Post by SJ Funk on Aug 29, 2012 12:27:51 GMT -5
Today was a special day for Fighting World Magazine. As we can officially broadcast a live one on one interview with International Wrestling Legend and the now double olympic gold winning medalist, SJ Funk.
Now up to this point SJ Funk had stayed away from doing in depth interviews about himself, his career, his private life and his future plans. However, on the back of his fantastic achievement of becoming the first athlete since 1908 to compete in two sporting events and win a gold medal at the Olympics of 2012. SJ has finally decided its time to open up to those he calls friends and family within the business.. His fans and fellow competitors.
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The scene is light and airy, the pale beige, cream walled backgrounds surround the scene on two sides, as the camera focuses on a corner of a light room as its focal point. Sitting down comfortably in a black leather sofa is none other than the man himself, wearing a black t-shit upon which is a large tap-out logo. and a pair of red framed black shades. SJ looks comfortable and doesn't look at all nervous about the questioning. For a few seconds the scene is replaced by a logo of FWZ with the words Wrestling's SJ Funk Shoot interview by Eddie Robinson.
ER - Firstly, I'd like to thank you SJ, for finally, after many years of contact, agreeing to come in and do a full sit-down interview to talk about everything.
SJ - It's a pleasure Eddie.
ER - It is for us too. Now first question I've got to ask, is why now, of all the times we've asked and begged you for an interview, have you decided to come on and go through an interview?
SJ - To be honest, with everything thats happened over the past few years, life has been hectic. After the last federation I was part of sort of closed, there was the training and qualifications for the Olympics. Now that, they are over things are settling down slightly. With that, and the fact that I'm sort of now officially retired from wrestling professionally... Again... I thought it would be a perfect time. That and well you know things are going to be slightly boring now that everything I was part of was officially done.
ER - Okay, well like I said before, its great to be able to do this interview with you, and as you said its a great time for yourself. So lets "Crack On". Now of course everyone knows this is more of an out of character sort of interview, but for yourself, that is sort of only half true.
SJ - Yes, pretty much what you see, or saw rather, when I was within wrestling companies was me being me. I wasn't trying to be somebody else, or trying to be the big guy who didn't want to give others the chance of day. I've always tried to be the most honest and open person that I could be, both backstage and in the ring. Obviously, there have been times when I have pertrayed a character in the wrestling world, but then again who hasn't.
ER - Good point. Now, before we go deep into the wrestling business of your previous accomplishments and such, lets go to before that. Before you were even a wrestler. Now I know from what everyone could find out previously, you've always been a fan of wrestling?
SJ - Absolutely. Ever since I can remember. Admittedly, apart from Brian, none of the other members of my immediate family, that being my parents, my older brother and sister were into it or watched it. It was when I visited my uncle that I remember him having the old VHS' of old wrestling events. It was from there that I got into it, and then I started attending the old World of Sport wrestling events with the likes of Big Daddy, Giant Haystacks, David "The British Bulldog" Smith, Dynamite Kid and Dave Findley. It was strange how wrestling back then in the 80's is completely different to now. I remember all the old women how'd have a beef with one of the bad guys, or as we call them now, heel's of the WOS, they wouldn't just chant at them and boo, they'd actually get out of their seats and hit the guy with their handbags. Now that was fan interaction. It was at that point in time that I dreamed of become a pro wrestler myself. My brother Brian although not at first soon became hooked too.
ER - So it was not even in your teens when you got hooked?
SJ - Hell no. I was an early bird when it comes to being a wrestling fan. After a while, it became a thing in the house, every Saturday afternoon.
ER - Now your style is something that is unique, and has a mix of a lot of different styles thrown into it, styles practised around the world. So who was the first none British talent that you came across?
SJ - Hmm, to be truthful I can't actually recall, there were a few Americans that made the trip over from the states at the time, None of which at this moment I can recall seeing. I always thought Kendo Nagasaki was from Japan, being billed from there, but he was as it turned out also a Brit. Although, I can still recall slightly the hypnotism of a familiar name to some people Robbie Brookside.
ER - So in that case who's the earliest influence you can think of in regards to non-British talents.
