The Undertaker | The Johnson Transcript

Apr 29 2013

Site News

Site News 4/29/13

by Daniel Johnson

Hey boys and girls! It’s been a while since the site has been updated daily, but that will resume…in time. This site should have new posts featured daily at some point ranging from either a few weeks to a few months. In the meantime there will at minimum be some sporadic updates each month. After all the world of wrestling keep trudging on no matter what. Of course, since early March not a lot has actually happened. Just the same old, same old as some guy returned, another guy or two got injured and some obscure event took place. Admittedly, there has been at least one sweet new champion crowned.

For the updates over the next few weeks (or months) look for mostly new posts to pop up in the Wrestling Clips section. However, when the daily updates comeback just about every section should build up a wealth of new material including the Wrestling Interviews, Wrestling Lists, Wrestling Reviews sections and even some odd bits in the Smooth Runs section. Also, the poll for The Crown J will finally take place…sometime before the end of 2013. There may be a shortage of independent wrestling, stuff from Japan and of course the occasional reference or two to WWE and TNA around here for a bit, but only for a bit.

Tagged Japan, John Cena, NWA World Heavyweight Championship, Rob Conway, smooth runs, The Crown J, The Rock, The Undertaker, TNA, wrestling clips, wrestling interviews, wrestling lists, wrestling reviews, WWE, WWE Wrestlemania XXIX

Feb 17 2013

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Wrestling Clips

WWE Pay-Per-View Roundtable: Elimation Chamber (2013)

by Daniel Johnson, Kyle Childers and Bad Booking

Brodus Clay and Tensai (with Cameron and Naomi) vs. Team Rhodes Scholars

Daniel Johnson: Team Rhodes Scholars should get the win here after Tensai does something to goof up. It is a shame that Cody Rhodes and Damien Sandow are stuck in this bout. Both should be in the main event scene within a year, but if they start getting booked regularly on the pre-show then their potentially may be wasted for a long time to come.

Kyle Childers: Pass.

Bad Booking: Despite the goofy lingerie and hip hop, the newly-formed tag team of monsters could very well be a threat. As much as I’m rooting for Rhodes and Sandow, I would love to see what WWE has in store for two giant monsters who are easily convincing crushing machines. I say Brodus/Tensai for the win just because of WWE’s tendency to push monsters.

The Miz vs. Antonio Cesaro (c) for the WWE United States Heavyweight Championship

Daniel Johnson: Antonio Cesaro should retain in what will be a pointless rematch. Hopefully, from here Cesaro will feud with more worthwhile opponents. Since he has moved down the card anyway and Team Hell No can’t last forever I would love Daniel Bryan to feud with the Swiss technician.

Kyle Childers: Cesaro’s been on a major roll since winning the United States title in 2012 beating such big name contenders as, um, R-Truth, Tyson Kidd and the Funkasaurus but this is his first chance to shine on pay-per-view against a former WWE champion and lucky for Antonio, his opponent is The Miz. Don’t get me wrong, that’s not a knock on The Miz by any means, unlike most other writers in this field I think he’s a solid, entertaining worker but now isn’t his time. Cesaro keeps his momentum going with a win over the Cleveland Screamer.

Bad Booking: Waste of time, as both men can easily be put into bigger and better things. I’ll take Cesaro for the win.

Tamina Snuka vs. Kaitlyn (c) for the WWE Divas Championship

Daniel Johnson: Here is bathroom break number one. Still, at least Kaitlyn is an improvement over the previous face of the women’s division, Kelly Kelly. I find it hard to believe that WWE would do anything to slow down Kaitlyn’s momentum since they seem so high on her. Tamina should go down unless she is given a brief run with the title and loses it back to Kaitlyn.

Kyle Childers: Finally the Diva’s title is getting a little bit of television time and some real angles to work with, if they’re committed to the idea of rebuilding the diva division then the smart idea would be to keep the title on Kaitlyn.

Bad Booking: The yo-yo push of Tamina part 624. She is pushed strong for three weeks, then the momentum is halted suddenly. Kaitlyn will win, and Snuka won’t have the chance to squash her adversary from the top of a Chamber pod.

The Shield vs. John Cena, Ryback and Sheamus

Daniel Johnson: I can’t see this match topping the one that The Shield had in December. I’d love to be proven wrong though. Just like The Shied proved me wrong by so far not becoming a more serious version of The Spirit Squad. With that said I think The Shield will score a massive upset.

Kyle Childers: The chances of the Shield winning this match are lower than the tops of Hornswoggle’s socks but that’s okay. With Cena likely facing The Rock at Wrestlemania, the Ryback win streak continuing and Sheamus being Irish John Cena it makes perfect sense for the odds to overcome the Shield especially with the booking possibility of rehabbing their loss at Wrestlemania. The only real prediction to make here is how foolish the Three CenAmigos make Heyman’s hitmen look in the process.

Bad Booking: It is 100 percent imperative that The Shield wins. Three promising up and comers need the rub and subsequent push more than the three guys whose solid foundation can afford a loss or two. I can see The Shield continuing their thing with Ryback all the way to Wrestlemania in an even more epic tag match. However, it needs to be said: This son of a bitch needs the Chamber, WARGAMES STYLE! It would put over The Shield as a bad-ass team who can make a super-strong babyface say I quit.

Jack Swagger vs. Chris Jericho vs. Daniel Bryan vs. Kane vs. Mark Henry vs. Randy Orton in an Elimination Chamber match

Daniel Johnson: This is perhaps the toughest match on the card to predict. I would love Daniel Bryan to win, but I just don’t see that happening. Since Alberto Del Rio will most likely beat The Big Show a heel needs to win. I’ll pick Mark Henry. Unless Jericho wins and Dolph Ziggler cashes in on Del Rio. Yeah, on second though that makes way more sense than a Henry win.

Kyle Childers: With so many possible victors it’s hard to pick just one…okay maybe not, I don’t think many would argue in favor of Team Hell No in this one and his recent time in the midcard makes it a smart bet that Randy Orton won’t be going to Wrestlemania for a title shot but with the Hall of Pain open for business again, the seemingly obvious potential match-up of Swagger vs. Del Rio, or even the incredible outlier of Ziggler winning the title and continuing the 2012 mini-feud he had with Jericho on the grandest stage of them all. If Del Rio retains then Jack Swagger will win, if my bold prediction of Ziggler as champion comes true then Y2J will be victorious.

Bad Booking: It depends where it falls on the card. Although I think the dissension between Kane and Daniel Bryan will continue.

The Big Show vs. Alberto Del Rio (c) (with Ricardo Rodriguez) for the World Heavyweight Championship

Daniel Johnson: Alberto Del Rio cannot lose this one. However, The Big Show won’t be the only one disappointed. This was by far the least interesting match at last month’s pay-per-view and it will drag down the card yet again. Let’s just hope Del Rio/Show ends here and doesn’t drag on like Del Rio/Sheamus from last year.

Kyle Childers: This is a match that I’m way more excited about than I feel I have any right to be. So far, Berto and the Big Show have had great chemistry in their matches with Del Rio playing a more engaging face than he ever even approached as a heel. The obvious pick is Alberto Del Rio but maybe not for obvious reasons; one direction we could see from here has plucky babyface Del Rio against survivalist Swagger (comes with beard and kung-fu ankle lock. Zeb Colter sold separately), but with the looming possibility of Dolph Ziggler cashing in his Money in the Bank briefcase and this being the last big event before Wrestlemania, it’s entirely possible that Dolph Ziggler will leave New Orleans with the title.

Bad Booking: I’m not telling who is going to win as much as that where this match is placed will be 100 percent crucial for the rest of the card. If this is placed early, that means Ziggler is cashing in and Jericho wins the Elimination Chamber. If it is placed later in the card, then expect ADR to win and have a heel like Mark Henry win the Chamber.

CM Punk (with Paul Heyman) vs. The Rock (c) for the WWE Championship

Daniel Johnson: The stipulation that if The Rock gets disqualified or counted out he loses the title makes things a bit interesting. I can’t see The Rock losing going into Wrestlemania. I think that The Rock will win after doing something that he should have been disqualified for. This will make room for Cena/Rock II to be turned into a three way with Punk.

Kyle Childers: I almost don’t want to write about this match but journalistic integrity prevents me from abstaining. Last month, I went out on a limb and picked CM Punk to retain over The Rock and technically, I was right but to be entirely honest, I wish I had been wrong. It’s hard to question that, even with the extra stipulations added, this is just WWE’s way of making The Rock look even stronger than a milk ad before the twice in a lifetime rematch with Cena in New York. Even with Punk’s historic title reign, the business potential of a second Cena/Rock showdown is too alluring to stray away from so, unfortunately, I expect the Rock to leave Elimination Chamber still the WWE champion.

Bad Booking: The Rock will retain the championship. No way he is heading into Wrestlemania without the belt, plus the publicity he could give the title would be huge as many movies are opening up soon. Did I mention the pay-per-view is sponsored by the new GI Joe movie that got pushed back from prime-time summertime so Rock can benefit from the PR? Anyhow, I think a swerve could happen in something NO ONE could expect: Brock Lesnar screws CM Punk, and establishes Paul Heyman as a guy whose primary mission is to only serve himself. Wise words from Hall of Famer (cheap pop) MICK FOLEY! Brock/Punk would be a great curve ball to Wrestlemania. Let HHH and Undertaker sit on the sidelines, because they have bigger things to accomplish.

