ECW Recap 12/22/09: The Nickel - A Swagger-rific Homecoming

Written by Albert Dankwa

Heads:

Homecoming Video Packages and Hype: It's still early on in the in the tourney, but ECW is at least doing what they can pushing it as hard as they can hyping it up all throughout the night. The entire land of extreme revolves around this tournament right now and it's a good thing while it lasts.

Abe Washington: The show would be completely horrible without his punchlines tonight. Abe Wash is the man, enough said. It's still pretty amazing how Abe can instantly switch from heel to tweener to face at almost any given moment?


Edge of The Nickel:

Baretta and Croft: I like the team, but they weren't really that good on Abe's show. They put down Miz and Morrison along with The Hart Dynasty, but it didn't really go anywhere. The only good thing they did was verbally attack Tony Atlas telling him he's old and no one cares about him anymore when the subject if Tag Team titles came out. How can attend next year's ECW Homecoming if A) The tag champs are never on ECW and B) ECW will probably be long gone by then?

Still Aiming: What is it that Vance Archer is aiming for? I want to be interested in his character, but I'm not too sure. A dull and predictable win against Goldust doesn't help things either. Josh Matthew and Byron Saxton's dubbing Archer as a "Masterpiece of Agony" wasn't too shabby.

Rising Son: Yoshi and Swagger delivered an alright match. Yoshi started out offensively with his swift kicks, but Swagger caught a leg lifting him up in the process and ramming him right into the turnbuckle. Swagger got technical and kept on Yoshi continuously knocking him down before Yoshi turned the tables leaving Swagger in the corner in shock at how tough his opponent was before going to a commercial break, perfect timing.

The match resumes with Swagger overpowering Yoshi killing his leg barrage attempts and keeping him grounded. He proceeds to do push ups garnering some heat. Yoshi finally gets his legs moving after he kicks a rushing Swagger at the corner. He hits do kicks and a dropkick. Yoshi takes control of the match with multiple near falls until he was put out of his misery with the Roundhouse kick for the win.


Tails:

Starless Standards: Jack Swagger coming "home" if that is what you want to call it is fine, but what in the world was the reasoning behind a show where William Regal, Shelton Benjamin, and Christian weren't in action? At least one of them could have been in a match and I'm not including Benjamin's dark match against a now heel Tyler Reks. It is understandable that Christian and Benjamin should have some time to heal their wounds, but what happened to wanting to keep the ratings afloat? (assuming that is what they are aiming for). To top it all off Swagger gets pinned in one move. I'll be surprised if the ratings aren't atrocious this week.

Boulevard of Broken Dreamer(s): An ECW without Tommy Dreamer is like peanut butter without jelly. Dreamer hasn't played in significant role at all since his last ECW championship run that lasted from Extreme Rules until Night of Champions, but regardless of the role he played or didn't play he was ECW. Dreamer winning wasn't expected, but It couldn't have hurt to let the man exit on a good note instead of jobbing him out to Ryder of all people. It really looks like this show is coming to an end.

Swagger-rific: It's scary thinking that Swagger has to be on ECW to get some airtime, what was the point of getting drafted to RAW then?


Line(s) of The Night: "He used to call me all the time before his wife took his phone and knocked him upside his head" - Abraham Washington on Tiger Woods

"There's nothing wrong with playing 18 holes" - Abraham Washington on Tiger Woods

"I support Tiger Woods, us pimps gotta support each other!" - Abraham Washington on Tiger Woods

"Telling me how it's possible that your still running this place?" - Jack Swagger to Tiffany


Match Rundown:

Zack Ryder Def. Tommy Dreamer Match Rating - 1 star out of 5 stars

Vance Archer Def. Goldust (ECW Homecoming Tournament Match) Match Rating - 1.5 stars out of 5

Yoshi Tatsu Def. Jack Swagger (ECW Homecoming Tournament Match) Match Rating - 3 stars out of 5


Extreme Eight

1. Abraham Washington (Saved the entire show from falling under the "Tails" category)

2. Yoshi Tatsu (Somehow, someway, Yoshi is still in the spotlight)

3. Christian

4. Shelton Benjamin

5. Hurricane (ECW is still safe...for now)

6. Ezekiel Jackson

7. William Regal

8. Vance Archer

TNA Fires Bashir. Top 5 Talents TNA Should Sign

TNA is cleaing house, again, in attempt to make room for new talent. Last Thursday, we saw the TNA Knockout division get a boost with the return of Roxxi, but that's only a start of the changes. Sunday night, Sheik Abdul Bashir pulled down the Fired case and it's time for him to exit the six-sided ring for good. (It's been reported that Bashir asked his release and his wish was granted.)



But it looks as quickly as Bashir is leaving, TNA may be looking to bring in new talent. And no, I'm not referring to Hulk Hogan's fogey friends. Jeremy Borash posted on his Twitter page a pic of ROH's Young Bucks, who are today's version of the Hardy Boyz, were wrestling the Motor City Machine Guns. What a match up.

So assuming that TNA are smart enough to snatch up those two hot young stars, here are the top 5 free agents TNA should sign...Fogeys included.

5) Phil Shatter

While TNA typically goes for wrestlers who'd fit the X-Division mold, minus ex-WWE stars, Phil Shatter would be a wonderful breath of fresh air. After years of dominating the Indy Circuit, this big mamoth could test his power against TNA's best. Wondering about his crudentials? APW Chester Heavyweight Champion, NWA Anarchy Heavyweight Championship, NWA Mid-Atlantic Heritage Championship and current NWA National Heavyweight Championship (now for the second time), just to name a few of his championship reigns.

4) The TJ and Kirby Mack - Team MackTionTeam Macktion

This brother duo is not another flash in the pan tag team. TJ and Kirby Mack are a fast paced tag team that will have you on your feet from bell to bell. Krazy K and The Encore's arsenal of "did you see that" moves will make for amazing bouts with lightweights like MCMG all the way up to Team 3D. And if you heard them on Hit The Ropes Radio you know just how down to earth they are... and how funny they can be. Hilarious and talented. A dangerous combination.

3) Ken Anderson

Now I'm not the big fan of Ken Anderson. I think he has great charisma on the mic. And his in-ring is probably a little underrated as it's overshadowed by multiple mistakes, so TNA would be the perfect place for him to shine. And yeah, we get it already. You have a great announcing voice. But if you don't hurry up and make an Impact that's about all you'll be able to do.

2) Chris Hero

It's hard to say more than HTR's Samantha Allen stated about Chris Hero in her article Hero is the New Jericho. Chris Hero is a great talent and the article sparked some debate from both Chris Jericho and Chris Hero via Twitter. If TNA can't get their hands on the Lionheart, they can't go wrong with the new Chris in pro wrestling.

1) RVD

Reportedly one of the number one wrestlers on Hulk Hogan's to get list, RVD is a must sign for TNA. Yeah, he's 39 but he still got unbelievable star power. Just take his one and done appearance at the WWE's Royal Rumble last year. The wrestling world was set on fire with questions of his permanent return. But at the time, his wife was just recovering from her fight with cancer, and he had no desire to get back to a full schedule. With TNA, RVD has the flex of a relaxed schedule and he'd be guaranteed a top spot, unlike the WWE which may or may not be the case.

Just think of the wonders RVD could do as X-Division champion. He could hold on to it forever, much like he did with the ECW Television title, and elevate it to a whole new level. His matches with AJ Styles, Daniels, Jay Lethal and Kurt Angle is a match of the night for every card.

Buff Bagwell join Hit The Ropes Radio to discuss his career, life after WCW and more.

Buff Bagwell will appear on BlogTalkRadio’s Hit the Ropes Radio Show (www.blogtalkradio.com/hittheropesradioshow ) with hosts Daris, Shane and Demetrus on Wednesday, August 12, 2009, at 6 p.m. Eastern.
Call in and chat with Buff Bagwell or the host at ( 646 ) 929-2442. You can catch the archives if you can't listen live and even download it to iTunes.

