEY was attacked backstage and was left a bloody mess…will we get some answers THIS THURSDAY on OVW: RISE?!
OVW Nightmare Rumble also marked a special anniversary for ‘the Micker.’ As the show took place on January 4, it marked 26 years since his iconic first WWE Championship victory in 1999. The win is infamous for WCW giving away the result, with Tony Schiavone quipping “That’ll put butts in the seats” only to watch its audience tune from Nitro to Raw to see Mick dethrone The Rock.
JBL in OVW
Foley wasn’t the only notable name at OVW Nightmare Rumble as John ‘Bradshaw’ Layfield served as a commentator for the show. Later on in the night though, the Texan got physical and helped his former Cabinet ally Danny Basham capture the OVW National Championship.
Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Mick Foley and JBL as the two continue to surprise fans in wrestling, even with their days active in the ring being in the past.
Mick Foley aims to have one more match with part of his goal was losing weight in the process and he’s gotten a little help from an old friend in Al Snow.
As of recent, the WWE Hall of Famer has gotten himself involved with Al Snow’s OVW and Foley found a little more than just the squared circle while working with Snow and his talented Ohio Valley Wrestling roster.
In a new Instagram video, Foley revealed that he is receiving help from two OVW talents in cutting weight. Crystal White and Katie Gannon have taken Foley under their workout wing and have assisted ‘The Hardcore Legend’ to drop over 24 pounds.
In the video, Foley talked about he happened to love the Netflix series, Wrestlers, which spotlighted the talent in OVW, prompting Mick to reach out to Snow. Foley wanted to get himself involved with an ongoing storylin and being there is where he met White and Gannon.
One Last Match For Mick Foley
Before he ended his “Foley Is Pod” podcast, Mick Foley happened to drop the bombshell that he planned to shed 100 lbs in order to have one last match and he has a desire to make it a deathmatch. Just turning 60 years old, Foley has been serious in that desire and he’s had several interested parties in obliging him.
Impact Wrestling and Ohio Valley Wrestling partnered up to host a show dubbed ‘Crash in the Bluegrass’ on Saturday night. The event was held at the Davis Arena in Louisville.
Impact also noted on their website that Clash in the Bluegrass will be “first of many shows that IMPACT and OVW produce together.”
Team OVW (Dustin Jackson, Shiloh Jonze, “Mister Marvelous” Melvin Maximus, and “The Boy Wonder” Sam Thompson) defeated oVe (Jake & Dave Crist, Sawyer Fulton, and Ace Austin) via DQ
Brian Cage defeated “The Trinidad Titan” Justin Smooth via pinfall
Johnny Impact (c) defeated Adam Revolver and Eddie Edwards via pinfall for the Impact World Title in a Triple Threat match
The War Kings (Crimson & Jax Dane) (c) defeated The Void (Nigel Winters & Chace Destiny) and Kings Ransom (Maximus & Leonis Khan) via pinfall for the OVW Southern Tag Team Titles
Elijah Burke/The Pope was interviewed on the newest edition of The Two Man Power Trip of Wrestling and covered a number of topics. Some of the key quotes:
Transitioning to announcing:
I think a lot of people know that when you are a wrestler and you’ve been doing it for twelve years as an active performer and then all of a sudden things kind of take a shift and the stars align and someone recognizes that your gift can be used in a different aspect. It’s been interesting and it’s been fun. It’s a different type of getting over with the audience. My job right now is to get over a lot of the guys that I’ve wrestled against and I’ve wrestled beside and the transition has been believe it or not, quite easy. It hasn’t been as hard of a transition as many people probably think it would be because the gift of gab is something that I always had.
