NEWS
IZW presents "Ground Zero" Saturday July 26th 7:30 pm at the IZW Training Center. Admission is $8.00 or $10.00 with an IZW event program. The card will be announced soon.
June 2003
May 2003
April 2003
March 2003
February 5, 2003
ROAD RAGE - January 11, 2003
ASSAULT - October 30, 2002
ASSAULT - October 26, 2002
ASSAULT - September 4, 2002
BACK TO SCHOOL BASH - August 24-25, 2002
ASSAULT - July 17, 2002
INTERVIEWS
Derek Neikirk
"The Outlaw" Mike Nox
Lexie Fyfe
Frankie "the Future" Kazarian
The Ballard Brothers
IZW Comissioner C.C. Starr
Erica Porter
This was IZW's first show in Phoenix! The Bash on Ash was packed with standing room only.
The first match pitted the rookie John "The Hawaiian Lion" Williams against the vile Sin. the Lion managed to take the win when Chainsaw stopped Sin from hitting the rookie over the head with a chair. This allowed the Hawaiian Lion to catch Sin with a Pearl River Plunge for the victory.
Next up was UPW's Al Katrazz vs. PWI's Tommy Drake for the #1 contendor's slot. These two men from rival California-based federations tore into each other with a vengance. The tables kept teetering before finally swinging Tommy's direction. Everything seemed to be going Tommy's way until he slipped on the second rope and injured his knee. Al Katrazz took this opportunity to gain the victory over the Pro-Wrestling Iron superstar.
The third match was the grizzled biker Chainsaw (representing Genesis Custom Motorcycles) against the Red Dragon. This match pitted speed and agility against brutal mat maneuvering. The Red Dragon, giving up nearly 100 pounds to Chainsaw, tapped out to Chainsaw's finisher the Kick Stand. As Chainsaw was about to leave the ring, an incesed Sin jumped him from behind. Security ran in to seperate the two and several were knocked down by both men until finally coming under control. Later that night; Chainsaw issued an open challenge to Sin for a series of 3 specialty matches to determine who the baddest man in IZW really is. More on this fued as it develops.
The local band Motive played the intermission as people prepared for the next matches.
The ladies match proved to be quite a slobbernocker. The young Erica D'Erico faced off against the veteran grappler Lexie Fyfe. These two definately proved that women belong in the sport of pro-wrestling. Erica managed to come away with the victory to the dismay of an enraged Lexie Fyfe. Lexie wound up knocking the ref down to prove how upset she was over his refereeing skills. Next brought the Ballard Brothers against their rivals Native Blood for the IZW tag-team titles. This feud has been active for about 2 years now and has spilled over into different federations all over the country. The crowd was fired up as the two teams squared off against one another. The Ballards managed to pull off the win by distracting the ref long enough to take out Ghostwalker with one of the belts.
Finally, the main event! The Outlaw Mike Nox was defending his Heavyweight title against another UPW star, Frankie "the Future" Kazarian. Both men nearly took the roof off of the Bash as the fighting spilled out of the ring and into the bar. It looked like Frankie was going to upset the champion until Nox managed to catch Frankie in his patented finisher the Cattledrive.
Saturday, Aug. 24
The day was sponsored in part by Arizona Game and Fish and the Nike Golf Learning Center, so children had the chance to either grab a pole and bait some creatures swimming in the fountain, or tee off on a putting green. Sprint was also in attendance, as well as Ford Racing, complete with their official pace car. It was a hot day, but the crowd by the carousel was covered by awnings and a refreshing mist system that would figure into the main event.
Young high-flyer Ryse started out the day against heavyweight rookie Heave Morrus. Ryse lived up to his name, kicking out of several pin attempts, suplexes, and off-the-rope legdrops. However, his arsenal of dropkicks and cross-body blocks wasn't enough to stop Morrus's underhook face buster finish just after the three-minute mark.
Good friends fought a well-contested round in the next portion of the show. "The Hawaiian Lion" John Williams took on popular veteran "Hollywood" Yates, starting off with a series of locks and tests of strength. 'Wood did not take it easy on his opponent, hitting him with everything from spinning kicks to bodyslams. The Lion seemed to have won the day after a promising armdrag takedown, but after an Irish whip and failed splash attempt, it was "Last Call" for Williams and a victory for the veteran Yates.
"Triple H? Quad injury? That's nothing!" said Yates after the match, joking with his arm around the worn-out Williams, holding up a bruised and bloody pinky cuticle. "I might need 6 months off."
Following the conclusion of Saturday's event, the last two competitors were lucky to survive each other. IZW World Champion "The Outlaw" Mike Nox squared off against Native Blood member Ghostwalker, who stole the belt to garner some cheers from a crowd who Nox taunted every step of the way. The match went back and forth as Ghostwalker used everything from Atomic Drops to double drop kicks to counter the hard-hitting offense of chokes, pokes, and other dubious methods.
The match went all the way into the fountain, which Nox used to nearly drown Ghostwalker. The beloved IZW star gained control back and did his version of a ten-count into the ringpost, but driving Nox's head instead into the steering wheel of Ford Racing's official pace car. The crowd counted along to each honk of the horn.
However, after brawling back into the ring, The Outlaw gained the advantage and had Ghostwalker laid out in the middle of the ring after a devastating spinebuster. Climbing to the top turnbuckle, he found he didn't have enough room to move under the awning. The crowd laughed at his comical plight, but he soon changed the mood, climbing to the top of the awning and soaring several feet down with a guillotine legdrop that earned him the victory pin.
Defeated and soaking wet, Ghostwalker limped out of the ring, but with his head high, the applause of the crowd in his ears and revenge for Nox in his heart. He may have that chance September 4, 2002, when IZW returns to The Bash On Ash in Tempe, AZ.
Sunday Aug. 25
Ryse defeated Heave Morrus with a roll-up with his feet on the ropes.
The Crock defeated the Hawaiian Lion with the Crock's Bottom.
Navajo Warrior & Ghostwalker (Native Blood) and C.C. Starr defeated "Outlaw"
Mike Nox, Hollywood, and Chainsaw in a six-man tag-team match after Navao pinned Chainsaw with the Shapeshifter.
Impact Zone Wrestling returned to The Bash On Ash in Tempe, AZ on Wednesday, September 4 for another installment of “Assault,” the only showcase for top independent wrestling action in the Grand Canyon State. After a greeting by announcer Justin Roberts to pump the excited crowd up into even more of a frenzy, it was time to dive headfirst into the night.
The Flawless Kid, touting “zero percent body fat” and guaranteeing victory, locked up against IZW and Native Blood hero Ghostwalker. Flawless and fatless the Kid was not, missing some corner splashes and meeting the mat courtesy of some arm drags, Irish whips, and a painful baseball slide into the crotch. Although the hefty contender put up a respectable offense, the Flawless Kid was defeated after a few elbow drops, leg drops, and the "Slot Machine" finish. As Ghostwalker exited the ring to a round of applause, the Flawless Kid insisted, “I won!” The young competitor held this claim though the end of the night.
