Category Archives: Interviews

“The Demigod” Mason speaks out about challenging Grotesque for the PCW Championship

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By Jonathan Williams

Up until just a few months ago, anyone going to a Platinum Championship Wrestling show would expect to see “The Demigod” Mason coming to the ring flanked by his Witnesses and other self-righteous fanfare. As PCW’s self-proclaimed savior, Mason typically berates the audience and his opponents for being misguided heathens. But in recent months, Mason’s demeanor has gone through a gradual change that has seen him aligned with former PCW Champion Shane Marx and, more recently, becoming the number one contender for that same title, currently held by the demented Grotesque. Since Mason’s apparent shift in ideology, he has refrained from his usual oratories and has been unusually silent in front of PCW audiences. Tonight, Mason looks to gain his first PCW Championship as he takes on the seemingly unstoppable Grotesque in a steel cage main event at Sacred Ground: Chapter 2. As he prepares for perhaps the biggest challenge of his career, Mason grants his exclusive interview to Wrestling with Pop Culture.

It was only a few months ago that you were talking down to the PCW audience and disliked by most fans. After an odd series of events you’ve somehow become a fan favorite and number one contender for the PCW Heavyweight Championship. Why would you say you’ve become a fan favorite as of late?

Photo by Jason Ventura

If you’ll remember correctly, I barred my witnesses from ringside a few months ago and took on Shane Marx one on one. I think that got the proverbial monkey off my back. I had faced Shane Marx six or seven times when he had the title and, in my mind, had he regained the title from Grotesque you’d be looking at the new World Heavyweight Champion already. But it was a turning point in my career and more about having to prove something to myself.

Not only that, but Shane Marx gained a lot of my respect that night. He had nothing to gain by taking on the challenge, but being the man that he is he came out to face me. When Jay Fury had to bow out of the tag team season with Marx because of an injury, Aisha Sunshine became his partner. Because of an injury she sustained from Pandora, that left him high and dry again. Having proven his mettle to me, I took it upon myself to go out there and stand next to him in the tag team season.

It wasn’t completely altruistic. Of course I was there last year with my partner Scott Steele and we took it all the way to the finals. I have to give it to the Washington Bullets, they bested us in the finals. Then they took on myself and Shane Marx in what I assumed was an improved unit and they got the best of us again in a series of seven. Though I won’t be in the finals, obviously at this point my goal is much higher as I’m looking at Grotesque in a cage at Sacred Ground.

Grotesque seems to be unstoppable, especially since he became the champion a few months ago. He went so far as to wield a chainsaw against Chip Day, then against you last week. How do you think being in a cage with him will change that dynamic?

Photo by Jason Ventura

As you’re aware, Grotesque is part of the Empire. The Empire has been nothing but a menace since they’ve come into PCW. To this point, it has really been other members of the Empire that have been trying to take me out, like Sylar Cross, Lee Roy, Master Jae and all the other Empire lackeys. Being in the cage with a monster who seemingly doesn’t feel pain? I’ve never once seen him get pinned. His one loss was a supposed knockout, but he tore a turnbuckle off the ring and proceeded to jam into the mouth of referee Duke Korey and terrorize the crowd after that match. So I don’t know how unconscious Grotesque was, but the Phantom does have one victory over him. I’m not going to sit here and tell you it’s not a tall task. It’s nearly insurmountable. But I will find a way. I’m a very resourceful man, in case you haven’t noticed.

Since aligning yourself with Shane Marx, then becoming the number on contender for the PCW title, you’ve said nothing publicly to the PCW audience. Why has the normally outspoken Mason had this change of demeanor or change of heart?

I don’t know if I’ve had a change of heart. I’m still the Demigod. I still lead a Nation of Witnesses, which is one of the most loyal followings to this day. My focus has certainly changed. It has changed from needing to get the message across being my sole reason for wrestling to acquiring the championship belt to further spread my message.

It’s a cold, dark world out there, Jonathan Williams. I’m not sure it’s a world you’re ready to face. I still offer my services to any of the Witnesses who lack that direction, who lack that leadership in their lives. I am the prophet, I am the savior, I am “The Demigod” Mason.

Are you implying that I might need the type of guidance you offer?

I’ve offered once before. I’d offer again, Jon Williams, but not at the risk of being turned down twice. But are you saying you’d like to come live on the Nirvana Ranch?

I was just picking up on some implications and wanted to make sure I understood you correctly. Forgive my memory, but when was your previous offer extended to me?

I believe it was about this time last year. It’s an open door for you, Jon Williams. You’re always welcome to join the Witnesses.

I’ll keep that in mind. I’ve noticed that in recent months you’ve had only one Witness, though a seemingly very loyal one, accompanying you to the ring in PCW. What is the significance of the man now simply known as “The Witness” and why is he the only one you bring to the ring now?