The importance of the announcers t a show and his ability as a talker:
The night before WrestleMania 23 at Ford Field “Pope” was at an ESPN boxing presentation and was calling the fight alongside Thomas “Hitman” Hearns and once that was over with he looked at me and said how long have you been doing this? When it comes from an analytic stand point it’s not hard at all. What’s hard is the time provided to do so. That is sometimes rough because there is so much that is going on and obviously IMPACT is a fast paced show and often times my partner Josh Mathews who is a jack of all trades and doesn’t get a lot of credit for it but he has so much that he has to cover and so much that he has to get done and you may notice this but throughout the contest when Josh is talking this or that, the Pope has made it my job to bring the action and the focal point back to the two or four people that are in the middle of that ring because that is what wrestling fans want and what wrestling fans are watching so therefore I try to do the boys and the girls credit while they are in that six sided ring.
Why he prefers to call matches without knowing the finishes, which most old-school announcers preferred:
That’s the way “Pope” prefers it. I prefer not to know anything. Therefore, if I am seeing it and looking at it from a fan’s perspective then I can respond and react and say what you are thinking as a casual or regular viewer of the product. That’s what I love to do as a commentator for IMPACT Wrestling, I love to give the focal analysis that the viewer at home is watching as well. I want to translate as my Daddy would say “let me break this down in English so that a child could understand it”. For me it’s always easier and comes across natural, if you know that often times you can tell if something is forced or when a reaction is not a legit or real reaction. Everything that you get from “Pope” is not planned and is real and I’m watching it as if I’m sitting at home on my couch with a good friend of mine and we are back in 1996 watching WCW Nitro and Monday Night RAW.
Is he retired? Where exactly does his in-ring career stand?
I think in due time that “Pope” will have that opportunity. It’s not something right now and don’t think for a second that I don’t miss it, because I do. At the same time I’ve recognized that my job and my role are and I know what it is and that is to be an asset from a commentator standpoint. So I am not focused on anything except bettering my game at the table. I am not worried about anything else but becoming a better and as my partner would say the most “entertaining color commentator” in the business today and that’s what “Pope” wants to be and that’s what I’m setting out to accomplish. Now there will be times in the future and you can take “Pope’s” word for this. There will be times in the future when “Pope” will do a casual appearance inside the ring, I am not retired. Let’s get it out there right now “Pope” is not retired by a long shot I’ve got years left under my belt. I just recognize my role right now and have no problems committing to it and fulfilling it to the best of my abilities.
His thoughts on Samoa Joe, both with regards to their TNA feud and Joe going to NXT:
“Pope’s” feud with Samoa Joe did not receive nor get the type of attention that it should have and I am talking about from a in/out standpoint not from a viewer standpoint. I was openly and to a certain extent let my displeasure be known about it because you have to remember during that time “Pope” had just come off of a feud with Abyss and Immortal and Sting had just left and Kevin Nash walked out so “Pope” was the last guy standing fighting this big fight and I get put in a casket and then all of a sudden “Pope” gets put in a feud with Samoa Joe for no reason at all. However, myself and Samoa Joe made the best of it and had fun with it and that took us to our Lockdown match-up in St. Louis. I had fun with Samoa Joe, it was always great working Samoa Joe and he brought out the best in “Pope” and we definitely did a lot of innovative things. I’ve got to go on record and say how happy I am for Samoa Joe and for him to experience what he is experiencing right now and I wish him nothing but the best of love for him and his family’s sake.
Was he supposed to be in the Spirit Squad?
It’s funny that after all these years, over a decade and only this year I believe I’m answering questions about the Spirit Squad. It’s very true. They wanted me to go up and be in my opinion the “afro-haired chosen black guy” during that time in the group and trust me it was a great opportunity. We sat there and we talked to Vince McMahon himself and Vince said “I want you guys to understand that this is my idea and we are going to make a lot of money”. He said if you are uncomfortable we will send you back down to OVW and we will wait until we get something else for you. I went to Vince and Johnny Ace and said I appreciated the opportunity but with all due respect I don’t feel like I should do anything that I could not live up to in your standards and I don’t want to be a failure and I don’t believe this spot is for me. I was a little worried that I was about to tell the boss that I didn’t want to do it. Either he was going to respect me for it or he was going to punish me for it.