Callers are welcome to join the conversation during the show by calling ( 646 ) 929-2442. The live, Internet talk-radio show will stream from the host page at http://blogtalkradio.com/hittheropesradioshow.

Buff Bagwell is a former 5x WCW World Tag Team Champion and is on a quest to return to the spotlight. The former WCW Rookie of the Year has fought through tragedy and triumph to become a household name. After a broken neck in 2000, Buff has worked his way back into the ring and now currently runs the Indy circuit with an occasional appearance in TNA. Tune in to see what's left for Buff, or call in and ask him yourself.

It's the fans show, so call in and ask questions or share a comment.

An archive will be available at the same link immediately following the show or listeners can subscribe to the archives via the RSS feed located on the host page. Read more about the host and the discussion on Hit the Ropes Radio Show’s blog at http://hittheropes.blogspot.com.

About BlogTalkRadio
BlogTalkRadio is a free, web-based platform which allows any user with a phone and a computer to host a live, interactive Internet broadcast. Hosts call into the service by phone, managing callers on the web-based host dashboard. Shows stream live directly from the host’s BlogTalkRadio web page with archives available for all past shows. BlogTalkRadio has been featured on ABC News, The Washington Post, Portfolio, Talkers Magazine, and TheStreet.com. And it has over 3,000, 000 since it’s inception. The citizen broadcasting network can be found at http://www.blogtalkradio.com.


Hit the Ropes Radio Show is the premier live Internet talk-radio show that focuses on pro wrestling news, notes and interviews. Hosts Daris, Shane and Demetrus explores the careers, organizations and world of professional wrestling. Callers are encouraged to call ( 646 ) 929-2442 to comment or ask questions. Or just sit back and enjoy the store. The stream and archives are available at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/hittheropesradioshow. The show is live every Wednesday night at 6 p.m. Eastern. The show is hosted on BlogTalkRadio.

# # #

Hit the Ropes Radio Show is the premier live Internet talk-radio show that focuses on pro wrestling news, notes and interviews. Hosts Daris, Shane and Demetrus explores the careers, organizations and world of professional wrestling. Callers are encouraged to call ( 646 ) 929-2442 to comment or ask questions. Or just sit back and enjoy the store. The stream and archives are available at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/hittheropesradioshow. The show is live every Wednesday night at 6 p.m. Eastern. The show is hosted on BlogTalkRadio..

Former WWE Star Elijah Burke Joins Hit The Ropes Radio for Wrestling Interview

Elijah Burke will appear on BlogTalkRadio’s Hit the Ropes Radio Show (www.blogtalkradio.com/hittheropesradioshow ) with hosts Daris, Shane and Demetrus on Wednesday, July 1, 2009, at 6 p.m. Eastern.

We will discuss Wrestlemania 25 results and the industry today. Plus TNA Trivia for TNA prizes. Call in and chat with our guests ( 646 ) 929-2442.

You can catch the archives if you can't listen live and even download it to iTunes.

Callers are welcome to join the conversation during the show by calling ( 646 ) 929-2442. The live, Internet talk-radio show will stream from the host page at http://blogtalkradio.com/hittheropesradioshow.

Elijah Burke is a former professional boxer, with a 98-1 record, turned WWE star. He was the highlight of the WWE's ECW brand where he led the New Breed to feud against ECW Originals. He feuded with then ECW champ CM Punk and World Heavyweight Champ Batista.

It's the fans show, so call in and ask questions or share a comment.

An archive will be available at the same link immediately following the show or listeners can subscribe to the archives via the RSS feed located on the host page. Read more about the host and the discussion on Hit the Ropes Radio Show’s blog at http://hittheropes.blogspot.com.

About Hit the Ropes Radio
Hit the Ropes Radio Show is the premier live Internet talk-radio show that focuses on pro wrestling news, notes and interviews. Hosts Daris, Shane and Demetrus explores the careers, organizations and world of professional wrestling. Callers are encouraged to call ( 646 ) 929-2442 to comment or ask questions. Or just sit back and enjoy the store. The stream and archives are available at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/hittheropesradioshow. The show is live every Wednesday night at 6 p.m. Eastern. The show is hosted on BlogTalkRadio.

About BlogTalkRadio
BlogTalkRadio is a free, web-based platform which allows any user with a phone and a computer to host a live, interactive Internet broadcast. Hosts call into the service by phone, managing callers on the web-based host dashboard. Shows stream live directly from the host’s BlogTalkRadio web page with archives available for all past shows. BlogTalkRadio has been featured on ABC News, The Washington Post, Portfolio, Talkers Magazine, and TheStreet.com. And it has over 3,000, 000 since it’s inception. The citizen broadcasting network can be found at http://www.blogtalkradio.com.

Former WWE Star and MMA Fighter Bobby Lashley Joins Hit The Ropes Radio for Wrestling

Bobby Lashley will appear on BlogTalkRadio’s wrestling radio show Hit the Ropes Radio Show (www.blogtalkradio.com/hittheropesradioshow). Join hosts Daris, Shane and Demetrus on Wednesday, June 10, 2009, at 6 p.m. Eastern.

Former WWE Star and MMA Fighter Bobby Lashley will discuss his career, his quest to fight in the UFC and more. The show will also feature Turnbuckle Turnbuckle and TNA Trivia for TNA prizes. Call in and chat with the guests (646) 929-2442.

Listeners can catch the archives if they can't listen live or download it from iTunes for free.

Callers are welcome to join the conversation during the show by calling (646) 929-2442. The live, wrestling radio show will stream from the host page at http://blogtalkradio.com/hittheropesradioshow.

Bobby Lashley is a two time ECW World Champion and former NAIA amateur wrestling champion. He quit the WWE after three years to pursue a MMA career, where he's currently 3-0 and is soon to face Bob Sapp. He has also made a brief appearance in TNA, but won't be appearing again until after his fight with Sapp.

It's the fans show, so they can call in and ask questions or share a comment.

An archive will be available at the same link immediately following the show or listeners can subscribe to the archives via the RSS feed located on the host page. Read more about the host and the discussion on Hit the Ropes Radio Show’s blog at http://hittheropes.blogspot.com. They are the fastest rising wrestling radio show on the Net.

About Hit The Ropes Radio
Hit the Ropes Radio Show is the premier live Internet wrestling radio show that focuses on pro wrestling news, notes and interviews. Hosts Daris, Shane and Demetrus explore the careers, organizations and world of professional wrestling. Callers are encouraged to call (646) 929-2442 to comment or ask questions. Or just sit back and enjoy the store. The stream and archives are available at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/hittheropesradioshow and their brand new website www.HitTheRopes.com. The show is live every Wednesday night at 6 p.m. Eastern and is hosted on Blog Talk Radio.

About BlogTalkRadio
BlogTalkRadio is a free, web-based platform which allows any user with a phone and a computer to host a live, interactive Internet broadcast. Hosts call into the service by phone, managing callers on the web-based host dashboard. Shows stream live directly from the host’s BlogTalkRadio web page with archives available for all past shows. BlogTalkRadio has been featured on ABC News, The Washington Post, Portfolio, Talkers Magazine, and TheStreet.com. And it has over 3,000, 000 since it’s inception. The citizen broadcasting network can be found at http://www.blogtalkradio.com

HitTheRopes.com Interviews Bushwhacker Luke

HitTheRopes.com: Guys, I’d like to welcome to the show, former WWE star, Bushwhacker Luke. Bushwhacker Luke, how ya doing?
Bushwhacker Luke: Whooa, Good day maties it’s bloody good to be with ya. You’re looking good but you’re not smelling to right mate.

HitTheRopes.com: (laughing)
Bushwhacker Luke: I’m lookin’ to give ya a good lickin’ I’ll do the kickin’ later.

HitTheRopes.com: Ah man, no licking please.
Bushwhacker Luke: No lickin’? Alright, I just had a big bucket of sardines before I came on the radio so I’m all pumped up and ready with all the energy. So what do you got to say guys? So I hear there are three of yous taking me on tonight. I’ve got you coming from behind, the right and the left. By golly, what am I going to do? I’m going to go right down under.

