Blackwater Interview.
By P. Staniforth 2004.

It's time for an interview with one of my best friends in wrestling, an Ohio based indy wrestler by the name of Blackwater. He has the major honour of being my son Andrew's favourite wrestler in the business! He's always asking if I'm talking to "Drewy the 2nd", which is his nickname for Blackwater. I'll tell the mask story later, as it's sure to amuse you; the reader! Not currently as well known as he should be, let me introduce you to him and see what he had to say.

PETER) : - Hello, my friend. Thanks for making the time, better late then never right? Oh, I wasn't meant to say that! Give us an insight into your childhood.

BLACKWATER) : - Okay. I was a little brat. I got into lots of trouble. I was big on sports though and I loved playing football. My "dream" was to play the 'Safety' position on defence. I love the defence side of football and I still do to this day. I pretend to be a defence coordinator when I am watching football on television. And I loved to hit people too. My inspirations were Ronnie Lott of the San Francisco 49ners and Steve Atwater of the Denver Broncos. I hated school, I thought it was a waste of time and I enjoyed going into the library most times and reading the sport pages or books on football. Although my family was poor, and I did not have much; I actually thought I had quite a bit and I was happy with what I had. I never complained as food was on the table and a nice roof was over my head.

PETER) : - Being grateful for what you do have, to me; is better than wanting what you don't have. It shows your priorities are intact and keeps you better morally for later life, in my view.

BLACKWATER) : - I also did not have many friends. I think that was because we never really had much money to do stuff or go somewhere and my father did not allow friends in our house. I don't know why but he was just that way. I have a younger sister and we always had to have our friends outside the house or we would have to go to their house. Odd I know, but that was our father's wish. I never even got out of the state of Ohio as our father was really strict on us as kids. We had to be home by 6pm for supper, showers to clean up by 7pm and some television was allowed between 8-9pm. Usually about 9pm we had to be in bed to get sleep for school. I was never allowed to have friends stay overnight and only on a few occasions was I allowed to stay out late. Truth be told, I know my parents never found out but I snuck out late to do stuff, usually sneaking to the late night movies with friends. I was never allowed to date or go to the prom or dances as well. Yeah, I know; I sounded like a loser but there was nothing I could do about it. I think my father was scared that I would get a girl pregnant at an early age. It was only after my father passed away that I started dating and having a girlfriend. I was most surely a late bloomer on the relationship part of life. I have had a few girlfriends and quite a few dates here and there but I am still looking for that someone special.

PETER) : - Hey, you're one of the nicest guys I know; it'll happen! My son would certainly put you over to prospective women!

BLACKWATER) : - But as far as my childhood, it was probably average and maybe a little less since I think I missed out on a lot of really cool stuff. Now thinking back on it, if I could...I would probably try a lot harder in school and make a stronger attempt at getting much better grades.

PETER) : - I'm going to break journalist kayfabe here, I don't have an exam result to my name; and yet look at all I do! How did you first discover wrestling?

BLACKWATER) : - I was little. I think I was 7 or 8 years old. We never had cable television here. Actually we had just a cheap antenna pole that got weak reception here. I was able to watch early WWF superstars and I LOVED Saturday Night's Main Event. I still have some of them on tape and watch them periodically. But to watch any cable wrestling, I had to go up the street to my "Aunt Bessie's house" as she had all the cable channels and that's where I discovered the NWA and Ric Flair and the Four Horseman. I was super intrigued, as this wrestling seemed more fun to watch. I actually enjoyed
the wrestling over the soap opera stuff and I today still favour the mat work.

PETER) : - I remember when I first saw Flair and the NWA. Being in England, with only the then WWF known to most fans; it was like discovering hidden treasure. And the wrestling still holds up strongly today.

BLACKWATER) : - Most of the time I did not have any way to watch the pay per view shows, so I had to wait for the video rental release; and you can bet I was first in line at my local video store to rent the latest pay per view. If I really liked a show I would make a copy since I had two video recorders when I was younger. Yes, I had two video recorders but no cable television! (the video recorders were paid for out of my own pocket doing lawn work and the like). My dad did not like wrestling cause he thought watching it I would want to do it and get hurt somehow. He was that way about football too. He was sort of right…

PETER) : - Luckily for me, I never had the urge to wrestle. Manage, yes. Write, of course. But wrestle? I'll leave that to you, my friend! What appealed to you most about wrestling?