A lot of guys took it to heart that I said no which I never understood because they weren’t in my position or in my shoes and the guys that were going out there were very, very talented and thus when I said no they added Mike Mondo and they added Johnny Jeter and instead of it being four like it was originally going to be it turned out to be five. There was no way that this “big black guy” and 225-230 pounds at the time was going to be running down a ramp, jumping on a trampoline and flipping over the top rope. It was just not going to happen without me screwing up and looking like a fool. I didn’t want to take that chance, I didn’t want to risk that chance and I am happy that I did and kudos to Dolph Ziggler. Just look at him. In my eyes the guy is just a premier performer.
Make sure to listen to th full interview, where he discusses being “New Breed” in the ECW revival, his time in OVW, WrestleMania 23, and more.
There is said to be a lot of unhappiness within the main WWE roster right now regarding the way NXT talents are given the opportunity to go out and put on excellent matches while many of the main WWE roster talents are relegated to short, nothing-type matches on television, especially those in the Divas division.
Wrestling Observer Newsletter editor Dave Meltzer offered the following update on his message board:
“So story is accurate but it’s inherent. It was the same thing in the OVW days, well not exactly the same, but similar. I get DMs from people on the main roster always after those specials. It’s a common frustration. The top NXT performers are frustrated they aren’t on the main roster making money. Then they will get more frustrated when they realize their dream. WWE guys are frustrated they aren’t having the matches guys in NXT are when they know if they can perform before 400 fans in longer matches they can tear the house down.”
According to The Sun Herald, Walter Lolley II, known as “Rip Steele” while working for WWE’s at-the-time developmental territory Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW), was arrested on November 5th for intercepting shipments of drugs from his job at a shipping company in Biloxi, Mississippi.
Police reportedly stopped Lolley II on careless driving when they found him to be in possession of a felony amount of marijuana. Police later searched his home, where they found an additional pound of marijuana, multiple doses of illegal steroids, as well as oxycodone and Adderall pills.
The belief is that Lolley II was selling the drugs he obtained by intercepting the packages at his shipping company job.
Currently, the Biloxi Police Special Crimes Division and Mississippi Bureau Of Narcotics are conducting an investigation.
Below is the mug-shot photo from Lolley II’s arrest.
There have been some rumors going around that claim the reason TNA released Lei’D Tapa was because of her lack of skill, as well as the belief that she was viewed as a “ticking time bomb” to management.
The former Knockout confirmed recently that it was TNA’s decision to release her, however she denied the aforementioned rumors on her official Twitter account.
It’s worth noting that Tapa is already working for Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) again.
The following are highlights of a new Wrestling 101 interview with Jim Cornette:
On working with John Cena in OVW: “”In OVW here in Louisville between 1999 – 2005 we were the developmental territory for the WWE. A lot of guys came to OVW who weren’t signed by the WWE but became signed by the WWE, because they came here to train and they got good and they ended up getting offered contracts.”
“John came from California, we got him really early on in his career but you could tell he was a natural, I thought he would actually be this generations version of a Ric Flair. He was a heel then, and he was so cocky, arrogant and good looking – he had the physique and the genetics, he could talk but they decided to go a different direction with him and he got over just as big on the other side.”
On working with Brock Lesnar in OVW: “With Brock I’ll be honest with you, he was getting paid about four or five times more than everyone else in the developmental program because of who he was. You don’t come across an athletic specimen like that who won the NCAA Heavyweight Championship everyday. However he was not a natural wrestling fan, not a natural wrestling student, he was a bit boring in the ring to be honest because he wasn’t used to being a showman. Also for a world class athlete I didn’t think he was trying five times as hard as his salary.”
“I paired him up with Shelton Benjamin who was one of the most natural wrestling school students we ever had, picked up things instantly and was exciting, so I made them a tag team. Shelton would do all the work, he would tag Brock and Brock would make a comeback and throw everyone through the roof. When he hit the WWE he became instantly exciting, remember the shooting star press he did at WrestleMania, he would do that for us and I would tell him he was crazy and to save it for the big show at the Louisville Gardens when the WWE agents are there and not in the high school halls. He did it in front of the WWE agents and they signed him directly because of that, the time he did it at WrestleMania is the only time I’ve seen him miss it.”
