by Daniel Johnson
Photo Courtesy of Chase Matthews
Interviewer’s Note: Chase Matthews is an independent wrestler based out of Michigan who is enjoying his best year as a wrestler yet in 2013. Matthews has perhaps most notably made a splash in the Price of Glory (POG) promotion. In April, Matthews defeated Dollar, who was the POG Heavyweight Champion, in a no disqualification match. A short time later Matthews suffered a torn ACL and had to drop the title to Jack Thriller in June. After months of healing, Matthews is set to return to the ring in just a few week. He can be found on Facebook here. This interview was completed on November 23, 2013. In this interview Matthews and I focus on his work for POG.
Daniel Johnson: In a nutshell how would you describe yourself as a performer?
Chase Matthews: I take my real life outlook on things and apply them to my wrestling abilities. I’ve always been the type to be the best at everything I do, so a lot of focus and determination. Also, I’m not one to back down from a fight, no matter who it is. I adapt quickly. If someone wants to wrestle, I will wrestle. If someone wants to punch me in the face, just be prepared to get hit back.
Daniel Johnson: Where and when were you born and how long have you been wrestling?
Chase Matthews: I was born on May 24, 1989 in Coldwater, Michigan. I have been wrestling two years.
Daniel Johnson: What first inspired you to become a pro wrestler and how did you go about getting trained?
Chase Matthews: I have been a wrestling fan my whole life. My earliest memories was beating up my Ted DiBiase wrestling buddy for the longest time. I found out Dan Severn lived in the same city as I did, and he was running shows in Coldwater and surrounding areas. I got into contact with a guy named Mark Pennington, and at age 16 I started training. I had a few road blocks with school so I gave up. Eventually I came back at 21 and gave it everything I had.
Daniel Johnson: How difficult was a typical day of training and did you think the way you trained was a good way to get started in the business?
Chase Matthews: A typical day of training sucked. Dan had us practicing on amateur wrestling mats. We couldn’t get into the ring until we passed five “blue mat matches.” These were practice matches held on a mat that was thinner than the amateur mats. I think it was a great way to break in.
Daniel Johnson: One promotion you have worked for quite a bit is Price of Glory (POG) based in Coldwater, Michigan. How did you first get involved with this promotion?
Chase Matthews: My first involvement was just as a fan. After I started training my roles hopped around from bell boy to music guy to security.
Daniel Johnson: For readers who are unfamiliar with POG who are some wrestlers from the company they should look out for?
Chase Matthews: Some of the guys that are still going now are myself, Jack Thriller, Louis Lyndon, Jack Verville, Roderick Street and Darrell Jackson.
Daniel Johnson: Correct me If I’m wrong, but I believe the very first match you had in POG was a 30 man glory gauntlet battle royal. Do you have any memories from this match and if so what most stands out?
Chase Matthews: Correct. Although the first battle royal I appeared as a “drone” for JT Zorin. A lot of fun that was. When I was to be eliminated, I didn’t actually go over, and made the guy look bad, so I was scared I was going to die later. My first appearance as Chase Matthews was fun. I was pretty nervous. I had my family and friends there. I didn’t last very long, but I had a lot of fun.
Daniel Johnson: Once you were in POG it seems like you moved up the card very quickly and even made it to the semi-finals in the 2012 Glory Cup, the 2012 installment of a tournament that had been taking place since the company was first founded in 2004. Was this the first tournament you wrestled in and if so what was that experience like? Also, would you like to wrestle in any other tournaments or have you already?
Chase Matthews: I felt honored to be a part of the tournament. Guys like Shark Boy, Jimmy Jacobs and Josh Abercrombie (Raymond) were in this same tournament. I had now cemented myself in the same tournament they had. The Glory Cup made people. And I felt that’s where I proved I can hang with the locker room. My first opponent was CJ Otis who I had a history with. Three of my toughest matches were against him. I came up short all three times, but each match molded me to be the performer I am today. I owe everything to him. After finally defeating him, I had my first shot at gold. Jack Thriller was the POG Champion and was my next opponent in the tournament. Best match of the night and one of the best matches POG has offered. I lost, but once again, I showed that I could hang with the champ.
Daniel Johnson: Earlier this year you feuded with then POG Heavyweight Championship holder Dollar. How did this feud come about and how would you describe your chemistry with Dollar?
Chase Matthews: Dollar said he would put the belt on anyone who wanted to step up. At the time, he had his run with Jack, which eventually ended due to Jack losing a match to Sue Jackson, causing him to never get a shot at the belt while Dollar was champion. Jack only lost because Dollar got involved. I decided I was tired of seeing it. The belt had turned him and I couldn’t take it anymore. Dollar became personal friends with me before I started wrestling. To see him become this type of champion upset me. So I stepped up. Our chemistry went together so well. We knew what we could do and went out there and gave the fans everything. They supported our story 100 percent.
Daniel Johnson: In April you won the POG Heavyweight Championship from Dollar in a no disqualification match. What stood out most about this match for you?
Chase Matthews: A package piledriver onto a chair, a brainbuster onto two chairs, the fact that it was the first match of that type for me, and the fact that I won the very same belt that guys like Dollar, CJ, Jack, Jimmy Jacobs and Josh Abercrombie have all held, and it was in my hometown, in front of my friends and family. That could have been my last match ever, and I would have been happy.