The “Who’s Who” of IZW was the guest star of the next contest, a lumberjack match that saw Hollywood, Ghostwalker, Hawaiian Lion, “Outlaw” Mike Nox, Al Katrazz, The Hardcore Kid, Jack Bull, and many more to stand guard at ringside as “The Biblical Phenomenon” Sin sought to settle his grudge with the biker called Chainsaw. Local referee Danny B., fresh off a hiatus in Beverly Hills, CA, made his return with a new attitude, a managing license, and Sin’s contract, distracting Chainsaw so Sin could sneak in from behind with an early attack. ‘Saw did all he could to withstand the punishment of illegal chokeholds and the interference of several lumberjacks, even gaining advantage with a Thesz Press, DDT, and step-over toehold facelock. The referee looked for a submission by Sin, but with his attention diverted, he missed Nox breaking the STF with a blow to ‘Saw’s head, allowing Sin to get the pin. However, referee “The Crock” reversed the decision, awarding the match to ‘Saw and infuriating Nox enough to start a fight between the two. For Chainsaw, the damage was done. A bicep injury will take him out of action for the next six months.
“The Heartthrob” Johnny Love stepped between the ropes with a lot of confidence, but not even “the best Negro you’ll ever know” could outshine seasoned veteran Hollywood. Love threw everything he had into the bout, trying for an early submission. After being knocked down by a hiptoss, Love called for a timeout, even going as far as retreating to the outside of the ring. It was all a ruse, as Hollywood discovered after being ambushed and nearly piledriven into the unforgiving concrete. Hollywood reversed into a back body drop, regaining control and taking Love back into the ring for a swinging neckbreaker and snap suplex. The Heartthrob was able to fend off the attack with a gutwrench power bomb and illegal pin attempt with his feet on the ropes, but after a whip into the ropes and kick to the jaw, he soon heard the cry of “Last Call!” Hollywood amazed the audience with a standing 360 degree flip into a leg drop, hooking the leg and grabbing the three count for the win.
The Killer Klown insulted the crowd and shook his fanny at hecklers, but it appeared there was no one to meet him in the ring. The familiar sounds of AC/DC’s “You Shook Me (All Night Long)” signaled the return of CC Starr, who announced his service to IZW as Commissioner. The Commish brought out Jungle Girl to face the evil circus castoff, who pulled his opponent’s long hair throughout the match. Klown seemed to be winning the match and tried to end it with an abdominal stretch, but the gorgeous Amazon broke away and brought the clown to his knees with a low blow. Using a sunset flip to pin the green-haired villain for the three count, Jungle Girl proved that she can battle with the best of either gender.
“The Future” Frankie Kazarian arrived as a 15 minute intermission ended, telling the Tempe crowd that for the lack of the support they offered during his title shot against “Outlaw” Mike Nox in July, he was turning his back on them and unleashing an uncontrollable menace into the ranks of IZW. Derek Neikirk made his debut, his bad reputation following him. Neikirk, allegedly too wild for even millionaire wrestling tycoon Vince McMahon to temper, traded wristlocks with The Hawaiian Lion as the next match began. Technical wrestling turned into fierce fighting as the match went to the outside. The Lion was thrown into the ringpost, but made it back into the ring to execute a T-Bone suplex on Neikirk. As the contest continued, Neikirk clotheslined the Lion and tried to take him out with a top rope head butt, but missed by a mile. A frustrated Neikirk got the momentum again with a top rope elbow drop, following up with a jawbreaker. He refused to release a scorpion deathlock on the Hawaiian Lion, even after the fan favorite had reached the ropes, so the referee called for the bell. Neikirk took the news of his disqualification less than gracefully, throwing the ref out of the ring and promising further suffering for the roster of Impact Zone Wrestling.
Kazarian returned, much to the dismay of the fans. The other half of Native Blood, the Navajo Warrior, made his entrance to the joyous reception of a grateful crowd. The Future tried cheap tactics to get the victory, but he could not stand up against the series of chops, backdrops, and the tried and true ten count turnbuckle punches of Navajo. Determined to save face after his partner Neikirk’s loss, Kazarian traded offense with Navajo, using a vicious legsweep and springboard leg drop to get back the edge. However, he made a mistake going to the top of the ropes to attempt his next maneuver, for Navajo shook The Future’s ground right out from under him, sending him crashing into the ropes with only his groin to absorb the blow.
The competition went to the outside, a tired Navajo used a DDT to floor his opponent, petering out himself and facing a double countout decision. A fan shouted out for Navajo to power up, and with a smile, the Native American superstar didn’t let his supporters down, coming at Kazarian with a reverse suplex and Hayabusa-style Falcon Arrow he picked up from his recent tout of Japan. The Future rebounded with a neck breaker, a springboard back elbow, and an off-the-top dropkick, using illegal leverage from the ropes for a pin. Navajo surprised him and broke out, turning Kazarian over and using the same questionable strategy to secure the win. He was rewarded with a chair shot by Derek Neikirk, who quickly flew in to avenge yet another loss for his arrogant team. Commissioner CC Starr went to the mat to check on Navajo’s condition, but was also met with a steel chair before Ghostwalker came to the rescue. Neikirk and Kazarian finally retreated, leaving CC and Ghost to carry out a bloody and battered Navajo.
Jack Bull and The Hardcore Kid returned to the ring, walking in on a diatribe by IZW World Tag Team Champions the Ballard Brothers. Operating under the moniker HardKore Inc., Bull and the Kid brawled with the Ballards from pillar to post, resorting to dragging the match on the outside. This writer was among many in the front row who were forced to abandon their seats as Jack Bull chased the audience away, threatening to send the Ballard in peril soaring into the chairs. Cooler heads and Canadian cunning prevailed, bringing the action back between the ropes and into an advantage for Team Ballard thanks to a Fujiwara armbar and blow with the championship belt. The Ballard Brothers stole the win with an armbar submission, but Hollywood and the late, great World Championship Wrestling’s favorite “Saturday Night” son Horshu stormed the ring and chased off the competition with a challenge to any team in IZW and a promise to seize the IZW World Tag Team belts in the near future.
The main event was next, bringing out the darker nature of the two competitors. IZW World Heavyweight Champion “Outlaw” Mike Nox and challenger Al Katrazz. The fight teetered in and out of the ring, the two men brawling through the merchandise table and to the bar, throwing beer in each other’s face and glasses and bottles at each others heads. Nox had his opponent laid out on the floor, descending upon him from on top of the bar with a 180 degree splash reminiscent of his recent death-defying feat at the Castles ‘N Coasters Event. Al Katrazz managed to rebound from the blow, leading the battle back to the ring with a reverse power bomb. He seemed to have the win with a Northern Lights suplex into a bridge, but Nox kicked out. The fisherman’s suplex and situp power bomb that followed were not enough either. It was obvious neither man was about to give up easily. Al Katrazz gave everything he had left , at one point catwalking the top rope, dubbing the undertaking “New School.” He used a tornado DDT and a powerful clothesline, but succumbed to “The Cattle Drive,” Nox successfully retaining his title.