HitTheRopes.com: Yeah you’re facing the triangle of terror. Well, we were just talking about your time down in Memphis and your take names later attitude. Can you tell us about your time in that territory?
Bushwhacker Luke: Well me and my cousin Butch were in Memphis. Earlier on Butch had to head home due to family problems and that. And I had one of the Royal Kangaroos Jonathan Boyd as my partner. When I first went into that area. The Memphis, Tennessee, Nashville, Kentucky, Tennessee area.

We had a major feud there. Jackie Fargo just put together a new tag team of Stan Lane and Steve Kern, and they were the Fabulous Ones. And Fargo was in there corner. Hence, the battle became between the good ol’ southern boys and the two boys from down under, The Sheepherders. That battle went on for maybe, continuously, for maybe four months or five months every night all over that state. Missouri, Tennessee, Kentucky and a bit of Indiana.

HitTheRopes.com: Right. Now you were pretty hated during that time. Did any fans take it personal what you were doing to the Fabulous Ones? Because we hear stories of fans attacking wrestlers with knives and throwing stuff, did any of that happen to you?
Bushwhacker Luke: Hey, I came out. In my career in the states when I come here we first came out with the New Zealand flag. Before we became the Bushwhackers we were most hated teams around the country, The Sheepherders. We carried the New Zealand flag and we told the people they had air conditioned homes, air conditioned cars, and their women were even air conditioned. And you know what I mean when I say that. I don’t want to say the word, but women of the night.

Anyhow, many a night we’d come out to the car, especially in the south, the car was down on the rim. All the tires were slashed. A few times we had to drive a hundred, a hundred fifty, miles without a windshield. A windscreen. They had knocked the front windscreen out. In the winter time do you know how cold it is driving without the front windshield?

HitTheRopes.com: I can imagine.
Bushwhacker Luke: We had some real battles with these Fabulous Ones, they were loved by everyone. Jarrett made these two kids the first to have videos. They had music videos. They had the girls and family people around them heavily. They were two good ol’ southern boys; well they were sort of GQ, gentlemanly quarterly, guys at the time. Good bodies, good looks and a hell of a fan base. Of course we were bloodying them up every night and beating them up, and we were getting beaten up too. But the fans didn’t take that. Many of times we had police come into the arena to get us to our car so we can get out of the town. A lot of those towns, especially those southern towns, they were wild.

HitTheRopes.com: Right, now I heard a story about you and the Fabulous ones in a cage match. Supposedly they tore the cage down to get away from you, is that true?
Bushwhacker Luke: Going back to those matches, I think we had about twelve in a row, cage matches with them all over the place. And one night the cage came down. That might be the night you’re talking about. But I can’t remember the town but the cage came down in the corner. It was wild and wooly matches mate.

And one night Steve Kern had to get about 80 stitches, he nearly bled to death. We hit him in the head so hard with the flag pole that split him right above the brow going towards the ear with one of those major veins. At the time we didn’t mean for that to happen that bad. They couldn’t stop the blood and he had to get external stitching.

HitTheRopes.com: Someone in the chat room asks if you remember the old Sheepherder’s poem, do you remember it?
Bushwhacker Luke: No I don’t mate. I don’t know what she’s talking about. I used to say the 37 countries in 37 titles.

HitTheRopes.com: Okay, well this is Shane. Uh…
Bushwhacker Luke: How the bloody hell are ya Shane? Ya haven’t got a bit of McMahon in ya have ya?

HitTheRopes.com: Uh, I’m gonna have to say no.
Bushwhacker Luke: Oh, ‘cause I was going to hit you up for a loan. (laughing)

HitTheRopes.com: I remember seeing the Bushwhackers on Family Matters a couple years ago. Well a while ago. How was the whole acting experience?
Bushwhacker Luke: Ah it was great mate. What a group those people were. Steve Urkel what a great guy he was. And Darius, one of the guys was named Darius too believe it or not he was a real wrestling fan. He was jumping off the ropes, and wanted to jump off the ropes while we were putting the show together. It was a great show.

And the other night, a week and a half ago it’s still playing late at night when they’re doing the reruns of Family Matters. That was taped in 1994, 15 years ago mate. They’re all grown up now. They’re not kids anymore.



HitTheRopes.com: I remember the Bushwhackers from the old WWF days when ya’ll come down waving the arms and licking the fans, who came up with that gimmick?
Bushwhacker Luke: We came up to Vince McMahon, and he pulled us into his office, he said to us at the time we just finished with the Bulldogs so we’re looking for a British group or down under. Something different again. So we came up there and he said to us, do you mind being the good guys? We said we don’t care. Money is what counts.

Speak of that, Butch said if you can make these faces loved by everyone go to it. And he said well Hacksaw Jim Duggan and Jake are my top good guys and they’re not the greatest to look at. The next minute we got the contract in the mail and we didn’t know the name. And Butch rang me up and said I’ve got a contract here for the Bushwhackers. They put the name together and that and we put the gimmick together. We did the arm swinging.

Originally when we were The Sheepherders we swung our arms around a lot. When we were taping in WTBS, that was Ted Turner’s studio, they started using us as heels. They took as characters then. We used to swing our arms around and saying WHOOA and that just made noise and that in the studio. Hence, Butch said let’s start swinging our arms on the way to the ring. It was Butch’s idea and grabbing people heads. We both sorta got the swinging arms together because we always done that. But not the matches so much.

And then he got the licking together. He said I’m a grab a head and give them a lick. The funny part was people were sticking their heads out to give it a lick. That was the sick part about it. I would grab their head and I would lick the back of my hand. I think Butch got a thrill out of licking the grime off of them.

HitTheRopes.com: Now let me ask you this. A lot of people only know you from the WWE, the happy go lucky deal. They don’t know your hardcore edges. Does that bother you?
Bushwhacker Luke: No, no. A lot of people up north now, see when first came invaded the USA we were up in the north west with Don Owens. And that was jammed up and they didn’t get much cable up there. Our next step was the NWA, Crockets in the Carolinas. We did a lot of coverage.

Actually we were so… not green but green to television industry. We walked out on the Crocket after 3-4 months and went to Puerto Rico for the first time not realizing that we were on WTBS and it was covering most of the country. It was a cable station, a satellite station. And we didn’t later on until we came back the second time we realized about a year after we left, we heard that TBS was all over the country. We realize what a mistake we made.

Getting back to the subject that you just said, when Vince bought out Turner in 2000, he bought the NWA library. On that 24/7 channel of Vince’s, they play a lot of Sheepherders stuff now.
For seven years I never went in the ring. I was in the offices of Puerto Rico six years. And last year, I ventured out and went in the Manhattan Center, the ballroom in New York where Vince used to tape Raw at the start. I went out there and did a little thing for ROH and in the arena all the people started chanting Sheepherders. It was funny. In a New York area where the Bushwhackers were so strong, the people were watching The Sheepherders.

The ROH crowd is like an old ECW crowd. They love that hardcore stuff. I had fans yelling out Sheepherders. I was so surprise and then they told me they see a lot of old stuff from NWA, The Sheepherders. Because we worked for NWA. We worked for Bill Watts’ territory which was bought out by the NWA. We worked there and then we worked there for about 4 years, so they got a lot of Sheepherders footage.

HitTheRopes.com: (Caller) Do you talk to your opponents before or after the matches?
Bushwhacker Luke: No... I’ve been in the ring so many times. I run into my opponents all over the country. I may wrestle on the independents now and I may see them in the next town here and there. So I run into them all over the country.

There’s a lot of people I used to wrestle that I actually tag with now that my partner’s back in New Zealand. Butch is back in New Zealand. So I’ve been working singles and just last week and a half I’ve been on the road with Honky Tonk Man and Al Snow. And Honkey Tonk, going back some time ago, at a
PPV Wrestlemaina out of Toronto Honky Tonk hit me over the head with a guitar. Now here I am in the ring with as a tag partner.