Daniel Johnson: What did you enjoy most about your overall reign as POG Heavyweight Champion?
Chase Matthews: I enjoyed the competition. I didn’t have it for very long because I tore my ACL in May. I wrestled through it in June, where I lost, but the competition was great. It also seemed to have opened the doors to other places too.
Daniel Johnson: How did you tear your ACL and is this the worst injury you have had in wrestling to date?
Chase Matthews: It was the dumbest way possible. A guy gave me an inverted atomic drop, and I guess I came down wrong. Its the only injury besides some broken teeth. I don’t wish it upon anyone.
Daniel Johnson: What have you missed most about wrestling during your time off and is there anything you are really looking forward to doing again once you return?
Chase Matthews: I miss performing in front of people. It’s a rush.
Daniel Johnson: At POG Faded Glory VIII you lost the POG Heavyweight Championship to Jack Thriller in what would become his fourth reign as POG Heavyweight Champion. What are your thoughts on this match?
Chase Matthews: My pride got the best of me. I was actually coming out to forfeit the title at the beginning of the show. I tore my ACL a month prior, and docs said I needed to take time off. Jack came out, questioned my manhood, spat in my face and I saw red. I shouldn’t have done it, but it all goes back to my pride.
Daniel Johnson: Aside from the POG Heavyweight Championship have you held any other titles? If so then would you consider the POG Heavyweight Championship the most prestigious title you have held?
Chase Matthews: I held a cruiserweight title for a promotion called Hometown Championship Wrestling (HCW). That was bought out by International Ring of Grapplers (IROG) and shortly after I lost the title.
Daniel Johnson: POG has not had a show since July of this year. Do you expect the company to return in the near future or are there any obstacles that may get in the way of this happening?
Chase Matthews: There are a few obstacles that it has to overcome, but never say never.
Daniel Johnson: You mentioned there are some obstacles before POG can get back to doing it’s thing. Can you go into any more detail about that?
Chase Matthews: We just need a spot to run shows.
Daniel Johnson: I also wanted to ask some questions about your career in general, beyond just POG. You have worked with Dan Severn a bit. What is the most important thing you have learned from Severn?
Chase Matthews: Dan only really taught me the basics. Lock up, bumps, etc. All my training goes to Josh Abercrombie, Roderick Street and Jack Thriller.
Daniel Johnson: What are some short term goals you would like to accomplish over the next year or so?
Chase Matthews: Get back to ring shape. Its been almost six months since I’ve had a match.
Daniel Johnson: What do you consider to be your best match to date overall?
Chase Matthews: I have a few. All three matches with CJ Otis, my Glory Cup match with Jack and my matches with Dollar. I’ve had a few outside of POG.
Daniel Johnson: How does 2013 rank compared to your past years in wrestling?
Chase Matthews: 2013 was by far my best year.
Daniel Johnson: I always like to try to find out about ribs and road stories? Do you have one of either you would be able to share?
Chase Matthews: Right now I go on the road with Jack and some of the newer students. One of them hasn’t grasped the concept of the “totem pole” and thinks just because I’m injured, he ranks above me. So one day after taking all of his crap, I decided to get him back by switching his music. He does an all American gimmick, and ended up coming out to The Waitresses’ “I Know What Boys Like.” He will learn. Eventually.
Daniel Johnson: I also like to ask five non-wrestling related questions just to bring a little uniqueness to the interview. Outside of wrestling, what television shows do you enjoy watching these days?
Chase Matthews: I don’t watch a lot of TV. But when I am super bored, I turn on an episode of Pawn Stars.
Daniel Johnson: What was your favorite movie that came out this year?
Chase Matthews: There are a few. Man of Steel, The Conjuring, Thor: The Dark World, We’re the Millers, Grown Ups 2. I’m sure I left out a few.
Daniel Johnson: What is your favorite food that you tried for the first time this year?
Chase Matthews: I tried a pomegranate for the first time. It was really good.
Daniel Johnson: What is your favorite song to come out this year?
Chase Matthews: I came out to “White Washed” by August Burns Red and “Mr. Highway’s Thinking About the End” by A Day to Remember. Pretty solid tunes.
Daniel Johnson: What is the last book you read and would you recommend it?
Chase Matthews: the last book I read was a road stories book by the guys in WWE. Pretty entertaining. I recommend it. Unfortunately, I’m not much of a reader.
Daniel Johnson: I wanted to close with just a few more brief wrestling questions. What is the weirdest part of being a pro wrestler?
Chase Matthews: Being in the locker room with a bunch of grown ass men changing haha.
Daniel Johnson: Who is one wrestler 25 or under that you think readers should know about?
Chase Matthews: Is it appropriate to say me? That’s a hard question. I don’t know a lot of guys younger than me.
Daniel Johnson: Is there anything you would like to add?
Chase Matthews: I’m one month away from, getting back in the ring. Add me on Facebook and see where I’m going to be. Come show your support.
Check out Chase Matthews in Action! In this match for the Outlaw Championship Wrestling Alliance (OCWA), Matthews takes on Jack Verville and Jack Thriller in a triple threat match:
Categories: Wrestling Interviews
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