by Gerry Strauss
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Hey guys and gals, I'm STILL Gerry Strauss, and it is time for another version of "Seven Deadly Questions", this time with a guy who's name has become synonomous with indy wrestling in NJ and beyond, manager/promoter/everything else, Donnie B, the current head honcho of Phoenix Championship Wrestling. Check it out, and remember, any suggestions or comments or insults can be directed right to me at gerrystrauss@aol.com, I look forward to all of the above...also, click on the link at the bottom of the page to see all of my old interviews, have yourself a whole night of, um, deadliness... have fun...
1) You have some deep roots in the "Old" NWA New Jersey. Describe your experiences under the NWA banner. What are your feelings on the changes in, and current evolution of, NWA NJ and/or it's unofficial offshoot, the NWS, as well as guys like Fred Rubenstein, Gino Moore and Joe Panzarino, whom are now embroiled in an ugly legal battle over the fed?
I think its a joke now, the ONLY NWA JERSEY worth anything was run by Dennis Corruluzzo. He was NWA. Period. All these other clowns running around claiming to be "NWA" are jokes. Plain and simple. Fred's an okay guy who had sense enough to get away from the other two. Those two (joe and gino) are pathetic.
2) Another guy you used to work a lot with, both as a talent, and as a promoter, was Kevin Knight, head trainer of the Independent Wrestling Federation. That relationship seems to have soured, at least professionally. What happened, and what is your opinion of this man who seems to be brought up time and time again in this column?
Kevin wanted to do his own thing. Thats the only way i can sum it up.
He wanted to go his own way and pretty much control everyone who worked
for him. I never fired him, banned him or anything else. Actually it was
me that gave him his best matches against Candido, Crowbar and even got
him on raw one time. He choose his path. I dont really have an opinion
of him today.
3) Dr. Hurtz was partially responsibly for producing some of the most
brutally awesome matches in the history of your promotion. After stepping
away from active competition, he resurfaced in PCW as on- screen "commissioner",
and a behind-the-scenes talent scout of sorts, as chronicled in an interview
he did with me not long ago (an interview that can be accessed through
the archives of "Seven Deadly Questions"). At that time, he
had decided to step away from the role entirely, and claimed to have lost
contact with PCW. Since then, he has resurfaced, as it was recently announced
that he will be appearing at the next IWF anniversary show. What exactly
do you think caused his departure from PCW, despite the fact that he obviously
does not want to step away from the business entirely?
I love Hurtz, I really do. We went to high school together. I spoke to him in November at our DDP show and he told me things werent fun for him anymore and that he wanted to step away. I said OK and thought that was that. I didnt know he was back until I just read it in your questions. Kev (hurtz) did a lot for us and PCW and I thank him and wish him well.
4) About a year ago, Stars and Stripes Championship Wrestling, headed up by Carmine Sabia, announced a working "talent exchange" agreement with your own Phoenix Championship Wrestling. How did that come about, how significant was it, and what is the current status of that relationship?
Carmines cool, he tries. I like the guy. He'll call me from time to time and we will chat for a bit. I use some of his guys and used some of mine, that was pretty much the extent of "our talent exchange". He's cool by me.
5) PCW's "Firebird TV" was, during it's inception over a year ago, somewhat of a breakthrough show. It was (and is) exceptionally well- produced, scheduled in a prime time slot, and hyped on a weekly basis on 1wrestling.com, one of the most read wrestling websites in the world. Since then, though, the uniqueness of indy promotions running TV shows has waned, as almost everyone does it. On the surface, television does not seem to be having a huge effect on live event ticket sales, and promotions in the Philadelphia area, such as Ring of Honor and Steve Corino's PWF, have seen fit to stop their TV after realizing it was a clear- cut financial loss for them. How profitable, or counter-profitable IS Firebird TV, and what are the net gains of having such a show on the air?
You know thats a funny thing. Out of everyone who lauched TV this year (ROH,PWF,CZW, JAP) ours was the most consistent. I think its a testament to our guys that our show is still freash and entertaining and people love it. Its kinda wierd that the people who watch our show arent even wrestling fans, their PCW fans. They like our stuff and our stuff alone. Its cool to see and hear that from people. Firebird TV is the best indy TV show out there. Believe me cause I've seen the rest and have no reason to lie.
6) Since it was such a big deal last year, what can you tell us about the future of the HAAS Cup? Is a sequel planned for this year, and if so, what can you divulge about it?
The seqeual is being planned as we speak and will be HUGE. I will have info during the month of june on it. Its going to be bigger and better than last years. Just wait. There will be the tag team tourney again (similar to last years) and some singles matches. It will be THE night to remember in indy wrestling.
7) Indy wrestling in NJ, and the surrounding tri- state area, is in a tulmultuous state right now. Lots of promotions are running with varying degrees of popularity and propaganda. As a veteran promoter in the area, give your opinion on the following promotions and the people who run them.
A) International High Powered Wrestling -Never heard of it (which doesnt
say much cause I haven't been on line much these days)
B) Jersey Championship Wrestling -I think thats Ricky 0's deal? I like
Ricky, he was a good friend to Dennis so he's cool by me. I wish him luck
with it.
C) Jersey All Pro Wrestling-Fat frank. The guy i love to hate, nah just
kidding, me and frank have heat one minute then teh next were talking
like old buds. I'll say this though, hes passionate about his product.
Good luck with it.
D) SSCW- Carmine works hard and is a good guy, i like him.
E) IWF-Kevin Knights school? No opinion.
F) Cyber Space Wrestling Fed.-Never heard of em.
For more information on PCW check out their webiste www.phoenixwrestling.com