Could this be Mason's fate against Grotesque at Sacred Ground? Photo by Jason Ventura

In the past, Witnesses have served a number of roles, some of which have been for destruction, some of which have been for sacrifice, sometimes they join me just to make my human staircase. This one Witness in particular has proven to follow me without regard for himself, which is truly an act of sacrifice. The man would fall on the spear and gets up over and over again. He’s always proven to have my back and to have that blind loyalty that’s necessary to be a Witness. He’s joined me recently and I’ve taught him a few things. He’s not the quickest, but certainly an extremely strong, big man. He’ll do the job.

Will he be part of your master plan to win the title at Sacred Ground?

Well, we’ll be in a cage. So I don’t know if he’s ready to climb the cage and jump over the top. But as far as controlling the outside, I’ll absolutely depend on him.

Sacred Ground: Chapter 2. $5-$12. 8 p.m. Sept. 24. Sharon Baptist Church, 536 North Ola Road, McDonough, Ga. 770-957-5072, www.platinumchampionshipwrestling.com.

PCW’s Chip Day takes on NWA Champion Adam Pearce at Sacred Ground: Chapter 2

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Platinum Championship Wrestling holds its biggest show of the year, Sacred Ground: Chapter 2, on Sept. 24. With at least seven crucial matches on the card (three of which will take place inside a steel cage), Sacred Ground could prove to be one of the biggest professional wrestling spectacles of the year. One reason for that is a match pitting current National Wrestling Alliance World Heavyweight Champion “Scrap Iron” Adam Pearce against one of PCW’s most promising up-and-comers “Do Or Die” Chip Day.

NWA Champion Adam Pearce. Photo by Shane M. Kidder of SlamPhotos.com

Pearce, who defended the NWA Championship at last year’s Sacred Ground against then-PCW Champion Shane Marx, became a four-time NWA Champion when he regained the belt on July 31. He has since retained the title against the likes of Total Nonstop Action Wrestling‘s Gunner, and continues to be one of wrestling’s top talents.

For Day, this match is arguably the biggest one of his career thus far. And that’s saying a lot considering that he put up an impressive fight against PCW Champion Grotesque two months ago before almost living up to his “Do Or Die” moniker when Grotesque attacked him with chainsaw. Day then proved his worth in a much more technical three-way bout against two of Ring of Honor‘s best, Kyle O’Reilly and ROH Champion Davey Richards. More recently, Day has continued to establish his winning ways against opponents as diverse as the veteran Terry Lawler and the more flamboyantly fast-paced Najasism.

Chip Day (right) in action. Photo by Jason Ventura

“I think I’ve only gotten better since that title match with Grotesque,” says Day. ” And that match I had with Kyle O’Reilly and Davey Richards at the Academy Theatre did nothing but help prepare me for what was in store. Both of them are world class competitors and to be in there with them was an honor. I think it helped prove to not just PCW fans or fans of the Georgia scene, or even of the Southern indie scene, but to the world that Chip Day can step in there with the best competitors the world has to offer and stand toe to toe.”

Though he has proven to be a fighting champion, Pearce is still not certain that Day is worthy of a shot at one of wrestling’s most prestigious titles. And apparently neither is the NWA.

“The NWA hasn’t even authorized me to defend the championship against Chip Day because frankly nobody knows who Chip Day is,” concurs Pearce. “I would never say these things, but the Board of Directors for the NWA said to me, ‘Chip Day is just some ham-and-egger off the street that really doesn’t deserve a shot at the oldest and most prestigious championship in wrestling.’ I took a little bit of umbrage in that because being the giving champion that I am, though I am somewhat unfamiliar with him I told him six weeks ago that if he could maintain a winning record over the last 30 days and come into Sacred Ground proving himself to me, I would defend the championship against him. So I’m waiting to hear from Chip Day to see if he’s lived up to his end of the bargain.”

Pearce’s message was delivered to Day via video at a recent PCW show. But while Pearce and the NWA may be unfamiliar with Day, Day not only saw Pearce’s match at Sacred Ground last year, but was also in the corner of Jimmy Rave when Pearce regained the NWA title more recently.

“The one thing I’ve learned is that Adam hits really hard,” says Day. “But I’ve been known to hit pretty hard myself. I kick really hard, is what I’m told. Adam can hit me as hard as he wants, but even if he knocks me down he’s not going to keep me from getting up. That’s what ‘Do Or Die’ comes from. I go out there to leave it all in the ring.