BLACKWATER) : - I think I was mostly intrigued by the good guy versus bad guy element of wrestling too. Of course I loved all the good guys and hated the bad guys and I have to admit I like Hulk Hogan quite a bit...until I was introduced to the wrestling observer and pro wrestling torch "dirt sheets" as they were called back then. I had a subscription to the Torch for 10 years and just recently let it relapse. I had learned quite A LOT about the business side of wrestling well even before I had first stepped into an actual ring. That's pretty much the story of how I discovered wrestling.

PETER) : - How did you get your break in the business? Also, who was it that trained you to wrestle?

BLACKWATER) : - The break in the business is really a strange tale, somewhat. I had been to a WWE (then WWF) house show in Cleveland, Ohio and had been sitting up high in the upper level seats. A few guys behind where I was sitting were shouting at some guy who was beating his kid. I am not sure what exactly was happening, but I turned behind me to look and this big dude with a huge bald head and another rather large guy with huge curly long red hair were trying to get this father figure guy to stop wailing on his kid. Arena Cops were there and the old guy and his kid were removed from the show. I did not say much but just was intrigued with who these guys here? They looked like they could have been wrestlers….

PETER) : - And were they?

BLACKWATER) : - Later that week, I had just started working at the Super K mart here in Mansfield, Ohio (which has recently been shut down believe it or not); and the store manager was introducing some of the new employees to the existing employees. Out of nowhere came that same curly redheaded guy that had sat behind me at the Cleveland WWF show. I was so amazed and dumbfounded that this was THE SAME GUY I had seen about a week ago at the WWF show! After introductions, I went up and talked to him. I found out his name was "Jimmie Lee", his real name and he was a professional wrestler. He had been wrestling for six or more years at that time. It turned out the other large bald dude was named Dave "Thunder" Morgan, who had also been wrestling that long of a time and was largely popular in Ohio.

PETER) : - So things were making sense and falling into place at this point?

BLACKWATER) : - Anyways, to make this long story shorter; Jimmie; after a few attempts, introduced me to the A.S.W.A. (American States Wrestling Alliance) training centre in Galion, Ohio and got me to take a chance at a tryout there. When I tried out, there were 4 other guys there. None of them survived with me. I was the only guy who came back time and time again to work on my training. The gym and the company/name was and is still owned by Mike Moffat who is also known and sometimes still wrestles as "Kid Collins"...or "KC Booker"...his 'ha-ha' name as I call it. Jimmie had a little hand in my training but mostly I trained with the other guys there for a few months until I met up with Toby Cline who I worked with when the gym was moved to Shelby, Ohio. I will tell you more information about Toby and I in the next question. I did train 9 months, mostly Tuesday / Thursday / Saturday for about three to four hours each day. Most new guys had to learn everything and until the trainers were sure you had learned enough to do a match in front of a live crowd, you kept on working on your craft. How to do a match and the psychology of a match is important and something that I had to work on early because at first I was doing too many high spots in my training session and not slowing down. It's good to work a crowd up and then bring them down a bit before levelling them upwards again. Later I helped out the newer guys and basically became a trainer.

PETER) : - I'm a firm believer in psychology, and what you do and when you do it. I always have been, and always will be. I often say to people that that's probably more important than eighty percent of what else you'll be taught. What were your first matches like?

BLACKWATER) : - My first match was against a guy I met while I was starting my training. Basically we started training each other at the same time and after being told that we had worked well together in the gym, then we were booked to have a match against each other which happened on March 31, 1998. My opponents name was Toby Cline and he works the indy circuit now as "Mr. Insanity." This was to be my first match and if I am correct, it was his second match ever. He has really improved tremendously and I am very happy for him. Our match was really a great time, one that I am proud of having as my debut match. Actually though, I got injured in it as well. I dislocated my right shoulder at the start of the match but continued to wrestle for 11 minutes. I was the heel and he was the hometown hero since he was I believe 4 years younger than I was at the time, and just graduated from high school and had sold a ton of tickets through the school itself where he was popular with many there. From there, our match went quite smoothly and from what he and I were told at the time it was the best match on that show. That's an honour for the both of us as we both talk about it some whenever we cross. I went over, cheating obviously as the heel; but I did not want the win. We argued days before on who would win and if I remember correctly, we flipped a coin to decide who would get the win/pin.

PETER) : - I'm a big fan of Toby's work, he's one of my favourites on the indy's. But that's a really amusing way to win a match!

BLACKWATER) : - I came up with the finish which was for me to cheat so he got his heat back. Recently, I actually went back and watched the tape of that match; which I had not watched in probably 3 years or more. It's still a good match but now, I grumble at stuff because I am so critical about moves and sequences in it.

PETER) : - So, what happened from there on in? And how did you invent the 'Blackwater' character?