Check out the complete interview at Wrestling101.com.
TNA Knockouts Hannah and Holly Blossom recently posted the following message on their official Facebook page regarding their departure from TNA and OVW:
“Hey Guys,
As of late we have been getting a lot of questions about the impact tour, TNA and OVW, etc, and we absolutely LOVE you guys for it! However, as of right now we are no longer with either TNA or OVW. We are actually taking a little break from wrestling. After 9 years and with lots of new and exciting things that took place in both our lives last year, it’s just time for us to take a break! But we just wanted to tell you guys how much your support especially these past 2 years with TNA and Boot camp has meant to us. It’s been incredibly touching. We appreciate the tweets, the messages, the t-shirts, and the posters. You truly kick ass, all of you and we couldn’t be more grateful! TNA have been fantastic and incredibly understanding of where we are at right now. They gave us the most wonderful of opportunities with British Boot camp, the One Night Only ppv’s and Impact TV. For us, the two shy little girls who dreamed of being wrestlers at 12 years old, we have achieved more than we could ever have imagined! We are beyond thankful for all those opportunities and that that door is still open! Thank you TNA for making some of our biggest dreams come true!!
As most of you will know, OVW has been our home for the past 4 years. We would be here all day if we went into detail about all that place has given us. So many amazing memories, learning experiences and growing up both personally and professionally. Our most favorite thing about OVW was training with Rip Rogers. We loved being at his training classes with the boys learning and taking everything in, Rip is simply awesome! When we first arrived he scared the crap out of us but we loved to wrestle and felt so good after his sessions. Being those two shy little girls (we know we were 21 by this point but very shy and little still applied. ) Rips unique personality and training certainly took some getting used to but It was wrestling after all and we just wanted to do it, we never quit or ran away. Some of those training sessions with those guys, pushing ourselves and completely stepping out of our comfort zones were the most fun and intense ever. Looking back, they helped shape the people we are today, they bought us out of our shells, gave us confidence and often made us realize the strength we had inside us that we didn’t know we had, along with a will and drive to succeed. So thank you Rip and all the boys for all those invaluable lessons and thank you Danny Davis for inviting us back and believing in us 5 years ago! We love you all so much!
When we started wrestling we did it because we loved to wrestle, simply put. To this day wrestling, being in the ring, physically running drills and doing whatever Rip screams or calls out, is what we love to do. We never thought about proving to people we could do it or showing that girls could wrestle, we just wrestled. That is how we liked it and we are more than thankful for the road that followed!
Coming over to America we never could have imagined all the amazing things we have got to experience or that here is where we would find our husbands. We feel incredibly blessed and lucky for where our journey has taken us so far. Through all these adventures we have developed quite the list of dreams and goals big and small that we would like to pursue. If you would like to stick around to see what the next chapter in The Blossom Twins story is, please do! We love you guys and appreciate all that you are to us!
Thank you again to everyone, trainers, wrestlers, promoters back home in the UK, Futureshock wrestling, the Futureshock gang, OVW, TNA, you the fans for making this part of our story so far, so Totally Awesome!!
Bring on 2014!”
Keep up with the Blossom Twins via their official Facebook page.
The following are highlights from a recent interview with former WWE Diva Maria Kanellis:
On working with Paul Heyman in OVW in the past: “I’m kind of an underground Paul Heyman girl and he is what really inspired the ditsy character, he really inspired me to do the things that I did at WWE. I’m an admirer of his work, I think what he has done with so many guys and throughout ECW was incredible.”
When I was in OVW I just watched him as he helped CM Punk every day, Punk was already incredible but then Paul Heyman kind of pushed him over the edge and gave him that opportunity on ECW to be who he is today.”
On what Vince McMahon is like as a boss: “He was great with me, I know he can be very tough with other people but with me he wasn’t, he was like a father figure to me, I really enjoyed working for Vince.”