“I do or I die in that ring and Adam can give me all the lariats he wants, he can piledrive me as he’s been known to do sometimes, he can bring foreign objects into it or whatever he wants to do. But there’s nothing that’s going to stop me from pulling myself back up and looking him in the eye and telling him he cannot break me. He’s going to do whatever he needs to do to hold onto that belt, but there’s nothing that’s going to stop me from reaching what I feel is my destiny.”

While Day feels that he has proven himself worthy of a shot at the NWA Championship, it seems that Pearce is going wait until Sacred Ground to reveal whether or not the title will be on the line. After issuing another video message to Day earlier this week, Pearce seems to feel that Day has yet to meet his previous demands.

Photo by Jason Ventura

“I feel sorry for Chip Day,” says Pearce. “Here’s somebody who’s trying to prove himself, which is what Sacred Ground is all about. Last year my opponent, who I won’t even name, came unprepared for someone of the skill level of myself and now Chip Day finds himself unceremoniously on the other side of the ring facing an even greater challenge. I’m in the best shape of my life and looking to make an example. Unfortunately for Chip Day that example will be made with him.

“In the last six weeks I haven’t heard a peep out of Chip Day except for a couple of tweets. But I don’t have to tell you what tweets will get you. Tweets will get you nothing. I want to see some evidence, I want to see him man to man, eye to eye, nose to nose, toe to toe, look me in the face, tell me, show me, prove to me that he’s a winner. That’s the only way he’s going to get a shot at the gold. I have no problem putting the championship on the line against somebody who deserves it. I’m just not sure that man is Chip Day.”

Day replied with a video message of his own today. But only time will tell who will be the better man and who leaves Sacred Ground with the NWA title.

Sacred Ground: Chapter 2. $5-$12. 8 p.m. Sept. 24. Sharon Baptist Church, 536 North Ola Road, McDonough, Ga. 770-957-5072, www.platinumchampionshipwrestling.com.

 

 

 

 

Reverend Dan Wilson returns for Dragon*Con Wrestling’s 10th anniversary

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While Dragon*Con celebrates its 25th anniversary as Atlanta’s gathering of all things pop culture this weekend, Dragon*Con Wrestling celebrates its 10th year of in-ring absurdity. While this year’s card features many faces that will be familiar to fans of DCW (and in the National Wrestling Alliance’s southeastern territories), it’s the sacriligi0usly adorned Reverend Dan Wilson and his brood of wretched wrestlers that has always been a perfect fit at an event with such a strong horror contingent. Though his Devil’s Rejects faction has disbanded, the Rev. will still be offering his services in two of the biggest matches on the card this year. As he prepares his Hate Junkies for their Dragons Cup Tag Team Title bout and the sadistic Azrael for his main event match against Slim J, Wilson talks to Wrestling with Pop Culture about his history with DCW and beyond.
You’re managing wrestlers in two different matches at Dragon*Con. First, you’ll be in the corner of the Hate Junkies in their match against the Usual Suspects for the Dragons Cup Tag Team Title.

The Hate Junkines: Strykyn, Reverend Dan Wilson and Dany Only. Photo by Cassie White with digital edits by Jeff "El Heffe" Brown

Yes. The Hate Junkies were my next project after the Devil’s Rejects disbanded. I had seen them in Alternative Pro Wrestling out of Royston, Georgia and saw potential in them immediately as a tag team. dany only and Stryknyn are a true tag team in every sense. They know how to use their partners to their advantage, they know how to sacrifice themselves if need be for the good of the team. They are two vile individuals. I got them right out of the mosh pits of the gutter punk scene where they ran around with people like GG Allin and the Misfits. They unleashed a lot of damage in those circles and they’re not very well liked around the concert scene because they’re always whipping somebody’s ass.

Why are the Devil’s Rejects no longer a faction at Dragon*Con?
They’re no longer around in Georgia, or at least at NWA Anarchy, per a stipulation where when we finally imploded in late 2009 the Devil’s Rejects had come down to just me and Shaun Tempers, who is now the NWA North American Champion. We had the Rejects in one corner and “The Strong Style Psycho” Tank in the other and we had to fight over the rights to the Rejects. Tank ended up walking away the victor of that battle, so we’re not allowed to be the Devil’s Rejects at NWA Anarchy until that stipulation expires. I’m not sure when that is. I’d have to check with my attorney.
The Hate Junkies are also affiliated with a stable known as the Profits of Doom. Are you involved with that as well?
Only in the sense that dany only is one of my clients. I advise him and he takes up ventures that he thinks might benefit him. And certainly one with a man of wealth and stature like Andrew Pendleton III cannot be a bad relationship. He’s getting plenty of financing in that relationship.
What are your thoughts on the Junkies’ match for the Dragons Cup Tag Team Title against the Usual Suspects?
They’re crowning new champions, so it will be the former NWA World Tag Team Champions the Usual Suspects taking on the former NWA Anarchy Tag Team Champions, who have also held titles in many other promotions around the Southeast. So it’s really a dream match for a lot of fans. The Hate Junkies, for the last couple of years, have dominated in the northern part of the state. And even though it was a very brief run, the Usual Suspects winning the World Tag Titles in the southern part of the state has to be respected. So it really is a clash of the titans, so to speak.