HitTheRopes.com: (caller) Right, now do leave that alone even though he hit you in the head with guitar? Is that in the past?
Bushwhacker Luke: Mate that was in the 90s, this is the 2000s. that’s gone, happened and we drew some big money at the time. It was Rhythm and Blues against the Bushwhackers. He had Greg Valentine as his partner. If you remember the Rhythm and Blues? (yea) And I had Greg as my partner. About six months ago I was in a town where they put Greg and me together as a tag team. It’s show biz. You know you move on. You have your grudges at the time, but it’s buried and you move on.

HitTheRopes.com: Now we’re running out of time here, but before we let you go we have to put you in the Hot Seat. Can you handle that?
Bushwhacker Luke: Can handle the hot seat? When you’re hot you’re hot, when you’re not you’re not. And the Bushwhackers hot now mate.

HitTheRopes.com: This is a series of rapid fire questions and you just answer with the first thing that comes to your head…
Bushwhacker Luke: And you know the Bushwhackers are a bit wacky, so there might some whacky answers.

HitTheRopes.com: Ok. If you were starting a wrestling promotion tomorrow, who’d be the first person you’d sign?
Bushwhacker Luke: Because of my gimmick I’d have to bring in Eugene. (wow) That’s as a tag partner because we are a bit goofy there.

HitTheRopes.com: Who’s your favorite opponent all-time?
Bushwhacker Luke: All-time? I’d say Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard were one of the greatest tag teams we worked with. But we’ve worked with a lot. But that was one of the greatest tag teams we worked with.

HitTheRopes.com: If they made a movie of your life, who’d play you and you’re surrounding cast?
Bushwhacker Luke: Oh I don’t know who would play me mate. I don’t have much time to watch movies today. There are so many people out there I’d have to give that a wink mate. Mickey Rourke did one hell of a job, and I was there for that taping. I can’t think of anyone who can fit my position, my personality right now.

HitTheRopes.com: If you can go one-on-one with any celebrity, who would it be and why?
Bushwhacker Luke: One-on-one? George Steinbrenner. There’s a hard one isn’t it?

HitTheRopes.com: Is that for positive or negative reasons?
Bushwhacker Luke: No, no, he’s a good guy. I know the guy, he’s good. And he likes wrestling too.

HitTheRopes.com: Alright, well, we’ll let you go…
Bushwhacker Luke: All you fans of Hit the Ropes, and you want to hear from the old Bushwhacker go to BushwhackerLuke.net and you’ll hear my podcast. And I’ll have Hit The Ropes there too.

HitTheRopes.com: Alright, well we thank you for coming on…
Bushwhacker Luke: Whooa good day maties.

Interview with WWE Hall of Famer Superfly Jimmy Snuka

Hit The Ropes Radio: We’re joined by our guest, WWE Hall of Famer, Superfly Jimmy Snuka. Jimmy, how ya’ doing?

Jimmy Snuka: Lovely Brudda, thank you very much for having me.

HTR: You just had you’re Wrestlemania appearance, how’d it feel to be in the 25th anniversary of Wrestlemania?

JS: Well Brudda, to be honest with you, I just broke the record again.

HTR: And what was the record you broke?

JS: I guess I was the oldest guy to ever wrestle at Wrestlemania 25.


HTR: Yes you were. And how’d you feel in the ring and how did they receive you?

JS: I felt great, like a 65 year old man. It was so awesome and hard to explain it Brudda because that’s Wrestlemania Brudda, and I was really proud to be a part of that.

HTR: You’ve had a lot of people admiring you. Mick Foley loved your jump off the cage on Don Morocco, what’s it like having people in the business looking up to you?

JS: You know what Brudda, it’s a really appreciation you know. The way I’m always thinking if you’re good to the Lord, and you’re down here, you got to take care of your missionary worry work Brudda. Do the right thing and get in there have fun. And concentrate and stay focus on what you’re doing.

That’s how these kids get involved because when you do something right Brudda they love it, and I love when they love it.

HTR: Can you tell us how you got into professional wrestling?

JS: Actually I was in Hawaii, training at a gym called Power House. And former Mr. Hawaiian Island, Dean Higuchi, started his gym in Waikiki. That place will really cheer you up quick. Anyways, all the pro wrestlers would work at our gym there since we had former Mr. Hawaiian Island, he was a professional wrestler. So all the guys who come from the main land on their way to Japan would to stop in Hawaii for 2-3 weeks, it depends. They’d go to Japan and then come back to Hawaii and wrestle for a couple weeks and then go back to the main land.

So I was lucky because every time they rotated I’d get to meet them all in the gym. Then finally they turned around and said, “Hey Brudda, I know you’re training for the Mr. Hawaiian contest. But why don’t you forget about that and let’s go make some money?” And I said if I don’t accomplish what I worked so hard for, then I’m not going to get it to I get it first. And then we can get into the business.

At the mean time I grew up watching all these guys ride back and forth. And I finally made up in my mind that I got to win this Mr. Hawaiian contest. And as soon I won that, I won it in 1970, right from there I started to train and then I was on my way to Portland, Oregon, where I started in professional wrestling.

HTR: Well you got your start in Portland, Oregon, at what point did you say, man, I’m good at this? Potentially great at this?

JS: Well, you know what Brudda? I didn’t want to go overboard. I always go one step at a time Brudda. And make sure I’m doing the right thing. So when I finally got into the ring with all these professional wrestlers, especially the old school guys, I was very lucky when I came into it they were serious. I was very lucky and I was very blessed with the Lord. And got to wrestle with these great old timers, they taught me, don’t get excited just go out there and have fun.

What they do is relax you, you go in and wrestle. That’s what you train for, what you do in the ring. Because when you step into the ring for the first time, you have to memorize you’re whole homework. Because wrestling is a different college, ya know. You have to memorize everything and know everything, and know what it’s all about.

HTR: You talk about various legends, who’s your all-time favorite to square off against?

JS: There’s a local boy from Hawaii. He’s a local guy, a wrestler who would come to the gym all the time. Local Hawaiian boy. He’s the one that really going. Ever since I used to watch him wrestle, I just loved it Brudda.

HTR: I’ve seen on the net that the movie The Wrestler was loosely based on your life is that true?

JS: Well Brudda, like I said I got to be straight about everything, that’s the way I like to be. I always like competition to myself. To be involved in a situation like this, I’ve got to take care of it. Take care of business and take care of yourself and everything will be just coming down the road and I look forward to it.

HTR: Now did you see the Wrestler?

JS: Oh, yeah. I sit down and watch it every time.

HTR: So did you like it? Was it an accurate depiction of what wrestlers go through, especially those out of the lime light?

JS: Well I watch it if I’m not wrestling or anything like that you know. It’s a great thing to watch the kids to get in there and try to wrestle and not try to focus on things you know. You got to be really mental involved in yourself and take care of your responsibilities. And have your everything completed before you’re ready to do something, ya’ know?


HTR: Right. Now you’re son is in the business now. He had a thing going with Manu and Legacy, before they let Manu go, are you happy with the way they’re using him?

JS: Well, he’s got it all together. And I was the one who taught him and everything. He needs to relax and focus on what to do right and listen. Pay attention to people that tell you certain things because if you don’t listen you’re gonna miss the cue you know. The whole point of it is he’s doing really good. He’s ready for when they call him. Preparing for what he’s got to do and everything and he’s coming around real good. And I love my son and I really like to see him complete his mission.

HTR: Any possibility of you managing Sim (Jimmy Snuka Jr.) in the future?

JS: You know what, that’s a real good one. That’s why I got to keep up with you kids because you know more than I do my whole life.

Being a manager, it just might happen. You never know what goes through Vince McMahon’s mind. You know. Vince you got a son, I’ve got a son. You’ve got a daughter; I’ve got a daughter coming up in pro wrestling. My way of just thinking about it was as I tried to relay the message to him earlier. You’ve gotta son, I’ve got a son. You’ve got a daughter, I’ve got a daughter that’s training now, and she’s coming up. So why don’t you and your son and daughter go up against me and my son and my daughter?