BLACKWATER) : - My next few matches were against Jimmie Lee who broke me into the biz and it was an honour to be in the ring with him. Our match was not a show stealer but it was great fun to still work him at that time in the start of my career in wrestling. I went 2 years wrestling as just myself (meaning no mask and plain black trunks and boots outfit) under the 'Blackwater' name but then acquired the boots and mask about the middle of 2000. I am currently fitting myself for a new outfit with flames and my hair is bright red, which some have said reminds them of Mikey Whipwreck's look, which I think is pretty cool but I honestly had no intention of stealing his look. As far as the "Blackwater" name and how it came about, it's really not a complicated story. I just saw a sign or exit sign of some sort with the name on it somewhere and just wrote that down. I can't really even remember where I saw it. That's pretty much the story on how I came up with it.

PETER) : - I must admit, I expected something more mysterious! It kind of reminds me of a song….

BLACKWATER) : - And yes, wrestlers do sing that damn Doobie Bros song
to me at shows sometimes. And before you say it, yes it drives me crazy!

PETER) : - I believe you've had some sad times in your life, also; that you'd like to make reference to.

BLACKWATER) : - I lost my Mom in a car accident around the start of 1998 and at that time she was so excited about me wrestling, I know she would have loved seeing me in the ring. She was a big wrestling fan and I always teased her and took the bad guys side in matches just to anger her some. Around my neck is a necklace which holds the ring that my Mom used to wear for many years, and I wear that as an honour to her life. This will come across as a tad sappy but my mother was my best friend and I am happy to have had a great mother as she was.

PETER) : - I can't follow that. I personally find the above both sad, and yet very touching. Where are you based, and what promotions have you
wrestled for?

BLACKWATER) ; - First off I am based out of Mansfield, Ohio; but I live in Shelby, Ohio at this very moment. Oh boy, I have wrestled for quite a bunch of Indy feds. I started out obviously with the American States Wrestling Alliance (ASWA) and I am currently wrestling twice a month with the ACW (American Championship Wrestling). I have wrestled in numerous federations in Michigan and in Pennsylvania and once in Chicago Also a couple in Kentucky. I can't remember all the federations names because so much time has passed. I do remember wrestling a match years ago for "Steel City Wrestling" based out of Pennsylvania for a promoter named Norm Connors.

PETER) : - From the 'it's an amusingly small world' file, I happen to know Norm to speak to online; and he's a very nice guy who's doing very well for himself and his promotion.

BLACKWATER) : - I also wrestled for the SWF (Superstar Wrestling Federation) which was based out of Cincinnati, Ohio but has since folded. ICW (Insane Championship Wrestling) in Michigan I have had a few matches with. I am trying to name feds from the top of my head but I think with the older I get, the more I forget. Mostly though I am booked here in Mansfield, Ohio and I wrestle in this area as much as I can but I am more than able and willing to go anywhere and wrestle as long as I get decent compensation for the travel and match. Or if it's a good cause such as a non-profit show that's funded for a cause, such as a cancer patient or someone in great need. Those shows are always good to be a part of, and involved with. The A.S.W.A. does not run up here as much as it used to which is a pity cause we had a great string going here of getting great crowds...usually about 900 plus and most of them paid which is almost unheard of today on the Indy scene. There are many more Indy federations I have ventured with but I can't name them all at this time. My mind's just not that strong these days!

PETER) : - I sure know that feeling. I have to be reminded five times so I'll remember once… So, who do you like to watch wrestle?

BLACKWATER) : - Right now I love watching Chris Benoit and Kurt Angle wrestle, especially each other. They had a great match at 2 WWE Royal Rumble's ago and I think it's the still the best match that I have seen in the past few years. When I was younger in the 1980's, I loved watching Randy Savage and Ric Flair wrestle and it was a super joy to see them finally meet at Wrestle Mania 8. In the very late 80' and 90's to mid 90's, I was really into Curt Hennig and Bret Hart. Both I thought were outstanding! In all my matches I use three moves that I love to do. Bret Hart always had this move where his opponent would sling him from one turnbuckle to another and he would hit the total turnbuckle with such great force that it would move the ring a few inches and he would slam back hard to the mat with such an impact! I see it done today lots but I still love doing it myself. Most of my opponents are shocked that I will do that in a match. The second and third moves I stole from Randy Savage. His leaping clothesline that he would do, hitting his opponent and then landing on his butt, I love that move and I usually throw that in a few times in a match. My "finishing move" is Randy's version of the "Top Rope Big Elbow Drop." I just think it's a great finishing move and so I had to adapt it to show my great dedication to the Macho Man, the wrestler that I idolize the most. I sure do miss Randy being on television. It sucks that he's so stuck where he's at now doing weird Rap albums.