 

 

You’ll also be managing Azrael in the main event, who was also a member of
the Devil’s Rejects, right?

Reverend Dan Wilson and Azrael. Photo by Franklin Dove

Yes, he was a founding member of the Devil’s Rejects. He’s a longtime star in the State of Georgia and probably one of the most underrated talents you’ve ever seen. Azrael has been around since the late ’90s in the NWA and started out at the bottom of the barrel like anyone else and he worked his way up. Over the years he was saddled with a couple of silly personas that degraded him. But he came into his own and found out who he was, first in a tag team with a man by the name of Chad Parham, also known as Gabriel, called the Lost Boys, where they achieved national success and traveled the country, competing in Combat Zone Wrestling and many other promotions around the United States. From there he went on to team with current NWA World Tag Team Champion Kory Chavis [aka Rainman] as the NWA Elite and had success there. Then he joined my Devil’s Rejects and we tore a run of terror through the Southeast that may never be equalled.

Azrael was a huge part of that. He has a style that’s really unique and unorthodox, and very based in the martial arts and also kamikaze as he’ll just destroy himself to destroy his opponents if that’s what it takes. He’s going to be taking on Slim J in the main event of Dragon*Con. This is a world class rivalry that goes back many, many years. They’ve probably faced each other well over 100 times and I’d say the outcome’s been about 50/50. It’s going to literally be like watching a martial arts movie, and very far removed from a wrestling match because it’s almost futuristic, the level that these two know each other.
Will you be involved in any other matches this year at Dragon*Con?
I previously managed Shaun Tempers, but he has just done so well for himself with this “Temptation” persona that he’s created. He’s got his own line of cologne, he’s the NWA North American Champion and he doesn’t need dear old dad, the Rev., anymore. That’s OK because I still manage a lot of his business affairs and things. But he’s gone into his own thing that’s not really what we’re about here in my camp. I wish him the best of luck, but I will not be appearing in his corner this year at Dragon*Con.

 

 

Photo by Christine Coons

Outside of Dragon*Con, what other shows do you have coming up?

 

 

NWA Anarchy’s still running strong the second and fourth Saturday of each month in Cordelia, Georgia. NWA Chattanooga runs once a month and those are my main two ventures now, along with WrestleHemia, which is a night club wrestling attraction in Chattanooga. I will also be part of the Empire Pro Wrestling show in Rossville, Georgia this Saturday night. That might become a regular thing, but we’re going to see how it goes.
I also have a weekly podcast called The Midnight Black Mass that you can hear at www.blogtalkradio.com\dragonsrejects every Thursday night at 1 a.m. Eastern Standard Time. We cover comic books, wrestling, horror movies and music, and we try to have guests on from all of those venues.
Dragon*Con Wrestling. $30-$120. 7 p.m. Sept. 3. Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Centennial II-III. 265 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta, Ga. 770-909-0115, www.dragoncon.org.

“Scrap Iron” Adam Pearce prepares to defend his NWA World Heavyweight Championship

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By Jonathan Williams

Having won the National Wrestling Alliance World Heavyweight Championship last weekend in Ohio, “Scrap Iron” Adam Pearce comes to the NWA Wrestling Legends Fanfest Weekend as a four-time World Champion. Though his in-ring tactics are often less than scrupulous, Pearce joins a championship lineage of wrestling greats that includes the likes of Ric Flair, Harley Race and Dusty Rhodes. Before heading to Atlanta for the fanfest, and to defend his newly-won title in Carrollton, Ga. on Saturday, Pearce talks to Wrestling with Pop Culture about once again being the NWA Champion.

You regained the NWA World Heavyweight Championship last weekend in Ohio. How does it feel to be coming to Atlanta as the champion, where that title has so much history?

It doesn’t matter what city you’re in. Obviously to carry the NWA Championship is a big enough deal in and of itself. But when you add to the fact that it’s in Atlanta, which obviously was a big stronghold for the National Wrestling Alliance for a number of years, it just kind of sweetens the deal a little bit. A little icing on the cake.

You’ll not only be appearing at the fanfest, but you’ll also be defending that title in Carrollton on Saturday against Total Nonstop Action Wrestling’s Gunner. The two of you are no strangers as you faced him when he was known as Phil Shatter. Will this be the first time you’ve ever faced him one-on-one for the title?