The IZW roster stayed behind after the show to greet the audience and thank them for their support, The Flawless Kid still at the bar refusing to give up his fantasy win. Meanwhile, the other wrestlers peered at each other cautiously. No grudges were settled this night. If anything, new feuds were born. Every star will have his… or her… chance to shine this October 30, when IZW returns to the scene of the crime, The Bash On Ash, for another “Assault!”
IZW/ICW at D.M.A.F.B, Tucson AZ
Hollywood d. Frankie Kazarian
Storm d. Lexie Fyfe (non-title)
IZW Tag Champions Ghostwalker & Wolf (w/ Navajo) d. Ballard Brothers
IZW World Champion "Outlaw" Mike Nox d. Hawaiian Lion
Hacksaw Jim Duggan d. Sin (w/ Sheik Hakim)
Norman Smiley d. Disco Inferno
Derek Neikirk marched into the ring to take issue with The Navajo Warrior, on the injured list with a broken leg. Comissioner C.C. Starr, the recipient of Neikirk's temper last month, came to answer his complaints. C.C. had a gift appropriate for a wrestler with Neikirk's attitude- a t-shirt with the WWE logo, a company keeping dibs on Neikirk as a developmental talent. Of course, when a flattered and ignorant Neikirk turned around, "WWE Ring Crew" was the designation on the shirt's back. An angry Neikirk received another gift; a spot in a three-way match for the IZW World Heavyweight title.
First, Frankie "The Future" Kazarian squared off against Native Blood hero Ghostwalker, who came out on top at the beginning against his foe with hard-hitting forearms, chops, and backdrops. Fast on his feet, Kazarian struck back with a springboard elbow smash and stiff kicks that laid Ghost at bay. The Future tried to tie up his opponent in the ropes, but to no avail, resorting to standing on the Native American's long hair and stretching it to the very scalp. One guillotine legdrop and one body splash later, the tide had turned. Ghostwalker had Kazarian tied up in the Tree of Woe (so named when the opponent is left hanging upside down from the top turnbuckle). He followed up with a baseball slide into the corner, but his boots met the post as Kazarian ducked out of the way and struck back with what can only be described as a "Hair-plex"... The Future actually suplexed Ghostwalker using the fan favorite's hair for leverage! Ghostwalker hit him with a DDT, but with the referee distracted, Neikirk returned to the ring to put away Ghostwalker with a belly-to-belly suplex. Kazarian signed the match's end with a superkick and a successful pin.
The Commish, who had previously admonished Neikirk for being "Kazarian's bag boy," punished the young star for once again fighting his partner's matches for him. Now, Neikirk would have to face "The Hawaiian Lion" John Williams to earn his slot in the three-way World title match.
In the meantime, Danny B. introduced Sin and his new spiritual advisor, Sheik Hakim Hussein. A heat-seeking Scud missle in his own right, the Sheik waved the flag of Iraq in the faces of the staunchly patriotic American crowd. Their avenger this night would be The Crock (who, contrary to popular belief, is NOT up for the starring role in "Scorpion King 2: Electric Boogaloo"). Sin snuck up on Crocky to begin the match, but the Shepard of the IZW used clotheslines, dropkicks, and body splashes to fight back, lunging out of the ring and landing on Sin and the Sheik. Hussein got into the mix himself, but when it ended up back in the ring, Sin was able to put away The Crock with a suplex. However, as Sin and Danny B. headed for the back, The Crock had the final word with a Crock Bottom on The Sheik.
Derek Neikirk and The Hawaiian Lion were next in the lineup, the momentum shifting back and forth until Neikirk proved his technical prowess by working over the Lion's leg, at one point suplexing his opponent using strictly his leg for leverage. The match did not last long, for Ghostwalker ran out for revenge, swinging a chair towards Neikirk. It missed, hitting The Hawaiian Lion instead, earning Neikirk a victory and earning Ghostwalker a ban from the building. He protested, vowing to sit in the chair for the rest of the show in the ring. But security changed his mind, dragging him away from the demolished chair that represented the damage he intends to inflict upon Neikirk in the near future.
Lexie Fyfe entered the sqaured circle, demanding suitable competition to replace her scheduled opponent, the injured Jungle Girl. New Impact Zone sensation Storm answered the challenge. However, this match was all Fyfe, who dominated Storm with some painful slaps, kicks, and a backbreaker. Storm rallied back with a series of bodyslams, but got caught in a Lexie Fyfe powerbomb. Three seconds later, Fyfe proved why she is the number one women's wrestler in IZW.
Another strong woman made her first IZW appearence, with a competent band of musicians behind her. The vocalist for The Awakening greeted the crowd at Bash on Ash, and the heavy rock group gave a proud Halloween performance amongst the spiderwebs and skeletons adorning Halloween Carnage.
After a brief intermission, Derek Neikirk, crowd favorite Chris Hero, and "The Outlaw" Mike Nox all met between the ropes for a World title match. But first, Neikirk made an offer to The Outlaw; share in his gift from WWE headquarters, in exchange for a team effort in the match. Lusty ladies Candy, Cinnamon, and Sugar made their way in, swaying their hips and getting an unusually festive Nox to shake his moneymaker to the tune of Nelly's number one hit, "It's Getting Hot In Here." However, as Nox and Neikirk got their groove on, the ladies left their side to join Hero, leaving an embarrassed Nox and Neikirk unknowningly bumping and grinding their bums against each other's rear bumpers! This was enough to.... er, RUB them the wrong way, and the match began as each men attacked each other.
Hero had one-up on the bumbling butt wigglers, at first, getting them caught up in the ropes and playing them off against one another. Nox and Neikirk's heads and groins crashed into each other far too many times for their taste, both men finally being suplexed at once as Hero enjoyed his moment in the spotlight. However, each compeitior ended up ahead at some point during the fast and furious contest. Anyone who has seen the Outlaw in action knows he is a thrillseeker, and this time was no different as he peformed a suicide dive out of the ring, over the top rope, and into his opponents out on the floor. Both Hero and Neikirk tried to outdo the dive before them, but once the match was back in the ring, Nox outmanuevered "The Hero's Welcome" with his own finisher, "The Cattle Drive," and getting the three count to retain the title.
One of the night's biggest features, in every sense of the word, was a battle royal to determine the number one contender to face "Outlaw" Mike Nox for his championship. Participants included Monster Mayhem, Sin, Sheik Hussein, The Crock, The Flawless Kid, The Hawiian Lion, Frankie Kazarian, Heave Morrus, the Snottsdale Brats, The Killer Klown, and many more. It was a whole lot of brawling for the whole crowd to keep up with, let alone this lone reporter. But, here's how some of the final score read:
the IZW Halloween Royale... to the tune of The 1812 Overture, no less!