Photo Credits:

Photos 1-7: en.wikipedia.org

Tagged Alberto Del Rio, Antonio Cesaro, Bad Booking, Brock Lesnar, Brodus Clay, Cameron, Chris Jericho, Cleveland, CM Punk, Cody Rhodes, Damien Sandow, Daniel Bryan, Dean Ambrose, Dolph Ziggler, Elimination Chamber, GI Joe, HHH, Hornswoggle, Jack Swagger, John Cena, Kaitlyn, Kane, Kelly Kelly, Kyle Childers, Lord Tensai, Mark Henry, Money in the Bank briefcase, Naomi, New Orleans, New York, Paul Heyman, R-Truth, Randy Orton, Ricardo Rodriguez, Roman Reigns, Ryback, Seth Rollins, Sheamus, Tamina Snuka, Team Hell No, Team Rhodes Scholars, Tensai, The Big Show, The Miz, The Rock, The Shield, The Spirit Squad, The Undertaker, Tyson Kidd, World Heavyweight Championship (WWE), WWE, WWE Championship, WWE Divas Championship, WWE Elimination Chamber, WWE Elimination Chamber (2013), WWE United States Championship, WWE Wrestlemania, WWE Wrestlemania XXIX, Zeb Colter

Jan 26 2013

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Smooth Runs

Random Roundtable: Looking Back at 2012 and Forward to 2013

by Daniel Johnson, Kyle Childers, Jeremy Cundiff and Bad Booking

What wrestler do you think deserves to be called Mr. 2012 or Ms./Mrs. 2012?

Daniel Johnson: CM Punk deserves the title of Mr. 2012 beyond a shadow of a doubt. He held the WWE Championship for the entirety of the year and had some good to great matches with the likes of Chris Jericho, Daniel Bryan, John Cena and others. While not nearly as well known in the United States Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kazuchika Okada have also been tearing the scene up in NJPW and perhaps deserve some honorable mentions. As for female performers, AJ Lee hogs enough time each week that regardless of quality she almost has to be the choice for Ms. 2012.

Kyle Childers: Mr. 2012 is, without question, CM Punk. Was there anyone that could outclass him in 2012? He started the year as WWE champion, had a great series of title defenses against the likes of Chris Jericho, Daniel Bryan and John Cena. Some people may say the character has gotten stagnant or that the heel turn shouldn’t have happened but even after the turn and the Heyman team up Punk was one of, if not the, most interesting characters in the WWE. Without question, 2012 was the year of the Punk. The question of Ms. 2012 is a bit harder for me since I’m a wrestling fan that exists in this odd sort of WWE, BJW, DDT bubble which really aren’t the best promotions for women. Based on my viewing habits, I’ll give the title of Ms. 2012 to Paige. She’s still very new on the American scene and hasn’t made it to either of the main shows yet but her in-ring talent shined in NXT this year as she put on some of the most enjoyable women’s matches the WWE has produced in a long time.

Jeremy Cundiff: CM Punk. Everyone else who’s been on top this year was already on top. Punk is now elevated to that level. They got behind him, and it’s paid off. Cementing yourself in the upper echelon and only needing one full year to do it? You earned that, Punk.

Bad Booking: Mr. 2012: CM PUNK! The man’s been the champion for the whole year, a feat that hasn’t been matched since Hulk Hogan in 1987. He has had a great variety of title defenses against many different characters. He can virtually work with anyone, anywhere, any time. He may very well be the best overall WWE Champion since Shawn Michaels in 1996-1998. The late addition of Paul Heyman only adds to the intrigue. Both heel and face, amongst the best and freshest things WWE has had going in the last little while. Ms. 2012: AJ Lee. I’m only writing this because she is the best overall woman in the WWE. That was a sad but true sentence to write. WWE has pretty much told us sports entertainment fans that women just don’t matter unless they have a vague presence of authority. At least with AJ, we have an unstable skippy who makes everything unpredictable and fun. That’s more than I can think of for anyone else eligible.

Who was 2012 the worst year ever for?

Daniel Johnson: Two names come to mind as far as 2012 being the worst year for them ever. Christian is the first to come to mind. With more injuries and lack of a serious push when he was healthy it solidified that he would never be at the level of World Heavyweight Champion again even if he is tremendously talented. Speaking of the World Heavyweight Championship Jack Swagger would be my second choice. With how little he did in 2012 it is tough to imagine he once carried that strap.

Kyle Childers: The TNA fans. I know I said I exist in a bubble of fandom and that’s true but there was a time earlier this year when Impact Wrestling was among my weekly watch-list and that was before Aces & 8s. That’s not to say the whole angle was terrible, it wasn’t, the starting few months were pretty good TV but then Devon was revealed as not the leader and things all went to hell. After months of rampant speculation, very little development, no resolution, and the rumor that TNA creative plans to extend the feud at least until Lockdown, possibly to Bound for Glory, 2012 was a bad year to be a TNA fan.

Jeremy Cundiff: Zack Ryder, easily. He started 2012 as being one of the few, if not the only, guys in WWE to get himself over WITHOUT the company pushing him in any way, shape or form. The fans got behind him moreso than anybody they’ve been forcefed in the last decade. WWE repaid this man’s extra effort by promptly burying the ever-loving piss out of him, letting every single wrestler in the industry know that you’re never going to make it in this business unless WWE SAYS YOU ARE. Zack Ryder not only had the worst year ever, but to me, that killed the dreams of every youngster in the indies. How could I expect to bust my ass knowing that even if the fans do like me, I’ll just get buried if I’m not what corporate wants?

Bad Booking: This is a tough one. WWE hasn’t really had a bad year in terms of Raw, Smackdown, or any of the other shows. However, there are two downsides to their current programming mantra: One, there is too much of WWE’s product on television. Three hours of Raw, two hours of Smackdown, one hour of Main Event and countless other online shows done on the WWE site. That’s at least six hours a week of original programming, not including specials and pay-per-views. OVERKILL! In turn, there is a big hint of indifference towards the product. Raw has pretty much been labelled the “must see” show. The effect of this is that all the other shows not named Raw have significant amounts of time devoted to recapping major angles on the flagship show. Geez, isn’t that what the Internet is there for?

What is the one match that you want to see for Wrestlemania this year?

Daniel Johnson: I love dream matches and WWE having The Rock, Brock Lesnar, The Undertaker, HHH, John Cena, CM Punk and others has a ton of potential. Yet, I’d rather see a match between two full-time wrestlers with proven chemistry on the biggest show of the year. CM Punk and Daniel Bryan at Wrestlemania XXIX would be a match people could still talk about positively 20 years later. They nearly had a 5 star match on a B pay-per-view. Imagine what they could do at Wrestlemania?

Kyle Childers: Brock Lesnar vs. The Undertaker in a street fight. Lots of speculation points to Lesnar taking on HHH again at Wrestlemania and while I’m sure the creative team thinks that’s awesome and HHH is itching to get his win back, it’s not what the fans want. Give Taker and Lesnar 20-25 minutes to just beat the hell out of each other, no end of an era, no overly dramatic stipulations, just two dudes attempting to punch each other into comas on the grandest stage of them all.

Jeremy Cundiff: The Rock vs. CM Punk. Only feud going on right now that might convince people to pay for the show. Everyone else is doing well, but they ain’t doing well enough to sell Wrestlemania. The Rock is guaranteed to have that show built completely around him, and since he’s already put John Cena down I believe they have no choice but to feed Punk to The Rock. Punk will at least make The Rock’s vacation in the WWE entertaining. And there’s always a chance that Punk will win, as opposed to anybody else they throw at Dwayne.

Bad Booking: The match I want to see for Wrestlemania this year is Undertaker/John Cena. Although these two have had run-ins here and there, their last major feud occurred in 2003 as completely different entities. Think of how these two men have evolved since then. Undertaker is an outlaw elder statesman, capable of getting a great match from anyone. John Cena is in a point of his career where not only does he still draw like gangbusters, but just his name recognition gets main event status. Undertaker’s career is coming to a close, and there is no better time than now to have the face of the WWE versus a man who is practically WWE.

In the WWE by the end of 2013 what wrestlers will have held the WWE and World Heavyweight Championships, respectively?

Daniel Johnson: For the WWE Championship CM Punk, The Rock and John Cena will have all held it. I see The Rock beating CM Punk at the Royal Rumble and Cena getting his win back at Wrestlemania. Perhaps someone could beat Cena later in the year as well, but if that happens I just see it going back to Punk. Sheamus will win back the World Heavyweight Championship either from Alberto Del Rio or possibly from The Big Show if he gets it back.

Kyle Childers: By the end of 2013, most of the people will be old faces and I’m okay with that. The WWE Championship is the top tier prize in the company to be given to whoever is established enough for WWE to promote him as THE face of the company (barring Sheamus and The Miz) so 2013′s WWE title holders will likely consist of CM Punk, The Rock and John Cena. There’s an off chance that Bryan or Ziggler will get a run with it but it seems more likely Ziggler willl get a World Heavyweight Championship reign along with Damien Sandow. I’m still holding out hope that Wade Barrett sees a title run soon.

Jeremy Cundiff: I see Sheamus holding one of the titles for sure. The other is a total blank to me. It’s a tie between Cena and Punk, although if there was ever a year to pull a Tommy Rich and shock people, this year would be it. I’d love to see Ziggler get at least a chance, but as I said once before—until Dolph turns face, he’s not going to get that big win. He just can’t. It’s the Shawn Michaels effect—the cocky heel who sells so good he can’t help but turn face. The turn has to be done right—gradually and logically. If that turn does not happen in 2013, then expect the same old guard until the next level is ready.

Bad Booking: WWE Championship: CM Punk and John Cena. World Heavyweight Championship: Big Show, Sheamus, Dolph Ziggler, Randy Orton and Damien Sandow.

By the end of 2013 what wrestlers will have held the top titles in TNA, ROH and the NWA, respectively?

Daniel Johnson: Jeff Hardy will drop the TNA World Heavyweight Championship to Christopher Daniels if TNA is smart (meaning we may never get a Daniels run). If TNA does go with Daniels don’t expect him to have it for long as he will likely transition it to another face. My money is on James Storm since he was on fire in the last few months of 2012. For the ROH World Heavyweight Championship it is tough to see anyone defeating Kevin Steen at the moment. Still, Steen will probably drop it sometime before the end of the year. Possibly Davey Richards or Adam Cole could upset him. Lastly, the NWA World Heavyweight Championship will be around “The Tokyo Monster” Kahagas’ waist for some time. I see NWA eventually deciding to give it to a more well-known indie wrestler though. For some reason I’m thinking Steve Corino.

