TMDK International World Wide!

Shane Haste

Those in the know, were more than a little excited about the pending debut of TMDK International. With the past accomplishments of Shane Haste and Mikey Nichols in their previous runs in Southern California, the expectations were set very high for the duo.  However Haste and Nichols delivered on every expectation when they entered the Glendale Studios in front the NWA Hollywood crowd.  Unfortunately the initial reaction TMDK got was a little less than stellar.  But that changed the moment they entered the ring.  With lightning quick maneuvers and very hard hitting action, Nichols and Haste quickly galvanized the fan base in  Hollywood.

Two obstacles placed in front of them their match up with  H.E.D.and the duo of Josh Lazay and Leo Blaze and the matches ended with the same result.  A blur of motion, bodies flying everywhere, and TMDK victorious.  Much like I had anticipated TMDK was most impressive, with two victories in the television taping over I think they did all they can to earn a Heritage Tag Team Title shot when they return.

Breaking News... NECW Joins the NWA

TMDK to heads to NWA Hollywood!

Dateline Hollywood, CA - The International Tag Team of Mikey Nicholls & Shane Haste makes their US return at the 2/12 NWA Championship Wrestling from Hollywood taping. Don't be left out, RSVP today at www.savefans.com

NWA EPW Presents Hell or Highwater: TMDK

Trailblazer - Mikey Nicholls Interview

Mikey Nicholls has been wrestling throughout the world for near on nine years, and is one of the most successful wrestlers to come from the local scene having wrestled for New Japan Pro Wrestling in Tokyo and dark matches for Ring ofHonor. WPW’s Tez got the opportunity to speak to Mikey about his career not long after Team Murder Death Kill lost the EPW Tag Team Championships in a Tables Match at Hell or Highwater.

WPW: You made your debut at the first ever Explosive Coastal Wrestling show Awakening in November 2001 at quite a young age. What was it like making your debut on what has become somewhat of an significant step in WA wrestling and did it feel like something special at the time?

MIKEY: I was like 16 years old back then and man did it ever feel like something special. Dreams and aspirations were so much simpler back then, it was almost like I was getting everything I had always wanted. I of course have not watched that show back since then, lol, but no matter how awful the wrestling may have been, it was, what it was and like you said a pretty significant step in WA wrestling

WPW: You were part of the very first ECW Championship match, a Four Way Match with

Davis Storm, Jimmy Payne and FN Carnage at Redemption in January 2002, where things went a little wrong. Was there ever any thought of you giving wrestling away at that point and what did you think of the publicity it got it in the major papers like The West Australian?

MIKEY: Nah, there was never a thought of giving wrestling away. I guess its like they say, no publicity is bad publicity right.

WPW: The following show, the first ever Evolution in May 2002, you made an appearance and cut a promo, which unfortunately there were some technical issues with the mic. Even with that the first ever sold out ECW crowd gave you one awesome ovation. Were you surprised with the support the crowd gave you before you made the heel turn?

MIKEY: I’m so amazed that you can remember that far back. Yeah was pretty surprising, I mean we had only done a few shows so it wasn't like we had build up a huge audience or anything yet. The thing I remember most is the nerves, man i was a such a buildup of nerves, I had such an awesome promo planned out but then of course the microphone doesn't work. In hindsight was probably a good thing the mic didn't work (Laughs).

WPW: Mid 2002 saw you join up with the faction known as The Uprising, which pretty much ran riot through ECW/EPW until the classic street fight with Team EPW at Re-Awakening II in 2003. Along the way having some top matches including the Last Man Standing Match with Jimmy Payne. Do you have fond memories of your time in the Uprising?

MIKEY: The stuff we did with The Uprising was some of the most fun times of my entire

wrestling, dare I say, career. It was so much fun turning up to shows and essentially just hanging out with your friends and doing whatever you wanted. In that time as well I think I grew as not only a wrestler but as a character and my confidence of being out in front of people really grew.

The last man standing match with Jimmy was a whole heap of fun, and as far as the Street fight goes, that was one of the most emotional and most fun nights of my life. I think anyone in attendance that night would agree with me when I say that the emotion and drama was off the charts that night.

WPW: You were part of the NWA Australia promotion in Adelaide, which drew 1000+ fans to the Thebarton Theatre for its debut show Turning Over Tradition. Unfortunately, the crowds plummeted to less than 100 within three shows and the company folded. What was the experience like wrestling in front of such a big crowd for the first time and being part of a national promotion?

MIKEY: It was great honour initially just to be asked to be apart of the show, made me feel like I was getting somewhere in Australia. It was also great to wrestle in front of that many people, to meet a lot of the guys from other states and seeing guys that I definitely looked up to within Australia.

WPW: 2004 was quite a big year for you. Feuding with Azazal (Drake Wallace) after the Uprising break up, culminating with a Match of the Year Chain Match, taking on Davis Storm in a couple of number one contender’s matches, finally winning the EPW Championship in a triple threat match with then champion, Davis Storm and FN Carnage. What was it like winning the title for the very first time at Re-Awakening III?

MIKEY: 2004-05 was such a rollercoaster time for me both in and out of wrestling and I think a lot of that showed in the way that I wrestled and the matches that I had. I’m so proud of my chain match with Azazal and was so happy when it was voted match of the year. Then it all kinda came together in the triple threat match at RA when I won the belt for the first time. I like to think that I had a great first run without the belt and had some pretty memorable matches.

WPW: You held the title until Evolution 2005 before Richter cashed in his title shot after you had a hard fought Fatal Four Way with Jimmy Payne, Havok and Jag. You got your rematch at Dirty Deeds, which was the first ever show at the Alma Venville Centre, which was a Street Fight. You climbed up a wall and did a dive off the balcony which was an awesome thing to see. Was that a spur of the moment thing or had you had that idea in mind as soon as you saw the building?

MIKEY: (Laughs) That was most definitely the first thing I thought of when I saw that building. It was the first show we had done in a new venue so I figured I was in a situation to make it as memorable as possible.

WPW: You made your first overseas trip in late 2005 to SoCal training and wrestling out of the Inoki Dojo with “Jag” Hartley Jackson and Davis Storm. What was the first overseas experience like for you training with guys like Fergal Devitt and Karl Anderson?

MIKEY: It was always a dream of mine to train at the Inoki Dojo and it really just sorta happened out of nowhere. I look back on that time now as the most fun and also the most intense time in my life. I made some great friends out of it and we were all kinda going through the same thing together you know, so it made it even better. The first overseas experience was definitely an eye opener for me to how the rest of the wrestling world works. Made me realise we have it pretty good here in Perth.

WPW: Returning to Perth in February 2006, you dropped the EPW Championship to Havok at Stand & Deliver in March, before returning to the States. Your second tour succeeding your first as you along with Karl Anderson challenged Alex Koslov for the NWA Heritage Championship and Rocky Romero for the CMLL Championship in a Two out of Three Falls Match. Was the push you received during this tour where you felt like you could make a name for yourself on the SoCal Indy scene?

MIKEY: It wasn't so much that I thought I could make a name for myself it was more the fact that I was so shocked and excited to be in the same ring as those guys. The triple threat match was a whole lot of fun and it was such an honour to be selected to wrestle someone who I have the utmost respect for and definitely someone I look up to in Rocky. I also think that the 2 out of 3 falls match took me to a whole new level with wrestling.

It was like I had to bring myself up tohis level, which I still maintain is the best way to better yourself as a wrestler. Train and wrestle with people who are better than you and you will always be forced to come up to their level. Because if they are any good they sure as hell wont get dragged down to yours!

WPW: In what is an awesome achievement, yourself along with Hartley Jackson were the first ever Australians to compete for New Japan Pro Wrestling, taking part in a Tag Match against Minoru & Hirooki Goto in Tokyo Korakuen Hall. Did it get overwhelming or did you feel like it was just another step forward in the career of Mikey Nicholls and would you like to go back?

MIKEY: Man was it ever overwhelming. I don't think I have ever been so nervous in my entire life. Trying to get everything together in a different country, with people who don't speak the same language man it was a trip. At the time it was a huge step forward for me and it kinda disappoints me a little that I didn't capitalise on it more, but cant dwell in the past. I would give anything to go back.

WPW: September 7, 2007 at EWF’s Gold Standard, you became the first ever Western

Australian wrestler to win a title in the United States when you defeated then champion Karl Anderson and Ryan Taylor in a 30 Minute Triple Threat Ironman match to become the new EWF American Champion.

MIKEY: It felt real good to hold some gold in the states. Definitely made me feel like I was on the right track. I also think I had a couple really good matches while I was the champ, made me a lot more confident with my wrestling.

WPW: 2009 saw you make a change of scenery moving from the SoCal scene to Ohio to wrestle for the Northern Wrestling Federation and during the nine month stay you got to make your debut for Ring of Honor in a few Dark Matches. What was that experience like?

MIKEY: It was a real surreal experience. For the longest time I had, like most people, had been watching ROH stuff and wishing I was there, well all of a sudden here it was right in front of me. The whole atmosphere was great, I met some great guys and also had some real solid matches.

WPW: Returning to EPW in late 2009, you were voted by the fans as the partner for Shane Haste to take on Slex and Carlo Cannon for the EPW Tag Team Championships at Re-Awakening 8. You won the titles in a brutal Ladder Match and defended them in some great matches before losing them just recently in a Tables Match. What is your next goal in EPW?

MIKEY: I’m not sure yet. I was having a whole lot of fun doing the tag stuff with Shane and I think that we had a pretty memorable run. Its been a while since I held the EPW title, maybe I will have a go and try my luck at that. I think there is still a lot of fire left inside Mikey Nicholls.

WPW: Do you have plans to return to the States in 2010-2011 and where would you like to go, back to SoCal or Ohio?

MIKEY: I don't know man, I’m never one to make definite plans, I prefer to just take it as it comes and see what happens. I will go back to the states for sure, not sure how or when, but it will happen.

WPW: What does Mikey Nicholls hope to do in the wrestling business before he retires?

MIKEY: I guess just keep having fun and keep bettering myself. Once that enjoyment goes its kinda hard to keep motivated and also becomes hard to keep justifying to yourself why you do it you know. But I guess as long as I’m moving forward and having fun, I cant complain too much.

WPW: Thank you for speaking to Westside Pro Wrestling Mikey.

NWA EPW Main Event of Evolution 2010 Night #2

Explosive Pro Wrestling consistently puts together some of the best talent in Australia to put on phenomenal cards.  I would imagine if the NWA Sanctioned EPW were in the US, they would be considered one of the top promotions in the NWA.  The main event of EVOLUTION 2010 Night #2 saw Mikey Nicholls and Shane Haste defend their EPW Tag Team Championships against the number one contenders AZ Vegara and Damian Slater.

Diamond in the Rough: An Interview with Bobby Marshall

Bobby Marshall is one of the most decorated wrestlers in the short history of WA Wrestling. Marshall is a former two time EPW Champion, M1W Champion, two time EPW Tag Team Champion and is both the 2009 EPW and WPW/ EPW Wrestler of the Year. Marshall is also a star in the NWA after making several successful tours of the United States since 2006. [Westside Pro Wrestling] conducted the longest interview in the history of WPW with Bobby, covering his career from the beginning until now.

WPW: February 2003 saw you make your debut as Bobby BadBlood in a Fatal Four Way match to earn a Explosive Coastal Wrestling contract. The match was won by future four time EPW Tag Team Champion, Chris J. Lazareth, but also involved Kiel E. (Steria) and Shane Haste. You made an impression on the fans that night by coming out by yourself, when the others came out together, and made sure the people knew who you were off the bat when you held up a sign saying “I am Bobby BadBlood”. Was that your idea to get yourself remembered after your first match?

MARSHALL: (Laughs) Yes indeedy, I remember that one. Actually there’s a funny story behind that. Before I even started training with EPW I made a pretty good name for myself as a royal pain in the ass. I used to get on the internet and message boards in particular and spout off about what I thought about everything and anything.  Unfortunately, when it comes to my words I have about as much grace as the old bull in the china shop and basically pissed everyone off. Bobby BadBlood was my username and after quite a few posts people started daring me to bring a sign to the next show so they could see who I was, and punch me right in my face. Sometimes things just work out. Of course, then I was stuck with the name Bobby BadBlood, which I wasn’t too happy about, but nevermind. Serves me right for being a dick.

WPW: The Bobby BadBlood gimmick drew a great amount of heat with the EPW fans at the time. The hatred turned physical, when your “Blood Bitch” Michelle, was attacked by an enraged fan. Who came up with the gimmick and were you surprised with the amount of heat you got with the fans?

MARSHALL: The gimmick was actually another funny little chance thing that came up. I was getting my head shaved for the show and, as you do when shaving your head, me and my good mate Dan Moore were just mucking around giving me stupid haircuts. Well, eventually he gave me a Mohawk and basically talked me into keeping it because it looked a good mix of stupid and mean, and that was it. After watching the tape back we decided that I kind of looked like a neo Nazi so lets keep the mo, and roll with it. Unfortunately some people were turned away by it, but that’s the way it goes. Was good fun while it lasted! 

WPW: As 2003 progressed you started to team with Lazareth, eventually being known as the Genetically Superior Team (GST), and becoming two time EPW Tag Team Champions. The tag team division was quite strong at the time GST started as the Tag Team Championships had just been brought in. GST had battles with teams like The Serial Thrillers, Awsome Inc. and The Brat Pack for the titles. Was it an exciting time to be coming up the ranks with all the competition for the titles?

MARSHALL: Definitely a lot of fun. I’ll never forget the matches and fun we had going up against Kiel and Shane in particular. The four of us all came through together and we had a bit of a style of match that wasn’t really smiled upon by a few of the higher ups of EPW, but we kept doing what we were doing because we just had too much fun doing it. We actually had a killer match at Hell or Highwater one year, which was definitely the breakout match for all of us. It’s funny how me and Shane in particular have always been neck and neck in our wrestling development, and it creates a pretty good bond. Unfortunately he’s starting to edge away from me now and just quietly, is well on his way to pretty decent life as a pro wrestler Jerk

WPW: GST went their separate ways pretty much immediately after being destroyed by Davis Storm and Jag on the first night of Evolution 2006, as you made your first tour of the United States as the redneck Bobby Jo Marshall. The tour saw you feud with WSX’s The Human Tornado throughout California and even teaming up with “Cowboy” James Storm in Massachusetts to take on Tornado and Syxx-Pac. How was the experience for you to get such a push on your first tour?

MARSHALL: That was wild. Getting flown around America to wrestle was just unbelievable, and getting to go up against X-Pac was an especially huge thrill. As a wrestling fan, I was born from the attitude era so seeing getting to wrestle someone who was such a huge part of that was pretty special. I was green as grass, mind you, when we had the match, and I got in trouble by a few of the higher ups because I smiling during the whole match. It was clear that I was just having a bit too much fun out there and forgot myself. Funnily enough, X-Pac used to be my most hated wrestler when I first started watching wrestling and now of course, he’s one of my favorites. I’ve been lucky enough to have been in the ring with a handful of world famous wrestlers, but none of them have been as good to me as he was on that night. He really looked after me a lot more then he should’ve and was just a really nice guy. Can’t say enough good things about him.

WPW: After a short return to Perth you returned to the States in late 2006, for a second tour. During this time you took part on the NWA’s Fiesta Lucha supercard in Las Vegas teaming with Ricky Reyes to take on Colt Cabana & Sonny Samson. What was it like wrestling in front of several thousand fans?

MARSHALL: Now that was fun. Probably one of the best weekends of my life. I was lucky enough to be in Vegas with two very good mates in Drake Wallis and Damian Slater and we just went nuts. See, we were all told that we would just be in the rumble, so we were more looking forward to the partying than anything else. So yes, we got to Vegas on a Friday night and went straight to a bottle shop and got drinking. We were out cruising the strip till well after sunrise and had to be up to do a promotional thing for he show at mid day on the Saturday. Soon as that was done we got drinking, clubbing and even got to spend some quality time with the locals (including a certain young lawyer) again till about 8am. Now, Call time was 10am, so we were running off minimum sleep, and were feeling quite under the weather but were still excited to wrestle in front of a big crowd. Soon as we got there and looked at the card, I was a little shocked to see my name up there with Ricky Reyes and Colt Cabana. Let this be a lesson, never drink before a show! Luckily I survived the match and the rumble and even managed to stay out and watch the sunrise for the third night in a row on the strip in Las Vegas. Man, the three of us had some fun the states. I could sit here for hours and spill stories about what we got up to, but that can wait for another time.

WPW: You had an awesome feud with then EPW Champion, Jimmy Payne over 2006-2007, which culminated in the brutally epic Ladder Match at Evolution 2007. I know of people who actually had to leave the arena because they couldn’t stand the punishment you were putting each other through. Did you suffer any major injuries during the match? 

MARSHALL: Surprisingly, none at all. Even managed to head out on the town after the show. Nice bruising though.

WPW: You have taken some of the biggest and nastiest bumps ever seen in EPW. What are some of the injuries you’ve received and during which matches?

MARSHALL: I’m pretty lucky with injuries and truth is, there’s only really one time that I can think of where I was hurt mid-match. Well, two now. The first was in Nate (Dooley) and Jimmy’s (Payne) farewell match and I did a standard top rope leg drop. Unfortunately, I landed awkwardly and lost feeling in my entire upper body and couldn’t move my arms. I sat there like an idiot briefly trying to get feeling back into them and thankfully it came back. Causes me a bit of grief still to this day, but that’s wrestling. Find me a wrestler with no back pain and I’ll show you someone who doesn’t work hard enough.

The second one was actually in the show just gone, in the four way match with Mikey (Nicholls), (Marcius) Pitt and (Tyler) Jacobs. After Mike did his shooting star onto all of us I lost feeling in my arm, aside from this strange burning pain running down it. Well, strange isn’t the right word, it was bloody excruciating! Took me a while to get movement back in it, and I still haven’t been able to hit the gym since, but again, that’s the nature of the beast. These injuries are a small price to do what we love and truth is, sometimes its nice to come backstage and actually feel beaten up and like you’ve really given it your all. Ask me again in 10 years though and I’m sure ill be singing a different tune.

WPW: There was a rumour that the WWE had contacted you before the 2007 SmackDown/

ECW tour about the possibility of a tryout/dark match during their visit to Perth. Is this rumour true?

MARSHALL: Ah yes. Well what happened was Jesse Hernandez told me to shoot Johnny Ace an email and see of he was interested in using me in a dark match, or something while they were in town, but by the time I checked my email for the reply it was too late to hook anything up. Serves me right for being so unorganised...

WPW: The Black Bag storyline. You defeated Shane Haste to claim your first EPW Championship in February 2008, and at the very first Monday Night Wrestling TV Tapings the following day came out brandishing the title in a black bag claiming the EPW fans didn’t deserve to see the belt. Were you disappointed that you didn’t get to show off the belt at all during your first title reign?

MARSHALL: Honestly, it didn’t really bother me that much. There are reasons behind everything, and usually good reasons. Unfortunately I’m probably not allowed to say why we did this the way we did, but good stuff was supposed to come from it. Due to outside circumstances, I just ended up looking kind of silly I thought. Was good fun though, and it sure did get me a lot of heat!

WPW: You have had some of the all time classic matches in this state at Re-Awakening, including the four way tables match at R-A III, The battle with Jimmy Payne at R-A V, The Steel Cage match at R-A 7, and of course the absolutely brutal bloodbath you had with Richter at R-A VIII. What does Re-Awakening mean to Bobby Marshall?

MARSHALL: Re-Awakening means as much to me as any other show I’ve done. Its a fun one because the crowd is usually bigger then normal, so in that sense its a bit more fun, and the pressures switched up a couple notches, but personally, I don’t hold it as being any more important then any other show. If I had a cage match at Goldrush I would put the same amount of time, effort and self punishment as I would if it was at Re-Awakening. I actually think we (EPW) have an unhealthy fixation on it. I don’t see why we cant make every show we do R-A quality instead of waiting till the end of the year to pull out all the stops. I seem to be the only person who thinks like this mind you, so yeah, all good. The fans seem to love it, and that’s what matters most.

WPW: How is it to have to adjust between California and Perth when you go on tour, Does it take long to acclimatize?

MARSHALL: Oh yeah, big time. Its lot of fun wrestling multiple times a week against guys you don’t really know and have never seen in so many different styles, in so many different cards. Sometimes your the brutish bully, then follow it up by being a loud mouth cocky bad guy and then wrap the weekend up by being a fist pumping babyface. Its a lot of fun to wrestle like that, and the improvement that it forces you to make is amazing. Coming back to EPW and only wrestling once a month or so is tough to get used to. It kind of takes the gloss or the challenge I should say away so you kind of get lazy and therefore your matches suffer because of it. Once you settle back into it, and the way we do things its not so bad. The locker room environment here is the best in the world in my experience too. We have a real family thing going on that no where else that I’ve wrestled has come even close to matching. Its something to really want to go out there and put your body on line for no other reason then to push the brand name that you believe in, and so badly want to succeed. In America its all about self enhancement, over here its about doing what’s right for the team. I know which one I like best too. If I could make a career out of wrestling in Perth, that would be magical. Its definitely my dream. Unfortunately, its a big time pipe dream, but that wont ever stop me from trying to make it a reality.

WPW: What did it mean to you to after four years to win you first title (M1W Championship) in [SoCal] in December?

MARSHALL: Winning belts in wrestling is a funny thing, seeing as you don’t actually “win” them. I like to think of championship belts as a nice pat on the back that your doing the right thing, and heading in the right direction, so in that sense it was great. The best thing about it was that it guaranteed me big matches every week and forced me to improve. I was lucky enough to wrestle ROH guys like Joey Ryan and Johnny Goodtime a few times over, and also top level [SoCal] guys like Willie Mack, James Morgan, and Johnny Yuma just to name a few, on a regular basis and it really forces you to step up and improve. Every week I needed to be at my best to hang with these guys so its a fantastic challenge. Soon as I stop improving will be the day I hang up the boots.

WPW: Would you like to challenge for the NWA Heritage title in the future? The title is seen as a stepping stone to the legendary 10 pounds of gold, NWA World Championship. Is it a goal for you to get a NWA title reign in the States and bring it home to Australia?

MARSHALL: Its not something I really think about to tell you the truth. It would be nice, but its far from the top of my list of things to do in wrestling. I’m a long way from being in line to win the NWA title, so ill keep plugging away till I feel like I can give it a real push. Just quietly, that belt looks pretty good on Adam Pearce anyway, who for my money, is the best unsigned wrestler going around anywhere in the world. We’re lucky to have him as our World Champion.

WPW: What have been some of your personal favourite matches, both here and in the States during your career so far?

MARSHALL: The ladder match is one of my favorites, as it just went about as good as it possibly could’ve. I love throwing myself around, but a lot of the time its all for nothing so when it comes off in such spectacular fashion it really makes you feel pretty good. That was also my breakout match in EPW, so that definitely made it mean that little bit more. Another one that comes to mind was the six man tag with me, (Tyler) Jacobs and Jay (Taylor) vs. Nate (Dooley), (Davis) Storm and Jimmy (Payne). It was one of the few times where I’ve come backstage knowing full well that I had nothing left to give. It was lucky that the locker room cleared out to say their farewells to Jim and Nate because I was just a mess laying on the floor in the empty room. Couldn’t move a muscle. Good fun though, it is nice to feel like that sometimes, well, all the time. Its why I wrestle.

WPW: You have taken on some of the biggest and best names in the Australian Wrestling scene. Is there anyone from either in EPW who’s coming up in the ranks or interstate that you would like to face in the future?

MARSHALL: Honestly, no one really comes to mind. I think Damian Slater is the best wrestler in the country right now, along with Shane (Haste) of course, so that would be a nice challenge to see if I could still keep up. Other then that I feel like me and Stormy haven’t had the match we should be able to have yet, so he’s right at the top of my list of guys id love to have a few more matches with. Also, for personal reasons, I’d love another go around with Tyler Jacobs. These two guys both taught me how to do what I love, and I feel like I could thank them the only way I know how. By smashing them in the face with a chair or two!

WPW: From when you debuted back in 2003 to where you are now, are you surprised about how far you have made it? From all the accolades, achievements and titles you have won in your seven year career. Could we possibly see Bobby Marshall in TNA, ROH or WWE in the future?

MARSHALL: Well, I’ll never say never, so lets just see what the future holds. I’ve never wrestled for tomorrow, only for today, and for whatever the hell moment I’m in at the time, and I’ll continue to do that until the body breaks down completely. As long as I’m enjoying my time in the ring, I’ll continue to move forward to whatever end it takes me.

WPW: Do you have any plans to return to the States in 2010-2011?

MARSHALL: Not anytime soon, but we will see. I’m not really big for planning ahead. Let the future stay in the future and I’ll live for the here and now. It makes things simpler when you don’t plan ahead. And simple is my middle name!

WPW: Thank you for your time Bobby.

Westside Pro Wrestling is a Western Australian Newsletter that celebrates Pro-Wrestling in Perth and its surrounding areas. The free newsletter is available via email subscription to find out more, please check out their Facebook, Westside Pro Wrestling To see Bobby Marshall in action along with the entire Explosive Pro Wrestling, please check out LocoTV's EPW Channel

NWA Australian wrestler Jag Hartley Jackson to Zero One Japan

credit: Zero One USA

Australian Professional Wrestler Hartley Jackson will be returning to Japan for ZERO1 in April to participate in the "Yamato Shinshu Chikara Matsuri" at the Yasukuni Shrine on 4/11 and the Hokkaido Tour from 4/13-4/15. Jackson is a 10 year veteran of pro wrestling that has wrestled in Australia, Japan and the USA.

In 2005 he trained at the Inoki Dojo in Southern California and in 2006 traveled to New Japan Pro Wrestling for a tag match in Tokyo's Korakuen Hall, teaming with Mikey Nicholls against Minoru and Hirooki Goto. In October 2008 Jackson returned to Japan to take part in the "PROWRES EXPO 2008" in Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan

Jackson sent a statement to the ZERO1 offices saying he's proud to be the 1st Australian wrestler to participate at the Yasukuni Shrine show. He said he wants to show that Australian wrestlers are as good as any in the world, and he hopes that contact with Japan will be greater in the future than it has been. The full card for Yasukuni Shrine and the Hokkaido Tour along with Jackson's opponents have yet to be named.

Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport, Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport-- The Western Australia - So Cal NWA Connection.

The Western Australian So Cal Connection isn't the newest tag team appearing for M1Wrestling next weekend. Its been a phenomenon in our wrestling scene that hasn't been replicated anywhere else in the World. As a Southern California native, when I think of Australians I typically think of Crocodile Dundee, Kangaroos, Koalas, or Outback Steakhouse. When someone mentions wrestling in Australia the feint sound of Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport fills my ears and I reflect on my fond memories of Outback Jack and his appearances for the World Wrestling Federation. However nearly 25 years have passed since Outback Jack and The Australian Wrestling Scene has grown leaps and bounds since then. Western Australia alone has a handful of promotions, but today I’m talking about Explosive Pro Wrestling. In the world of professional wrestling any influx of talent from one wrestling promotion to another is often referred to as an invasion. And the invasion of Southern California wrestling by Australians dates back to late 2005 and since the invasion 15 Australians have used the SoCal Wrestling Scene as a learning excursion and for a short while, called Southern California home.

The Western Australian Connection to SoCal all comes down to a meeting of Explosive Pro Wrestlers, Hartley Jackson (who is actually from Southern Australia) and Mikey Nichols and the NWA. NWA Pro Wrestling had started to gain a foothold in the Southern California wrestling scene with its ties to the World Famous Inoki Dojo. There the Inoki Dojo recruited talent from across the country and across the world. The talent was originally groomed for chances to appear in New Japan Pro Wrestling, which was exemplified by Bryan Danielson, TJ Perkins, Ricky Reyes, Rocky Romero, Tommy Williams, later by Fergal Devitt and Karl “the Machinegun” Anderson. Two wayward travelers, Jackson and Nichols came to the United States for an opportunity to be apart of the famous gym. Unfamiliarity of the local area kept the duo from reaching the dojo right away. It wasn’t until after a miraculous call by Hartley that guided the two to the Dojo. David Marquez remembers “I get a phone call from [fellow NWA Member] Ed Chuman. He tells me, he got a call from two Australians. I don’t even know how they got Chuman’s phone number.” I talked to Jackson and told him how to get to the Dojo. About six hours later and a lot of walking "Jag" and Nichols reach the dojo.” It wasn’t long after joining the ranks of the Dojo Elite, Hartley and Nichols propositioned NWA member and former Vice President of Inoki Sports Management North American Operations David Marquez, about business. At that point there was a meeting with EPW’s Manager Rick Sanders that a deal would be made to not only have EPW join the NWA, but also an open boarder for the Western Australians to work for the NWA in SoCal. Which at the time were strictly the Inoki Dojo Shows and later the Alternative Wrestling Show. A lot of the action from 2006 was filmed for internet only release, soon other Australians would join the Inoki Dojo and the NWA Pro Wrestling Family.

The duo of Jackson and Nichols would return to Western Australia at the end of May 2006, however Nichols would return in June and would bring with him Bobby Jo Marshall and Ferguson “Psychofett” Block but would return home shortly after. Then in November in 2006, AZ Vegara, Chris Vice would all join the Dojo with the returning Marshall. The initial relationship would bring a total of 6 Western Australians who would compete regularly for the Inoki Dojo, Alternative Wrestling Show, and the Empire Wrestling Federation.

2007 would start off with another influx of Perth wrestlers. Vegara and Marshall made their debuts for the NWA Wrestling Showcase. Marshall would also venture to Arizona for his first shot outside of the SoCal scene. Cameron Wallis would soon make his SoCal debut along with South Australian and EPW Wrestler Damian Slater both wrestling in AWS. Both Marshall and Wallis would appear on the NWA Feista Lucha DVD from Las Vegas, NV. Damian Slater would appear during the NWA Wrestling Summit Tour. Nichols would return to the states spending time in Arizona and SoCal and would later become the first Western Australian to win a championship belt in the States when he pinned Karl Anderson to win the EWF American Championship. Over the next two years the talent trade would continue. SoCal Native Jarek Matthews joined the EPW crew. And former EPW Heavyweight Champion won the Mach One Wrestling title, becoming the second EPW Wrestler to hold championship gold while in the states. As of now, no SoCal Championships have traveled to Western Australia, however the NWA Australian Championship was defended in SoCal when Jayson Cooper of NWA Pro Australia defeated Damien Slater at a SoCal Pro Wrestling Show.

Three years have past since the faithful day that brought Nichols and Hartley to the States and Australians continue to come to Southern California. The list of Western Australians wrestlers to venture to the states has grown to include Shane Haste, Alex Kingston, Dan Moore, Maricus Pitsonopolous, Kiel Steria, and Barry Schmidt. EPW talent would work for the NWA all over Southern California (SoCal Pro Wrestling, Mach 1 Wrestling, Alternative Wrestling Show, and Empire Wrestling Federation. But they didn’t just stop with NWA affiliated promotions, the Australians would work for New Wave Pro Wrestling, MWF Lucha Libre, and Pro Wrestling Guerrilla. The Western Australians have benefited from the ample opportunities states side and are able to learn different styles to bring back to their country. SoCal benefits by having a dynamic influx of talent bring something a little different to the scene. So the next time you think of wrestling over here in the States, think of all the Australians who’ve impacted the SoCal Wrestling Scene and made it better. Because SoCal Fans have certainly come to appreciate the import of Australian wrestlers and I no longer think of Outback Jack or Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport...

NWA EPW Kristmas Kaos 2 Recap Video

Dean Olsen takes a look at the last Explosive Pro Wrestling event for 2009, Kristmas Kaos 2 which saw the EPW Tag Team Championships defended in the main event. Mikey Nicholls and Shane Haste vs Davis Storm and Jimmy Payne.

NWA EPW presents: Kristmas' Kaos 2

NWA EPW recaps Re-Awakening 8

It was the biggest night in EPW history when Explosive Pro Wrestling delivered RE-AWAKENING 8 at the Craigie Leisire. Lukey Bolland takes a look at the many highlights that took place at the show. We saw the night get off to a great start when four of EPW's tag teams met in a number one contenders match for the tag team championships. Jimmy Payne's undefeated streak is finally no more as Nate Dooley made his return to EPW by attacking his former team mate which allowed AZ Vegara to pick a huge win. KrackerJak's hardcore battle royale was next on the card and it did not disappoint! Weapons were used, even a fit ball made an appearance at RE-AWAKENING but it was Gavin McGavin who surprisingly picked up the win. Jamie Jurah was disqualified just minutes into the match against Devlin Reeves. The Invitational Final was decided in fine style as Davis Storm picked up a big win over Damian Slater, JT and Tyler Jacobs. The EPW Championship was on the line in a brutal Last Man Standing match between Richter and Bobby Marshall. This match went all over the building and was not short of highlights, brutal highlights and lots of blood. Gavin Miller and Brad West settled their dispute as Ferguson Block took on Sebastian Sander in a special stipulation match. As Ferguson Block won the match, Brad West has now been fired from Explosive Pro Wrestling! Finally, it was six months in the making with state pride on the line, it was WA vs VICTORIA and it was for the EPW Tag Team Championships as Carlo Cannon and Slex defended their belts against two of EPW's finest in Shane Haste and Mikey Nicholls in a ladder match! By the end of the match all four men had given it their all and Nicholls and Haste had done WA proud as they brought the EPW Tag Team Champions back to Perth where they belong! Thanks to everyone who attended RE-AWAKENING 8!

NWA EPW Tag Team Championships return to Perth

Shane Haste and Mikey Nicholls, Team EPW, captured the tag team titles in a ladder match against the Team Victoria (Slex and Carlo.)

Last words from Mikey Nichols before NWA EPW's Re-Awakening 8

NWA EPW: Road to Re-Awakening 8 - Ladder Match for the Tag Titles

Watch all the RE-AWAKENING 8 Videos here

NWA EPW presents: Re-Awakening 8 in 7 Days!

NWA EPW Charity Bash Video Recap

Lukey Bolland takes a look at Explosive Pro Wrestling's CHARITY BASH held on the 3rd of October at the Cyril Jackson Rec Centre with all profits going to TELETHON. Thanks to the fans who attended, EPW was able to raise a total of $2348 for this very worthy cause. Matches that took place were Davis Storm and JT vsTeam Allstar, Tyler Jacobs vs Alex 'The Kid' Kingston, Garry Schmidt vs Gavin McGavin, Jimmy Payne vs Jamie Jurah vs AZ Vegara, Mikey Nicholls vs Devlin Reeves, Chase Griffin and Dan Moore vs Chris Vice and Jonny Wimbledon, Bobby Marshall vs Michael Morleone and the night finished with EPW's first 15 Man Charity Bash Rumble! EPW's next live event is RE-AWAKENING 8 to be held at the Craigie Leisure Centre on the 7th of November. Check out http://www.epwperth.com for more details.

Explosive Pro Wrestling Presents: Re-Awakening 8

Credit: Explosive Pro Wrestling

NWA Explosive Pro Wrestling Gives Back

The world of professional wrestling is considered a cut-throat business filled with sleaze. When wrestling does get publicity, it is typically for all the wrong reasons. All to often we hear of drug overdoes, criminal activities, and death. The NWA is known for its charitable contributions. ECCW helped out with the 24 Hour Wrestling show to fill the empty food banks. NWA Mid-Atlantic has been giving back to the families of Fire Fighters and Police men and women.

Explosive Pro Wrestling was able to give $2348.35 to Telethon. Telethon is a registered childrens charitable trust dedicated to raising funds to improve the lives of children and young people throughout Western Australia. They improve lives by investing in medical treatment and research for children who are sick.

The Results from Charity are:

Jay Taylor and Davis Storm defeated Team Allstar

Tyler Jacobs defeated Alex Kingston

Garry Schmidt defeated Gavin McGavin

Jimmy Payne defeated AZ Vegara and Jamie Jurah

Mikey Nicholls defeated Devlin Reeves

Chase Griffin and Dan Moore defeated Chris Vice and Jonny Wimbledon

Bobby Marshall defeated Sebastian Sander

Mikey Nicholls won the 2009 EPW Charity Rumble

Kudos to all the Wrestlers and Explosive Pro Wrestling for this great cause.

NWA Pro Wrestling and Explosive Pro Wrestling

He who wished to secure the good of others, has already secured his own.

--Confucius

Wrestling Fans in Perth have certainly secured the good of their own and EPW is giving them the goods. This Saturday, October 3rd at the Cyril Jackson Rec Centere will be welcoming home everybody's favorite Super-hero, Mikey Nicholls. All in the name of Charity. Mikey Nicholls, who is a native of Perth has spent this year wrestling for Kirk Sheppard's Northern Wrestling Federation. All the while, Nicholls has been looking for his first taste of Championship gold since losing the NWA Australian Heavyweight Championship to "Jag" Hartley Jackson. Nicholls first match back will be against Devlin Reeves.

Also scheduled:

THREE WAY DANCE
Jimmy Payne v Jamie Jurah v AZ Vegara

Bobby Marshall v Michael Morleone
Davis Storm & JT v Team All Star
Dan Moore & Chase Griffin v Chris Vice & Jonathon Wimbledon
Alex Kingston v Tyler Jacobs
Garry Schmidt v Gavin McGavin