HTR: So you’re challenging Vincent Kennedy McMahon to a battle?

JS: That’s right Brudda!


HTR: You’re definitely staying in the lime light. There’s a rumor that says you’re trying to get your own TV show. Is that true and do you have a TV deal yet?

JS: Well right now that’s what we’re waiting for. We’re waiting for someone to pick it up, but our lawyer is taking care of the whole thing. We’ve already started already, it’s been 3-4 months already and it’s going good. So we’re just waiting for it to be picked up.

HTR: Have you shopped it to VH1 or any station and what’s the premise or is it top secret?

JS: No not yet Brudda. And no it’s not top secret Brudda. I just want to do something different. When I’m not wrestling I want to have fun and go meet the fans from around the world. That’s what I do the most. Just go with the breeze.


HTR: Well it seems you like the fans, you’ve got a Body Slam University down in Florida, how’d that come about and do you train the kids?

JS: I’m always down there once a month, sometimes twice a month. Because I’m still wrestling around the country Bruddas. I wrestle mostly every weekend, sometimes doing autographs during the weekdays. I just keep myself going Brudda, keep training. Make sure that as long as I’m good with the Lord everything is good with me. I just have to keep up with it.

HTR: Are you in there bumping with the kids?

JS: Oh yeah, oh yeah. I let them want it. You gotta want it. If you don’t want it Brudda you can come back again. I don’t chase them away. Think it over Brudda because it’s not easy. When you pay me I make sure you earn that money you pay me.

HTR: Is there any student you have you think has what it takes to make it to the WWE?

JS: Well there’s what’s his name whose up there in the WWE. He’s from our school I’m trying to think of his name again. Ah…

HTR: Is it MVP?

JS: Yeah that’s right, he’s from our school. We’ve got other good guys. We’ve got a girl whose 7’ and serious. She’s really good. She can move. Good shape. She used to play basketball overseas.

She’s a big girl. I always love to hug her and put my head on her chest and say “Sista, it’s surly nice to meet you.” They’re beautiful kids and I make them comfortable and talk to them. Get to really know them good and dig into them to make sure this is what they really want to do. Because I don’t want to waste my time. But if you want it Brudda, we’re gonna have a good ol’ time in there.

HTR: You say you don’t want to waste your time, you wrestling around the country, teaching kids down in Florida and I heard you made a movie Buffalo Bushido.

JS: Yeah Brudda, this guy was a wrestling fan and I didn’t know he was one of the producers. He introduced himself and said Brudda I’d like to make a wrestling movie with you, you know. I told me the part and everything else and I loved it. And when he came to and told me that I said is this thing real? He comes up and spits it straight up and I said You bet. You just tell me when you want to do it.

HTR: Will it be in theaters or DVD?

JS: I think it’ll be both Brudda. I’m just waiting for him to call me back so me and my wife can go up to Buffalo and see the whole thing.

HTR: So what was your part in the movie?

JS: I was climbing up on the rope, you know, and getting ready to do the Superfly. Doing a little wrestling and some interviews about my partner. The producer dressed up in a wild costume and I’m like the manager, doing all the talking and stuff. It was really good and I had a lot of fun doing it. The spirit was right and everything when it came to an end it was so lovely and I’d love to do it again.


HTR: So you’d pursue more acting roles?

JS: Yeah, I hope so Brudda. I hope so.


HTR: A lot of wrestlers now are coming out with books talking about their careers, is that something you’re interested in or already’ve done?

JS: Well, right now I’ve already started that 4 or 5 months again. We’re trying to put it together and it should be out by this year.


HTR: Can you give us a good road story that might wet our appetite until it comes out?

JS: (laughs) Well actually, the whole book is starting from when I was a kid, my whole story. Working up until now and the whole thing. That’s the thing about this book, it’s my whole life and places where I’ve been before I came to the United States of America and all these things. And it’s going to turn out real well. It’s going to be nice. There’s nothing nasty or dirty about it. It’s just straight forward.

It’s good for people who want to read it and know how I was raised up. I‘ve got to tell them about my lifestyle you know.

HTR: Is this something you’re going to get published independently or with the WWE?

JS: Well right now I’m doing it on my own.

HTR: Well, backstage, did you pull any pranks back when you’re in the WWE?

JS: Well, we always have fun, making people laugh. I don’t do anything bad to them or anything. Just talk to them and feel the spirit. Timing’s got to be right for everything, you know?


HTR: Who was the easiest to get along with all you worked with in the ring?

JS: Well Brudda, mostly all of them. Mostly the guys, Piper was one of them. Don Morocco you know. These are the guys I more or less sticked around and talked to try to educate ourselves to. “Hey guys we’re a team here. Let’s go take care of business.” That’s a lovely thing when you can be close to people who want to make money and think about their families and their future. It’s a beautiful thing when this can be accomplished.


HTR: Now there aren’t that many minorities in wrestling, there definitely weren’t many in your time. As a minority, did you have any problems with any promoters or wrestlers?

JS: Not at all Brudda. I’m a very humble guy. I don’t go around and stick my nose in the air. I just want to be happy and when I talk to other people I want them to be happy before we carry on a conversation.



HTR: You interacted with Hogan and all the top stars, how did they treat you? Did they work with you as you were on the same level as them? Even though you’re a hall of famer, everyone seems to have egos in this business, did you feel any conflict there.

JS: You know what Brudda, I got along good with everyone. Hulk Hogan was a little different character. He wants to be Hulk Hogan and everything, which was good. I was proud of him and I helped him with what he needed to know and stuff like that. And Vince McMahon Sr., that died God bless his soul, was the one that put Hulk Hogan with me so I can take him around and teach him the ropes. And I loved it. He’s a great guy and he takes care of number one. And I love it.


HTR: Vince McMahon (Jr.), everyone who talks about meeting him for the first time talks about the intimidation factor. Did you feel that?

JS: Ah, he was a great guy Brudda. He still is a great guy. I get along with him. He’s a business guy and that’s just the way he is. I got no hard feelings against him or anything. But he’s just a strictly business guy and I love the whole family. We all grew up together in the business. His boy and my boy. His daughter you know, we always been close. The lovely thing about it is I’m still involved with them and I love it.

HTR: Well the WWE, which owns the ECW, doesn’t recognize the NWA ECW title, which you were the first NWA ECW title holder. How do you feel about that?

JS: That’s okay with me Brudda. As long as you people know about it. That’s what I care about the most.

HTR: So you’ve won a long list of titles, but none in the WWE, so the titles don’t mean that much to you?

JS: My way of thinking is it would’ve been nice to get the belt. But one thing about the belt you know once you get a belt you know you’re going to lose it right? Well I’m not a loser.


The only championship belt there is you wonderful people in this beautiful wonderful world. That’s all I care about. I’m not worried about the belt. If they want to give it to me, that’s fine. Mostly it’s between you wonderful people and myself. Your heart. My heart. I want you to come there and have fun in the arenas where you’re at and get your frustrations out there Brudda. And cut it loose and go home happy. That’s my whole gimmick.


HTR: Well maybe since you’re not that pushy with the belt, that’s why the Hogan’s and those have to have the belt always got it.

JS: (laughs) You know I just felt that way, I don’t really need it, but if they give it that’s fine. But do you remember when the WWE were running three different shows a night. They had Hulk Hogan as the champion, Tito Santana as the Intercontinental champion and myself. Now who do you think was drawing and selling out every night between the three of us?

HTR: I’m gonna guess the un-obvious choice and guess you.

JS: That’s very right Brudda, and I love you for that one.


HTR: So you outsold Tito and Hulk Hogan during that time?

JS: You bet Brudda. You bet. We were selling out everywhere every night. And they only had like a half, like a half a building. God bless them, but you know, that’s the way it goes. I was in my prime and I was ready to go as long as you people let me cut loose.


HTR: How were you treated when you had the best drawl and everyone was coming to see you? How were you treated by Vince? Were you treated like the top draw?

JS: Well Brudda, this is the way it happened. The looked at the house, and compared the two together and they got their answer.