On her opinions of the Total Divas reality show: “I’ve watched a few of the episodes of Total Divas and I think it is a great show. There is a lot of tremendous talent in WWE’s women division at the moment, I think AJ Lee is incredible, I’ve always been a fan of Natalya. There are also some great women down in NXT like Paige, there are a lot of great talented women that are a part of that company at the moment.”
On whether or not we could ever see her and Mike Bennett in WWE or TNA: “TNA called me twice this year, I think they’re a great company but I’m loving my time in ROH and I’m definitely happy with my fiancée. Who knows if that will ever change, but I wish TNA all the best in the world, I think the girls there are tremendous.”
WWE called me earlier this year and for whatever reason that fell through, would I go back there eventually, sure. I loved my time there I loved traveling the world and the people that I worked with. I’m sure Mike will be in the WWE very soon and it will be great to join him there.”
Check out the complete interview online at Wrestling101.com.
– The official WWE website has added a new article looking at WWE Superstars Brock Lesnar, John Cena, Randy Orton and Batista all passing through Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) on their way to WWE. You can check that out online at WWE.com.
– Speaking of Cena and Orton, both WWE Superstars are interestingly enough not advertised for the WWE SmackDown television tapings on January 14th in Worcester or on January 21st in Grand Rapids. Triple H is advertised for both shows.
– Puerto Rican wrestler Sebastian Guerra, who is a 21 year old, 6-foot-5 and 285-pound independent worker, was at the same WWE tryout camp that included Davey Richards, Eddie Edwards, Joey Ryan and several others a few weeks ago. WWE apparently wants Guerra to gain additional experience and learn the English language better before doing something with him. As a result, Guerra is expected to head to Ohio Valley Wrestling for further training and to attempt to improve his English by living there.
– Current word is that Paul Heyman is not expected back on WWE television for several more weeks. As previously reported, Heyman is expected to be brought back when Brock Lesnar makes his television return to the company.
The following are highlights from a recent Ring Belles Online interview with former TNA Knockout Taeler Hendrix:
On the TNA Gut Check segment and being mad at Joey Ryan: “It was all real – that was my real reaction, and nobody told me about Joey Ryan either [who hopped the railing and demanded another Gut Check after losing the previous one]… I was really mad at him because I didn’t know that was going to happen. He was ruining my moment – I didn’t know if I was going to be signed and this could be my last moment on television.”
On not getting direction on how to develop for a potential call-up to television: “I was told one thing, then I was told something else and something else, and Taryn Terrell was signed and I was like, ‘well, I’m here, I could have been the ref.’ At the time it was very discouraging… I didn’t know if I had to change my look or change the way I wrestled.”
On her weight gain: “Health is more important. I would rather be beautiful and healthy. I was 108 pounds and for someone who’s 5’7”, it probably wasn’t healthy.”
On her lesbian storyline with Heidi Lovelace in Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW): “If it’s controversial, I want in. Bette Davis is my role model and would take the most controversial roles in Hollywood that they would not want women to play. She would play them and won Oscars for them. That’s what I want to do, so it wasn’t weird for me at all playing a same-sex love storyline. Plus, we were on the Christian Network and sponsored by Papa John’s which is a family company. It was very interesting to see how far we could play it and how much we could do.”
On the origins of her heel character in OVW: “The character I portray now is emulating a girl who bullied me from elementary school. I take her and remember how I felt when she cut my hair, put gum on my feet and when I got jumped. When I decided to take this Taeler Hendrix character and run with her I drew a lot of inspiration from things like Pretty Little Liars.”
-As somewhat of another cost-cutting measure, TNA has ending their working relationship with Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) as of this week. The belief is all TNA contracted talent will be asked to relocate to Orlando, however that is not official at this point.
-As previously reported, TNA has confirmed that their November 21st Impact Wrestling television taping will be held at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. Apparently, the Impact Zone will now be held at Soundstage 19, instead of Soundstage 21, as it used to be. Soundstage 19 is reported to be 16,500 square feet, with dressing rooms that contain showers, hair and make-up rooms, wardrobe and talent holding with kitchen support and the capability of fiber and satelitte transmissions.