He was involved in the match where I won the championship last year in Charlotte from Blue Demon, Jr. I was scheduled to face [Gunner] one-on-one another time, but that match didn’t happen.

Gunner has obviously achieved a lot since your last encounter, having held the TNA Television Title. Having been the NWA Champion for less than a week, how have you prepared for this Saturday’s match?

With a little less than a week to prepare, you’ve just got to stay in the game and be ready to go.

This is your fourth NWA World Championship reign. How would you say you compare to some of the previous legends who have held that title?

I wouldn’t even answer that question. That’s something that the fans would have to answer. I don’t get involved in legacy or hypothetical ranking scenarios. I think that’s something for armchair quarterbacks and fans to do. I just do the best I can every time I step foot in the ring.

The NWA Championship is one of the most prestigious titles in all of wrestling. Where do you think that title stands in comparison to world titles in other promotions today?

I think the National Wrestling Alliance World Heavyweight Championship is the godfather to every wrestling championship there is and should be treated and respected as such.

As the champion, how would you say you uphold and respect its history and represent the organization as a whole?

You tell me. What do you think?

I am an unbiased journalist.

Oh, are you? Well, I think the track record speaks for itself. I think someone who has defended that championship more in the last four years than anyone before, including when it was in TNA, means that I bleed the National Wrestling Alliance literally and figuratively. And if you are trying to, in some way, insult or denigrate how I may or may not retain my championship, then you’re a fool.

NWA Wrestling Legends Fanfest Weekend. $20-$224, free for children ages 10 and younger. Aug. 4-7. Atlanta Airport Marriott, 4711 Best Road, Atlanta, Ga. 404-766-7900.

Live Wrestling Matches. $21 ($21-$35 for charter bus service from the Marriott). 6 p.m. Aug. 6. Veterans of Foreign Wars Fairgrounds, 1625 Bankhead Highway, Carrollton, Ga. 404-832-3519,  www.nwalegends.com.

James J. Dillon returns to Atlanta for NWA Wrestling Legends Fanfest Weekend

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By Jonathan Williams

While the wrestling manager is almost a lost are these days, it wasn’t that long ago that a good manager could help create the next wrestling star or faction. As the leader of the original Four Horsemen (Ric Flair, Tully Blanchard, Ole and Arn Anderson), James J. Dillon played just as big a role in what went on in the ring as his wrestling stablemates. A fixture in the National Wrestling Alliance territories of the ’80s (and a wrestler in his own right prior to that), Dillon maintained manegerial roles on and off camera for the World Wrestling Federation (now WWE) and World Championship Wrestling before retiring from the business in 2003. Though he’s no longer actively invovled in wrestling, he will be returning to his one-time galloping grounds in Atlanta this weekend for the NWA Wrestling Legends Fanfest Weekend.

The NWA Fanfest is being held in Atlanta for the first time. You obviously have a lot of history with the NWA both in Atlanta and in Charlotte, where this fanfest is usually held. What are your thoughts on returning to Atlanta this weekend?

I’m excited for a lot of reasons. I’ve been to almost all of these fanfests and I’ve seen a tremendous growth in this whole thing that Greg Price has done. I come from the original days when it was typical for fans to meet one of their idols and be able to take a Polaroid picture. Now digital cameras are able to print out quality 8 x 10s that people can get signed while the individual is still there.

I was born and raised in New Jersey, so my original exposure to professional wrestling was in the Northeast. When I actually started my professoinal career, it was in Charlotte with Jim Crockett, Sr., and I saw a whole different approach to the profession largely because you didn’t have the huge population centers. So I wrestled in the Carolinas, Georgia, Florida and Tennessee. I’ve had a tremendous career and have made a lot of friends over the years, so the fan in me comes out at this fanfest.

I spent a lot of time in Amarillo with Dory Funk, Jr. and Terry Funk, and I’ve remained very close friends with Terry to this day. Both of them had a big influence on my career, so anytime I can see them, let alone together, is a big deal. Tully is one of the original Four Horsemen and I’m always excited to spend some time with Tully. Baby Doll will be there and, of course, anytime you have a list of icons, Roddy Piper is on everybody’s list. I don’t get to see him all that frequently anymore, so I’m excited that he will be there as well.

A lot of today’s fans may not remember or even realize that you were a wrestler before you managed the Four Horsemen. By the time you came to Atlanta, you mostly just managing wrestlers, right?

I had well over 3,000 professional wrestling matches and I’m very proud of what I accomplished as a wrestler. I actually started as a referee, so being a referee on a part-time basis for seven or eight years prepared me to be a better wrestler. And my wrestling career, along with my time as a referee, enabled me to be a better manager. So it’s all been part of a total learning experience. I had a wonderful career and I’m very proud of it.