Kyle Childers: TNA: If Christopher Daniels or Bully Ray haven’t been champion by the end of the year, TNA hates their fans. ROH: I would answer this question but I don’t follow ROH well enough to have the slightest idea. I couldn’t even tell you who their champion is currently. NWA: The highest bidder for the belt.

Jeremy Cundiff: Austin Aries will get a second run with the TNA belt. Count on it. In ROH, I’d expect El Generico to finally get his run at the top, if Kevin Steen still isn’t. As for the NWA, I can’t even begin to tell you anymore. I’m shocked there’s still an NWA to begin with, and the only two guys I knew who were in the NWA World title picture (Colt Cabana and Adam Pearce) just walked out on them.

Bad Booking: I can really only answer for TNA mainly because I don’t follow the other two.TNA: Austin Aries, Bully Ray and Jeff Hardy.

What independent star will make it big in 2013?

Daniel Johnson: El Generico would be a predictable answer since he just got signed to WWE, but I see WWE botching his push. This is perhaps cheating a little, but I think Steen will make it big (or bigger). WWE or TNA (the latter of which I find more likely) may sign him at some point and give him a decent push. I could definitely see Steen being put in the Aces & 8s’ angle. Whether he could survive that angles’ inherent goofiness is tougher to say.

Kyle Childers: 2013 will be the year I keep the dream of Kenny Omega finally making it in the U.S. alive.

Jeremy Cundiff: I don’t see anyone catching fire really. If Joey Ryan couldn’t do it in TNA this year, I don’t know who will this year.

Bad Booking: Either Tony Nese or Sami Callihan. Both are great talents who don’t need any developmental work.

By the end of 2013 what will be the most impressive use of foreign talent by WWE/TNA?

Daniel Johnson: This one is really tough especially since WWE’s plan to sign Kazuchika Okada just fell through (if it ever actually existed). I’m reaching here a bit, but I wouldn’t be shocked if WWE finally unlocked some of Sin Cara’s true potential. Maybe he’ll just have a little more success with Rey Mysterio or actually be pushed in the upper midcard for a bit. Alternatively, Del Rio is a safer bet, but is pushing him down people’s throats really a sign of success? As for TNA they would be crazy not to do more with Magnus (which again may be a good sign that they won’t).

Kyle Childers: I think 2013 will be a big year for Antonio Cesaro, he’s got all the right tools and he’s finally starting to get a foothold in popularity. Hopefully the WWE gets behind him as a legitimate star in the next year.

Jeremy Cundiff: Alberto Del Rio actually gets over.

Bad Booking: Foreign talent…hmm…I just really hope WWE and TNA can promote talent for their talent and not predictable stereotypes.

What wrestler do you think will be Mr. or Ms./Mrs. 2013?

Daniel Johnson: I could see Bryan breaking away from Kane to become Mr. 2013. The guy is more phenomenal in the ring than AJ Styles and while I don’t care for a lot of his mic work all those people chanting “yes” or “no” seem to disagree with me. As for Ms. 2013 I’ll say Kaitlyn. Like AJ Lee, WWE love her. Unlike AJ Lee, WWE are actually willing to showcase her in-ring skills.

Kyle Childers: I really hope that when I write my portion of this next year I can spend most of my time talking about what a great year Dolph Ziggler had.

Jeremy Cundiff: Anybody but Garett Bischoff.

Bad Booking: Mr. 2013: Dolph Ziggler sounds like a damn good bet. He’s catching fire just as we go to Wrestlemania season. He looks really good right now. Ms./Mrs. 2013: Kaitlyn will be promoted as a big-time women’s player. Too bad we’ve all come to expect piss breaks for diva matches/sketches.

Any other thoughts on what will be in 2013?

Daniel Johnson: 2013 has the potential to be an incredible year. Wrestlemania in particular looks exciting with all of the aforementioned dream match potential. On a different note NXT has also been working to turn out a fine crop of talent. As for non-WWE related stuff NJPW can do no wrong with Okada and if his upward momentum continues he has a shot at succeeding Hiroshi Tanahashi as the true face of the company. TNA while not having the dream match potential of the WWE will continue to put out quality programming (as mistake heavy as it may be). Finally, the indies as always are unpredictable and I look forward to seeing what talent debuts and what talent steps up.

Kyle Childers: With NXT running strong with a deep talent roster of varied superstars, 2013 and will be looked at much in the same light as 2002 was in terms of introducing us to the next line of talent that will be the focus of the company for the next ten years.

Jeremy Cundiff: This is the year the fan will not be ignored.

Bad Booking: WWE and TNA need to prove they can rejuvenate an audience and promote new talent. Especially on WWE’s side, the main event scene needs a little shuffling with the midcard looking ready to cross over big time. 2013 could be a fruitful year if the chess pieces are placed properly.

Photo Credits:

Photos 1-6, 8-9: en.wikipedia.org

Photo 7: tribalwrestling.com

Tagged "The Tokyo Monster" Kahagas, Aces & 8s, Adam Cole, Adam Pearce, AJ Lee, AJ Styles, Alberto Del Rio, Antonio Cesaro, Austin Aries, Bad Booking, Brock Lesnar, Bully Ray, Chris Jericho, Christian, Christopher Daniels, CM Punk, Colt Cabana, Damien Sandow, Daniel Bryan, Davey Richards, Devon, Dolph Ziggler, El Generico, Garett Bischoff, HHH, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Hulk Hogan, Impact Wrestling, James Storm, Jeff Hardy, Jeremy Cundiff, Joey Ryan, John Cena, Kahagas, Kaitlyn, Kane, Kazuchika Okada, Kenny Omega, Kevin Steen, Kyle Childers, Madman Szalinski, Magnus, NWA, NWA World Heavyweight Championship, Paige, Paul Heyman, Random Roundtable, Rey Mysterio, Rey Mysterio Jr, ROH, ROH World Championship, Sami Callihan, Shawn Michaels, Sheamus, Sin Cara, Steve Corino, Street Fight, The Big Show, The Miz, The Rock, The Tokyo Monster, The Undertaker, TNA, TNA Bound for Glory, TNA Bound for Glory 2013, TNA Lockdown, TNA Lockdown 2013, TNA World Heavyweight Championship, Tommy Rich, Tony Nese, Wade Barrett, World Heavyweight Championship (WWE), WWE, WWE Championship, WWE Main Event, WWE Monday Night Raw, WWE NXT, WWE Royal Rumble, WWE Royal Rumble 2013, WWE SmackDown, WWE Wrestlemania, WWE Wrestlemania XXIX, Zack Ryder

Jan 19 2013

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Smooth Runs

The Case for John Cena vs. Undertaker at WrestleMania XXIX

by Bad Booking

Wrestlemania has always been treated as a time of year where special matches can happen.

We’ve had a litany of ladder encounters, most of which had special stipulations added on.

Legends like Shawn Michaels have faced off against legends like The Undertaker.

We’ve also seen current full-time talent like John Cena face off against special attraction signings like The Rock.

For all the possible main event match-ups coming onto the horizon for Wrestlemania XXIX emanating from MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, there is one match I am surprised the WWE isn’t pulling the trigger on.

The Undertaker vs. John Cena.

One man has represented the WWE in the best of times and the worst of times. His character receives more changes than Joan Rivers does plastic surgery. He’s a big, lean, MMA-fighting machine who has defied time and only has gotten better over the years.

The other man is the full embodiment of the WWE right now. A full-tme wrestler on the roster, more or less has been the main event for the last eight or nine years. He has done it all. Faced them all. Beaten them all.

With one notable exception.

Now you can say that these two men feuded briefly in 2003. This was back in the day where Cena was “WORD LIFE” rappin’, complete with throwback jerseys and gold chains. He had an attitude problem but was gaining popularity with the fans. Yes, he was actually, A HEEL?!?!?!?

This was also back in the day when Undertaker was a mortal human being. He rode a motorcycle, wore stinky leather, and was Big Evil American Badass. He was a veteran seeking respect but was also willing to give respect to where it was due. He was definitely a face then, face now, face grand majority of his career.

Sure the two swapped victories in 2003 with Undertaker winning at the Vengeance pay-per-view and John Cena on an episode of Smackdown.

That’s history however.

This is now.

John Cena is the face of the company. He traded rapper chains for a chain gang, and has a main event spot to prove it. For approximately the last decade he has been the one standing in attention on the roster. Multiple superman pushes left him in a spot all to himself on the card. His drawing power is so large that a meaningless match with Johnny Ace legitimately main evented a pay-per-view you spent $50 to watch! Sure he faced The Rock at Wrestlemania last year, and WWE most likely wants him to get his win back this year. That all feels stale and rehashed though.

Undertaker, who is an undead outlaw now, seems to be legitimately on his last legs. With news reports suggesting his body is hanging on by a thread, it would be behoove of the WWE to let the two biggest current superstars clash. Undertaker has had epic clashes with men like Shawn Michaels, Kane, Batista, Randy Orton, HHH, Edge and even Mark Henry in the last ten years. John Cena only seems like a natural opponent, given the accolades and acclaim deserved.

Like a Vince Russo fan fiction, both men can portray multiple shades of grey. There doesn’t have to be good, evil, benevolence or malevolence. Just two men who want to kick each others’ asses.

These two mythic icons of WWE lore can have at it with no creative restrictions. The crowd would eat that first stare-down before the bell rings as a definitive Wrestlemania moment.

For Undertaker, it would be the last pin on top of a definitive cap. Starting with Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka, who inspired 2013 Hall of Famer Mick Foley to have a wrestling career, and ending with Cena, the seemingly indestructible superhero.

21-0 with perhaps his last win being the biggest, no offense to either HBK or The Game.

Come on WWE, PULL THE TRIGGER AND FIRE UP THE MONEY MAKER!