SJ - Again it's tough. After watching the World of Sport wrestling, I did start to broaden my horizons and it was then I started to watch wrestling from Japan at first, which I know is a strange one, but Japan had a big influence in World of Sport and so I started watching there first, with the likes of the Tiger Masks, not sure which Tiger Mask it was at the time. From there I got interested in others, but that didn't come until into my teens in the early 90's, when we first started getting the American Shows.
ER - Now many people would think that's where you entered wrestling, but it wasn't was it?
SJ - No, as alot of people now know about me, after Comprehensive school, high school to any Americans watching, I joined the British Light Infantry.
ER - What was your time like in the Infantry?
SJ - It was okay, not the best time of my life that was for sure. But it wasn't too bad. I got to meet a few people and it was tough, being one of the youngest members. But I spent 3 years in the Infantry only.
ER - Is that when you joined the SAS?
SJ - It was, Obviously well after the world known Bravo Two Zero mission, or the more known Embasy Siege, but I did join the SAS. Obviously I can't go into too much detail about missions that are still kept secret.
ER - So, how did it go in the SAS? Surely you'll have seen things that will have pretty much ended a normal mans life of socialising skills?
SJ - There was a lot of things that I've had to deal with in my time, alot of which I don't really want to go into too much detail. I've had people, friends, that have died in front of me and in my arms. So it wasn't the greatest and happiest time of my life. However I don't regret it at all.
ER - What was the most horrific place that you served, or can't you tell us that?
SJ - I can tell you, because its one already known to the public. The worst places, I served have got to either be in and around Belfast in the time of the IRA and during the mid to late 90's in Kosovo. Although most of my nightmares that I still suffer from now and again, are not from there, those two have got to be the harshest places to operate. Kosovo was just a diabolical place, snipers would just take out people for the hell of it. No matter who their victim was, whether it be an old lady or a pre-teen kid. It was a bad place. As for Northern Ireland. That was just as bad in the sense, that some people welcomed you there, but most were against you, and although they didn't know you, they hated you for being there because of what you stood for. Hell you'd even get kids coming at you with knives and throwing things like broken bottles, bricks and the odd molotov cocktail. People would see you and shout warnings at the people you've come to arrest then you'd have to get away from the place without getting caught out by their traps. It also wasnt a case where if you arrested or killed a big time player in some sting operation, the opposition would like their wounds for a few days. They'd pretty much retaliate straight away, shooting out police stations or killing strangers. Hell you would have your knees capped if the big players thought you were a traitor to their cause. It was awful. I couldn't wait to get out of that place.
But even now, I don't hold grudges against the people that I've had to go up against, the people of Northern Ireland, the people in the former Yugoslavia. They were fighting their own wars, it just involved us. Although saying that. Northern Ireland, we were just under some extreme conditions. Going back to Bosnia we were up against some evil people. People who would rape women and used the excuse that they are doing it because they know the otherside are doing the same. It was horrific to see some of the schools in small villages turned into brothels with women and kids as the unwilling participants. It was horrible and made me sick. I was glad to get back from that place too.
ER - Are there any places where you've visited during your days, that you took a like to?
SJ - There were some beautiful places to visit, and if I had been visiting there on any other pretence other than to do what I was there to do, I'd have probably loved being there. Places like Mexico, which was mainly a stopping off point to meet contacts or other exotic places, places which had tourists to mask the reason why I was trully there. Some places I was able to take in the surroundings, others there was no time to take in the sights. After all, at the end of the day it was all about the job. There was times where I wished that I wasn't there to do a job.
ER - I see.. At any point during your time within the SAS, did you at any point come close to dying?
SJ - There were a couple of times that I thought would be the end of it. Maybe there was one or more times where I came very close to being one of many who failed to beat the clock. But I'm grateful that I did. I can't think from the top of my head any time in particular that I thought it was my time, to which I'm sure there were more than a few.
ER - Okay, so what made you retire from the SAS and the army?