Sheik eliminated by Crock
The Snottsdale Brats eliminated by Morrus and Sin
Flawless Kid eliminated by Kazarian and H. Lion
Kazarian eliminated by Sin
Sin and H. Lion eliminated each other
When the smoke had cleared, somehow, The Killer Klown evaded elimination and won the battle royal. However, when faced with the prospect of going head-to-head against Mike Nox, the Klown forfeited his title shot to... Jason Roberts! Of course, C.C. Starr wasn't about to let Nox run roughshod over Roberts, so a new number one contender will be named at the next "Assault!" The Commish promised it would be a household name.
Jason Roberts will be a household name himself soon, thanks to his new job in WWE. But Frankie Kazarian made sure to reveal a copy of his WWE contract, which stated that there would be more more non-WWE appearences for Roberts. Danny B. came out and asked for the job. C.C. Starr made him earn it with a dance that was "too cool" for words. The crowd was still suspicious, but Danny promised to prove his worth. He also admitted it wasn't time for his job to begin, and insisted Roberts announce the final match of the evening.
The Ballard Brothers entered with their World Tag Team straps and "100% Rudo," The HardKore Kidd. One Ballard Brother and the Kidd were to take on Heavy Impact, but Hollywood made the announcement that his partner Horshu had been drafted by the big rock band Saliva to head up their security. So, C.C. Starr announced that it would be TWO Ballard Brothers putting their title on the line against Hollywood and... The HardKore Kidd!
As 'Wood came out on top, Kidd would tag himself in. He certainly showed he knew how to handle the Ballards, throwing everything from doublekicks to step-over-toe holds at them. What he would not show was any regard for his partner. Hollywood let loose with some punches and armdrag takeovers, Kidd following up with a Russian Legsweep. But for as good as they worked on their own, they did not work well with each other. Kidd set up Hollywood to crash land with a failed legdrop, pulling the prone Ballard out of 'Wood's path.
The team from up north worked over Hollywood, aiming to weaken his leg and knocking out the Kidd with simultaneous double cross-arm backbreakers, then putting him in a scorpion deathlock and a camel clutch at the same time. It looked to be all over with a pump handle into a piledriver, but Hollywood took the support of the fans and turned it to his advantage, letting them inspire him to recover with a big top rope elbow drop for the 1, 2, 3. At the same time, The Hardcore Kidd powerbombed the other, distracted Ballard, and had the pin for a three count. The referee awarded the makeshift team of Hollywood and the HardKore Kidd with the tag belts, but the new champions could not agree on who REALLY won the match for the team.
It goes without argument that the loyal IZW audience were the winners tonight, having seen one of the best Impact Zone shows to date. Jason Roberts bid aideu to the crowd one last time, and The Awakening capped off the night with more audio intensity, foreshadowing the wars yet to be waged when IZW returns to The Bash On Ash.
January 11, 2003, was a cold Saturday night in the mining town of Globe, AZ, just about 90 minutes east of Phoenix. A large crowd gathered in the stadium near the Apache Gold Casino to watch determined men and women battle in the squared circle for dominance in the ranks of Impact Zone Wrestling. The bill was titled "Road Rage", for IZW was leaving the comfort of its base of operations in Phoenix to take the show on the road. The rage part of the equation would be evident by the end of the night.
Comissioner C.C. Starr introduced the show and warmed up the crowd before the first contest began. Lucky, an ultra-hot youngster with a bad attitude, took on "The Hawaiian Lion" John Williams. After the lockup, Lucky broke out of Williams' attempted belly-to-back suplex and hit the Lion with one of his own. He started working his opponent's arm, but Williams came back with a series of clotheslines and a double leg takedown. Lucky seemed to have the advantage back with a modified Russian legsweep, but after hurting himself while executing a shoulderblock, Lucky lost his bearings and Williams took him out with a palm strike to get the pin.
Shane and Shannon Ballard intoduced Sheik Samir Hussien as their new spiritual advisor, though the only thing the two parties seem to have in common is a propensity towards angering patriotic American crowds. Hollywood Yates interrupted the Canadian anthem and a discussion ensued about a possible title shot. The HardKore Kidd, last seen battling with Tommy Dreamer on MTV's "WWE Sunday Night Heat," was not in attendence and could not defend his half of the IZW Tag titles. Horshu entered as the substitute partner, and if the Ballard Brothers could pull off a win, they were guaranteed a shot at the titles on the next IZW show.
Hollywood and Horshu went on the attack, hitting the Ballards with scoop slams, boots to the face, and a double underhook suple. The tides turned when the referee chewed out Horshu for entering the ring without a tag. Meanwhile, Hollywood was stuck in a double Ballard Brother Camel Clutch/Boston Crab attack. Hollywood was tortured for minutes until a legal tag was made and Horshu went ape on the longhaired brothers from north of the border. He executed what the late Gorilla Monsoon would call a "double noggin' knocker," beating the brothers' heads together, before hitting one of them with a DDT. Horshu had the pin, but the ref was nowhere to be found. That is, not until Horshu seized a steel chair aimed at his head from one of the brothers. The ref was all too conscious of the sight of Horshu holding the weapon, and Hollywood's makeshift team was disqualified. This means the Ballard Brothers have another chance at the IZW Tag titles.
Frankie "the Future" Kazarian incited the crowd with his arrogance. The self-proclaimed "King of Hip" was paired up against "The Technical Wizard" Joey Ryan, sneaking up on him before the bell rang to start the match. After trading blows, Kazarian locked Ryan in an abdominal stretch. The Wiz broke out of the hold with a hiptoss countermanuever, rolling up Kazarian for a two count. Kazarian tried to take advantage of a winded Wiz by going to the top, but he came crashing down to the mat. When he stood up, he was met with an enziguiri kick, a hurracarana, and a crossbody. Still, Ryan could not get the pin. The Future gave it everything he had to wear The Wiz out: a Mexican suplex into a bridge, a legsweep, and a springboard legdrop. It finally took a bicycle kick for the Future to reign supreme.
IZW World Champion "The Outlaw" Mike Nox entered the ring to beat down a tired Technical Wizard. Kazarian was happy to see Ryan being Cattle Driven, but then felt a Nox clothesline and a Cattle Drive of his own. Nox took the opportunity to talk about his match to come with Derek Neikirk. Neikirk answered the call, and the two came to blows, forcing the IZW officials to break up the melee.