PETER) : - He had an amazing voice that you just knew instantly was his, a charisma and personality all of his own and at his best; a great worker. And I'd agree, it's a shame he's where he's at now. What are your plans for the future?

BLACKWATER) : - I will be honest. I really don't have plans for the future. I wrestle now as much as I possibly can and when I think its not fun anymore, that's when I will quit. I always say and I tell everyone I know that I did NOT get into wrestling to make money… Or to get famous… Or to get laid. I got into it to have fun and to entertain a crowd. That parts a HUGE rush and I will never get used to that. Also, this is going to sound weird, but I have NEVER had aspirations to get into the WWF/WWE or any big time federation. Some guys don't like hearing this when I say it but it's the truth. I just want to have a great time and if somehow I get discovered or find my way to the WWE, then that would be fantastic. Actually, I never thought I would be a wrestler in wrestling. I thought I would be a booker, because I always wanted to run shows, pay wrestlers and come up with good storylines that made sense and entertained people. But as far as future
plans. I will be honest. I have not put even one thought into plans. I live by the moment and that's just me.

PETER) : - That's why me and you get along so well, we relate in many ways. I've always done this because I love to do it. Sure, money would be nice; it would justify the amount of time I spent doing all of this - and again, the WWE doesn't heavily appeal. It used to, but I don't feel today's WWE is for anyone who has an opinion of their own. Booking and running shows has appealed to me way more. To wrap up, is there anything you'd like to promote?

BLACKWATER) : - Wrestlers are always promoting something it seems! Very quickly, if I would want promote anything right now it would be my site and how I would like to hear from other promoters and wrestlers around the country, if they have the time. Just to stop by and say hello and share how's the business going at their end of the country or world? My site's url is http://www.blackwater-online.com And my email address is getbehindtheblackmask@yahoo.com .Yes...I know it's a long email name! .If they prefer not to email after visiting the site then signing the guest book would really make me happy. I am wrestling lots south of Ohio right now for ACW wrestling and up north Ohio for ASWA wrestling so to see anyone at shows and to chat would be fantastic as well. I am easy going and nice to talk to so don't be afraid to approach me and say hello. That's really about it. I know that I am not the world's greatest worker, but I try hard and I am always learning something new every time I step into the ring. Thanks for taking the time to read this interview and take care everyone. :-)

PETER) : - And to finish my side of things, I'm going to jokingly embarrass Mr Blackwater. My son likes to see pictures of who his daddy is talking to online, and I was sent a picture of Blackwater in his mask and full wrestling gear. My son was scared of the mask, so was sent a picture without the mask - at which point Andrew said he preferred him with the mask ON!!! The innocence of children… Since then, the two have made quite a transatlantic bond, and between them "Drewy-Mania" is the most effective tag team in the sport today!

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Peter Staniforth.
Peter is an English based professional wrestling journalist, currently writing for the following websites : - www.prowrestlingdaily.com, www.wrestlingclothesline.com, www.pwbts.com, www.bgwwrestling.com, and the exclusive wrestling writer for www.ukevents.net.

Peter has written press releases for http://www.wweeuroshop.com/?tid=ps101, the official WWE merchandise outlet for the UK & Europe; and has had work published in Total Wrestling magazine.

Peter is the exclusive booking agent for independent wrestling star Z-Barr, who can be found at www.zbarr.com. Any promoter wishing to book him for work, can email at this address for more details.

Also, in addition to that; Peter runs a independent wrestling bookings website for wrestlers - names such as Nick Berk (of CZW and NWA Wildside), Shark Boy, Colt Cabana and many more can be found available to book at http://www.pstaniforth.vze.com/ . Peter was also mentioned on the credits of the cult PC wrestling simulation game EWR 4.0, by Adam Ryland.

Peter is associated with UCW (Ultimate Championship Wrestling), of www.ucw-wrestling.co.uk; in a Talent Relations capacity. Peter is also currently Senior Vice President of Public Relations for IWA-Worldwide, a wrestling promotion currently working out of Florida; who can be found online at www.iwaworldwide.com.

Peter reviews video tapes for the following wrestling tape traders, who come strongly recommended by him - www.simania.co.uk, www.violentjtapes.com, www.modtrom.com (the official video production team behind Jersey All Pro Wrestling), www.a1wrestlingvideos.com, www.ruffneckwrestlingvideos.co.uk, EITC Video (email eitcvideo@yahoo.co.uk) and www.bluethundervideo.com.

When using any of this information give proper credit to Cactusb and the Wrestling Clothesline at http://www.wrestlingclothesline.com

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