SJ - Thats really tough to answer, I don't think that it was one thing in particular to be honest, but a mosh of a few things. I'd served almost half of my second term there and I'd seen things that will never go, things that I will never be able to get out of my mind, pictures instilled of fallen comrades, enemies that turned out to be young kids not even in their teens, add that to political changes and the fact that there were at the time not many battles going on. There were a few of course, then again there always will be. That will never change. But the nostalgia had worn off and I was worn out of being an Army man. I was still young and didn't fancy having to carry on with that way of life, not knowing when it would be my time if at all. That was what made me want to leave. It wasn't because I was bored of army life, or that I hated the way things were in the military. After all the SAS is not as hard arsed as some actual regiments.
ER - So what did you think about life when you left. Just I do know that when people first leave, they tend to have problems fitting back into society. Did that happen to you?
SJ - At first it was a bit hard, things had changed in the outside world, times had moved on. Thats not to say that I just locked myself away or anything, just when I was not on assignments, I'd be in my apartment or on leave spending time with my family. So it took a little time to re-adjust to normal life outside of the military. But I think my transitional period between military man and normal man was quicker than most. More to do with the closeness my family had even with the huge company that was run by my father. But it was close and I think that actually helped me somewhat.
ER - Now, after you left the army, you didn't get straight into wrestling, what did you do in the cross over period?
SJ - Thats simple, I was training, after all you cant just get a job in something that you've not trained to do. Sports wise anyway. It was two years after leaving the Army before I joined the wrestling business as a wrestler. But it started off, training and get the odd spot as a ring hand a few companies. Before being given the chance to shine at my first one.
ER - I see, now, during your time before getting into wrestling, this was when you hooked up with the first love of your life. Kate. However you didn't last in the relationship, due to an unfortunate accident.
SJ - Yeah, we were dating for about six months, when it happened. She was out with her parents to celebrate her Mothers birthday, I was supposed to have been there, but I was in Canada at the time. It was a family holiday, but we were supposed to have been back the day before. But due to weather conditions our flight was cancelled and we could get back. When we eventually got back in the country I was greated by the police. It was a difficult time for me to go through... Although when you say accident, I can officially say that it wasn't an accident. There was foul play involved. The brake lines were cut on her car, as she was the designated driver. I was shocked by the news of the crash, but due to the fact that at the time, I was out of the army for 8months only. I still didn't know how to react to situations like that. I'd lost so many friends and comrades over the previous few years, that it did affect me strangely. I learned how to deal with loss and it's not what people would call a normal way. But due to that the police thought that I was somehow involved in it. At the time I was furious that they could think so. Even Kate's brother didn't think that I was involved. Chris, who I became huge friends with, and well everyone knows now is the lead singer of the Sin City Rockers. He was also there to celebrate, but he had his own fiancée at the time and they were in a different car so they didn't suffer the same fate. But Chris stayed by my side throughout the investigation. Cause of their innitial suspicions they had to follow it through, even though it was a few days later they realised I wasn't, due to my history in the Armed Forces, more so the SAS. That they realised my reaction was just the way that I had learned how to deal with things.
Now I'm not sure if it was my Brother Bri, or if it was Chris who informed the police of my background. But they did still need to eliminate me and they did shortly thereafter.
ER - So after that, you and Chris became good friends.
SJ - Yeah, I think it was the fact we both lost someone special, Chris more so with his parents too. Even I liked them, and I was lead to believe they liked me. We helped each other through that time and came through good friends. In fact many people dont actually know this, but it was because of the accident, that Chris, Bri and myself started the band. Along with Drew and James, as a tribute. It started small a tribute to Kate and her parents. Ironically called the Infernus at first.
ER - Ahh, yes, the name which apparently, many believe to come from the fact that you were an explosives expert in the army.
SJ - Although, I was hand at explosives and could manufacture an IED easily back then, I wasn't the actually explosives expert. But that isn't the actually reason for the name. Originally we were calling ourselves the Wardons of Justice, but that changed a few weeks later when during a car chase with police, the actual person who had caused the accident, was speeding away from the police and lost control of his car and ended up rolling it several times. It was an horrific crash, but the guy survived. He managed to crawl out of the car, and the police were almost on him, he had his arms raised up in surrender, but the car blew up. Aparently it had unstable bomb chemicals in the backseat which ignited and the ruptured fuel tank blew. The guy died in the blast. At the time we were obviously still angry, hurt and distraught by his actions that due to the blast and the fire, which the news crew called an Inferno. We called ourselves the Infernus.