After an intermission, where the fans in Globe (as well as all of us who drove in from Phoenix and Tempe) enjoyed hot cocoa and pictures with Horshu and Hollywood, Lexie Fyfe entered the ring to the jeers of a booing crowd. Fyfe and the Arizona fans generally do not get along, though Erica Porter (formerly known as Jungle Grrl, now breaking out with her own identity) received a much warmer recpetion. Fyfe's IZW Women's Championship was on the line, and though she was doing her best to stall the match, Porter pulled her into the ring by her hair to start the festivities. They went back and forth, choking and slamming each other, until Porter was thrown onto the mat. That set her on fire, and she went on the offensive with a double dropkick, her own version of a Michinoku Driver, and a top rope misslekick that hit Fyfe square in the mug, the impact resonating all the way to the back row. A bloodied Fyfe chased Porter all the way to the top rope, finishing the match with a superplex and a pin, retaining her title. Porter is closer than ever to securing gold, and having been nearly beheaded in the center of the ring, Fyfe should not be expected to shy from another match with Porter and a chance for revenge.
The annoying, villainous Killer Klowns made another appearence in IZW, taking on Navajo Warrior and Ghostwalker, the heroes known as Native Blood. After putting up with a lot of fooling around, Warrior and Ghost teamed up on Klown #1. Ghost was designated as the legal man in the ring and rocked Klown #1 with vicious chops and a bodysplash in the corner. Klown #2 tagged in, and Warrior followed suit. As soon as the ref was distracted, Klown #1 joined in his circus buddy in beating up on Warrior. Ghost could do nothing to turn the ref's attention to the shenanigans, but after some smoke and mirrors of their own, Native Blood tricked the confused Klowns into attacking each other. Ghostwalker went in to finish the match, but the Klowns once again gained momentum and worked over Ghost. Warrior managed to tag in, and helped his partner suplex Klown #2 for the pin and the three count.
The main event was next on the agenda. Nox and Neikirk made their dramatic entrances, then started to wage war. Neikirk scored the first points with an overhead belly-to-belly suplex and a standing dropkick, but Nox countered with a ruthless series of fists, boots, and forearm smashes, before telegraphing a dropkick and coming up short. Neikirk catapulted Nox over the ropes and onto the floor. The match went in and out of the ring and the advantage went back and forth. Nox hit Neikirk with a backbeaker, a turnbuckle smash, and a jawbreaker, but the young athlete would not stay down. Neikirk struck back with a swinging neckbreaker and several clotheslines. A frustrated Nox saw his Irish Whip of Neikirk turn into a crossbody against him, and left the ring with his belt in tow.
Comissioner C.C. Starr arrived on the scene and told Nox that there would be no countout. The match had to continue. Neikirk went on the offensive, and the two ended up at the wrestlers' entrance stage, Neikirk diving off it to knock Nox to the ground. A shaken Nox, who has been continuously raising expectations at each show, took his first risk of the night with a moonsault off the stage onto a winded Neikirk. Neikirk gathered his senses and hit Nox with a DDT, but the Outlaw responded by hitting his opponent with the belt and demanding to be disqualified. The Comissioner would not let Nox retain the title in that manner, and declared the match a no-disqualification affair. The prophecy of "Road Rage" was about to be fulfilled, and epitomized in the following actions of Nox and Neikirk.
Neikirk, unknown to anyone in attendence or in the employ of IZW, had stashed a cookie sheet under the ring in case of emergency. This was the time to use it, and he slammed Nox's skull without mercy. Nox found himself also guarding against a chair from the crowd, which Neikirk used to knock him into a ladder used earlier in the evening to set up the event lighting. Nox's head was trapped in the rungs, but he managed to break free and drag a spare merchandise table into the ring. Neikirk was the one who was able to make use of it, tackling Nox into the table and breaking it in half. Still, Neikirk could not get the pin, for the Outlaw used the rules to his advantage and had his foot on the rope.
Neikirk tried to splash Nox again, but the champion dodged the attack and raised Neikirk up for a Cattle Drive. The devestating signature move was still not enough to end the match. Nox went at Neikirk with a chair, but Neikirk ducked, and Nox's forward motion sent the chair bouncing into a rope and back at his own head. Neikirk tried to capitalize on the mistake with a schoolboy rollup, but only made it to a two count. Nox retrieved the chair and laid out Neikirk before taking Neikirk's cookiesheet, climbing to the top of the ladder and diving onto Neikirk. The cookiesheet in his arms and the legdrop that came from above was enough to immobilize Neikirk for the three count.
Mike Nox had kept his title, but both men were bruised and bloody. After getting their equilibirum back and facing each other on their feet, there was nothing left to do but shake each other's hands. The crowd was impressed not only by their sportsmanship, but the frightening battle that had led up to it. The show was over, but the dominance of Impact Zone Wrestling and its fierce competitors had just begun.
The true impact on the independent wrestling scene will continue on February 5, 2003, when Nox meets one of the originators of high risk in the ring... "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka!
IZW at Ft. Huachuca 4/5/03
Hollywood pinned "Outlaw" Mike Nox
The Black Scorpion defeated Derek Neikirk
Kyra pinned Nikki T
IZW Tag Champs The Ballard Brothers defeated The Killer Klowns
IZW Champion The Navajo Warrior pinned Disco Inferno
Buff Bagwell pinned Norman Smiley
IZW at AZ Bike Week 4/9/03
GQ Gallo pinned The Hawaiian Lion
Crock pinned Chris Kole
Kyra pinned Nikki T
"Outlaw" Mike Nox pinned J-Rod
Derek Neikirk beat "Superstar" Lawrence Taylor
The Navajo Warrior & Hollywood beat Jack Bull & Monster Mayhem
Other IZW happenings
IZW Heavyweight Champion The Navajo Warrior competed for the WWE Raw & Smackdown on 4/14 & 4/15
4/14 WWE Raw Richmond, VA The Navajo Warrior pinned Dean Baldwin
4/15 WWE Smackdown Norfolk, VA The Navajo Warrior & Brad Hunter defeated Dean Baldwin & Phil Brown
IZW wrestlers "Outlaw" Mike Nox, Frankie Kazarian & Hardkore Kidd will be wrestling for WWE in CA 6/2 & 6/3
IZW Champion Navajo Warrior will be wrestling for WWE in FL on 6/9 & 6/10
IZW Womens Champion Erica Porter defeated Savvy to become the UPW Womens Champion on 4/25
Here are the results from our "Friday Night Fury" show on 5/9/03
Cuervo pinned Stigmata
Crock pinned Mr. Harris w/Phone
Monster Mayhem pinned Shot Colla
Sky Simon pinned The Hawaiian Lion
Steve Mental defeated Profeta
"Superstar" Lawrence Tyler pinned Showtime Kid
"Extreme" Chris Kole pinned "Cowboy" Jack Durango
IZW's Horshu competed for WWE on May 19th & 20th.
Results:
WWE Raw Greenville, SC Maven & David Flair defeat
Horshu & Pat Cusick
WWE Smackdown Greensboro, NC Horshu & Murray Hopper
defeat David Flair & Damien DeNucci
IZW's Frankie Kazarian is currently on tour with WWA
in Australia & New Zealand.