-The new TNA Impact Wrestling broadcast team member that debuted on Sunday night, Gil Corsey, works for WDRB-TV in Louisville, Kentucky. Corsey has some prior pro wrestling experience, as he worked for the Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) broadcast team.
-Norv Fernum, who worked against Ethan Carter III during the Bound For Glory pay-per-view, is a regular for the Pro Wrestling Guerilla (PWG) promotion as Peter Avalon.
-Mr. Olympia, Phil Heath, who appeared at the Bound For Glory event on Sunday, is friends in real-life with Jessie Godderz of the BroMans tag-team. BroMans won the TNA Tag-Team Championships from James Storm & Gunner on Sunday night.
-Jamin Olivencia defeated James “Moose” Thomas in a “Loser Leaves OVW” match on Saturday night to retain the OVW World Heavyweight Championship. With the win, Olivencia became the longest reigning OVW World champion in history. After his victory, Olivencia issued a challenge to TNA wrestler Kurt Angle. Whether or not this is the beginning stages of an angle shot to bring Angle into OVW as a special attraction remains to be seen.
-Sony Six, TNA’s television broadcast partner in India, recently announced that they will be airing the upcoming “Bound For Glory” pay-per-view event on Sunday, October 20th, live and free on their station.
Former WWE employee John “Big” Gaburick, who now works as an executive for TNA Impact Wrestling, was at the Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) promotion on Wednesday. Apparently Gaburick spoke with the talent prior to their show, but nothing of note was discussed in terms of OVW’s relationship with TNA.
Former WWE Superstar Al Snow is still writing the weekly television down at OVW.
When asked about OVW serving as a developmental territory for TNA, one source noted there is “no firm structure” in place.
-The wrestler that Ryback defeated on Friday’s edition of WWE SmackDown was independent pro wrestler Jamin Olivencia. Olivencia has been working regularly, as of late, for Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) as well as the Wrestling Cares promotion.
-WWE will be holding a live RAW television show from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on December 2nd. This will be the company’s first visit to Oklahoma since the “retirement” of the city’s own Jim Ross.
-The following wrestlers are scheduled to appear at the Big Event convention at the Terrace On The Park in Queens, New York on November 9th: Chris Jericho, Mick Foley, Terry Funk, Bruno Sammartino, Diamond Dallas Page, Scott Hall, Kevin Nash, X-Pac, Savio Vega, Jesus Castillo, Miguel Perez, Jose Estrada, Matt Hardy, Al Snow, D’Lo Brown, Sid Vicious, Howard Finkel, Joey Styles, Debra McMichael, 2 Cold Scorpio, Matt Striker, Demolition, King Kong Bundy, Tito Santana, Greg Valentine, Bobby Heenan, Sgt. Slaughter, Brutus Beefcake, The Barbarian, Haku/Meng, Bushwhacker Luke, Paul Orndorff, The Rougeau Brothers, Sunny, George Steele, Danny Davis, Steve Corino, Ashley Massaro, Nitro Girls Spice and AC, Jazz, Rockin Rebel, Rob Terry, Damian 666, Karlee Perez, Andrew Anderson, Bobby Fulton and Davey O’Hannon.
SESCOOPS.COM reader Phil Johnson sent along the following:
Former WWE NXT Superstar “Briley Pierce” and Dolph Ziggler’s brother, Ryan Nemeth has published a new column at PWMania.com. Nemeth writes about about his professional wrestling journey, including photos of his journal entries while in OVW and more. Here is an excerpt from his article:
“A person doesn’t simply decide to “become” a professional wrestler. It’s not an instantaneous transformation that occurs overnight. One does not wish really hard and wake-up the next morning a wrestler. No, in fact, depending on the person, the transition from layman to wrestler can be a tediously long, drawn-out process with many starts and stops, ups and downs, smiles and tears, backward moves and forward moves, and so on and so forth.”