Tagged Bad Booking, Batista, East Rutherford, Edge, HHH, Jimmy Snuka, Joan Rivers, John Cena, John Laurinaitis, Johnny Ace, Kane, Mark Henry, MetLife Stadium, Mick Foley, MMA, New Jersey, Randy Orton, Shawn Michaels, The Rock, The Tome of Bad Booking, The Undertaker, Vince Russo, WWE, WWE SmackDown, WWE Vengeance, WWE Vengeance 2003', WWE Wrestlemania, WWE Wrestlemania XXIX

Dec 13 2012

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Smooth Runs

Rebooking WrestleMania 25: Randy Orton vs. HHH

by Bad Booking

If there was ever an edition of Wrestlemania whose overall success would hinge on its main event, it was the 25^th anniversary of Wrestlemania.

The main event in question was a WWE Championship Match featuring Randy Orton, that year’s Royal Rumble winner, versus WWE Champion HHH, whose family had been assaulted/humiliated at the hands of Orton.

This hot angle leading into Wrestlemania depicted an unstoppable Orton, whom along with Legacy (Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase) was taking out the juggernaut aka the McMahon family. It started with Vince the week before the Royal Rumble, then Shane McMahon at No Way Out, then just a short time later on Raw, Stephanie McMahon.

All of this carnage brought out newly-crowned champion HHH. Sure Vince was his father-in-law and Shane was his brother-in-law, but Stephanie was his wife. No one ever should raise their hand to another man’s wife, especially in this case.

If that wasn’t bad enough, HHH got beat up leading into Wrestlemania with The Viper even sealing a kiss onto Stephanie’s lips. This match should have been the damnedest slobber knocker that the WWE should have had in years. A perfectly sound main event for Wrestlemania.

Instead, the match was a dull and boring affair. The cause of reason was a “championship changes hands on a disqualification” stipulation. That rule took out any sense of Orton reasonably either walking out champion or losing in a way that would not lose his heat with the fans. No matter the outcome, Randy should have walked out looking like a million dollars, but instead looked like a whiny bitch. To add insult to injury, Batista made a surprise return…THE NEXT NIGHT ON RAW!

In this rebooking, we’ll look at the main event of what should have been a grand Wrestlemania. People would discuss the event as a whole more fondly if the main event had been better, and here’s proof:

The 25^th anniversary of Wrestlemania, April 5^th, 2009: The WWE Universe has just witnessed a triple threat match with John Cena, The Big Show and Edge that defied expectations. With the unenviable task of following Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker, this unfortunate triumvirate held the attention of the crowd. Since John Cena is the new World Heavyweight Champion, the throng of over seventy thousand knew there was only one match left: the WWE Championship contest between HHH and Randy Orton, a match whose build-up had been absolute money to this point.

Vickie Guerrero, just the mere mention of her name, draws boos that could drown out a Motorhead concert. Standing on stage in an outfit that must have enticed a breeze, Vickie noted the World Heavyweight Championship match from Smackdown was indeed impressive, but it was not the main event of the show. As General Manager, Vickie declared that the WWE Championship match would now be a no disqualification, no countout match to a huge roar from the crowd. Also, to the knowledge of no one in the arena or in the locker-room (storyline-wise), a superstar has come to return to Wrestlemania, a man whose revenge made him rehab harder than he ever has.

Randy Orton comes out first to mostly indifference from the crowd. He slithers out with a minimum balance of emotion externally but has to have significant butterflies internally.

HHH sledges a CGI glass screen for his champion’s arrival. This would awaken the crowd some, as the jacked up Game looks intense as ever.

Lillian Garcia did the ring introductions. Yes, she did botch: she accidentally called Randy Orton, Randy Dorton. For those who don’t know, Randy Dorton is a real person. Dorton was an engine builder for Rick Hendrick in NASCAR. Dorton’s life tragically came to an end when he and several other Hendrick personnel crashed in Virginia heading to the race in Martinsville. Very few got the message, but the few hybrid NASCAR/WWE fans would tear this apart the next morning.

When the bell rings, the two share a stare colder than Hades.

For the next 20 minutes, they scratch and claw into each other with hatred.

Both announcer tables were destroyed. Orton was struck in the cranium with a chair several times. Hell, HHH even bladed slightly, which would draw the ire of Vincent Kennedy McMahon backstage.

The turning point of the match occurred when HHH hit a spinebuster on Orton. Noting that he has momentum on his side, Hunter goes for a pedigree. He positions Orton, but Orton quickly gives Helmsley a low blow.

Suddenly Orton has control.

Randy set-up HHH for that DDT on the ropes he does so well, and was able to drive it hard into the mat. Like a slithering snake, Orton has either the RKO, or that devastating punt in mind for the win. Instead, he does a hand motion that summons his two thugs to the ring. Rhodes and DiBiase walk slowly for the maximum heel heat reaction, and they go to work on ‘The Game’.

Rhodes hit his Crossrhodes and DiBiase hit Dreamstreets. With both of the younger Legacy members holding Hunter into a corner of the ring, Orton slides out of the ring to grab a sledgehammer. Orton comes back in, sledgie in tow. The referee tries to stop it, but is shoved out of the ring for his efforts. While a mic doesn’t pick it up clearly, Orton does manage to yell, “You’re the last one!” Orton prepares to swing…

…But then a familiar guitar riff hits the Houston air.

IT’S BATISTA!

The Animal is coming down that ramp with a purpose. He had been taken out of action months prior because of an attack by Orton.

Decked in jeans and a shirt that was no doubt made by WWE clothing employees, Batista walks down to an epic reaction. Before Batista can hit the ring though, Orton tells his little boys to go attack Batista.

They were no match for The Animal.

After demolishing them in short order, he then enters the ring and stands in the ring nose to nose with Orton. Orton tries to hit The Animal with the sledgehammer, but Batista grabs the sledge and breaks it in half over his basketball-shaped thigh. A kick to the gut later, Batista made his ultimate presence known with a HUGE Batista bomb!

With Bats shoving the ref back in from the outside, HHH was able to hit the pedigree he looked for several minutes before. With the three count, HHH successfully retained the championship belt. Batista came back in, looked at the title belt, and then gave the champ a congratulatory handshake. Trips stood atop the second turnbuckle with title belt high as the show faded into a recap video package.

Tagged Batista, Cody Rhodes, Edge, Hades, HHH, Houston, John Cena, Legacy, Lillian Garcia, Martinsville, Motorhead, NASCAR, Randy Dorton, Randy Orton, Rick Hendrick, Shane McMahon, Shawn Michaels, Stephanie McMahon, Ted DiBiase, Texas, The Animal, The Big Show, The Game, The Undertaker, The Viper, Vickie Guerrero, Vince McMahon, Virginia, World Heavyweight Championship (WWE), WWE Championship, WWE Monday Night Raw, WWE Royal Rumble, WWE Royal Rumble 2009, WWE SmackDown, WWE Universe, WWE Wrestlemania, WWE Wrestlemania 25

Dec 06 2012

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Smooth Runs

Scott Hall Shoot Deleted Scene

by Bad Booking

I found a clip last week that was really interesting.

It was revealed during a horribly recorded clip from Scott Hall’s first shoot interview he should have faced The Undertaker at Wrestlemania XI in 1995 at the Hartford Civic Center in Hartford, Connecticut.

Without further ado, let’s see what “The Bad Guy” had to say!

Interviewer: Scott, I’ve heard a rumor about something undiscovered in your WWE tenure. Apparently, there should have been a program between you and Undertaker for Wrestlemania in Hartford?
Scott Hall: As much as it pains me to say it, that is very much true.

Interviewer: Would you like to share how this should have went down?
Scott Hall: Alright mang. So it’s the night after the ’94 Survivor Series. We’re at Raw, and Vince calls me into his office. He’s like, “Razor [Ramon], I need to talk to you about Wrestlemania.” So I’m like, “Alright boss, what’s up?” Vince was thinking up a storm all day. “We’ve got Diesel and Shawn [Micahels] for the title, Bam Bam [Bigelow]and LT [Lawrence Taylor], and we also got [Bob] Backlund and Bret [Hart].” So I’m figuring what’s wrong with that? Vince then decides, “I got it! Razor, you’re going to go one on one with Undertaker at Wrestlemania!” The angle was supposed to start at the Royal Rumble, and then completely end at ‘mania…

(audio cuts out)

Interviewer: How much did Vince and company do to prepare for the buildupto XI?
Scott Hall: For nothing that ever happened, a lot! A fucking lot. First, both ‘Taker and I had to work on scheduled days off. Secondly, there was a blizzard at the location we were shooting at. Mark and I rode in the same car, and we’re both pretty late. Vince let us both slide, and then we went over specifics. A couple of vignettes revolved around me trying to act machismo inside a funeral parlor, while the big physical confrontation had me buried inside a grave. That grave shoot was a bitch. The backhoe made a hole that must have been, uh, eight or nine feet deep. It was balls cold in the earliest part of January I tell you. Undertaker was shivering bad, it must have been like zero or so outside. So the early part of the shoot sees me, you know, being an arrogant ass. I throw the gold on the grave saying I’m going to bury Undertaker at Wrestlemania. A shadow emerges, and it’s Taker. He turns around, grips my throat and goozled me into the hole. For a second I thought I was paralyzed, but I was able to move a few minutes later. The next night at the Raw taping…

(audio cuts out)

Scott Hall: AC/DC was slated to do the entrances. I had “Razor’s Edge” while Undertaker had “Hell’s Bells”. Vince was plotting on pyro schemes amongst a whole pile of bullshit.

Interviewer: So why did Vince go back on the deal?
Scott Hall: It had to do with [King Kong] Bundy being thrown back into the mix. Undertaker was the only man suitable for the job. I forget the details, but I remember blowing a gasket at Vince. He pissed both of us off mightily. That could have been a match for the ages. Two big, strong, agile guys who could work and bump with the best of them. We had the match planned out, we were ready for the show in advance. The match I would have with Jeff [Jarrett] was half-assed, and it was unprofessional. That night was a no-win and as it turned out for the WWE, probably the worst Wrestlemania of all time.