Schedule:
5/21 Sydney Australia
5/23 Melbourne Australia
5/25 Aukland New Zealand (ppv)
Impact Zone Wrestling & Brausa Systems present "Midget Mania & Divas Unleashed" Friday night May 30th 7:30 pm.
This event will be at The Celebrity Theater in Phoenix, AZ, tickets are $30 for ringside, $15 general admission and $5 for kids 12 and under. Tickets can be purchased at the Celebrity Theater Box Office or at Ticketmaster locations (480)784-4444.
Scheduled to appear:
"Da Midget Killa" Puppett (from WWA pay per views)
"Beautiful" Bobby Dean
Little Kato
Mad Mex
Kyra
Nikki T
IZW Champion The Navajo Warrior
Ghostwalker
Hollywood
"Big" Jack Bull
attendance 500+.
The show opens with Puppett "Da Midget Killa" cutting a promo only to be interrupted by 6'5" 249 lb Hollywood & 6'6" 287 lb "Big" Jack Bull. Hollywood and Bull then double chokeslam Puppett and proceed to beat him down, Native Blood then hits the ring and saves Puppett. Now on to the results, your special guest referee is WWE announcer Justin "Jason" Roberts.
"Native Blood" Navajo Warrior & Ghostwalker defeat Hollywood & "Big" Jack Bull after hitting Hollywood with "Reservation Devastation".
(midget match) Puppett "Da Midget Killa" pins Mad Mex
(Ladies Match) Kyra defeats Nikki T by submission with the Kyra-practor.
(midget match) "Beautiful" Bobby Dean pins Little Kato with a top rope splash to become the new Midget World Champion.
IZW at Raw & Smackdown in San Diego & Anaheim, CA 6/2
& 6/3.
WWE Raw San Diego, CA - IZW wrestlers Navajo
Warrior, Mike Nox, Frankie Kazarian, Jimmy Snuka Jr.,
Hardkore Kidd & Derick Neikirk participated in the WWE
pre show workout. Frankie Kazarian defeated Keiji
Sakota in a dark match, Hardkore Kidd was defeated by
Mark Jindrak in a dark match and Mike Nox was pinned
by Maven in a match for Sunday Night Heat.
WWE Smackdown Anaheim, CA - IZW wrestlers Navajo Warrior, Hollywood, Mike Nox, Jimmy Snuka Jr., The Miz & Derick Neikirk partipated in the pre show workout. Jimmy Snuka Jr. was defeated by "Mr. Ass" Billy Gunn in a dark match.
IZW News and results:
IZW Heavyweight Champion The Navajo Warrior is the UPW Wrestler of the Month for June
Results: IZW "Assault" June 28th 2003
Profeta pinned Stigmata
Mr. Harris w/Phone pinned Sky Simon
"Cowboy" Jack Durango beat "The Hawaiian Lion" John Williams
Azul & King Condor beat Angel Rojo & Vampiro Lite
"The Ooshaa Brothers" J-Rizod & Gentleman- G beat Steve Mental & "Showtime Kid" Tommy Wilson to become the number one contenders for the IZW Tag Team Championship
"Big" Jack Bull beat "Killer" Chris Kole 2 out of 3 falls in a "Hair Vs Hair match". Kole had his head shaved by Steve Mental, Showtime Kid & C.C.Starr
"Team Elite" Mike Nox & Derick Neikirk beat "Superstar" Lawrence Tyler & "Mr. Friday Night" Rogue Roberts
IZW Champion Navajo Warrior pinned GQ Gallo to retain the IZW Title.
Derek Neikirk considers himself an elite part of the professional wrestling world. Before his match with "The Outlaw" Mike Nox at Apache Gold Casino, he was more than happy to tell me how good he is and who needs to bend the rules to the breaking point like he does to excel in the vicious ranks of Impact Zone Wrestling. He also opened up about his background in and passion for the business.
IZW ONLINE: Tell us who you are.
DEREK NEIKIRK: Derek Neikirk, IZW's newest star. Formerly HWA/WWE developmental star. I'm not like the rest. I don't have a name, I get to be myself. Former professional baseball player. Two sport All American, college and high school, football and baseball. After I decided my professional baseball career was done, I decided to become a wrestler. I'd been watching it since I was a kid. I had to stay an athlete, right? So, this is what I chose.
IZW: Who were some of the guys who helped you get in?
DN: Steve Bradley... Kurt Angle, I met when he was first getting into the buisness... Dr. Tom Pritchard is the main reason I'm in this business.
IZW: Tell us about some of your time in HWA.
DN: I can say nothing but good stuff about it, not only did I get to wrestle some of the best wrestlers in the world... when Chris Benoit was making his comeback, he was training with us. Some of my best matches were with Rosey and Jamal from Three Minute Warning, Jamie Knoble... I've had some knockdown dragouts with him... Shannon Moore, Johnny the Bull, Charlie Haas, I've been in matches with Brock Lesnar, John Cena. I got to be with a lot of good people.
IZW: What was it like being the first guy among the IZW guys that Triple H brought in to take a shot at Scott Steiner on WWE Monday Night Raw?
DN: It was definitely a rush.
IZW: Tell us about some of your favorite matches in IZW.
DN: Since I've been here, a three-way dance a couple months back at Bash on Ash with Mike Nox and Chris Hero.
IZW: Tell us about your friendship with Frankie "the Future" Kazarian.
DN: He is probably one of the best up-and-coming cruiserweights on the circuit, and I figured, being an athlete... I'm one of the best out there, I got to tie myself into another guy that's an up-and-comer himself. Seeing that when I first got here, why wouldn't I? He doesn't do things so nice sometimes, that's just fine with me. A win's a win. That's the way you always got to look at it. It's who has the "W" by their name at the end of the night, nobody says how it's done.
IZW: What do you think of the decidedly negative crowd reaction to your behavior in the ring?
DN: I think it's funny. Ever since I started wrestling... I tried to be nice in the beginning. Now, as far as I'm concerned, they can pretty much all kiss my a**. I'm one of the best athletes on the planet... in the ring, most definitely. If they want to be negative, keep bringing it. The louder they are, the more I like it. It's just going to make me meaner and nastier in the ring, so keep doing it. It doesn't bother me a bit. It lights a fire under my ass, if you want to know the truth, so keep doing it. I love it. I'll get meaner. It makes me happier.
IZW: Who were some of the guys you liked at 5 years old, growing up?
DN: I was the biggest British Bulldogs fan. The Dynamite Kid was my favorite. Hulk Hogan, obviously, everybody's got to love the Hulkster back in his heyday. He is an icon. Shawn Michaels, my god, you can't say nothing about him. He's a phenom all himself.
IZW: Let's play "word association" with some names from IZW... Frankie Kazarian.
DN: Very innovative. Quick. Knows his way around the ring. Cocky, like I like.
IZW: Mike Nox.
DN: The biggest (jerk) in professional wrestling today, but I got to respect that, because I'm a little bit of a (jerk) myself.