Ole, who was another original member of the Four Horsemen, has had some serious health issues and it’s great that Ole is going to be there. Mr. Wrestling II was in Charlotte last year and I was not there. Then he suffered a heart attack and was hospitalized, but he’s back and is going to be there as well. Paul Orndorff – who I got to know very well, especially during the closing years of WCW, where he was the running the Power Plant – has had some serious health issues and it will be good to see him. Of course, I haven’t seen Bobby “The Brain” Heenan, who I’ve always acknowledged as the greatest manager there ever was and the guy that set the bar by which all the rest of us are measured, in a while. He couldn’t be there at the last few, so I’m really looking forward to seeing Bobby after a number of years.

I also haven’t seen Haku in years and I was in Japan when he first started his career. Then I was in Amarillo when he came to America for the first time and, of course, watched him develop into a huge star in our business. I haven’t seen Haku in years and I’m excited he’s going to be there. Pampero Firpo is about 80 years old and when I first started on a part-time basis in the late ’60s, he was around Detroit. And when I started in the Carolinas in the early ’70s, he was there teaming with Rock Hunter. I haven’t seen Pampero Firpo in all of these years. One guy that I’m really excited to see after a long time is “The Mongolian Stomper” Archie Gouldie. I first met him up in the Canadian Maritimes when I got a break up there in the early ’70s. After Amarillo, I went to Florida and he was wrestling in Florida, so I was around him quite a bit then. Archie left and went to Tennessee with Bearcat Wright as his manager and for some reason it didn’t work out. I was still in Florida when I got a call asking if I’d ever given any thought to managing, which I hadn’t. So we went to Dallas and that was the beginning of a significant chapter in my career. Archie’s been somewhat of a recluse and has had some serious health issues of his own. He’s been kind of reluctant to do any kind of appearances, but they’ve talked him into coming to the fanfest in Atlanta, so I’m really excited to see him. I haven’t seen him in 35 years.

Aside from seeing old friends and meeting fans, will you be part of any panels or other events?

Jim Cornette was supposed to host the Hall of Heroes dinner banquet this year, but he wasn’t able to make it. Of course, there’s no such thing as replacing Jim Cornette, but I’m happy to pitch in and host that. Everybody that’s being honored certainly is Hall of Fame worthy and deserving of the recognition. The one that really got my attention this year is that they’re honoring Ted Turner. He really was a friend of wrestling for so many years. When he started the Superstation way back in 1976, an integral part of the programming was Georgia Championship Wrestling with Gordon Solie, which became World Championship Wrestling. Anybody that’s been in the business as long as I have knows that there’s nothing more valuable than a show with a consistent time slot. I know it was on for more than 25 years and there are still people that talk about how they used to schedule their Saturdays around being home in front of the television at 6:05. It’s certainly deserving that Ted Turner, who has been so good to wrestling, is finally getting the recognition for being a friend to wrestling. He’s been very successful with other ventures, but what he’s done with the Superstation and just the fact that he has given away so much of his wealth for charitable things, it’s just great that he’s getting this kind of recognition.

You’ve been out of wrestling for a few years now. Do you think you’ll ever return to the business in any capacity?

Well, the profession has changed so much. Everything changes in life and change is not always for the better. I participated when WWE did the Ric Flair & The Four Horsemen DVD, I was at Raw when Flair was recognized for what was then to be his retirement match after WrestleMania with Shawn Michaels and I’ve also participated in some of the Legends of Wrestling roundtable discussions that WWE has on its Classics On Demand channel because we’re talking about the very things being emphasized this weekend, and that’s the tremendous history. Unfortuantely, unlike baseball, which is so statistical, and some other professional sports where the history is preserved, the only thing we have is our memories. A lot of times at functions like this, I end up seeing some of these guys for the last time. We lost Sir Oliver Humperdink, who was a dear friend, so it’s great that he’s being recognized at the Hall of Heroes this year, too.

NWA Wrestling Legends Fanfest Weekend. $20-$224, free for children ages 10 and younger. Aug. 4-7. (Hall of Heroes Dinner & Awards. $75. 7:30 p.m. Aug. 5). Atlanta Airport Marriott, 4711 Best Road, Atlanta, Ga. 404-766-7900, www.jjdillon.com, www.nwalegends.com.