Disclaimer: Alright guys, this didn’t really happen. It was a very abbreviated Rewriting the Book style entry that was experimental. Hell, I don’t even know if Taker and Ramon had anything planned ever.

Tagged AC/DC, Bad Booking, Bam Bam Bigelow, Bob Backlund, Bret Hart, Connecticut, Diesel, Hartford, Hell's Bells, King Kong Bundy, Lawrence Taylor, Razor Ramon, Razor's Edge, Rewriting the Book, Scott Hall, Shawn Michaels, The Bad Guy, The Tome of Bad Booking, The Undertaker, Vince McMahon, WWE, WWE Monday Night Raw, WWF Survivor Series 1994, WWF Wrestlemania XI

Dec 01 2012

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Site News

Site News 12/1/12

by Daniel Johnson

Time to let the cat out of the bag! The surprise I mentioned on Thursday is here!

It is with great excitement and some uncertainty that I introduce The Johnson Transcript Surging Star Award! This will be an annual award that will be given to a wresting personality 25-years-old or younger who has never been signed to one of the top two promotions in the United States.

I’m sure a lot, if not all of you are saying, “So what? Another pointless wrestling award.” The thing is that if this award was given by me today you would be exactly right!

One quality that distinguishes this award is that the winner will not be chosen by the staff of this website. Instead the winner is completely up to the readers aka you! The award is only as important as you, the reader, make it. This is where my uncertainty comes in. If the award receives a lot of votes and attention then great, but if not then it falls back into “pointless” territory.

Staying positive, there is also what I at least hope can be considered noble reasons behind this award being established.

There are a bunch of reasons I wanted to start an annual award, but most significant are the following two. First, if the award gets enough support behind it (aka votes and attention), it could arguably give a bump to one young wrestler. I’m not saying it would make WWE or TNA sign them, but the bump could be as simple as picking up some new fans. Second, this award ideally should encourage more wrestlers and wrestling companies to share free matches online. This is part of the reason why the award is given exclusively to those who have been featured on The Johnson Transcript. Some have solely been featured in the “Wrestling Clips” section thus far. Yet, it is difficult to feature a wrestler in this section when none of their matches are online and accessible.

The Johnson Transcript Surging Star Award will also have a physical trophy to represent it. A thorough attempt will be made to have a member of The Johnson Transcript staff present this award in person to the winner. Ideally, the winner will cherish the award like Owen Hart cherished his two Slammy Awards or at least melt the award down and wear it as a chain like Mabel did to The Undertaker’s urn. I can only hope that the wrestler will not just dump it in a trashcan like Scott Hall did to the WCW World Television Championship.

The trophy will be known as “The Crown J” (I’m sure you can guess what inspired that name). Speaking of which as you can see by the official criteria laid out nice and neat below, foreign stars are eligible no matter how big the company they work for outside of the United States is. This was a tricky call to make, but considering most of the traffic this website gets is from the United States whoever the winner is should still get some exposure to new fans.

The criteria are as follows:

*A performer must be 25-years-old or younger on December 31 of the year that the award has been designated for. For example, the performer who is given the award for 2012 must be born no later than December 30, 1986. If the age of a performer cannot be determined beyond a reasonable doubt by members of The Johnson Transcript staff then that performer is not eligible.

*The winner should have an outstanding performance in the year that the award has been designated for. Votes should be cast based on what a performer did in the year that the award has been designated for and should not be based on a performer’s overall contributions to the professional wrestling industry. The award is voted on by readers of The Johnson Transcript. Staff may also vote. Each person should only vote once and a thorough attempt will be made to limit each person to one vote. Votes are cast between January 1 and January 31 in the year following the year that the award has been designated for.

*The performer must have been featured at least once on The Johnson Transcript from January 1 to December 31 in the year that the award has been designated for. Being featured is defined as being mentioned or included in some form of media in a piece authored by a member of The Johnson Transcript staff. Readers are encouraged to nominate wrestlers who have not been featured and meet all other criteria. Provided that the nominee meets all other criteria they will receive a mention. All reader nominations must be made prior to December 31 in the year that the award has been designated for.

*The performer who wins this award must never have been under contract to a company commonly understood as one of the top two promotions in the United States in the year that the award has been designated for. If a company falls out of what are commonly understood as the top two spots then a signed performer of that company could be eligible for the award in subsequent years, but not in a year where the company was a top two company. For example, if one company becomes the number three company in 2012 then a performer signed to that company would not be eligible to earn an award for 2012. However, if the company stays at the number three spot throughout 2013 then a performer signed to that company who meets the other criteria would be eligible to win the award for 2013.

If a wrestler is not yet eligible for the award because they have not been featured in The Johnson Transcript then you can nominate them for consideration by dropping me a line here or by commenting. To keep track of who is already eligible go to the new “Crown J” section.

Tagged Mabel, Owen Hart, Scott Hall, Slammy Awards, The Crown J, The Johnson Transcript Surging Star Award, The Undertaker, TNA, WCW World Television Championship, wrestling clips, WWE

Oct 22 2012

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Wrestling Interviews

Trent Adams Interview

Photo Courtesy of Trent Adams

Interviewer’s Note: Trent Adams wrestled his first match for the Conwy County Wrestling Academy (CCWA) this year. Aside from being a performer he is also a co-founder and co-owner of CCWA. Although Adams is based in the United Kingdom he first became interested in professional wrestling through watching American programming, in particular the WWF. Since the CCWA has launched aside from developing their own talent they have also worked with Basix Pro Wrestling (BPW) The CCWA has a website that can be viewed here and a Facebook page located here. In this interview Adams and I focus on the topic of starting out as a wrestler in the year 2012.

Daniel Johnson: My first question is for those unfamiliar with you where and when were you born?
Trent Adams: I was born June 6th, 1989 in St. Asaph, a small town in Wales, UK.

Daniel Johnson: What is your first memory of professional wrestling?
Trent Adams: My first memory would have to be when I was about four or five and my mother bought me one of the old Hasbro WWF wrestling rings and a Hulk Hogan figure. I don’t remember watching any wrestling at the time but I remember being quite happy with the ring.

Daniel Johnson: Who were your favorite wrestlers growing up?
Trent Adams: I didn’t actually get into wrestling properly until late 1997. By that time you had guys like Steve Austin, Mankind, The Undertaker and The Rock, and they all had interesting stuff going on. These four were my favorites during the first couple of years of me watching.

Daniel Johnson: When did you first decide that you wanted to go from being a fan of professional wrestling to being an actual wrestler?
Trent Adams: Really within the first few years of watching. So by around age 10 I’d kind of made up my mind that wrestling would be something I’d really like to do. The characters, athleticism, whacky storylines. All of it just appealed to me so much from an early age.

Daniel Johnson: How did your friends and family react to you wanting to become a professional wrestler? Was everyone supportive or was anyone against it?
Trent Adams: My family, especially my mother has always been supportive of it. She always gives me the encouragement I need. With friends it’s a bit different. You have a few that think it’s pretty cool then there’s the rest that are like ‘yeah okay, good luck with that’ or go on about how ‘fake’ wrestling is, which is annoying.

Daniel Johnson: How did you find a place to train to become a professional wrestler? Did any of your pre-wrestling friends train with you or was it just you?
Trent Adams: There’s a small wrestling company in the UK that has been going for years and is linked with the ‘World of Sport’ era of UK wrestling. They used to hold shows in Rhyl, Wales. I found out in 2006 that they allowed people to come and do a bit of training before the shows started. So I thought I’d give it a try. I remember enjoying taking the bumps and running the ropes but at the time I was out of shape and my head wasn’t where it needed to be as I had a lot of stuff going on at the time. So I only went for a few weeks. It was just me at first but I got my best friend to come along for a few sessions. He left shortly after me.

Daniel Johnson: When did you decide to go back to training?
Trent Adams: After doing a bit of training in 2006 I thought to myself ‘yes I still want to do this, but I need to get in shape, be prepared and get my life sorted out first. I went through some bad times that I really didn’t recover from until last year. And it was last year that me and Will Mason, a friend from work were joking around about owning a wrestling company and were thinking up crazy gimmicks. But Will used to do wrestling a few years ago around the Birmingham area and knew some people we could get in contact with if we were serious about doing it. Not long after we thought ‘you know, let’s try and do it’. So the plan was to open a wrestling school in the local area with Will as the head trainer.

Daniel Johnson: What was the most challenging part of training?
Trent Adams: I can’t really think of any aspect of the training that was too challenging, but I did have to keep reminding myself that I’ll get better and not to worry if I couldn’t do things right straight away. My first couple of months I kept thinking ‘I hope I’m doing well and progressing. I hope I can do this’.

Daniel Johnson: How would you best describe your style of wrestling?
Trent Adams: I hope technical haha. That’s the style I want to use but as I gain more experience I want to mix it up with some high flying. As I said my early favorites were guys like Austin and The Rock, but as I grew up I really started to appreciate guys with ‘workrate’. Shawn Michaels, Chris Jericho, Bret Hart and more recently CM Punk. Guys who could actually wrestle and tell a story in the ring. These are the people I watch and learn from.

Daniel Johnson: How did you decide on the name Trent Adams as your wrestling name?
Trent Adams: I wanted to use part of my real name in there somewhere so I thought to use my first name as my last and then just wanted a cool sounding first name haha. I’ve only seen ‘Trent’ used a few times in wrestling so it’s quite original I guess. It just seems to work well.

Daniel Johnson: From your knowledge of the industry how is starting out in 2012 different from say starting in the 1980s or 1990s or even earlier?
Trent Adams: I’d assume it’s easier, in nearly every aspect. I didn’t realize until getting in to the business myself that the UK is literally full of promotions. It’s pretty cool. It is kind of like the 1970s and 1980s when wrestling in America wasn’t mainstream and was just made of regional territories. The good thing with this is, if someone wants to get into wrestling these days, they don’t have to look very far for a promotion. Also, the mindset of what makes a wrestler has changed a lot I think. Promoters and fans alike know that you don’t have to be 6’5″ and 250 pounds to make it. Which is good for someone of my size as I’m 5’11″, 170 pounds.