ER - Ohh, thats a little dark, but under the circumstances, I'm sure it can be considered slightly understandable.
SJ - Yeah it was, but at the time, we didn't think so. Of course as time wore on we did come to the same conclusion, and that was the real reason for the change of the bands name, to The Sin City Rockers.
ER - Now I know that alot of people didn't know about this incident, as it was really before your life went sort of public. Well, your relationship and who you were with. So did it help that you weren't wrestling at the time, and that it was easier to be able to stick with your friends and family to be able to grieve, even if in your own way?
SJ - I dont truly know to be honest. There was huge support when things went south, and Brian was "dead", I had a lot of support from the fans, and fellow competitors. Which in turn I believed helped me get over it. As to which was easier to deal with. I'm not sure to be honest, both came at different times in my life, and both were different people who meant alot to me.
ER - Now you mentioned about Brian, being pronounced dead and we all of course know he isn't, but we'll come to that later. How long after the terrible event, was it that you joined your first wrestling company?
SJ - Kate died back in '99 and my first wrestling company was back in 2000, so it was just under or round about 2 years later. Although, I wasn't fully over the whole thing at the time, I knew that I had to concentrate and move on with my life. There was no point in putting it on hold or even going into a slump. Admittedly, I had always dreamed of being a professional wrestler, but there were times after the accident, that I thought to hell with this, I should re-enlist in the Army, and try for the SAS again. But I didn't and it was I believe May of 2001, that I signed up for my first company, the Spanish Federation of Wrestling, SFW. It's hard to think that in itself was all of what, eleven years ago. I was only 22, Strange, considering that I felt older and wiser than that at the time. I'd been through a helluva lot, since I enlisted into the Army at the age of just 15. Straight outta school. But 22, I made my debut a week or so after signing for the company after a few months in their academy. I debuted and things from that moment on went up.
ER - Do you remember your first official opponent?
SJ - That I do, then again most companies I seem to remember alot of my first opponents. For SFW it was the reigning Light-Heavyweight Champ at the time, "Windyman" Davis. It was a shock win for myself, but hell a wins a win, and when its against a champ, you know you've done well. SFW, was pretty good place, although I was there for only 7months it felt like longer, the amount that I accomplished there. I think if I recall correctly, that it was only something like my fifth match where I won the title.
ER - Now at the time, although you're now six four, you first entered at just six one. How come you've grown in size since then?
SJ - That's a mystery. Bri was the same back then as he was now at six, six. But it was as though I'd been stunted, but three years after the army I went from being six one, to six four. Since then I've not actually grown another inch. But thats fine, they do say that there is always one twin bigger than the other. I'm glad I'm not six, six and the size he is, I won't be able to do some of the moves I've been known to do.
ER - Did you get on with the people in SFW?
SJ - Yeah, it was a nice place to be at, of course you had the idiots like you have in most places. But they weren't exactly full on trouble makers like there has been alot about. Everyone was friendly, and being my first actually fed, alot of them were helpful too.
ER - Didn't the bosses give you a surprise during a tag team match for the titles?
SJ - I was indeed. I was issued a challenge by the champions at the time, to find a tag team partner for the following week and if I could do that, then they would offer me a title shot. My first choice of partner was the Windyman, who I came up to respect alot, and I was believed that the feeling was mutual. But Windyman was already booked for the following show. Nobody else was available unless I went to the academy and chose someone. The week of the challenge came, and I came to the ring to face the champs, advising there was nobody that was available, like they knew there wouldn't be. Fully expecting to be beaten down by the champs, then suddenly the boss came out and announced that since the tag titles were the only titles not being on the line, then there would be a title match and he had taken it upon himself to select my tag team partner... And what a shock it was to find out who that partner would be. There was no way that I thought for one second that the person would be my very own twin brother Brian. I think it was just as much a shock to them the champs too. It put them right off there game, and me and bBri being the twins we are, and the closeness of the bond that we share, it was only fitting that we managed to kick arse big style and become the new tag champs.