HTR: When it’s all said and done and you finally retire, how do you want to be remembered?

JS: Well hold on a minute. Number one Brudda, I’m not retired.


HTR: (lauging) No, no. I know, I said when you retire. I’m sorry. (laughing)

JS: (laughing) It’s all good brother, I love you guys.


HTR: Let me ask you this, will you ever retire?

JS: You know what brother, I’m going to say this one more time, as long as I have the blessing from the Lord, I’m sure he’ll take of me and the rest Brudda. And that’s what I’m going to do. As long my body’s okay and the foundations are very strong Brudda. That’s what Brudda’s gonna still do. Brudda’s gonna keep flying. And till I can’t climb that rope anymore.

Rapid Fire Session


HTR: Who haven’t you faced that you liked to face?

JS: Everybody Brudda, everybody.


HTR: Best thing about being a pro wrestler?

JS: It’s a lovely thing because I deserved it.


HTR: Worst thing about being a pro wrestler?

JS: The worst thing is the good thing.


HTR: If you were to start up your own promotion, who would you sign first?

JS: I’d sign all of them Brudda.


HTR: You’re not making this easy.

JS: (laughs)


HTR: If they made a movie of your life, who would play you and the sporting cast?

JS: Well, it’d be nice if I could play it. I would get in there and do my thing.


HTR: What’s one thing fans would be surprised to learn about you?

JS: Um, the good thing about me is what I did in my whole life, coming up in professional wrestling is the greatest feeling that I’ll ever have for the rest of my life until I die. To love fans that loved what I did and what I love for what I did for them. There’s no question about it Brudda. I loved it and I love everybody.


HTR: In your opinion, who’s the best wrestler of all time?

JS: The Superfly Jimmy Snuka.


HTR: What’s your favorite country of all time to visit?

JS: This whole world Brudda.


HTR: If you can go one on one with any celebrity, who would it be and why?

JS: Um you know what it’d be nice if you can get to see him, this way you’ll know the look, feeling and spirit. And then everything will be alright.

HTR: I know I speak for the guys when I say it’s been a great honor to have you on and we appreciate you taking the time to speak with us.

JS: Hey Brudda it’s a lovely thing. My time is your time and I love you guys. I really appreciate you taking time to think about The Superfly Jimmy Snuka and keep in touch anytime.


HTR: Anything you’d like to say to your fans before you go?

JS: Yes, I’d like to tell them you can see me on Wrestlemania 25 and The Superfly Jimmy Snuka broke the record again. And he will continue breaking records as long as I’m alive.

Alright, let the world know I love them and especially you guys. God Bless.

Check out Hit The Ropes Radio next week as we interview former WCW & WWE Psycho Sid Vicious. Plus, TNA prizes and more. Special Start time next Wednesday at 7 p.m. Eastern.

Former WWE & WCW Star, Big Vito Joins Hit The Ropes Radio for Wrestling Interview Wed 4/22

"Hit The Ropes Radio interviews former ECW, WWE & WCW star Big Vito to discuss his wrestling career, MMA and more on Wednesday 4/22 at 6pm eastern. Plus, try your shot at the TNA Trivia for prizes."

For_Immediate_Release:

United States of America (Press Release) April 20, 2009 --
Former WCW, ECW and WWE star Big Vito will appear on BlogTalkRadio’s Hit the Ropes Radio Show (www.blogtalkradio.com/hittheropesradioshow ) with hosts Daris, Shane and Demetrus on Wednesday, April 8, 2009, at 6 p.m. Eastern.

Big Vito will discuss his wrestling career, MMA and more. We will also have the third edition of Turnbuckle 2 Turnbuckle. Plus TNA Trivia for TNA prizes. Call in and chat with our guests ( 646 ) 929-2442.

You can catch the archives if you can't listen live or download it from iTunes for free.

Callers are welcome to join the conversation during the show by calling ( 646 ) 929-2442. The live, wrestling radio show will stream from the host page at http://blogtalkradio.com/hittheropesradioshow.

Big Vito is making his first stop from touring Europe with the boys from HTR. Join us as we discuss the WWE, WCW and ECW and his favorite road stories. Plus, what it's like to work for Rikishi's federation in Europe. Big Vito will also let us know if he will continue to fight in MMA events and more.

source: FPR

It's the fans show, so call in and ask questions or share a comment.

An archive will be available at the same link immediately following the show or listeners can subscribe to the archives via the RSS feed located on the host page. Read more about the host and the discussion on Hit the Ropes Radio Show’s blog at http://hittheropes.blogspot.com. We are the fastest rising wrestling radio show on the Net.

About Hit the Ropes Radio
Hit the Ropes Radio Show is the premier live Internet talk-radio show that focuses on pro wrestling news, notes and interviews. Hosts Daris, Shane and Demetrus explores the careers, organizations and world of professional wrestling. Callers are encouraged to call ( 646 ) 929-2442 to comment or ask questions. Or just sit back and enjoy the store. The stream and archives are available at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/hittheropesradioshow. The show is live every Wednesday night at 6 p.m. Eastern. The show is hosted on BlogTalkRadio.

About BlogTalkRadio
BlogTalkRadio is a free, web-based platform which allows any user with a phone and a computer to host a live, interactive Internet broadcast. Hosts call into the service by phone, managing callers on the web-based host dashboard. Shows stream live directly from the host’s BlogTalkRadio web page with archives available for all past shows. BlogTalkRadio has been featured on ABC News, The Washington Post, Portfolio, Talkers Magazine, and TheStreet.com. And it has over 3,000, 000 since it’s inception. The citizen broadcasting network can be found at http://www.blogtalkradio.com.

For more information:
843-343-6120, http://blogtalkradio.com/hittheropesradioshow.

Hit The Ropes Radio Interviews Prince Nana Wed 4/15

Ring of Honor's Prince Nana will appear on BlogTalkRadio’s Hit the Ropes Radio Show (www.blogtalkradio.com/hittheropesradioshow ) with hosts Daris, Shane and Demetrus on Wednesday, April 8, 2009, at 6 p.m. Eastern.

Prince Nana will discuss his career, Ring of Honor on HDNet and more. We will also have the very first WWE vs. TNA Tag Team Challenge and the third edition of Turnbuckle 2 Turnbuckle. Plus TNA Trivia for TNA prizes. Call in and chat with our guests ( 646 ) 929-2442.

You can catch the archives if you can't listen live or download it from iTunes for free.

Callers are welcome to join the conversation during the show by calling ( 646 ) 929-2442. The live, wrestling radio show will stream from the host page at http://blogtalkradio.com/hittheropesradioshow.

Prince Nana joined Ring of Honor in 2002. Known as an Ashanti Prince from Ghana, Prince Nana formed a heel stable named The Embassy that terrorized ROH. He managed the ROH Pure Champion John Walters, Jimmy Rave, Alex Shelly and Abyss before his 2006 departure. He made a surprised return in 2008, with no riches, only to reclaim his status when President Obama passed his Stimulus Package. He reformed The Embassy with Bison Smith, Ernie Osiris and Jimmy Rave.

It's the fans show, so call in and ask questions or share a comment.

An archive will be available at the same link immediately following the show or listeners can subscribe to the archives via the RSS feed located on the host page. Read more about the host and the discussion on Hit the Ropes Radio Show’s blog at http://hittheropes.blogspot.com. We are the fastest rising wrestling radio show on the Net.

About Hit the Ropes Radio
Hit the Ropes Radio Show is the premier live Internet talk-radio show that focuses on pro wrestling news, notes and interviews. Hosts Daris, Shane and Demetrus explores the careers, organizations and world of professional wrestling. Callers are encouraged to call ( 646 ) 929-2442 to comment or ask questions. Or just sit back and enjoy the store. The stream and archives are available at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/hittheropesradioshow. The show is live every Wednesday night at 6 p.m. Eastern. The show is hosted on BlogTalkRadio.