Daniel Johnson: Do you watch any wrestling today that influences your in-ring performance? If so who are the guys in 2012 to watch and learn from for you?
Trent Adams: As far as watching current wrestling, I’m still a big WWE fan, but my focus has changed from Raw and SmackDown to NXT and Superstars. So while I’ll still catch the odd CM Punk or Daniel Bryan match here and there, I’m more interested in wrestlers like Curt Hawkins, Johnny Curtis, Tyson Kidd, Michael McGillicutty and Seth Rollins. I think anyone can learn a lot from watching these, whether it’s to improve selling, working the crowd, the pacing of a match or any other aspect.

Daniel Johnson: This is a pretty broad question, but what do you like most and least about performing as a wrestler in 2012?
Trent Adams: As a performer/promoter I’d say the thing I like most is what I mentioned before. The number of promotions in the UK. It’s so easy for fans to go and watch live wrestling. But this leads into what I like least. A lot of these promotions aren’t willing to help each other. We have been associated with Basix Pro Wrestling, based in Deeside, UK since we started the training school because we were smart enough to say ‘we want to open a wrestling school and eventually run shows, can you help us out?’ And they’ve helped us in so many ways, with training, helping to put on shows, etc. It seems a lot of promotions aren’t willing to do the same, apart from allowing wrestlers to work someone else’s show. It’s a shame because if more companies worked together it would be better for the UK scene as a whole.

Daniel Johnson: I saw your first match on YouTube. What was the process like of setting this match up? How were you paired with your opponent?
Trent Adams: It was originally meant to be a triple threat match as that way I’d have two experienced guys to work with. Plans changed leading up to the show and it was decided to just be me and Ace Jordan. I was nervous but Ace and I had worked together a lot at training and had a general idea of what we wanted to do. I’m happy and quite surprised with the outcome as we only really planned out the first couple of spots and the finish. The rest was called as we went along. Apart from a blown spot, the match went how we wanted it to.

Daniel Johnson: I noticed that during your match someone kept blowing an air horn or something like that. What was up with that and did it throw you off at all?
Trent Adams: Yeah I believe one of the guys blowing the air horns was Mike Roberts, the owner of Basix Pro Wrestling haha. Honestly it didn’t throw me off at all. The more noise, the better. It was kind of surreal in a way as even though we were in front of over 100 people, it’s like they weren’t there. I remembered to work the crowd a bit and I got a buzz off their reactions but at the same time I was able to really focus on working the match.

Daniel Johnson: You also take a spot from the outside to the floor, which looks like a pretty tough spot for someone’s first match. Was this a dangerous spot to take at all? Also, what spots have been the toughest for you to plan?
Trent Adams: It was dangerous in one way as it was the first time I’ve ever been thrown out of a ring. I really had no idea how I was going to go over. You’re taught to go over the top by holding the top rope, leaning over and putting your other hand on the apron and then swinging your legs over. I knew that wouldn’t have the right impact. So Ace throws me to the ropes and I just thought ‘go for it!’ It looks nasty but it actually didn’t hurt in the slightest haha. There’s been no tough spots to plan as such but there’s a sequence in the match where we both do the headlock takeover, Japanese arm drag and the basic arm drag. I wasn’t looking forward to it at all because during training sessions my arm drags and headlock takeovers looked terrible no matter how much effort I put in. Watching the sequence back though I’m happy with it.

Daniel Johnson: What was up with the masked wrestler making an appearance after your match? Who was he?
Trent Adams: That’s Byson. His character at the moment is a big guy who just likes to destroy people. He attacked another one of our guys, Jimmy Vanquish, later that night.

Daniel Johnson: Switching topics, can you give me a rundown of how you managed to pull off your first show as the co-founder and co-owner of the CCWA? What actions were taken between you first wanting to have a wrestling event and it actually happening?
Trent Adams: Back when we were planning everything we knew we had to have some kind of open day for people to come along and sign up. So we asked Mike from Basix if he could come down with a few guys and put on an exhibition show with a Q & A afterwards, letting people know what they can learn and accomplish. We had that exhibition show in March and the school opened the following week. For our first proper show in May we got in touch with Mike and arranged a date, then we booked the venue. After that it’s just a matter of booking the matches, raising the money and promoting the show as much as possible.

Daniel Johnson: A lot of wrestling promotions now use new media and social media to enhance and promote their product. How do you use new media and social media?
Trent Adams: We have a website and a Facebook page, but this is one area we need to improve on really. Especially keeping the website up to date.

Daniel Johnson: As part of my last few questions I like to ask five non-wrestling related questions just to bring a little uniqueness to the interview. If you don’t have an answer or don’t want to answer one of them just feel free to say, “skip.” Outside of wrestling, what television shows do you enjoy watching these days?
Trent Adams: Mostly The Simpsons, especially the classic episodes. Also South Park and Family Guy.

Daniel Johnson: What was your favorite movie that came out this year?
Trent Adams: I haven’t seen any movies released this year haha. Not even The Dark Knight Rises.

Daniel Johnson: Yeah, I’ve heard mixed things on that one even if it has been making a ton. Anyway, what is your favorite food that you tried for the first time this year?
Trent Adams: Mango chutney haha. I tried it once on a sandwich and loved it! I have it with everything.

Daniel Johnson: What is your favorite song to come out this year?
Trent Adams: No one song in particular. But, to go back to wrestling slightly, the songs used for Wrestlemania this year were pretty cool. “Good Feeling” by Flo Rida and “Invincible” by Machine Gun Kelly.

Daniel Johnson: Did you vote in your last local election? If so would you be willing to say for who?
Trent Adams: No I didn’t. I should really as they say every vote counts but I have little interest haha.

Daniel Johnson: My last question is just is there anything you would like to add or mention that we haven’t talked about?
Trent Adams: Yes. I just want to say to everyone, as cliche as it sounds follow your dreams, no matter how big or small. If you want to do something, do it and don’t let anyone stop you. It takes time and effort but it’s worth it when you can say you’re doing something you’ve wanted to do since you were a kid and not have to compromise or settle for anything else!

Check out Trent Adams in his debut match! Here he battles Ace Jordan at the Conwy Civic Hall:

Tagged "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, Ace Jordan, Birmingham, BPW, Bret Hart, Byson, CCWA, Chris Jericho, CM Punk, Curt Hawkins, Daniel Bryan, Deeside, Facebook, Family Guy, Flo Rida, Good Feeling, Hasbro, Hulk Hogan, Invincible, Jimmy Vanquish, Johnny Curtis, Machine Gun Kelly, mango chutney, Mankind, MGK, Michael McGillicutty, Mike Roberts, Rhyl, Seth Rollins, Shawn Michaels, South Park, St. Asaph, Steve Austin, The Dark Knight Rises, The Rock, The Simpsons, The Undertaker, Trent Adams, Tyson Kidd, United Kingdom, Wales, Will Mason, World of Sport, WWE, WWE Monday Night Raw, WWE NXT, WWE SmackDown, WWE Superstars, WWE Wrestlemania, WWF, YouTube

Oct 08 2012

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Wrestling Interviews

Evgeny Lyder Interview

Photo Courtesy of Evgeny Lyder

Interviewer’s Note: Evgeny Lyder has wrestled for Israeli wrestling promotions for nearly ten years. He first came to the country in his youth from Ukraine. Lyder became immersed in wrestling through watching WWF programming and becoming a fan of Bret Hart. He immediately knew that he wanted to become a wrestler and eventually trained to work as one for the Israeli Pro Wrestling Association (IPWA). More recently Lyder has also performed for the All Wrestling Organization (AWO). In his career he has most notably heeled it up as a Russian villain and has also worn a few masks to portray other characters. In this interview Lyder and I focus on the topic of wrestling in Israel.

Daniel Johnson: Before we talk about the wrestling scene in Israel I wanted to ask you some questions about your background. Where and when were you born?
Evgeny Lyder: On November 1, 1981 in Zaporozhye, Ukraine. It was a part of the USSR then.

Daniel Johnson: Cool, were you a fan of wrestling in the USSR or did you not get into it until moving to Israel?
Evgeny Lyder: There was one time when they showed wrestling on TV over there in 1990 or 1991, when NJPW did a tour in Moscow, if memory serves. But I only became a fan when my family moved to Israel and I started watching WWF programming.

Daniel Johnson: What WWF star did you idolize growing up?
Evgeny Lyder: Bret Hart.

Daniel Johnson: What stuck out about him for you?
Evgeny Lyder: Pretty much everything, his wrestling style, the entrance theme, the attire, and so on. He just looked cool to me.

Daniel Johnson: Awesome! How did you make the leap from being a fan to wanting to actually become a wrestler?
Evgeny Lyder: There was no leap. From the day I was hooked on wrestling I knew I wanted to become a wrestler myself when I grew up.

Daniel Johnson: How did you first begin training as a wrestler in Israel and with whom?
Evgeny Lyder: I was doing military service at the time and I learned there was a wrestling promotion here in Israel called the Israeli Pro Wrestling Association. By then it was sort of a side-project for the MMA club. I sort of lied to my superiors about doing some studies to complete my SATs and was given a day-off once in two weeks, so I started training with the fed. When I first got there, the guy who was training us actual pro-style, Gery Roif, was away so my first trainer was actually the MMA guy named Raanan Tal. Then Gery returned after a few months and I completed my training under his guidance.

Daniel Johnson: How long was it from when you first began training to when you first wrestled in front of a crowd?
Evgeny Lyder: Eight months or so.

Daniel Johnson: You mentioned IPWA, what other organizations have you wrestled for in Israel?
Evgeny Lyder: The All Wrestling Organization, for the last couple of months. Until now the IPWA was the only promotion in the country.

Daniel Johnson: Wow, so there are only two promotions in the entire country? Are there any tiny promotions out there or “backyard” stuff going on that you know of or are those two promotions it entirely?
Evgeny Lyder: There’s a really small operation run by a former IPWA guy in his hometwon, basically him and 5-6 guys he trained putting shows for the neighbor kids once in a while, and there’s been talks about some new promotion opening soon, but I don’t know much about it.

