Category Archives: Featured

AJ Styles is ready to move up or move on in TNA

By Jonathan Williams

Before he became a “Phenomenal” standout star in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, AJ Styles made an equally impressive debut at National Championship Wrestling and NWA Wildside, a Georgia-based National Wrestling Alliance promotion (now known as NWA Anarchy) that has been the breeding ground for numerous other professional wrestling talents such as Abyss, Gunner, R-Truth, New Jack, Evan Bourne and Jimmy Rave. With TNA returning to Georgia this Wednesday for an Impact Wrestling taping in Macon, I spoke to Styles last week in an interview for my new Georgia Wrestling History radio show, Georgia Wrestling Now.

Courtesy Impact Wrestling

In the interview, which will air in its entirety tonight, Styles seems frustrated by the direction his career (and TNA as a company) has been going as of late. Though he seemed poised to carry the company to new heights as the TNA World Heavyweight Champion early last year (as the Hulk Hogan/Eric Bischoff regime assumed power of TNA), he has since fallen to mid-card status while Fortune stablemates Robert Roode and James Storm have become title contenders.

Despite his victory over Christopher Daniels at Bound for Glory earlier this month, as well as Dixie Carter’s return to power in TNA (thanks to Sting‘s victory over Hogan at Bound for Glory) and Storm‘s TNA World Heavyweight Championship victory over Kurt Angle on last week’s Impact Wrestling, Styles does not seem optimistic about TNA right now.

For someone who has held every men’s title in TNA (many on multiple occasions), Styles says there is someone who “still says I don’t possess whatever ‘it’ is.” And whether he’s receiving the ire or accolades of the fans, Styles says his main goal is to entertain them as best he can.

Courtesy Impact Wrestling

“I prefer, first and foremost, that the fans are entertained by me,” he says. “I believe they like to watch me wrestle, so I guess that kind of makes me a good guy. But in the end it’s not me who decides what the fans want; it’s the fans who decide that. That’s the most important thing. That’s how it should be done and hopefully that’s how we’ll do it here in TNA. I’m sorry, Impact Wrestling. I don’t even know anymore. Do I say TNA Impact Wrestling or do I say Impact Wrestling TNA? I’m just going to say Impact Wrestling to go on the safe side.”

Tune in tonight at Blogtalkradio.com/psp to hear the entire interview. And catch Styles at the Macon Coliseum this Wednesday and on Spike TV on Thursday.

For more information, go to www.ajstyles.org or www.impactwrestling.com.

“Enigma” highlights the charisma and chaos of TNA’s Jeff Hardy

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Prior to his recent return to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, Jeff Hardy‘s last appearance in a TNA ring was in the main event of Victory Road last March. Considering that he didn’t come anywhere close to defeating Sting for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship and, instead, was pinned in less than two minutes in what will likely always be considered one of the company’s most embarrassing moments, it might seem unwise for TNA to release a two-disc set celebrating Hardy’s most recent stint with the company.

Enigma: The Best of Jeff Hardy, Volume 2, however, is actually a good reminder of Hardy’s accomplishments prior to Victory Road. From interviews with childhood friends and peers such as Kurt Angle, Sting and brother Matt Hardy to footage of Jeff at home with his artwork, dirt bike and baby daughter, Enigma shows the seemingly down-to-earth guy behind the makeup and mishaps. More importantly, the DVD set features some of Hardy’s best matches in TNA, as well as footage of his 2004 debut at the Asylum against AJ Styles, his return on the Jan. 4, 2010 and his first match back with the company last March (again against Styles in an impressive non-title victory over the then-TNA Champion).

Enigma chronicles Hardy’s climb to the top of TNA’s ladder (literally, in some instances) as he teams, then feuds, with Mr. Anderson, has a great series with Angle that includes some incredible matches with awful endings, reunites with Matt and becomes the TNA Champion after his ultimate heel turn at last year’s Bound for Glory. Though his inclusion in Immortal (like so many other things about that faction) seems a bit nonsensical, the fact that he was actually able to achieve his greatest success since returning to TNA despite the egos of Immortal’s other members (and that horrendous custom title belt) says a lot about Hardy’s charisma in and out of the ring.

The DVD concludes with two of his best TNA matches to date; a ladder match against Anderson at Against All Odds where Hardy regained the TNA title and the March 3 Impact! match against the returning Sting, in which Sting defeated Hardy for the title. Both of these matches happened just weeks before that other match against Sting at Victory Road, which makes Hardy’s inevitable fall from grace that much harder to accept. Of course, this being a “Best of” DVD, that match is not included. And as evidenced by what is included in this collection, including an amusing episode of his Internet-based The Hardy Show (as well as the positive fan reaction Hardy has received since his return to TNA in recent weeks), Hardy clearly has plenty more to offer as long as his self-destructive risks are limited to athletic displays rather than reckless ones. Let’s just hope his current run results in a third volume rather than another public spectacle.