About BlogTalkRadio
BlogTalkRadio is a free, web-based platform which allows any user with a phone and a computer to host a live, interactive Internet broadcast. Hosts call into the service by phone, managing callers on the web-based host dashboard. Shows stream live directly from the host’s BlogTalkRadio web page with archives available for all past shows. BlogTalkRadio has been featured on ABC News, The Washington Post, Portfolio, Talkers Magazine, and TheStreet.com. And it has over 3,000, 000 since it’s inception. The citizen broadcasting network can be found at http://www.blogtalkradio.com.

Hit The Ropes Radio, Booker T Interview

Hit The Ropes Radio: Hey Book, Thanks for coming on.
Booker T: No problem man.

HTR: Now we’ve had you’re boys from the PWA on for a while and they’re pretty talented. Now I’ve seen this big freakish guy down there, he goes by the name Psycho Cyrus. Is he as good as he looks?
BT: He’s one of those guys who are a diamond in the rough but he’s still got a lot of rough around the edges, but there are few that can compare to him.

HTR: You’ve got a lot of things going on there. April 3rd you’ve got a huge charity promotion right?
BT: Yeah, we’ve got the Booker T Fights for the Kids foundation. We’ve got our drop out program, our mentoring program and the wrestling school’s going pretty good. But we could always use a little help. We’re running shows on a monthly basis. Doing things for our charity, but there aren’t a lot of proceeds right now. But with WWE being in town it’s a good time to create a buzz and raise money for our foundation.

HTR: You’re hosting your Legends of Wrestling card, who’s all slated to appear on that card?
BT: Oh, man, I don’t know the whole card right off hand. But we’ve got Jake “the Snake” Roberts, Sting, the Nasty Boys, a list of matches that I know a whole lot of people still want to see. Go to the website www.BookerTLow.com and check out all the talent.

HTR: And the proceeds go to the Drop Out Recovery program, tell us a little about that.
BT: Well, we try to get drop outs back into school by helping them with their finances, because the kids have knowledge and the means and the support. And we try to be that support. We go into the school districts, and I’ve actually gone into the schools and told the kids my story and tell them where I’ve been and what I’ve been through.

HTR: Great. Now right before your Legends of Wrestling program you have March Mayhem. It looks like you’ll be on the card, and is it true that Mick Foley will also be on the card?
BT: Mick Foley will be there, I won’t say necessarily on the card, but he will be there. All the proceeds will go to the Fight for the Kids foundation. In fact Mick is giving the money we were going to pay him back to the foundation, and we are paying him a big fat salary, and he wants to donate it to the foundation. So it’s good having people on our side to help with the kids around the city.

HTR: Is there a way for people to donate if they can’t go to the show?
BT: Yeah, just go to the www.BookerTLow.com site and they can send a donation through there.

HTR: Now you’re one of the reasons why we started watching wrestling, going back to your Harlem Heat days, so we appreciate you for coming on.
BT: Thanks man. My career’s doing pretty good. 19, 20 years and I’ve still got fans. Creating new fans. Feeling pretty cool. Still in pretty good shape. Making the shape from WWE to TNA has helped out a whole lot as far as how I feel. Look forward to seeing Booker T for a little while longer.

HTR: Now I have to ask this question, Where’s Stevie Ray?
BT: Well he’s got a trucking company in Houston. Been out of wrestling since 2000 so. It’s just one of those businesses that… Ric Flair always said “Time off is your worst enemy” because it’s so hard to come back to because you know what it takes to get back out there and hit the road.

HTR: We talked about African Americans in the wrestling business, and you and your multiple championships, is there someone in the business right now that could potentially be a world champion?
BT: Ahh, it’s at a brink right now to be honest. There are a couple guys you know. MVP could step into the role. Because he’s a worker, he’s a true worker. Sheldon Benjamin, if he can stay on the grind. But a lot of the guys are playing characters, just looking to keep a job. Just looking to support themselves anyway possible. A lot of guys I really don’t see making that crossover.

HTR: You’ve been everywhere and won every title, what’s left for you? Who are you looking to face in the ring?
BT: To be honest there’s nothing really left as far as championships or anything like that. I’m at that stage of the game where I’m helping the younger guys. If I can do that I’ll be doing my part. Every wrestler, the code in this business, is stepping down and passing the torch. Putting the young guys in position.

HTR: One of the greatest feuds you’ve had was the best of 7 with Chris Benoit. Who’s out there that you would do a new best of 7 with?
BT: Uhh... probably, if I was a good guy, Randy Orton. A guy who can get into the ring and perform at a level that can bring me up to another level. It’s about competing with the best. When I watch the shows, the young wrestlers, he’s one of the guys that stands out. Definitely a technician, just like his dad.

HTR: Now the theme for March 28 March Madness is being dubbed the Night of the Ladies, what’s behind that theme?
BT: We’re crowing our first PWA women’s champ. We’re bringing a lot of girls to be a part of the event. It’s gonna be a great night. Looking forward to see who’s going to be the first PWA champ.

HTR: Will we se Sharmell come into action and steal the title?
BT: *laughs* No, Sharmell, just like myself, you’ll never see me as PWA champion. I’m an honorary PWA champion, that’s about as far as it goes. It’s not for me, it’s for my students. Get the young wrestlers a platform to see who rises to the top. Like my dad says, the cream always rises to the top. So we’ll see.

HTR: Now Lita’s out there. Would she make a good addition to TNA’s Knockout Division?
BT: Definitely she’d be great for the TNA roster. It would be more if that’s something she wants to do. But she would be a great addition. We had a void with the loss of Gail Kim, and she would fill that void I think.

HTR: Now you might hate me, but the fans want to know, what’s up with your accent?
BT: It’s something that I play with. Hollywood is always looking, I don’t just think about the wrestling audience. There are a lot of roles that need to be filled. So they’re looking for people that can who can do the scenes as well. Putting myself in a position to do a whole lot more. I’m always thinking about my next career.

HTR: Has anyone approached you about a role yet?
BT: I haven’t got them just yet. I’m going to finish one thing before I step into the next.

HTR: You’ve got your Legends of Wrestling coming up the same weekend of Wrestlemania. Tell us the atmosphere around Wrestlemania.
BT: It’s gonna be a great night for those guys who’ve never done it. It’s a night to remember. It’s a yearlong dash to Wrestlemania, it’s not just one night. It’s a big payoff Sunday night, then Monday it’s 365, 364, all over again. It’s one of the greatest days you can have being a wrestler. But it’s a rough week, so I’d say be careful what you wish for.

HTR: Well TNA has had their higher ratings ever. What will it take for them to stay at that level?
BT: That’s a TNA question. I don’t put myself in that position. They’re getting some great ratings now. Hopefully I have something to do with that, hopefully I’m doing my job. Hopefully they’ll keep it going and keep getting bigger and bigger. That’s my goal anyways.

HTR: What are the next steps for PWA, local TV?
BT: We definitely want to get on TV, but we want to make sure we are ready for it more than anything. I don’t want to get on TV and not be ready for it. Not the talent not the other part. Because we do a lot with our local talent, our students. We like to use our own local talent, our students, not to bring in people to do our local show. We want to keep it local. We just want to be in the right position, the right place, before we take the next step. But TV is something we want to look into. DVD we’ve got to make it a lot better. Our first DVD as an experiment, as far as commentary is concern. We are not going to leap into something because you can get burnt like that. We want to crawl before we walk.

HTR: Well, we want to thank you for taking time out to speak with us and to your fans.
BT: Definitely, no problem man.

For more info on Booker T's charities and how you can help, visit www.BookerTLOW.com

To learn about his school and upcoming shows visit www.BookerTPWA.com

Hit the Ropes went three on one with Ring of Honor star Brent Albright on the latest edition of our weekly radio show this past Wednesday. Go downloa

Hit the Ropes went three on one with Ring of Honor star Brent Albright on the latest edition of our weekly radio show this past Wednesday. Go download the archives to hear the whole show in its entirety.