IZW: Ghostwalker.
DN: Nice guy. He needs to be a little bit more aggressive.
IZW: Navajo.
DN: Old school veteran. He does what he does well.
IZW: Hawaiian Lion.
DN: A lot of potential.
IZW: The Ballards.
DN: As whacked out as they both are, I love them to death, because they crack me up. They're funny.
IZW: Hollywood.
DN: Sometimes, he surprises me. He's a little crazy. He likes to do some flying.
IZW: What would you like the IZW fans and our website readers to know about Derek Neikirk?
DN: They should know they are actually witnessing a climb to greatness, because I plan on being at the top of this business one day and I plan on staying for a long, long time.
"The Outlaw" Mike Nox spoke with me before his match with Derek Neikirk at Apache Gold Casino. What you will see is a man who cares about one thing... winning. He is ready to take on the world, yet he lives every day and fights every bout as if it were his last.
IZW ONLINE: Who are we talking to today?
MIKE NOX: My name is Mike Nox. I've been the IZW champion for about 3 and a half years now. Undefeated. I do not plan on losing the belt at all.
IZW: How long have you been wrestling?
MN: 5 years.
IZW: What got you excited about getting into it?
MN: The first time I ever saw wrestling I was 6 years old, and from that second on I knew I was going to be a professional wrestler.
IZW: Who were some of the guys who inspired you?
MN: There was a lot of guys. Jake "the Snake" Roberts, Hogan, of course, Macho Man was great... British Bulldogs... Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels. There's too many to name.
IZW: Who have been some of your favorite opponents?
MN: There's too many to list. I'm not going to put anybody else down, because everybody tries hard. But I don't lose very often. There's a reason for it. I can't look down on them. I enjoy kicking all their a**es.
IZW: You keep taking it higher, each match. You take more and more risks.
MN: You don't want to ever become complacent. If you can bring it to the next level, you got to go. No matter what it is. That bar is so high now, we almost can't top it. But we're going to try our best. We're going to put it all on the line until we do. If we have a match, we're going to make it the granddaddy of 'em all, something that everybody's going to tell their kids about.
IZW: What would you like the IZW fans and our website readers to know about The Outlaw?
MN: I want them to know that I'm a little upset, because they loved me for so long because I'm the champ. Just because I do what I have to do to keep the belt, they hate me. They turn their backs. As soon as somebody new comes along, they're jumping right on that bandwagon, hoping I'm going to lose. That really gets me mad and it drives me not to lose.
Lexie Fyfe is one of the best in women's wrestling today. I had the chance to speak with her before her match with Erica Porter at Apache Gold Casino. We all know how good she is in the ring, though the fans often would rather boo her tactics then let her know. She made it clear... she doesn't need the applause. She's got the skills.
IZW ONLINE: Tell us who we're talking to today and tell us a little bit about yourself.
LEXIE FYFE: I'm Lexie Fyfe, I'm all that without all that, I've been working with IZW since they started, I'm their women's champion and I'm the best.
IZW: How long have you been wrestling?
LF: I started wrestling in 1995.
IZW: Who are some of the toughest opponents you've faced??
LF: Probably Wendi Ricther, I did a month-long European tour with her. 4 weeks of brutal powerbombs! Leilani Kai is really, really tough, she got my PGWA title in June but I'm going to get that back soon. Some of the newer girls that are really tough are Macaela Mercedes, Erica Porter... there's a lot of them out there that are really tough nowadays, it seems like the girls are training a lot harder now than they used to. Not as hard as me, though.
IZW: Tell us about the belt you're wearing and what it means to you.
LF: I've traveled all across the country and I've gone to Europe, and IZW seems to have the best talent base that I've come across in probably my whole career. Everybody seems to put in 110% and they're all really good, so to be the women's champion of this group means a lot to me. It means, I feel, I'm their caliber also. So I'm going to fight really hard to keep this title.
IZW: Tell me about the reaction you've received from the local fans, your relationship with them.
LF: Well... I guess you could say I'm a little bit confident, and sometimes the fans don't really appreciate that. I'm confident in my ability and I'm confident in the way I look, and I'm just overall confident. Sometimes, they just don't seem to appreciate the fact I am who I am, and they should respect me for that. Sometimes, we just don't get along all that well. But that's okay, I'm still the champion.
IZW: What inspired you to get into wrestling?
LF: I met a girl who said, "They're looking for some female wrestlers," we had none... I was in North Carolina, and the only ones who ever came through were Bambi and Peggy Lee, and they didn't live in that area, they just kind of traveled through... and I was like, "You know, that sounds like fun, I can do that. Because, you know, I'm tough." I started training and it went from there.
IZW: Who haven't you met in the ring yet that you would you like to face off against?
LF: Jacqueline, I haven't met her in the ring yet and I've heard she's really tough. We've never had match yet, and I really like the fact that she works rough like a guy, and that's my style, too. I think we'd probably take each other's heads off, but I think it'd be a great match and I'm looking forward to that time.
IZW: What about the guys?
LF: Let me put it a different way, I'd love to train with Eddie Guerrero ... Dean Malenko... I think I can hold my own, I fought Jamie Koble once... but I'd rather just train with them and pick their brains.
IZW: What do you want the IZW fans and the ones on the website to know about IZW and about you?
LF: About IZW... all of us work 110% to put on a great show, to put the best effort into everything that we do in the ring. I think it's a great show, I think fans should come out and see it, I think that everybody would be impressed. It's a great organization to work for and a great organization to watch. As far as me, I'd like to people to just go, "Wow, that chick is tough. She really gets out there and she knows what she's doing."
Frankie Kazarian was one of my most difficult interviews ever. His reputation as an arrogant blowhard, I assure you, is 100% accurate. Also indisputable... his talent, charisma, and potential future success. And he didn't even bully me into saying that.
IZW ONLINE: You're very, let's say... confrontational. Especially with the fans in Tempe, AZ, at the Bash on Ash.
FRANKIE KAZARIAN: I feel they are very disrespectful and they are more accustomed to drinking and trying to score then they are watching professional wrestling matches, so I feel a wrestler of my caliber driving the distance that I have to go to get to that place should be a lot more respected. A lot of the women are toothless, most of the men are (weak), and I just don't like them.
IZW: Tell us about your impressions of IZW since you've been wrestling with them.
FK: IZW is a fine fed, there's a lot of talent here. I'm a big fan of the Ballard Brothers. We'll just see IZW grow and become a player in the Arizona area.
IZW: Tell us about your alliance with Derek Neikirk.
FK: Derek Neikirk and I pretty much just found each other just like any two talented individuals do when they're forced in a pool of such worthless human beings, they're kind of drawn to one another. He's the cream of the crop here. I only hang with winners.
IZW: What are you looking forward in 2003 and in IZW?
FK: Continuing to wrestle everywhere I can, I have a few tours lined up in Europe and Austrailia, and just keeping my name out there. Just showing everyone why I'm the future and the future looks good.