Bobby Roode seems Bound for Glory in his main event match against Kurt Angle

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By Jonathan Williams

Best known for his multiple Total Nonstop Action World Tag Team Title reigns with “The Cowboy” James Storm as Beer Money, Bobby Roode has proven himself as a capable singles wrestler after winning the Bound for Glory Series last month at No Surrender. As a result, he now finds himself just days away from the biggest singles match of his career as he challenges Kurt Angle for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship this Sunday at Bound for Glory. Having overcome Angle’s gauntlet on Impact Wrestling (pitting Roode against his Fortune stablemates in singles matches over the past few weeks), Roode appears to be in his prime heading into his first world title match. As he prepares for the main event at TNA’s biggest pay-per-view of the year, Roode talks to Wrestling with Pop Culture about how ready he is for the match.

With all that’s going on in TNA with Hulk Hogan, Immortal and older wrestlers, including Kurt Angle, how do you plan on helping usher in a new era for TNA if you become the new World Heavyweight Champion?

If I become the champion, obviously just having a new face in the main event is something that a TNA original like myself, who has been with the company from day one and has never left and has been very loyal to the company, it gives a TNA original a chance to be a main eventer, to carry the company and to defend the title on a regular basis. It just opens new doors for new competitors to put on some fresh matches. So I think it’s just the beginning.

Your match is one of a few that could potentially have bigger consequences for the future of TNA. Where do you think it would leave Fortune and the other younger TNA talent if you aren’t able to defeat Kurt Angle for the title at Bound for Glory?

The way I look at it, failure really isn’t an option for me this Sunday. I honestly haven’t thought about the consequences if I didn’t win. This match is huge for me and it’s something I’ve been waiting for my entire life. If I don’t win the match, it just means the younger guys are going to have to pull up their socks and work that much harder. I think it’s going to be in the hands of myself, James [Storm], AJ Styles, even guys like Samoa Joe, the TNA originals, the guys that have built the company from scratch and have been here through thick and thin, the good times and the bad, to really step up and steal the show. Regardless of who’s going to be in the main event, they just have to prove to the world and to wrestling fans that really we’re the ones that are carrying the company.

You’ve obviously been a very accomplished tag team wrestler throughout your TNA career. This being your first singles title opportunity, how would you say your background as a tag team wrestler and being part of factions like Fortune and Team Canada may have prepared you for a match like this one?

Obviously people identify me as a tag team wrestler and the success I’ve had as a tag team wrestler has been documented with Team Canada and with James and Beer Money. But I got in this business 13-plus years ago to be a world champion and the only way to be world champion is to go out on your own and prove yourself. After almost nine years with this company, being in tag team situations pretty much my whole career, it’s time for me to step out and really prove to everyone what I’m about. Not just for me, but for James as well. I think our match last Thursday was just the tip of the iceberg of what we can do as singles guys. I think it’s just going to be a new start for this company, giving us an opportunity to step outside tag wrestling and improve ourselves. As far as preparing myself, I’ve been prepared for this my entire career. This title is something that I’ve dreamed about and aspired to for as long as I can remember.

I don’t recall you ever having a singles match against Kurt Angle. Will this be your first one-on-one encounter with him?

I actually faced Kurt a couple of years ago on Impact. It was a Thanksgiving day tournament with me and Kurt. It was a TV match, but this is probably the most important match I’ve ever had with anyone, let alone Kurt.

His tactics over the past few weeks, pitting you against your Fortune teammates each week, seems to have kind of backfired on him. Instead of causing dissension, it seems to have solidified Fortune as a unit. How do you think that will effect things going into your match on Sunday?

The matches I’ve had, I’ve obviously been successful in. Obviously my confidence level has risen being able to step in the ring against my friends and beat them at their best. The matches I’ve had with Kazarain, AJ and last week with James were some of my favorite matches to date. To be able to go out there and have great matches and be victorious in these matches has really boosted my confidence. By booking these matches over the last month, I think Kurt thought it would go in his favor. Obviously it hasn’t, so if anybody is worried about the outcome this Sunday, I think it might be Kurt, the way things are going.

Bound for Glory. $12-$153. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 16. (also on pay-per-view and in movie theaters at 8 p.m.). The Liacouras Center, 1776 N. Broad St., Philadelphia, Penn. 800-298-4200, www.impactwrestling.com.

“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.