But Hit the Ropes Radio gave “The Shooter” Brent Albright a call to find out what he was up to and where he’s been. Check out his thoughts on WCW and WWE growing up, his idea of where ROH is headed and his battles with CM Punk and Adam Pearce.


Hit the Ropes Radio:We’re here with Ring of Honor’s Brent Albright, Brent how ya doing?

Bent Albright: Oh I’m doing great, how are you guys?


HTR: We’re doing great. Now we want to catch up those who aren’t as familiar with ROH, tell us a little about yourself.

BA: I’m from Tulsa, OK. I’ve been working with Ring of Honor for about three years now; I’ve been wrestling for 11 years. If you’re wondering about my style, my style is a mat based style, technical style, ground and pound style, with a little areal mixed in.


Like I said, I’ve been wrestling for ROH, Japan, OVW for three years, Smackdown for three months, and the Indys in the Midwest. And that’s me in a nutshell.


HTR: You’ve been around for a while, wrestled in a lot of organizations, and our poll question for today is at “what year did TNA break away from the NWA?” And you know a little about the NWA as you feuded over the NWA heavyweight title. Can you tell us a little about that?

BA: Yeah, I feuded over that belt with Adam Pearce. We’ve feuded since Sept. 1, 2007 down in Puerto Rico. And in Aug. 2, 2008 we feuded in New York City over the NWA title. It was an incredible match and we tore the house down. It was something I’ll never forget, it was awesome.

HTR: It sounds awesome. Now you say you have a technical base, which has allowed you to go with any style. And you’ve pretty much have gone against everyone. Down in your days of OVW you faced a list of who’s who of up and comers, who was your favorite to face off with?

BA: Other than Adam Pearce, it has to be CM Punk. We had the same kind of chemistry as Adam Pearce and I. We just tore the house down and left matches that people remember. One of the highlights of my career has been being able to work with him.


HTR: Right. Now you’re talking about great matches, and that’s what ROH’s known for. You don’t have the costume and people dressed up in funny suites…

BA: Now wait, we do have people dressed up in funny suites. We have El Generico. We’ve got Rhett Titus, I mean the man wears a bow tie to the ring and wrestles. We’ve got funny characters. H*ll, we’ve got a 5’2” lumberjack so come on. We’ve got some characters.


HTR: Yes that you do. But I was referring to the technical wrestling that ROH is known for and the great matches that have been displayed for years. And finally ya’ll have your TV show, what’s the atmosphere like in ROH right now? You’re about to blow up.

BA: With the transition of powers, the new regime as some like to call it, and the new booking… morale is up, morale is higher than it’s been in a while.

Especially with the debut of our TV show, with the tapings being in Philadelphia at the old ECW arena. I mean the atmosphere in the locker room is awesome.

Everyone has seen with the WWE has to offer, what TNA has to offer, and now they’ll be able to see ROH in three weeks when the tapings are done. Right off the bat into 17 million homes.

And hopefully with the network that we’re on (HDNet) they’re only gonna get bigger and we’re gonna get bigger. I just expect great things coming out of it.

HTR: ROH is on the up and up. Where do you see the company in five years? With the TV show, do you think they will get on a broadcast network or what?

BA: That’s hard to say. I know HDNet is growing going into 17 million homes, and hopefully 70 million homes next year, and in the next two years maybe even 100 million homes.

That in itself will be a network. More people are having access to HD channels so who knows. The sky’s the limit in the next 5 years.


HTR: I checked out the matches, the action is great and the fans are crazy. Give the listeners an idea what’s it like to go to a ROH show.

BA: For me, when my music hits, especially in NYC. I walk through the curtain in front of 2,000 people, their banging on the guard rails. Their starting all the chanting, “Kick his *ss” and all that. The atmosphere is electric. Fans are used to a high impact, high flying show, and that’s what we try to deliver every time.


You got some fans that will say, “I didn’t like this or I didn’t like that” but for one or two that say that you have two or 300 hundred that say it’s awesome. And even those who say otherwise, they still come back and buy tickets, so they must be liking something.



HTR: It’s so surprising how ROH has been able to hold on so long without TV. You hear about them mostly through trading DVDs, but now you’ve got “Rise Above” PPV on the Dish Network and the TV show on HDNet. For those who don’t know, who are you feuding with right now?

BA: Right now I’ve got a little rivalry with Claudia Casanova. When we met in Detroit I had him in a submission and he tapped out. But his foot was in the ropes and the ref says a rope break trumps a tap out.

In my book it’s the other way around. I got DQ’d but we’re gonna meet again in Danbury, Connecticut, so just like last time I’m gonna make him tap out. Only this time it’ll be in the middle of the ring.

HTR: That match in on the 27th?

BA: Yeah, Friday the 27th. Then we tape our TV show in Philadelphia on Saturday, followed up again at the old ECW arena for a show on Sunday.


HTR: How was it wrestling in the ECW arena?

BA: I had never wrestled in the ECW arena until six months ago, and I thought it was awesome wrestling in an arena that had so much history. And it was funny I was wrestling as the NWA champion, in an NWA title match, in the same building where the belt got thrown into the trash can.


In that regard I thought it was really unique and I’d get a chance to do the NWA title proud.


HTR: Since you brought the NWA title. A lot of greats have held that title over the decades. How does it feel to hold a title that was held by Flair, Rhodes and other greats?

BA: It’s awesome. Even though the NWA doesn’t get as much press that it did back in the ‘70s and ‘80s but it means a lot to me. Just to be a part of the NWA and NWA history and having my name go in the history books as a champ, it’s definitely a highlight of my career.

Especially to win it in NYC, in a state that the title has never been defended in, never been won in, it was awesome. To have the kind of match that Adam Pearce and I’ve had, a match that I’ll be able to tell my kids about is great.


HTR: Sticking with the whole NWA, who from the past NWA organization would you go one on one with if you could?

BA: Man, I think there’s a couple. Dusty Rhodes, Ric Flair, Rick Steamboat. There’s a lot that I would love to work with.


HTR:Did you grow up on the NWA or are you one of those guys who were pulled into wrestling later?

BA: I caught in on wrestling in the late '80s, ’88 or ’89. WCW on TBS, I think Crockett was running it still back then. But of course I remembered Hulk Hogan, Big Boss Man and the Junk Yard Dog from the WWF. I can remember seeing Sting and Arn Anderson for the first time.


All the guys from WCW. I remember seeing the WWF as more colorful and cartoonish while WCW was more… it was real, it was wrestling. And I enjoyed that different feel from it. So that’s what I grew up on.


But I started really getting into wrestling with Monday Night Raw. But you had wrestling on TBS, WCW Saturday Night, where they did the taping from the Orlando Studios, with the rotating ring. Man that was awesome.

I remember seeing Regal on there, Bobby Eaton, Triple H a few times as Terror Ryzing. It was awesome.


HTR: You’ve been on the fan side, and obviously the wrestling side, what is your reaction when fans come up to you? Cause it seems that when people hit it big they forget about when they were watching WCW Saturday night, and when they were a fan. How do you react when someone comes up to you?

BA: You know what? As long as they’re polite and ask and don’t demand, because there is a difference you know, as long as they’re polite I’ll give them an autograph. I don’t care. It’s part of the job.


But if you come up to me and you think I owe it to you to give an autograph, I’ll tell you to piss off. I’m human just like everyone else. I don’t owe anybody anything. But if you want to be cordial or polite, I’ll give you autographs all day.


HTR: Well we definitely thank you for coming on. We want to make sure we tell all the fans to check out ROHWrestling.comso all the fans can check out Brent Albright and the rest of the Ring of Honor stars. Once again Brent, it’s been a pleasure and we hope you’ll come back on once the TV show’s done taping.


BA: Hey, anytime guys. Don’t forget to check out ROH’s TV show on HDNet, the PPV Rising Above on the Dish Network and ROHWrestling.com. Check it out it’s good stuff.


To find out more, listen in to Hit the Ropes Radio. This week's special guests: Former WWE Tough Enough Winner Daniel Puder and Gustavo Mendoza of Booker T's PWA.

Hit the Ropes Radio Show

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