Daniel Johnson: Switching topics a bit, different crowds often value different aspects of wrestling. In general what is more important in Israel the in-ring product or mic work?
Evgeny Lyder: I’d say in-ring product matters more because for the most of the time there are not many angles or storylines. The crowd is used to appreciate straight wrestling.

Daniel Johnson: In regards to in-ring product what are your favorite wrestling moves to perform and how tough is it to settle on a finisher?
Evgeny Lyder: As a fan of technical wrestlers such as Hart, Kurt Angle, Taz and William Regal, I try to learn and use as many different suplex variations as I can. I also use European uppercuts a lot, because I suck at throwing punches. As for a finishing move, I used to use a fireman’s carry driver for years (first saw Lash LeRoux use it as his finisher in WCW and absolutely loved the move), but lately I’ve switched to the brainbuster.

Daniel Johnson: Since you mentioned Israeli fans tend to favor the in-ring product over mic skills did you take Israeli audiences into account when developing your gimmick? If so or even if not how did you decide on your gimmick?
Evgeny Lyder: Sure. There is a large community of immigrants from former USSR republics here in Israel, and there are a lot of stereotypes tied to them, like most of the “Russians” can’t live without vodka or that every “Russian” guy works as a security guard at the mall. This sort of thing. When I first got a real gimmick, it was suggested by one of the fans, actually, I became the “Russian Sickle” ( the nick suggested by a friend). Basically I was carrying a Russian flag around, spitting vodka into opponents’ eyes to blind them and did a Cossack dance while kicking the opponent. By the time I joined the AWO I grew a little tired of the gimmick, so I tweaked it a little. Now I’m still this Russian guy, but more into clubs, parties, glamor and so on. Think early Johnny Nitro.

Daniel Johnson: You mentioned how your gimmick has developed over time. Are there any past gimmicks you have had that you enjoyed?
Evgeny Lyder: There were a few masked gimmicks, actually, each a one-time thing, to put someone over. In 2008 it was Yagi San, a puroresu goat, in 2009 it was El Bandito, and a few months back it was The Goatfather, a mafia goat. I enjoyed doing the Yagi San bit the most, but unfortunately I’ve lost the mask shortly after the match and couldn’t find another online.

Daniel Johnson: One of the things I find most interesting about wrestling interviews is the road stories and ribs that wrestlers often have? Do you have any particularly good road stories or ribs that you could share?
Evgeny Lyder: Don’t know if it counts, in 2008, right after the show where I was doing the Yagi San gimmick, a couple of guys went to party in downtown Tel Aviv, with our wrestling gear on. We basically went into a bar wearing tights, masks and everything. Some people freaked out, but not many, because at night in downtown TA there are a lot of strange people wondering around. So you can barely surprise anyone by walking around in a goat mask.

Daniel Johnson: Nice! Getting into some more broadly based questions about the Israeli wrestling scene what are the big local wrestling names in Israel?
Evgeny Lyder: Currently active or in general?
Daniel Johnson: Currently active.
Evgeny Lyder: Gery Roif, first of all, he’s pretty much the Hulk Hogan of Israeli wrestling, the patriarch. Then there are Yossi “The Bull” Kalmanovich, “Platinum” Sharon Palty, who received a tryout with the WWE a few years back, Idan Boulder, and “BlonDevil” Chris Korvin, who’s been around like forever. I think only Gery’s been around longer.

Daniel Johnson: Who are your favorite wrestlers to work with in Israel? Are any of the ones you just mentioned on your list of favorite opponents or favorite partners?
Evgeny Lyder: Out of those I mentioned, I’d say Yossi, because he’s a main event guy but is very down to earth, approachable and easy to work with. And Chris, him and I have been feuding on and off since my debut match in 2003. Other than them, there’s a guy named Ken Kerbis. Working with him is a cruise. He’s only 18, but already one of the best workers in the country.

Daniel Johnson: Is there any place online that interested fans could check these wrestlers out (a YouTube channel, website, etc.)?
Evgeny Lyder: Sure, here are some of their matches.

AWO WrestleFest: Ken Kerbis vs. The White Leopard

AWO WrestleFest: Hellboy vs. Chris Korvin

Yossi Kalmanovich vs. Sharon Palty (c) for the IPWA Championship

Daniel Johnson: Awesome! What mainstream wrestling programming is on Israeli television? How popular are WWE and TNA there? Do you watch either regularly?
Evgeny Lyder: They air WWE and TNA here, neither one is very popular. That is, there is a wrestling fan community that follows wrestling of course, but that’s about it. There were a couple of wrestling booms over here, one in the eighties, when WCCW toured Israel, and the other in 1993-4 when the WWF did a few tours as well. Then you could see wrestling magazines, cards, action figures being sold everywhere, and in every schoolyard there were kids pretending they’re Lex Luger or The Undertaker. But since then, the interest in wrestling’s been pretty low. I watch WWE shows and try to follow TNA but it’s a bit hard with my working schedule.

Daniel Johnson: Are there any fans of non-American foreign wrestling there? Do promotions like NJPW or AAA have a fan base in the country?
Evgeny Lyder: Not that I know of, except for a couple of friends of mine, one of whom is into the European scene and the other into Japanese wrestling.

Daniel Johnson: Similarly, do bigger American independent wrestling organizations have a fan base in Israel. How hard would you have to look to find a Ring of Honor or Dragon Gate USA fan?
Evgeny Lyder: Surely there are quite a few, just not someone I personally know of.

Daniel Johnson: Switching topics, is there any common places Israel-based wrestlers wrestle often outside of the country? Do you have any ambitions to wrestle outside of Israel?
Evgeny Lyder: There are two Israeli-borns, Aviv Maayan and Noam Dar who wrestle in the UK, Tomer Shalom in Canada, and two former IPWA guys, Hawaii Allen who wrestles in NY area and Juping Lee in California. I’d love to, but I don’t think I’m good enough for it. I’m too small and my conditioning is the shits.

Daniel Johnson: I know there have been many conflicts between Israel and neighboring countries. Do Israel-based wrestlers ever wrestle in the surrounding countries?
Evgeny Lyder: No. Two closest countries that I know of that have wrestling feds are Turkey and United Arab Emirates and, as you said, them and us do not get along.

Daniel Johnson: How, if at all do you see the wrestling scene in Israel changing in the future?
Evgeny Lyder: I just hope it stays alive.

Daniel Johnson: Has it declined recently or has it been about the same since you started in 2003?
Evgeny Lyder: It’s a bit complicated to describe…it’s like, until lately at least, you could never tell if the show you’ve just worked was your last. One year there are 5-6 shows, then the next it can be one or two. You can never tell when and if you’re going to wrestle again.

Daniel Johnson: Back to the future (or the topic of the future anyway) what do you see yourself doing in the near future? Basically, where do you see yourself in five years?
Evgeny Lyder: Hopefuly, still wrestling. Not main eventing, but being a solid midcarder. Maybe holding a title. Most importantly, wrestling on regular basis.

Daniel Johnson: What would you say your biggest accomplishment is in wrestling so far and why?
Evgeny Lyder: Main eventing the IPWA show that was aired by The Wrestling Channel in the UK in 2006. It was the only time our show was broadcasted outside Israel, and I was there, challenging for the heavyweight title. Other than that, meeting Bret Hart in 2005 when he came over to hype our TV show.

Daniel Johnson: Is there anything you would like to promote or that you think readers should check out?
Evgeny Lyder: Off the top of my head, I’d encourage them to check out IPWA and AWO matches on YouTube.

Daniel Johnson: This may seem unusual, but I like to ask everyone some variation of this question: What is the weirdest part of being an Israeli wrestler?
Evgeny Lyder: Lol probably the fact that you can travel to the other end of the country for the show and have a BBQ in your backyard on the same night.

Daniel Johnson: As part of my last few questions I like to ask five non-wrestling related questions just to make the interview a little unique. If you don’t have an answer or don’t want to answer one of them just feel free to say, “skip.”
Evgeny Lyder: Shoot.

Daniel Johnson: Outside of wrestling, what television shows do you enjoy watching these days?
Evgeny Lyder: Friends, Family Guy, Futurama and Everybody Loves Raymond and The History Channel.

Daniel Johnson: What was your favorite movie that came out this year?
Evgeny Lyder: I don’t follow movies that much, so I have no clue what flicks came out in 2012.

Daniel Johnson: No problem, what is your favorite food that you tried for the first time this year?
Evgeny Lyder: Carpaccio. It was pretty good, actually.

Daniel Johnson: What is your favorite song to come out this year?
Evgeny Lyder: “All of the Lights” by Kanye West.

Daniel Johnson: Did you vote in your last local election? If so would you be willing to say for who?
Evgeny Lyder: Didn’t vote.

Daniel Johnson: My last question: Is there anything you would like to add or talk about that we haven’t talked about.
Evgeny Lyder: I just would like to thank you for your interest and time.

See Evgeny Lyder wrestle for the AWO in Israel! Here he takes on Eyal Smiely:

Tagged "BlonDevil" Chris Korvin, "Platinum" Sharon Palty, AAA, All of the Lights, Aviv Maayan, AWO, AWO WrestleFest, Bret Hart, Canada, carpaccio, Chris Korvin, DGUSA, El Bandito, Everybody Loves Raymond, Evgeny Lyder, Family Guy, Friends, Futurama, Gery Roif, Hawaii Allen, Hellboy, Hulk Hogan, Idan Boulder, IPWA, IPWA Championship, Israel, Israeli, Johnny Nitro, Juping Lee, Kanye West, Ken Kerbis, Kurt Angle, Lash LeRoux, Lex Luger, MMA, Moscow, NJPW, Noam Dar, Raanan Tal, ROH, Russia, Russian, Russian Sickle, SATs, Sharon Palty, Taz, Tel Aviv, The Goatfather, The History Channel, The Undertaker, The White Leopard, The Wrestling Channel, TNA, Tomer Shalom, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, USSR, WCCW, WCW, William Regal, WWE, WWF, Yagi San, Yossi "The Bull" Kalmanovich, Yossi Kalmanovich, Zaporozhye

Oct 01 2012

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Wrestling Interviews

Caprice Coleman Interview

Photo Courtesy of Caprice Coleman

Interviewers’s Note: Caprice Coleman may be best known by independent wrestling fans for his work in ROH where he made his debut in 2004 and after some time away returned to the company in 2011. Today, he continues to compete regularly for ROH and did this interview while riding to an ROH show on September 21, 2012. Outside of his work for ROH, Coleman has wrestled for companies across the United States including brief appearances in WWE and TNA. Coleman is also a religious man and has been a big player on the Christian wrestling scene including working for the Christian Wrestling Federation. He can be followed on Twitter @capricecoleman. In this interview Coleman and I focus on the topic of religion in wrestling.