IZW: Who haven't you met yet that you want to face?
FK: Selma Hayek.
IZW: What is your message to the fans in IZW and on the website?
FK: I am the coolest person in the world.
Be patient. They're twins. Their whole strategy is confusing the referee to win their tag team matches. How do you expect me, a simple wrestling journalist, to tell them apart? I should record these things on VIDEO, not just audio. Lesson learned. Let's try to sort through the transcript as I quiz these Canadian imports.
IZW ONLINE: Okay, who's who?
SHANE: I'm Shane.
SHANNON: I'm Shannon.
IZW: Who's the better looking brother?
SHANE: I am.
SHANNON. Shane is. Actually, I think Erica (Porter) was checking me out earlier, so I'd have to go with me.
IZW: I've seen you guys wrestle since the Veterans Memorial Coliseum/WSW days... tell us about your experiences with Arizona crowds.
SHANNON: Those were fun shows. We always liked the Arizona crowds, anytime we had a chance to come out here, we did.
IZW: What about the crowd reaction? A lot of the people don't seem to like you guys much.
SHANNON: Really?
IZW: Do you think you're misunderstood?
SHANE: We're shocked. They don't like us? I don't know why, just because we come from a country that's above them, why would they not like us?
IZW: You mean above them on the map?
SHANE: I'd say above them in every way... watch the Stanley Cup this year, you'll see what I'm talking about.
IZW: Who are some of the guys who inspired you to get into the wrestling business?
SHANE: Roddy Piper, Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, The Road Warriors, The Rock 'n Roll Express...
SHANNON: The Midnight Express...
SHANE: The Fantastics, The Mulkeys...
SHANNON: The Mulkeys! They'd get beat up so bad, they'd come back week after week, it was incredible.
IZW: Who are you looking over your shoulder for?
SHANE: I wouldn't really want to get into the ring with Horshu, that's one guy I wouldn't want to get in the ring with.
SHANNON: Same here. That guy's too big.
SHANE: He's SHOE-mongous.
IZW: What do you want the fans in IZW and on the website to know about the Ballard Brothers and IZW?
SHANNON: About IZW, they're a great federation, they run a great show. (The fans) are going to see extreme talent whenever they come to an IZW show. As far as seeing us, they're going to see the best tag team in the United States... or Canada, for that matter... today.
SHANE: I think that, as far as the Ballards go, we're not going anywhere real soon except to bigger places and the only thing we see in the future is more titles, and a lot of losses for our opponents.
I've known C.C. for a few years, and he's always had a smile and kind word to say as we've encountered one another. I had the opportunity to see him whip many a man in the ring, but as of late, he has been lending his talents to administrative duties. We spoke about his role in IZW and the future of the company.
IZW ONLINE: Tell us about your journey from (the old days) to where you are tonight.
C.C. STARR: I think that independent promotions, like Western States, and IZW, and Mountain Strength out of Tucson... everything coming together has brought the fans of Arizona wrestling some of the best talent in the past 15, 20 years. It's been really a neat thing to watch. It's been real entertaining. The fans are getting better wrestling then they've ever got in years.
IZW: How would you compare you tenure as IZW comissioner to your years in the ring? What are the challenges in making that transition and what do you like better about your new role?
C.C.: It's a lot easier on my body... most of the time... so that's pretty good. I've had a good opportunity being a wrestler, I have a respect from the guys in the promotions that a normal, office pencil-push wouldn't have. It gives me a perspective on trying to do what's best for the wrestlers in the promotion. But I've never forgotten how important it is to be a fan, I'm still a fan of this business, so I always try to give the fans what they want. It's actually harder to keep a balance, keeping the wrestlers happy and motivated, and keeping the fans happy seeing what they want to see.
IZW: Is that your biggest challenge?
C.C.: The biggest challenge is keeping it fresh. The nice thing is, we have a lot of new talent, and more talent coming in, that's going to give the fans of IZW a chance to see new wrestlers on a regular basis, and I'm excited about that.
IZW: Who are some of the wrestlers or tag teams giving you the most trouble as far as disciplinary issues?
C.C.: One of the most difficult would have to be The Ballard Brothers. Their history of breaking rules and thumbing their nose in my administration has been legendary. They always pose a headache for me. "Outlaw" Mike Nox... it's a mixed blessing, he's a tremendous competitor... just like the Ballard Brothers. For all the talent that they have, they sure can give me a lot of headaches.
IZW: What do you want the IZW fans and people on the website to know most about IZW and C.C. Starr?
C.C.: I want them to know that my history of 17 years in this business, wrestling all over the world, has always been about pleasing the fans and making them happy. I think that's what the heart of IZW is, giving the fans what they want and the best wrestlers in the world today. I can put them up against anybody in the WWE any day of the week. I would love to see the fans get such a tremednous rush from this talent. I want the fans to get the best and the IZW superstars want the best for the fans.
She used to be called Jungle Grrl, but now, she's going by her real name. Despite shedding the moniker, she's still a predator in the ring. I had the chance to meet Ms. Porter and talk about her career and goals with IZW.
IZW ONLINE: Are you looking forward to this transition, showing the crowd Erica Porter?.
ERICA PORTER: Very much so. I can have a little bit more depth with myself as opposed to just remaining in the realms of Jungle Grrl. I can go a little overboard with this.
IZW: Tell us about your impressions of Arizona since you started wrestling here.
EP: I've always liked Arizona. The crowd always seems to be good. Better than some of the other crowds.
IZW: How long have you been wrestling?
EP: I started with WOW (Women of Wrestling) September 2000, I was there for 6 months. After that, I didn't wrestle for a year and a half, I had to have shoulder surgery, and I was rehabbing. Then, I started back at UPW in Southern California in August 2002.
IZW: What inspired you to start wrestling?
EP: I always liked wrestling ever since I was a little girl. Primarily, I grew up as a gymnast, and then I got into dance professionally. I got kind of burnt out from dancing, having to always be so thin. Then, wrestling appealed to me, it incorporated that same live entertainment and athleticism that dance has, but in a healthier arena for me as far as weight and being comfortable as opposed to starving yourself. That's how I got into it and I love it. It's everything that I've ever liked incorporated into one avenue, one profession. It's nice.
IZW: What wrestlers would you like to face in the ring?
EP: As far as women, any woman that's on top of her game in the WWE now. The Victorias, the Litas, the Jacquelines, those types of ladies. Also, any man, really, any man who wants to take on the challenge of getting in the ring with a woman. I'd be more than happy to accomodate. I don't back down from anything, I'd be willing to face anyone in the ring.
IZW: What would be your message to the fans of IZW and on the website about IZW and Erica Porter?
EP: As far as IZW is concerned, I think it's a great organization, I think it's one of the best federations that are out there on the independent circuit... and as far as Erica Porter, all I have to say is, this is only the beginning, and watch out, it only gets better from here.