ER - Now wasn't that the start of the huge fued that was to ensue between you and the then tag team champions?
SJ - Yes it was. And a big fued at that. A fued that managed to last longer than the SFW itself.
ER - Yes, a fued if I'm correct went past two federations and into the third.
SJ - That's true, the fued surpassed SFW, went into CWF, that Championship Wrestling Federation and into the EWF, Elite wrestling Federation. After that though things dwindled down.
ER - Yeah, so you teamed up with your brother, went from strength to strength. When was it that you thought it time to jump ship and moved from SFW to the EEW. How did that come about?
SJ - The decision was actually an easy decision to make. Although Spain was actually beautiful, warm and had a lot of nice fans. It wasn't exactly what you would call the biggest market place for wrestling. I know the biggest four are the US, Japan, Canada and Mexico. But SFW at the time were failing and fluttering, the place was pretty much almost finished the place was going under. I know people will wonder why we didn't stick with the company, but the truth is, we did actually compete in their last show. There was one show booked for the week later, but that show ended up being cancelled.
ER - You mentioned the last show of theres got cancelled, why was that?
SJ - I think it was more to do with the fact that nobody wanted to work under the guy at the time. He was obnoxious, and you'd be punished if you spoke out, and when I say punished, if you were champion you'd be stripped straight away. The place went from nice and friendly to hostility in the space of a week. In the end, everyone walked out. I think it was to do with the fact that he booked himself in a match that featured all the champs apart from the tag team champs and himself, the winner would win every title. Of course he would make the rules up as he goes along, almost to the point that, you couldn't beat him. Once he became in charge, he never lost a match, no matter who he faced. Like me, a lot of those who left in the last two weeks, didn't want to. We all owed the company alot, and a lot to the original owner of the company. However there was just no way that we could last.
ER - I see. So after SFW, you went from Spain to Europe, with the Elite European Wrestling. What made you decide to go with the EEW?
SJ - The travel. I like travelling, always have done, was a reason for joining the army. The place was decent and well ordered.
ER - You made an instant impact in EEW, was that a good feeling?
SJ - It certainly was, me and Bri went into EEW, on the back of winning our last SFW match, and we went in and defeated the duo that held the tag titles for over two years. We beat them in our very first match.
ER - It was here in EEW, where the group known as The Good Timers would start to formulate. Firstly by you and your brother joining forces with another Brit, who was I believe half Brazilian too. Mr. Cool Gio Zivarno.
SJ - Thats true. Gio was born in England but has a Brazilian father. Gio is a cool guy, not just cause of his wrestling name either. But the fact remains that he became and still is a very good friend.
ER - Now, in SFW, you won the Cruiserweight, Heavyweight and the Tag Titles three times. What did you accomplish in your short time within the EEW?
SJ - Well I won the tag straps with Bri twice, didn't win them with Gio, but Bri did. Singles titles I held the Heavyweight, Eastern European, Western European and Hardcore titles once and the Cruiserweight three times.
ER - You mentioned the Western and Eastern European titles, what was their concept?
SJ - Well the Eastern title could only be defended in Eastern European countries, the Western the same but in Western European Countries.
ER - I see, now, you left EEW, before your brother and friend, why was that?
SJ - At the time of things, which was only several months or so, not quite a year. The EEW were taken over by a larger federation who's name I don't remember, but at the time there was a huge amount of backstage politics and what not. There was a huge dispute between other EEW stars and the new owner. I didn't want to get involved and take sides, so I requested, that since the new company was not the company I signed for, that I be released from my contract. It was agreed and so I left.
ER - After you left EEW, you moved back to the UK as we mentioned and joined the Championship Wrestling Federation. Which at the time was based near Durham, where you're from, but did shows around the UK, in the smaller indoor arenas at first. But how did it feel to join there?
SJ - As with SFW and EEW, it was slightly strange to be in a new place, starting back from the bottom and having to create another, aura if you like, about me. Make people stand up and take notice. CWF, at the time wasn't that big, but it certainly grew bigger as time went on. The people backstage were great, people enjoyed it there. Gary Jones, the man who ran the place, knew of the SFW, and signed several of us up. I was happy to be able to join and of course sign for a company that was based in my home nation. Obviously, we had to travel all over the UK, from Scotland to Wales and even included trips to Ireland.