“Superstar” Bill Dundee brings some “Memphis Heat” to the NWA Wrestling Legends Fanfest Weekend

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By Jonathan Williams

After moving to the United States from Australia in the early ’70s, “Superstar” Bill Dundee became a fixture in the Memphis wrestling scene alongside the likes of Jerry “The King” Lawler, “The Mouth of the South” Jimmy Hart and “Handsome” Jimmy Valiant. Perhaps best known for his multiple Tag Team Championship runs, Dundee has also held such titles as the National Wrestling Alliance Central States Heavyweight Championship, the NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship and the Continental Wrestling Association World Heavyweight Championship. His career is chronicled in the new documentary Memphis Heat: The True Story of Memphis Wrasslin’, showing this weekend at the Plaza Theatre. Dundee, who will also be in Atlanta for the NWA Wrestling Legends Fanfest Weekend, recounts some of his career with Wrestling with Pop Culture.

Aside from being a big part of Memphis wrestling history, what role did you play in the making of this film?

They got us all together and we did interviews. Then they just took the old tapes and put them together with the interviews. They talked to me, Lawler, [Jackie] Fargo and “Handsome” Jimmy. Take those away and what else have you got? In Memphis, wrestling was the number one show for 50 or 60 years. That’s a lot of people watching every Saturday.

Do you think this film accurately depicts the Memphis wrestling scene you were such a big part of? What have audiences thought of it so far?

I have every tape that’s in the film. There’s nothing new I haven’t seen. When I saw it last month in Memphis, people seemed to enjoy it. They had Lance Russell, Dave Brown, Jerry Lawler, Bobby Eaton, Bill Dundee and Jerry Jarrett all there live. So it wasn’t just on its own. We were all there. But people popped at the things they liked in the movie and they talked to us to thank us and let us know that they liked it.

Memphis Heat is screening at the Plaza this weekend and you’re scheduled to be at the NWA Fanfest. Will you be taking part in any panels or other events there?

I’ll be there from 2 o’clock to 5 o’clock on Saturday afternoon with Jerry Lawler if people want an autograph or just to come up and talk.

The legacy of the Memphis wrestling scene from that time is still apparent today with Lawler still active in WWE and you still wrestling from time to time. What do you think Memphis wrestling’s biggest contributions have been on today’s wrestling scene?

Well, you had three TV channels then. That was the biggest thing. You have 4,000 now. Wrestling was orchestrated mayhem and it wasn’t exposed, used and prostituted the way Vince McMahon has done to it today. You wouldn’t have been allowed to make that documentary 50 years ago. You had to be in the business before you was allowed to talk about it, but now everybody’s smart and everybody wants to be bookers and promoters and this and that. Now WWE is the only thing left because TNA sucks so bad that nobody watches it.

How often do you get in the ring these days?

I still do it a little bit on the weekends. But we’re all getting older and you just don’t want to do it no more. But there was one Saturday where Jackie Fargo, me and Lawler did a show and you couldn’t find an empty seat in the house. It wasn’t an arena or coliseum, but it was a pretty big building and people still want to come out.

NWA Wrestling Legends Fanfest Weekend. $20-$224, free for children ages 10 and younger. Aug. 4-7. Atlanta Airport Marriott, 4711 Best Road, Atlanta, Ga. 404-766-7900, www.nwalegends.com.

Memphis Heat: The True Story of Memphis Wrasslin’. $6.50-$9. 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Aug. 5-7. Plaza Theatre, 1049 Ponce de Leon Ave., Atlanta, Ga. 404-873-1939, www.memphis-heat.com, www.plazaatlanta.com.

 

 

 

Rob Van Dam brings “The Whole F’n Show” to the NWA Wrestling Legends Fanfest Weekend

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By Jonathan Williams

Rob Van Dam has held many championship titles and been known by many nicknames during his wrestling career. One of the few titles he has yet to hold is a National Wrestling Alliance championship, but that’s not stopping “The Whole F’n Show” from making his first NWA Wrestling Legends Fanfest appearance in Atlanta this weekend. As he prepares for the fanfest (as well as a match against Crimson this Sunday at Total Nonstop Action Wrestling‘s Hardcore Justice), RVD talks to Wrestling with Pop Culture about his career.

You’ve held many titles in wrestling, and you’ve held titles in companies that have previously been affiliated with the NWA, but you’ve never actually held an NWA title. How did you end up on this weekend’s NWA Fanfest given that you’ve never wrestled for the NWA?

I believe that to be true. One interesting, little-known fact that crossed my ears many years ago is that out of any other WWE Champion, I’ve held more championship titles than any other champion. Meaning that I have been the most decorated and diversified. That’s something that I’m proud of. An NWA title? No, I guess not.

The NWA was mostly defunct when I was coming up in the business. I think it was around for my first few years maybe, but shortly after that WCW was born and the NWA really kind of was unheard of for a while. Then some territories opened up under the NWA banner to carry on and one of those territories was in North Carolina with Greg Price. Greg Price has been a friend of mine for a long time. I met him way back in 1991 when I went to the Carolinas to wrestle Manny Fernandez. Greg Price was one of his promoters in the office and since that day, we’ve continued to do business and he’s always helped me out. I’ve always wanted to attend one of these because every year I hear that the NWA Fanfest is the largest wrestling convention that the fans get to go to. No matter where I’m at all year long for several years, I’ve always heard the fans asking, “Are you going to be at the NWA Fanfest this year, Rob?” I’ve always wanted to make it, but I’m always booked somewhere else. This year I finally get to make it.