Daniel Johnson: My first question is: How, if at all did your religion prepare you for training to be a professional wrestler?
Caprice Coleman: I think it helped me integrity wise to uphold my standards and faith wise never to give up.

Daniel Johnson: Do you have a favorite book of the Bible and a favorite Bible verse? If so what are they? Also, is there any Bible verse you would suggest those interested in becoming a professional wrestler read?
Caprice Coleman: The book of Proverbs stands out at me because it’s simple quotes that means so much.Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Christ is my favorite verse because of the fact that it is a true simple statement. 2 Samuel David’s life as well.

Daniel Johnson: How did you first become involved in the Christian Wrestling Federation?
Caprice Coleman: I got involved with them almost 10 years ago through AJ Styles. I toured with them, they liked me and continued to bring me back. I still work with them.

Daniel Johnson: Have you worked for any other Christian wrestling groups outside of the CWF?
Caprice Coleman: I have worked for couple but I can honestly say that they are the most legit…that I have found.

Daniel Johnson: In general, how if at all is a Christian wrestling organization such as the CWF different from a non-Christian wrestling organization?
Caprice Coleman: The difference with them is that they have Christians that just happened to be wrestlers. Not wrestlers that happen to be Christians. The difference, they might not all be great athletes, but their mission is souls. There’s also testimonial and a message during the show.

Daniel Johnson: I was also always curious. Have any non-Christian wrestlers worked for the Christian wrestling groups you have been a part of?
Caprice Coleman: Yes and it depends on which company whether they’re invited back or not

Daniel Johnson: Are there any wrestlers you feel particularly comfortable having faith-based discussions with? If so would you be willing to say who?
Caprice Coleman: Believe it or not Mark Briscoe and Jay Lethal.

Daniel Johnson: Cool, any topics in particular you guys discuss that you would be willing to share?
Caprice Coleman: Briscoe works in the youth group for his church. Mainly just praise report type stuff. They are all supportive of my ministry in their own way.

Daniel Johnson: Speaking of your ministry I was wondering, how difficult was it to become a minister if at all?
Caprice Coleman: I was called to preach at age 14. In a way it’s always been part of my life. It just grew from there.

Daniel Johnson: How challenging is it to be a devoted Christian and a wrestler? Does the schedule of working as a wrestler ever get in the way of your religious activities?
Caprice Coleman: Not really challenging you just have to have your priorities in the right place. Sometimes schedules do conflict. However, my congregation understands what I am doing.

Daniel Johnson: How tough is the travel schedule of a professional wrestler, if at all? Do any other wrestlers help you get through it?
Caprice Coleman: It really depends on where and who you’re working for or going. I like to travel so its not a big deal for me. It’s always good to have road buddies though.

Daniel Johnson: What advice would you give to someone who has a tough time devoting their life to being a religious person and a professional wrestler for whatever reason?
Caprice Coleman: The soul comes first. If you have vices that this sport makes it easy to access, it might be best for you to exit. This is where the Bible states it is better to cut off an arm and make it in, then to keep it and go to lose everything else.

Daniel Johnson: Going into more of the in-ring product what do you think of religious gimmicks in wrestling? Are there any in particular you have liked? Have any offended you?
Caprice Coleman: Personally, I like religious characters. However, it’s very hard to put the religious character in this sport in these days without contaminating him in someway; that’s just the way to times are. It is also a very touchy subject easily offendable by some as well. so most choose to leave it alone.

Daniel Johnson: Are there any particular you liked or thought became contaminated?
Caprice Coleman: I like what they’ve done with Shawn Michaels. However with Jake “The Snake” [Roberts] and [Reverend] Devon and some others it starts off good but then they always pull out personal issues to contaminate everybody. Everybody has faults.

Daniel Johnson: This is a broad question, but how do you see religion in wrestling changing in the near future, if at all?
Caprice Coleman: I’m not really in it to change wrestling. I’m just the light, that I hope some people might see. This is how he uses this is my ministry. I really just want to be able to show people that you can live a life of integrity and still be one of the greatest wrestlers in the world.

Daniel Johnson: Do you see the Christian wrestling scene changing on it’s own in any way? Such as having more or less exposure?
Caprice Coleman: If you’re a wrestler, you’re a role model whether you want to be or not, good or bad. So to be classified in one of these types of federations hopefully would mean that you are good role model. I believe that the way that the mainstream is doing it some parents don’t like their children watching it so they might respect Christian-based Wrestling more.

Daniel Johnson: Switching topics, I read that you previously lived in Kuwait for a time? What was life like in Kuwait for you? Does Kuwait have any wrestling scene to speak of?
Caprice Coleman: It was for work. It was fun, it was hot and I experienced a lot. Wrestling was actually illegal there however. Before I left I was able to do a couple of tours there.

Daniel Johnson: Wow, I haven’t really heard anything about wrestling being flat out illegal in other countries. Now, I’m curious have you heard or been to any other country where wrestling was illegal?
Caprice Coleman: No, just there; what happened was there was a WWF/E tour there in the early 1990s and during an interview Vader actually struck one of the hosts when he asked him the crucial question… after this they just took the biggest route and made illegal.

Daniel Johnson: Oh yeah, I remember that in that interview with “Good Morning Kuwait” I believe with him and The Undertaker. Never knew they made it illegal though. Anyway, my next question is kind of a random question, but what do you think of Tim Tebow and the popularity of Tebowing?
Caprice Coleman: I like him. I just hope he continues to uphold his integrity.

Daniel Johnson: I had some non-religion related questions as well if you are open to answering them. What opponents have you yet to work with that you would most like to work with?
Caprice Coleman: [Dolph] Ziggler. I wish I could have worked [Curt] Hennig, [Jerry] Lynn, [2 Cold] Scorpio and [Brian]Pillman

Daniel Johnson: Are there any promotions or countries that you have yet to work for or travel to that you would most like to work for and travel to?
Caprice Coleman: Japan and Europe promotions. I would like to know how they would respond to me.

Daniel Johnson: How would you describe the current tag team scene in Ring of Honor?
Caprice Coleman: The best tag division in the WORLD. Most respected in any company.

Daniel Johnson: How do you see Ring of Honor advancing in years to come?
Caprice Coleman: Lol, I hope it continues to grow. The best wrestlers in the world today have been Ring Of Honor champions, and that’s a fact.

Daniel Johnson: How do you see your career advancing? Basically where do you see yourself in five years?
Caprice Coleman: Hopefully the world by then will have seen what I have to offer and I am able to continue to live my dream whether it be wrestling, commentating or managing.

Daniel Johnson: What wrestling events do you have coming up? Are you headed to one right now? If so where?
Caprice Coleman: Yes, I’m headed to Baltimore Maryland now for Ring of Honor.

Daniel Johnson: Is there anything you would like to promote or that you think readers should check out?
Caprice Coleman: Follow me @capricecoleman on Twitter. YouTube and Ustream has a lot of my messages. Keep a look out for Platinum Praise ministries plays and tours.

Daniel Johnson: As part of my last few questions I like to ask five non-wrestling related questions just to bring a little uniqueness to the interview. If you don’t have an answer or don’t want to answer one of them just feel free to say, “skip.” Outside of wrestling, what television shows do you enjoy watching these days?
Caprice Coleman: Meet the Browns, The Cosby Show and What Would You Do?

Daniel Johnson: What was your favorite movie that came out this year?
Caprice Coleman: The Avengers.

Daniel Johnson: What is your favorite food that you tried for the first time this year?
Caprice Coleman: Qdoba bowls or Catana bowls. Chipotle bowls.

Daniel Johnson: What is your favorite song to come out this year?
Caprice Coleman: “Overtime” by King Keleze.

Daniel Johnson: Did you vote in your last local election? If so would you be willing to say for who?
Caprice Coleman: I don’t talk politics.

Daniel Johnson: No problem and my last question is: Is there anything you would like to add or talk about that we haven’t talked about already?
Caprice Coleman: I would like to say for guys that want to become wrestlers to follow your dreams and make the best out of it. Take this sport seriously and it can take you as far as you allow it to.

See Caprice Coleman in action! Here he tags with Cedric Alexander against Qt Marshall & Tadarius Thomas in ROH:

Tagged 2 Cold Scorpio, 2 Samuel, AJ Styles, Bible, Brian Pillman, Caprice Coleman, Catana bowls, Cedric Alexander, Chipotle, Chipotle bowls, Christ, Curt Hennig, CWF, David, Devon, Dolph Ziggler, Good Morning Kuwait, Jake "The Snake" Roberts, Jay Lethal, Jerry Lynn, Jesus Christ, King Keleze, Kuwait, Mark Briscoe, Meet the Browns, Overtime, Phil 4:13, Philippians, Platinum Praise, Platinum Praise ministries, Proverbs, Qdoba bowls, Qt Marshall, Reverend Devon, ROH, Shawn Michaels, Tadarius Thomas, Tebowing, The Avengers, The Cosby Show, The Undertaker, Tim Tebow, TNA, Twitter, Ustream, Vader, What Would You Do?, WWE, WWF, YouTube

The Johnson Transcript

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