You can read Ryan Nemeth’s column, “Truth or Dare with Ryan Nemeth – From Layman to Professional Wrestler” in its entirety at PWMania.com.
SESCOOPS.COM reader Joell Allen from Suplex Media sent along the following:
We interviewed Dixie Carter for a video interview for WHM (Australian magazine) and Suplex Media. The video of the interviewed hasn’t been released yet.
Here are some of the topics discussed:
– Possible Australian Gutcheck/Bootcamp TV series
– Why TNA went from 12 PPV’s to 4 PPV
– Her reason and current thoughts of IMPACT WRESTLING on the road every other week
– How British Bootcamp came to fruition
– Where is Rockstar Spud
– The relationship between TNA and OVW
– Favourite homegrown stars
– Why the UK is such a big deal to the companies calendar year
– Talks about a second season of British Bootcamp
AND PLENTY MORE
RUN TIME – 17mins 01secs
TNA and OVW star Sam Shaw recently spoke to Robert “The Krupy” Krupar from Art Of Wrestling about a number of topics. Below are highlights from the discussion:
The Krupy: Recently, a lot of conflicting reports concerning your OVW/TNA status have surfaced online. So, my question is: are you still employed by TNA or not?
Sam Shaw: Yes, still an independent contracted talent with TNA.
The Krupy: Most wrestlers say their character is them with the volume turned up high. How much of you is in Sam Saw – the wrestler?
Sam Shaw: It’s really me. Absolutely me. No one said “ hey try this gimmick…wear boardshorts and skater shoes and be this X-games type-guy.“ That whole concept was me being me. I’m sure there were fans that looked at me and said „look at this guy…no wrestling gear, stupid tattoos and spiky hair? He’s gonna suck!“ My whole thing is this: why be like everyone else? You’re always going to be compared to other wrestlers but I wanted to be my own person/character. Hillbilly Jim was a redneck farmer guy, so you knew it right away when he walked down the aisle with the whole presentation. No one asks why Bully Ray doesn’t wear spandex. Aces & Eights are bikers…none of them should wear trunks and wrestling boots. I wear boardshorts and skater shoes everyday. That’s the way I grew up, skating, surfing and wearing those types of clothes so it feels natural for me to wear that in the ring. Am I opposed to wearing the traditional gear? No. I have before.
The Krupy: Can you tell us something more about the recent releases in OVW? A lot of young and talented wrestlers left.
Sam Shaw: It’s always sad to hear that guys/girls get released, especially if you are really close with them. I was close with a few of them, but I know that they love this line of work so much that they will bounce back and seize other opportunities.
The Krupy: What´s your opinion on the entire Gutcheck concept as a Gutcheck winner?
Sam Shaw: For me personally, it was a great way to introduce me to a much wider audience . Instead of just debuting me they used the GutCheck concept to introduce me and in a lot of ways. I’m not sure if certain people within the company knew if I would sink or swim when the bright lights and TV cameras were focused on me. My goal was to make the most of the opportunity and show that I belong and I could do some cool things when all the attention and pressure is layed on me. It’s hard to throw a guy out there if he isn’t particularly known, even on the Indy scene where there are so many talented guys that are looking for the same opportunity that I got. I’ve been doing things with TNA since 2009, as I was training under Bully Ray and Devon at Team 3D Academy (and busting my ass) which afforded me opportunities over the years that others might not ever get. Bully always told me „it’s right place, right time“ and „maximize your opportunities“ and he was totally right!
– MMA fighter and TNA star King Mo Lawal recently returned from The Netherlands, where he was training for upcoming Bellator MMA fight in January. Mo will be focusing on MMA and won’t be training wrestling at OVW until after his next fight.
– Speaking of OVW, TNA stars Al Snow, Douglas Williams and Kid Kash are all regularly working at the developmental territory to train wrestlers and promote local OVW live vents.
– Here is the latest episode of “The List” with Robbie E and Robbie T:
