Photo of the Week: The Real American Heroes Explode

The Real American Heroes Explode

NWA British Commonwealth Championship RETURNING

There has been discussion about the crowning of a New Champion, the title has been mostly inactive since Adam Pearce defeated former multi-time champion Dru Onyx in North Shore Pro Wrestling in Quebec City, Quebec Canada. Shortly after Pearce captured the championship, in January 2010, Pearce would go on to defeat Blue Demon Jr. and Phil Shatter for his third World Championship Reign. Unfortunately, the title wasn't defended after that.

The NWA British Commonwealth Championship is one of the most prestigious titles in the National Wrestling Alliance, at time was thought of as the other World Championship, because of its propensity to travel to regions that were formerly associated with the British Empire. England, Wales, Ireland, Canada, the United States, Spain, the Netherlands, France, and Barbados have marked areas where the championship has been defended.

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.

New Japan G1 Climax Tournament Round 1 Devitt vs. Strongman

New Japan has been running the G1 Climax this month.  The 20th anniversary of the tournament featuring a lot of NWA regulars from the past few years.  Here is a video of former NWA British Common Wealth Champion Fergal Devitt taping on Pro Wrestling Revolution's 'Strongman' Jon Andersen.  Also during the G1, 'The Machine Gun' Karl Anderson upset former IWGP Heavyweight Champion Tanahashi.  And last night, Devitt defeated past rival Anderson. 

For all the results of the G1 Glimax check out Strong Style Spirit.

Congrats to the new IWGP Tag Team Champions and new IWGP Jr. Champions

Former NWA Tag Team Chamion, Karl "The Machine Gun" and Giant Bernard won the IWGP Tag Team Championship.  And Former NWA British Commonwealth Champion, Fergal Devit won the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship. 

Credit: Puroresufan.com

NJPW “DOMINION 6.19″, 6/19/10 (WPW/PPV)

Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium

5,500 Fans - Super No Vacancy

1. Koji Kanemoto, El Samurai & AKIRA beat Super Strong Machine, Ryusuke Taguchi & Tama Tonga (8:48) when Samurai used a la magistral on Tonga.

2. Takashi Iizuka, Tomohiro Ishii & Gedo beat Manabu Nakanishi, Mitsuhide Hirasawa & KUSHIDA (9:24) when Iizuka used a sleeper hold on KUSHIDA.

3. GBH vs. NOAH Special Singles Match: Mohammed Yone Pro Wrestling NOAH beat Tomoaki Honma (8:58) with a muscle buster.

4. Shinsuke Nakamura Return Match: Shinsuke Nakamura beat Daniel Puder (4:41) with the Boma Ye.

5. Special Singles Match: Hirooki Goto beat Masato Tanaka ZERO1 (13:39) with the Shouten.

6. IWGP Tag Team Title - 3WAY Elimination Match: Giant Bernard & Karl Anderson beat Yuji Nagata & Wataru Inoue (c) and Yujiro Takahashi & Tetsuya Naito (18:24). Nagata used a backdrop hold on Naito. Anderson used the Gun Stun on Inoue to become the 57th champions.

7. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title: Prince Devitt beat Naomichi Marufuji Pro Wrestling NOAH (c) (20:20) with an avalanche-style Bloody Sunday to become the 60th champion.

8. Hair vs. Hair Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi beat Toru Yano (12:54) with a crucifix hold.

9. IWGP Heavyweight Title: Togi Makabe (c) beat Go Shiozaki Pro Wrestling NOAH (20:40) with a top rope King Kong kneedrop (1st defense).

* Show was said to have been incredible with some going as far as to call it one of the best in years by New Japan.

* Makabe surpassed the V1 hurdle where many have failed, pinning NOAH’s young ace Shiozaki. Makabe appeared legitimately hurt early on and the match took a while to get going, but became good and the IWGP Heavyweight Champion sent Shiozaki home with nothing. Makabe nominated Nakamura, who has a “rematch right”, as his pre-G1 challenger on the big Sapporo show next month. Makabe called Devitt out also after the match to enjoy the moment with him, the two having downed NOAH opposition.

* Tanahashi defeated Yano in the Hair vs. Hair match to take Yano’s hair, but Iizuka arrived to cause trouble. KUSHIDA, who has been at odds with CHAOS, arrived to help Tanahashi but it took the surprise appearance of KUSHIDA’s teacher TAJIRI to make a difference. He misted Yano and Iizuka, before shaking hands with Tanahashi and liquidating their old grudge! Tanahashi may appear on some of TAJIRI’s SMASH shows in future.

* Prince Devitt ascended to the top of the junior world, following up on his Best of the Super Jr. tournament win by beating the previously unbeatable Naomichi Marufuji to bring the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title back home after half a year in Marufuji’s hands! This was said to have been a tremendous match with Devitt showing his growth and completing his climb to the top of the junior ladder.

* Nagata & Wataru showed off brand new IWGP Tag Team Title belts before the show. However, they were unable to hold on to them as Bad Intentions finally captured the gold, Anderson pinning Wataru to win his first title. There were signs of dissension with NO LIMIT, a split between Takahashi and Naito hinted at.

* The long running Hirooki Goto vs. Masato Tanaka feud appears to have ended with Goto winning what seems to have been the decisive match after they were tied. This was said to have been excellent and this whole feud has helped Goto grow as a wrestler.

* Shinsuke Nakamura returned from injury and defeated controversial fighter Daniel Puder in short time. The talking point was the appearance of Simon Inoki and Atsushi Sawada of IGF, who appeared and seemed to eye up Nakamura, potentially reigniting the New Japan vs. IGF situation that never really began last year.

Damian Slater interview - Westside Pro Wrestling

Aussie Gold

Damien Slater, the Golden Boy of the Australian wrestling scene, NWA Pro star and current Warzone Champion has been wrestling since May 2003 and has wrestled all over Australia and in the United States. WPW’s Tez Himself got the chance to speak to the South Aussie as he prepares himself for the upcoming Warzone show on April 16.

WPW: You started wrestling as a teenager in South Australia for Joint Promotions Wrestling. How did you get your start?

SLATER: I’m not going to say that I was always a fan of wrestling because I wasn’t. I started watching back in 1999 and immediately became obsessed. I found out my Dad was playing Rugby with a local wrestler called Otto Von Hess in a company called PWSA. So my Dad took me to see him one night and I basically went to every local show after that. I had always wanted to go and train with PWSA at their Monster Factory with Col Dervaney but I lived about an hour away and my parents wouldn’t let me train unless I could find somebody to drive  me. So eventually in 2002 at age 14 I talked a friend into picking me up a couple of times a week and that’s my story.

It was such a privilege to train with one of the only old timers left in Aussie Wrestling. I got beat up every night man. I remember having to try my best not to vomit in my mate’s Dad’s car on the way home from EVERY training for about a year straight. These days kids wanna take the easiest route but I never for one second, even as an immature 14 year old, thought that wrestling should be easy.

Col taught me so much about professionalism and respect that is missing from a lot of current Aussie Wrestlers. I have a lot of love and respect for the guy that I can never truly pay back.

WPW: EPW’s Survival of the Fittest in 2005 saw you make your WA wrestling debut, in the past five years what have been your favourite matches in Perth?

SLATER: My five or so matches with Shane Haste are at the top by far. We have a chemistry that has only been matched thus far by wrestling Davis Storm. Any time I’m in the ring with those two I definitely feel like I’ve been in a war, and I feel on top of my game. I’d also put a match I had with Hartley Jackson for Monday Night Wrestling in the same category. We were both tired, beat up, had already wrestled about four times over the weekend and had a great 20 minute match in front of probably only as many people. My match with Rocky Romero from the NWA 2007 Tour is probably my favourite just for what it meant to me, though far from my best effort.

Other than that, some surprise packages have been my matches with Dan Moore and Marcius Pitsonopolous. I love the challenge of wrestling up and comers rather than established veterans, and I think those two matches delivered when nobody really expected much from them.

WPW: You have made two trips to the States first in 2007 and then early 2009. On your first trip you took part in the King of the Summit Battle Royal, as seen on the NWA Fiesta Lucha DVD, and in 2009 you got the chance to take part in a Shawn Michaels seminar while you were part of the Empire Wrestling Federation. Can you tell us about these experiences and others you have had during your time in the US?

SLATER: The Shawn Michaels seminar was a let down. Don’t get me wrong it was cool to meet him and wrestle a match (and lose teeth) for him, but he was really only there as a social visit and it wasn’t much of a seminar at all.

The Fiesta Lucha was amazing. I was 19, had barely been in the States for a week and we were put up for five days in a beautiful Vegas hotel, on the NWA’s dime and had an opportunity to share a locker room with a ridiculous amount of talent and great names. It was an eye opening experience to wrestle in a building that seats about 4000+ and for such a rabid Lucha audience. I remember it feeling surreal when I was sitting next to Billy Kidman as we put our gear on. I had his poster on my wall as a kid Haha.

But my best experience wrestling overseas was my 2007 trip. It was just me, TJ Perkins, Rocky Romero and Karl Anderson (Don’t worry I’ll pick those names up later) training every day for 3-6 hours. I’ve never learnt so much about wrestling in my life. Often we would train, go work out, spend the day playing video games at Rocky’s house and then hit the bars at night. I miss those days so bad. Unfortunately TJ has moved to Florida, Karl to Japan and Rocky to Mexico, so those memories are well behind us.

WPW: Are you planning on making a return to the States in the near future?

SLATER: 2011 is the year. I don’t think I’ll be returning to California though. We will just have to wait and see where I pop up but I do already have something sorted. I’m basically finishing my Sports Science degree this year and then I’m free to give it my best shot at making it in this crazy industry. Education is the only thing thus far that has kept me from going all out.

WPW: The 2009 PWI 500 list saw you come in at number 343. There were quite a few Aussies on the list last year. How does Australian talent get on the list?

SLATER: My understanding is that you have to be recommended. I’m pretty sure there’s a guy up in Queensland who works for PWI who put in last year’s recommendations. So honestly it really isn’t much of a list, but always an honour to get a bit of publicity and to be a Top 3 Australian in someone’s eyes.

WPW: WrestleClash 2 supercard saw you become the first ever Warzone Champion. Now, at Warzone 4 in April you make your first Warzone Championship defense against Shane Haste in Victoria. You have had some classic matches with Shane in the past and. Is it a big thing for you personally, for a SA vs. WA match to be headlining at Victorian show?

SLATER: It’s a huge thing. I have a special interest in Warzone wrestling and am confident that they will be the breakout of all the mediocrity in Melbourne wrestling as of late. Every single guy on the roster is a great talent with a good head and the boss is about the most down to earth guy I know. As for wrestling Shane, I’ve been waiting over a year to get this rematch and it will be a war. Nothing less. I owe it to myself.

As far as I believe it’s one of the only shows in recent years that has been Main Evented by two interstaters, so I guess that counts for something too.

WPW: Who would you like to compete against on the Australian scene that you haven’t had the opportunity to as yet?

SLATER: I’ve been fortunate enough to wrestle almost everybody I’ve wanted to wrestle in this country. I’d put Ryan Eagles and the Fitness Maniacs as three guys who I haven’t had the opportunity of wrestling and who would all be a perfect fit in EPW.

As for local guys… Chase Griffin and Jimmy Payne. Any time I think about this question those two names always pop up first. Adam Banks and Alex Kingston would also be up there.

WPW: You are one of the most travelled wrestlers in the country, regularly making appearances in WA, SA, VIC and QLD. Are you hoping to one day make wrestling your full time career?

SLATER: I’ve spent most of my free time in the last 7 ½ years throwing my body onto a hard mat and reducing myself to gyms at stupid hours. If I wasn’t looking to get a payoff then I’m a fool who has wasted most of his life. I guess I’m too stubborn to live an average life, so always have my sights set extremely high and a full time Pro Wrestler has a nice ring to it. If I don’t make it to where I want to be, at least I can say I spent my best years seeing Australia for free.

WPW: Thank you taking the time to speak with Westside Pro Wrestling, Damian.

SLATER: I’ll expect my cheque in the mail.

Check out Damian’s blog at http://www.epwperth.com/commentary/index.html

01/04/10 New Japan Results

NJPW “WRESTLE KINGDOM IV IN TOKYO DOME”,
January 4, 2010 (WPW/PPV)
Tokyo Dome
Tokyo, Japan
41,500 Fans

Nakamura remains the strongest with a decisive victory over Takayama. NJ and NOAH share the spoils with Sugiura besting Goto to keep his title, NJ ace Tanahashi defeating NOAH ace Shiozaki in an alleged 2010 Best Bout candidate, Marufuji dethroning Tiger Mask in a spectacular match, and Makabe making short work of Yone. NO LIMIT returned and made an incredible impact, beating the two gaijin teams to lift the IWGP Tag Team Title - TenKoji comparisons arise as the two cocky youngsters look to become a franchise team for New Japan. Full report to follow of what was called a “god performance”, one of the best Dome shows in years.

1. New Japan Pro-Wrestling 2010 Beginning: Super Strong Machine, Wataru Inoue & Mitsuhide Hirasawa beat Jushin Thunder Liger, Koji Kanemoto & Kazuchika Okada (4:59) when Inoue used the Triangle Lancer on Okada.

2. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Title ~Amistad combativa~: Ryusuke Taguchi & Prince Devitt (c) beat Ultimo Guerrero & Averno (9:07) when Taguchi pinned Averno after the Black Hole Vacation (4th defense).

3. IWGP Tag Team Title - 3WAY Hardcore Rules Match ~Victim and Greed~: Yujiro & Tetsuya Naito beat “Team 3D” Brother Ray & Brother Devon (c) and Giant Bernard & Karl Anderson (13:28) when Yujiro pinned Anderson after the Limitless Emotion to become the 55th champions.

4. Wrestle Kingdom Special Tag Match ~Blood Stream Blue~: TAJIRI & Masato Tanaka beat Yuji Nagata & Akebono (9:37) when TAJIRI used a Buzzsaw kick on Nagata.

5. Wrestle Kingdom Special 8 Man Tag Match ~The legend never rots~: Terry Funk, Riki Choshu, Masahiro Chono & Manabu Nakanishi beat Abdullah The Butcher, Toru Yano, Takashi Iizuka & Tomohiro Ishii (8:52) when Nakanishi used an Argentine backbreaker on Iizuka.

6. NJPW vs. NOAH Battle Effusions ~Wilderness~: Togi Makabe beat Mohammed Yone (5:39) with a top rope King Kong kneedrop.

7. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title ~Highest sky~: Naomichi Marufuji beat Tiger Mask (c) (14:14) with the Tiger Frosion to become the 59th champion.

8. NJPW vs. NOAH Battle Effusions ~Radiance~: Hiroshi Tanahashi beat Go Shiozaki (19:04) with the High Fly Flow.

9. GHC Heavyweight Title - NJPW vs. NOAH Battle Effusions ~Blast~: Takashi Sugiura (c) beat Hirooki Goto (20:54) with an ankle hold (1st defense).

10. IWGP Heavyweight Title - The newest, The strongest: Shinsuke Nakamura (c) beat Yoshihiro Takayama (15:51) with the Boma Ye (4th defense).

Courtesy of www.puroresufan.com

New Japan Pro Wrestling present: Wrestle Kingdom IV

credit: Puroresufan

Two final matches and full card order for the biggest show of 2010 in Japan, “WRESTLE KINGDOM IV IN TOKYO DOME”, have been announced. Apollo 55, after doing so well in the J-CUP, face two assassins from CMLL in the form of Ultimo Guerrero & Averno with the IWGP Jr. Tag Team Title on the line. And Aogi-gun’s Machine, Wataru & Hirasawa battle Liger, Kanemoto & Okada in NJ’s first match of 2010.

NJPW “WRESTLE KINGDOM IV IN TOKYO DOME”, 1/4/10 (WPW/PPV)
Tokyo Dome

1. New Japan Pro-Wrestling 2010 Beginning: Super Strong Machine, Wataru Inoue & Mitsuhide Hirasawa vs. Jushin Thunder Liger, Koji Kanemoto & Kazuchika Okada
2. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Title ~Amistad combativa~: Ryusuke Taguchi & Prince Devitt (c) vs. Ultimo Guerrero & Averno
3. IWGP Tag Team Title - 3WAY Hardcore Rules Match ~Victim and Greed~: “Team 3D” Brother Ray TNA Wrestling & Brother Devon TNA Wrestling (c) vs. Giant Bernard & Karl Anderson vs. Yujiro & Tetsuya Naito
4. Wrestle Kingdom Special Tag Match ~Blood Stream Blue~: Yuji Nagata & Akebono vs. TAJIRI & Masato Tanaka ZERO1
5. Wrestle Kingdom Special 8 Man Tag Match ~The legend never rots~: Terry Funk, Riki Choshu, Masahiro Chono & Manabu Nakanishi vs. Abdullah The Butcher, Toru Yano, Takashi Iizuka & Tomohiro Ishii
6. NJPW vs. NOAH Battle Effusions ~Wilderness~: Togi Makabe vs. Mohammed Yone Pro Wrestling NOAH
7. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title ~Highest sky~: Tiger Mask (c) vs. Naomichi Marufuji Pro Wrestling NOAH
8. NJPW vs. NOAH Battle Effusions ~Radiance~: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Go Shiozaki Pro Wrestling NOAH
9. GHC Heavyweight Title - NJPW vs. NOAH Battle Effusions ~Blast~: Takashi Sugiura Pro Wrestling NOAH (c) vs. Hirooki Goto
10. IWGP Heavyweight Title - The newest, The strongest: Shinsuke Nakamura (c) vs. Yoshihiro Takayama

NWA British Commonwealth Championship Legacy

NWA BRITISH COMMONWEALTH CHAMPIONSHIP

2nd Champion Dru Onyx

Straight from Japan; Interview with Karl Anderson

Its no surprise that the NWA is stacked with talent. Karl "The Machine Gun" Anderson is definitely one of those workers who has been able to compete at a higher level globally. In the last year Anderson has competed in multiple countries for the NWA. All over the United States, Ireland, Spain, Australia, Mexico, and now he's officially made his way to Japan. I recently had a chance to share words with the Machine Gun and in this interview, we touch base on Anderson's new career in the land of the rising son.

Jay Cal: Karl, first let me thank you for taking the time to do this interview with me. Your introduction to the New Japan fan base was on March 9th when you faced Koji Kanemoto in the New Japan Cup. Anyone who knows Kanemoto knows of his skill and technique. You battled Koji at the Aichi Perfectural Gymnasium in front of 7,500 fans. What was it like to do battle with one of New Japan’s Finest in front of that large crowd?

Machine Gun: Kanemoto is not just one of New Japan's finest but one of the finest, WORLDWIDE, hands down. There is really no way to explain the honor that it was to debut for NJPW, let alone have my debut match be vs. Koji Kanemoto. To finally be in Japan, after all the hard work and all of the BULLSHIT that I had to go through to finally have this opportunity feels surreal. To perform in front of that kind of crowd vs. Kanemoto was a dream come true. I am living a dream right now, and I plan on the living this dream for a LONG TIME

Jay Cal: With one of the greatest World Wide in front of one of your largest crowds, was the experience over whelming?

Machine Gun: I wouldn't say OVERWHELMING, but like I said, the experience was a bit surreal. To go from training my ASS off at the LA dojo for a year, and then leaving the LA dojo a year ago with my dreams crushed thinking I would never have the opportunity to go work for New Japan Pro Wrestling. And it all happened so fast. NJPW asked me if I was available, I said yes, and next thing I know, I have a contract in the mail and the travel agent is calling me about my flight! The experience was NOT at all overwhelming, it was FUCKING AMAZING!!!!

Jay Cal: Two days later you faced your long-time rival Prince Devitt and his RISE partners; Hirooki Goto and the former WWE star Giant Bernard. It was nearly 2 years to the day you defeated Devitt for his NWA British Commonwealth Championship, how was it stepping into the ring with Devitt?

Machine Gun: I am not gonna beat around the bush here, Devitt is one of my best friends in the World. And to be able to step in the ring with one of my best buddies on one of the BIGGEST STAGES of ALL, now that is fucking awesome.... 2 years to the day huh? Wow, 2 years to the day I BEAT that peice of crap Prince Devitt in a CLASSIC match in front of 8 fucking people at the dojo, and did it for FREE!! ha, how things have changed, no more FREEBIES, like JAY Z says, "You betta cut the check" ha!

Jay Cal: Going a different direction, your experiences as NWA World Tag Team Champion afforded you lots of opportunities to perfect the style of tag team wrestling. But it wasn’t Joey Ryan or Adam Pearce on either side of you, but Nakanishi and Naito. Was it easy for you to adapt in the ring with them and was their a language barrier?

Machine Gun: There is definitely a language barrier. But the awesome part is that Nakanishi has been around for so long that he speaks great English. Honestly, I haven't had any problems with communication

Jay Cal: How did it feel to stand toe to toe with the Giant, Bernard?

Machine Gun: Standing Toe to toe with Bernard was amazing. I watched Bernard on WWE TV when I was just a Freshman in college. Who knew I would be facing off with him 9 years later. The guy is amazing, and standing next to him made me realize how small I really am, he is HUGE

Jay Cal: The next night you faced Goto and Bernard again with Nakanishi. Were you able to parlay your tag team expertise with your experience from the night before in teaming with Nakanishi?

Machine Gun: Nakanishi has been great for me here in Japan. He has helped me a lot. It is a tradition to warm up and workout before the shows in New Japan with all of the boys. So, before the shows Nakanishi is always showing me and teaching me new things. His intensity and his emotion he shows in the ring is amazing

Jay Cal: Do you have any further plans to team with Nakanishi in the future?

Machine Gun: I have HUGE plans in New Japan, stay tuned, I promise to NOT disappoint!

Jay Cal: I look forward to hearing hat news. At the Yonago Convention Center, you faced your partner from the night before in Hirasawa with a crab hold. This is was your one on one win in Japan. How did the fans react to your victory?

Machine Gun: The fans have taken to me well in Japan, I think they are gonna really get into my character soon, I will be a JAPANESE IDOL!!!!

Machine Gun: What did it mean for you to walk away with your first victory in Japan?

Machine Gun: It was great, it is always good to get wins, cause that means there is plans for me here.... And that is the most important thing

Machine Gun: All the chemistry you built with Nakanishi, you faced him the next night. How was that to face a man you’ve been working with so closely?

Machine Gun: I was THIS close to beating Nakanishi! It was great to get in the ring with someone as famous as him, the people were behind him, and it allowed me to be the BAD GUY that I love being

Jay Cal: Anyone who’s seen you on the NWA Showcase would call you the MVP of the NWA. You recently debuted for New Japan on Samurai TV facing TNA Superstar Rhino. How was it to face the former NWA World Champion?

Machine Gun: I would call myself the MVP as well! Machine Gun MOST VALUABLE PLAYER BABY!!!! It was great to wrestle Rhino, he is an intense individual.... For anybody that see that match, know these facts; I worked that match after having SEVERE INTENSE DIARRHEA for 4 straight days! I hadn't eaten ANYTHING for 3 days except ONE banana. ha, so my debut match on Samuri TV Machine Gun is about 10 pounds lighter than I normally am. I was sick as a dog

All in all man, Japan is amazing, and good things have happened. And I have great news, and when I am able to release it, you will be one of the first to know!

Jay Cal: Well I think I can speak for the NWA Family is saying that everyone here is proud of you and we can't wait to see what is in store for the Machine Gun! Thanks for your time.

If you haven't checked out Anderson's 1st Interview, read it here.

Update on Karl Anderson to New Japan

As reported by Strong Style Spirit, Karl Anderson is going to be competing in the New Japan Cup. Anderson will be replacing the injured Nagata and facing Koji Kanemoto in the first round. Kanemoto who once competed at Tiger Mask III, is a very accomplished wrestler and had made a name for himself in New Japan's Jr. Division, and is currently the AWF Tag Team Champion with Choi Tesan, which I believe to be a Korean Wrestling promotion. Anderson recently lost the NWA World Tag Team Titles but held the titles for 7 months.

Anderson will have a tough match a head of him and in replacing Yuji Nagata has some huge shoes to fill. However, as more or less the Dark Horse of the Tournament, Anderson could surprise many people. Good luck Machine Gun!

Machine Gun to Japan

The United States are sending arms to Japan and Oliver North has nothing to do with it. Karl 'The Machine Gun' Anderson is heading to Japan to make his debut for New Japan Pro Wrestling. New Japan recently re-joined the NWA after a brief departure of the Alliance last year.

From Machine Gun's Blog:

So yea, I changed my little status update on my page saying that I was goin to the FAR EAST soon.... And I have gotten a lot of emails asking the meaning of that.... So here it is: I have an announcement about my career but I want the people to figure it out on their own.... If you are a wrestling fan, it wont take you long. Read the internet and search around and you will find me.... My family members and close friends know where I am heading.... SO, that is that. Man, I can't wait to see my friends Shinsuke Nakamura and Prince Devitt soon.... Much love to everybody.... March 6, the journey begins.... Until then my Myspace friends.... Holla

Karl Anderson spent his early tenure with the NWA Pro training at the former Inoki L.A. Dojo with the likes of Fergal 'Prince' Devitt and current Undisputed IWGP Heavyweight Champion, Shinsuke Nakamura. Anderson had a banner year in 2007 winning the NWA Midwest Heartland States Championship and later winning the NWA Pro/EWF American Heavyweight Championship. Holding both titles simutaneously, before winning the NWA World Tag Team Championships with Joey 'Magnum' Ryan. Our loss is definitely New Japan's gain. I wish Karl all the luck in the world.

You can read the interview I did with Karl Anderson.

An Interview with the Machine Gun.

It is well documented the success of the National Wrestling Alliance has been on an up-turn as of late. Carrying on the legacy of yesterdays legends, are the names of the future. Karl Anderson, the Machine Gun is one of the many that are carrying on the history and tradition of the oldest wrestling alliance in the World. In this interview we discuss the NWA British Common Wealth Championship, his involvement in the NWA 57th Anniversary Show, the tag team the “Real American Heroes” and what will be coming next from this super star.

JAY CAL: The man you beat for the NWA British Common Wealth Championship was Fergal Devitt, who is now, a very successful Junior Heavyweight currently wrestling in Japan with NJPW. The man who defeated you for that title, Alex Koslov is now wrestling in championship bouts in Mexico in CMLL. And as it is well known you are one of the top tier wrestlers in the National Wrestling Alliance. Can you share your feelings about the British Common Wealth Championship and its impact on your career?

MACHINE GUN: Honestly man, and I don't mean any disrespect to the current British Commonwealth Champion, Paul Tracey who is a good friend of mine, but I think that belt was lucky to even be worn by the guys that wore it. I don't mean that in a cocky way at all, I just mean that the belt happened to be on Fergal Devitt when he decided to come to the New Japan Dojo in Santa Monica. I happen to be there when Fergal signed his contract, and so the belt was put on me. Alex Koslov happened to also be attending the dojo at that time and was able to win the belt from me. The belt didn't do anything for my career because it was only defended in front of about 20 people every Sunday! And that is a shoot. It is a BEAUTIFUL belt, don't get me wrong, but it's not like that thing elevated me in anyway. And talk about Fergal and Alex. Those guys are two of my best friends in the World. They worked hard as hell to receive the success that they are having. From training at the dojo everyday and being broke as shit and being told lies that we were all going to go to Japan. It was a long, tough road and those two guys are doing awesome and THEY ARE RICH now!!!! So good for them

JAY CAL: In terms of high profile matches, one of your first was at the NWA 57th Anniversary Show. You wrestled Scott Murray. This match was said to be the match that got you discovered by NWA Pro officials. How did you feel about that match and did you think wrestling at this show, would later afford you the opportunities you’ve received since?
MACHINE GUN: Yea, you're right. This was probably the most important match of my career up to this point. I was hooked up on this show by the promoter of the short-lived NWA Indy named Rob Williams. I thought for sure that this would be a great opportunity.... Until I got to the show! Which was the BIGGEST CLUSTER-FUCK of a show I had EVER SEEN IN MY LIFE!!!! 15 matches on the card in front of about 50-75 people. I looked around at a lot of the other guys on the show, and thought to myself "Get me the fuck out of here!"
I happened to have a good match. Dave Marquez happened to be in the crowd and Mr. Marquez worked his magic on me and talked me into moving out to Los Angeles. That was 2 years ago. And the first year that I moved to LA I would say I thought that I made the worst decision of my life. But after sticking it out and making a lot of friends, this past year has been the MOST beneficial of my entire career for sure. So I guess if you put it into perspective, then absolutely that match that I had at the Anniversary show was a big turning point in my life.

JAY CAL: The next super-card I want to talk about is the highly successful The Copa De Lucha, which was a huge hit for the NWA Pro. In what was seemingly your National debut as a tag team with Joey Ryan saw you defeat some of the best tag teams of the NWA; what did winning the Cup, mean to you?
MACHINE GUN: Actually, to be completely factual we DID NOT win the cup.... The dirty Mexicans beat us for the cup in Las Vegas! But we stole the cup back from them at later TV tapings.

JAY CAL: Oh yeah, I must have been a little confused on that. Speaking of The Real American Heroes, you and the Magnum were formed earlier this year. Joey, aside from competing regularly from Pro Wrestling Guerrilla was teaming with Disco Machine on MTV’s take on Wrestling, WSX. As that 70’s Team, Joey Ryan adopted his sleazy look. What were the events that lead up to your meeting Joey Ryan and later teaming together for the NWA?
MACHINE GUN: I had met Joey a couple of times and even wrestled him at the Dojo out in Santa Monica. And to be honest that match we had was one of the funniest matches I have ever been involved in. And Actually I have to give Dave Marquez credit for putting Joey and I together. After our first match teaming together I think we both realized that we had a lot of chemistry and that our styles of wrestling are very similar. Marquez put us together and we just ran with it.

JAY CAL: Aside from your tag team success, you won the NWA Midwest Heartland States Heavyweight Champion. At the same time you defeated the Human Tornado to with the NWA Pro/Empire Wrestling Federation’s American Heavyweight Championship. This was in the midst of the NWA re-crowning a New Worlds Champion. Your pleas to be invited to participate in this tournament fell on deaf ears while you were a double champion. How did you feel about not getting a tournament spot?
MACHINE GUN: Politics, just strictly, ridiculous politics. Look at some of those guys in that tournament and tell me that I didn't deserve a spot?! [It’s] unbelievable. But either way, I am one half of the NWA World Tag Team Champions. So, now at least my pay days are sweeter than some of the losers in that tournament!!!!

JAY CAL: It seemed that you got somebody’s attention. Because it wasn’t long after the tag team titles were declared vacant that Joey and yourself, along with the Kidman/Waltman tandem, and Sicodelico Jr. and Incognito were allowed to share an opportunity to be the next Worlds Tag Team Championships. You and Joey were able to over-come the gauntlet and win the tag team titles. Could you explain what impact that made on your professional and personally?
MACHINE GUN: It was sweet man. You know, I grew up in Ashville, North Carolina … the home of the NWA. I grew up watching NWA on TBS my whole life. I watched Arn and Tully. My idol was Ric Flair. And to be a co-holder of the same belts that those guys won? Man that is sweet. No matter what all the haters have to say, I am a champion, and they are not!

JAY CAL: So your successes in the NWA have afforded you other opportunities in the wrestling realm. You debuted for Pro Wrestling Guerrilla earlier this year and recently joined the Ring of Honor Ranks. What are your ambitions in the wrestling world? Where would you like to be next?
MACHINE GUN: I just want to keep moving up. Every year for me has been better. Every year I move up. I have made A LOT of plane flights this year. A lot of wrestlers would KILL to be flown somewhere, put in a hotel and then get paid to wrestle! I am very fortunate to be in the spot that I am in, in the NWA. I am fortunate to have gotten into Pro Wrestling Guerrilla. I am very fortunate to have gotten the opportunity to work for Ring of Honor in Las Vegas and San Francisco. I just want to keep moving up and keep doing everything that I can to get as far as I can in this business.

JAY CAL: Is there anything else you’d like to share with the readers of this interview?
MACHINE GUN: SUPPORT INDY WRESTLING. SUPPORT WRESTLING IN GENERAL. GO TO LOCAL WRESTLING SHOWS and cheer for your favorites and boooo the wrestlers that you don't like! I blew my knee out in front of 15 people wrestling for free 4 years ago! Wrestlers go in the ring night in and night out and put it all out there for the fans! Just show some support and keep the “You fucked up” chants to yourself, or meet us outside and get fucked up yourself! Thanks for the interview!!!!

JAY CAL: Karl, I have to thank you for the interview. 2007 has been a tremendous year for you and I hope that your 2008 will be a even better year. Thank you for your time and thank you for what you do in the ring.

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