The next day I have a pay-per-view for TNA Impact Wrestling, so I’ll be in Atlanta all day on Saturday signing autographs, taking pictures, meeting and talking with the fans and letting them fill my head with positive energy about how awesome I am and how I’ve impacted their lives.

This is the first time the NWA Fanfest has come to Atlanta, and your first NWA Fanfest. Is that a coincidence?

It’s really just a scheduling thing. [Price] usually has this in Charlotte, which is closer to his home base. I would have also been able to make it to Charlotte this year, but from what I understand this thing has been growing so big that having it in Atlanta will be advantageous for travelers to come in and out of the Atlanta airport. I know for sure that fans come to this thing from all over, from England, Australia and all over the country. They really look forward to it, so they make a vacation out of it. If you’re a huge wrestling fan, this is something you don’t want to miss. I’m looking forward to seeing a lot of my friends that I bump into here and there, and a lot of friends that I haven’t seen in years, so it’s a good time for us, too.

Many of the guests are legends of the industry, hence the name Legends Fanfest. How does it feel to be one of the few people appearing there that can clearly be considered a legend while also still actively wrestling?

It’s awesome. I’m really enjoying this part of my career where I’ve got more experience than most of the wrestlers and I know what I’m doing in the ring. At the same time, my body feels great and I can still move like when I was 25. There’s not a lot of wrestlers that fit into that category besides RVD. I feel like I’m a phenomenon because of that. I started professionally way back in ’89 and went to the Sheik’s school. And, of course, before that I was a huge dedicated fan and wrestling was a big part of my life. It’s pretty much been a lifelong thing and to be able to still go in the ring and do every move that I’ve ever done after 20-plus years is great.

Some of these guys helped make me a star. When I see Greg “The Hammer” Valentine, I think about back to 1992 or ’93 when the fans didn’t even know who Rob Van Dam was yet. I was wrestling Greg “The Hammer” Valentine and learning about the psychology and he was teaching me to hone my craft. A lot of these legends helped fill that spot.

Of course “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase will be there and he was part of your first on-screen wrestling experience.

Yeah, I was a fan that time when I got into the ring. I was in the crowd when they were doing the promotional piece where “The Million Dollar Man” would prove that everybody has a price. I was the most horrible negotiator in the world, by the way. He had been doing these bits on TV where people would keep raising the money. Like, he went to the emergency room in front of all these broken up people and said, “Nurse, I need a Band-Aid.” And she’d say, “Sir, you’ll have to wait.” Then he said, “Virgil, lay down $100.” And she said, “Sir, there’s a huge line.” And he said, “Virgil, lay down $200.” And she said, “Well it wouldn’t be fair…” And he said, “Virgil, $300” until she said, “Here’s your Band-Aid.” That was the whole deal, but I was so excited when I got to go in the ring and he said, “I’m going to give you $100 to kiss my hot, stinky, sweaty foot.” I don’t think he even finished the sentence before I kissed his foot. Then I was like, “Dude, Virgil. What’s up, bro.” I’ve learned how to negotiate a little better since then.

I was at another wrestling show later that month and I made it into the souvenir program. I was trying to show the person beside me, “You see this picture? You see that kid?” Right away the guy goes, “Oh, that’s all planted.” That’s the attitude with a lot of people with everything. But it’s that suspension of disbelief that you look for when you watch a movie or whatever. You want to forget about what’s draining your energy and invest your time into this, but some people won’t buy anything.

You’re taking on the undefeated Crimson this Sunday at Hardcore Justice. What are your thoughts on that match?

He’s still undefeated and that’s what he’s got going for him. Otherwise, I’d be like, “Who is this kid?” But the fact that he’s undefeated definitely makes people take notice. That’s what people noticed about Goldberg when he came in. And that’s what attracted me to the Ultimate Warrior when I was a kid. He was just crushing everybody and nobody could beat him. Crimson has that momentum and obviously he’s impressing a lot of people. He’s good, but then again I’m “The Whole F’n Show.” That’s how I’m looking at it for Sunday’s match.

NWA Wrestling Legends Fanfest Weekend. $20-$224, free for children ages 10 and younger. Aug. 4-7. Atlanta Airport Marriott, 4711 Best Road, Atlanta, Ga. 404-766-7900, www.robvandam.com, www.nwalegends.com.