With this being my one-off appearance of sorts, let me piggyback on what Ninjafitz and Shelbin have done with an interview of my own. We have seen recently how TNAsylum has conducted interviews with various wrestlers. Well, my interview will be with a promoter who has booked both established TNA veterans as well as potential TNA hopefuls. This man is a young up-and-coming promoter in West Virginia and the owner of APWA Wrestling, Don West.
Don let me welcome to ''On The Marqui''. Thank you for taking the time to do this interview. Let’s jump right in. Are you a regular viewer of TNA?
Yes, I view MPACT Wrestling every week when I can, whether I am at the show with the boys, or at home on the couch. I enjoy the product each week as it has advanced into more of an enjoyable TV series for casual viewers along with the wrestling fans as well.
For the readers not familiar with your company, what can you tell us about the APWA?
APWA stands for the American Pro Wrestling Alliance and you can find us on Twitter and Facebook. Our website is currently under construction again, but the address is www.americanprowrestlingalliance.com. Our company started in June of 2011, and "Justice 4 All III" next month will be our 41st show. After two years, we have held 41 successful shows with a lot of great talent from all over the world. We are currently working with the movie "Pro Wrestlers Versus Zombies" to help promote the film, which features Roddy Piper, Kurt Angle, Jim Duggan, Shane Douglas, Matt Hardy, Reby Sky, and many other actors and wrestling stars.
I've also noticed quite a few APWA wrestlers in the Gutcheck contest. Tell the readers what they can add to the Impact Wrestling product if chosen or signed?
I feel the guys who could add to the IMPACT roster could really be any of our talent. With the triple threat matches in the X Division, Chris Lerusso could be a great guy like Sonjay Dutt to put over the other talent. I would also pick big guys like ONYX, Sherman Tank and Bad Bones to side with Matt Morgan and take on Aces and Eights. I would almost pair Chase Stevens with Christian York and reform their tag team known as Cash and Charisma - that would be the only thing to work for these guys in IMPACT, and they would be a good heel or babyface team depending what TNA actually needs.
As for Facade, he could work in the X Division, but I think he would be a better fit in the WWE at this time. Chance Prophet and Damon Divine could both be part of TNA with the right attitude. I feel Chance could bring a heel flavor that would be something a bit more mysterious and different from the Aces and Eights, while Damon could be a good guy to put over the mid card wrestlers.
Out of all the guys you've used, who stood out the most?
I would have to say ONYX, Sherman Tank or Facade. ONYX is more than ready for TV whether it be TNA, WWE, New Japan, AAA, or even Ring of Honor. It's ONYX TIME! Facade always gets the attention of the veterans in the business and I feel he could get places with the right guidance. Sherman Tank is another guy who impresses me and I feel injuries honestly are the only thing holding him back.
One other talented guy who needs to get a Gut Check as soon as possible is Solo. He is an up-and-coming star who currently holds the APWA/MDW Tag Team Titles with Marcus Streets. We have also used a lot of Team 3D Academy guys who have also been part of the Aces and Eights storyline. Mikey, Johnny Forget About It, Teddy, Eddy, and Irish Jack were all class acts. Kudos to Devon and Bully Ray on training top notch talent.
This why I decided to interview you, not just for the info from a promoter about the Gutcheck contestants but to tell the readers about the TNA stars themselves. I look down the list and I see stars such as Doug Williams, Magnus, Rob Terry, Jessie Godderz, Crimson, Brooke Tessmacher, Gunner, Robbie E and others have all taken part in APWA shows. I guess my question is, has this helped the APWA? Has it helped you as a promoter and a booker? And does this give you an insight into what it takes for stars to make it on television?
I feel like this has helped the APWA not only get noticed but the place to be. Christian York, Santana Garrett, Chase Stevens and others have wrestled all over; they come to the APWA and it's only a matter of time until they are getting in shape and getting ready for TV. We do TV style angles and sometimes we even do angles that the companies will repeat weeks later. Knox and Gallows invaded the APWA before the Aces and Eights.... It was all a test to see if it could work. You see, while OVW is a company that is supposed to develop talent, I look at the APWA as a company that uses the best unsigned talent not ready for that main roster spot because there isn't room. That's what developmental really is. FCW, NXT and OVW don't groom stars; you're either a star or you're not.
Now, you must transition into a certain type of style since wrestling on national TV is much different than wrestling in OVW. NXT is similar to WWE TV, while OVW has trouble having a top notch product. Instead of claiming companies to develop your talent, it's time to work with companies as affiliates where you can place the talent there that you don't want your competitor to sign. If you don't want Vince McMahon to pick up ONYX, sign him and leave him in the APWA and let him work the TV style until you need to bring him up. In OVW, none of those guys will ever move up. I don't see a future for Taeler Hendrix, Sam Shaw, Ryan Howe or Alex Silva.
I see a future for talent like Rob Terry and Jessie Godderz. Godderz has worked in OVW now for years and he comes to the APWA for 5 show and then straight to TV. Meanwhile, Rob Terry is being pushed to the moon! The time is now, it's time to take things to the next level as we travel all over whether it be West Virginia, Ohio, North Carolina and beyond. We have held almost 41 shows now in less than two years and we are going to continue to move forward putting out the best possible wrestling product, not just in one state or one town, but all over the country.
Don, I want to thank you again for allowing me to interview you. And in the spirit of TNA Gutcheck, this is your time to "KICK OUT." Whatever you want to get off your chest, please tell the people why they should give your company a chance.
With the APWA teaming up to knock down drugs and many other benefits, we are a solid choice. We give back to the communities we run in, we make sure the fans and wrestlers leave happy. Currently we are helping promote "Pro Wrestlers Versus Zombies" by Cody Knotts and we feel with Walking Dead being such a hit and all the great wrestlers in the film, it is a win-win situation. The last day of filming took place at the APWA event "Pile Driving Drugs II" Live in Parkersburg, WV at the Parkersburg Memorial Field House.
I encourage every one of you to check out the APWA. Every Monday we will be doing the APWA Internet Wrestling Spotlight. The show is going to be a half-hour long and will be posted before Monday Night Raw! Check the APWA Facebook for updates. Thanks for you time, Marqui.
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Finally, let me finish off with some small rumors. Look for a huge addition to the Impact Wrestling roster by sometime this fall. TNA is working at a fever pace to sign this wrestler to a deal. Also, be on the lookout for TNA to add a large number of sponsors to the Impact Wrestling brand. One of the main reasons for the new staff at the live events is because of a total disconnect with the venues, community leaders and promoters in the areas where TNA runs shows. The company was not allowed back in several cities they ran on a semi-regular basis due in large part to a negative interaction with Mike Krewson.