ER - How did that feel, returning to Ireland?
SJ - It felt strange at first, and of course I was nervous, because of what happened in the previous past times. Luckily, the first few times were in the Republic, where it was as bad as it was in Northern Ireland. Of course there were still the odd few who hated the Brits. A lot less than I first thought. After that I did start to enjoy my trips to Ireland, just as much as other places. It was strange too, being that I found out that I do have Irish heritage, so much so that it makes me a quarter Irish myself. My grandmother from my mothers side is Irish herself, born from Roscommon. So it was all good.
ER - How long was it in CWF, before you became the big star?
SJ - Thankfully, it wasn't too long. Not that it would have mattered. I mean sure, back then I was all about impressing people and winning titles, now its more entertaining rather than the titles. Although people will be thinking other when I enter the Olympics several weeks ago. But that was different. That was winning gold for my country. Anyway, CWF, it took at least a month or so to get noticed, at the time it was for the tag team division. Of course, alongside my brother at the time. But it was all good, it wasn't too long after that I was recognised as a singles competitor too. So things were good. A couple of years in the fed and it was mostly good, there were some sour points, such as an injury I suffered, but apart from that I've really fond memories, even when The Carlos Brothers arrived to kick-start our fued again. It was great, I really loved working at the place. Everyone backstage was fantastic. Everyone seemed friendly, and nobody behind the scenes had bad things to say to people.
ER - Now during the time, you managed to come into contact with a woman who would become your fiancée, and someone that you thought special in your heart from the days you were at school.
SJ - That's true, although thought is the correct word as it turns out. Rachel Fox, even now just saying the name is like gargling very strong acid in my mouth. But at the time, I had no idea of what was being planned behind my back. At the time, I was believed to be rekindling, a relationship that was from my past. We dated back when we were at secondary school for about two years, but broke up when I went off to join the army. She couldn't be with someone she wouldn't see that often. But, when I came out, we didn't meet till I returned home with CWF. At first we took it slow got to know, or at least I thought we were, getting to know each other again. And from there the plan formulated. We were getting on well and started dating really quickly. The relationship was going great, or so I thought.
ER - So you thought at the time, she was for real?
SJ - I did, so did everyone else that knew me. Then again, how can you know that someone is getting to know you, and letting you into their lives, after several years of being apart, do you get to know that they are cold blooded? I mean, there's been plenty of cases in the past where murders have not been able to tell that their partners, their lovers are homocidal maniacs excetra, it was the same with me and her.
ER - Now at the time, obviously the plan was to get to know you and have a few tragedies happen along the way, deaths in accidents so to speak. But, up until then the two of you seemed to be, what many people thought of as, the perfect couple within wrestling. How did that make you feel at the time?
SJ - At the time I thought nothing of it. A lot of people were happy at the time, I think it was more to do with the fact that I was happy, others were happy that I was finally happy. What a big arse mistake that was.
ER - Now of course before we can actually get to the trouble that was sturred up, we have to go back to the whole wrestling side of things again, CWF. You were a big superstar there, winning numerous titles, In fact I believe you were the first person to win all the titles.
SJ - Not exactly, I was the third person in history of CWF to win all the titles, but I was the first to win them at least twice. The Cruiserweight title I won five times, the InterEuropean hardcore titles twice each, the Tag team titles four times, twice with Bri, once with Chrissy, who joined us in CWF, and the Heavyweight title six times. The most anyone every won it.
ER - Everything was looking good for you at that point, but then tragedy struck again. This time it was when you were scheduled to defend your title. What happened?
SJ - At the show, I was scheduled to defend, but before I had a chance, my cousin Steven was taken seriously ill, he was in the audience at the time. When I found out it was Steven, I dropped everything and went straight to the hospital he was in. Not taking part in the scheduled match. The management understood it, but the fans didn't know that the man taken from the arena in an Ambulance was my cousin, they thought that I had jumped ship to a large company that was based in Scotland. CWF management didn't make things less likely on that front when the following week they stripped me of my title. It was a move that even shocked me. I was disappointed at the time, but it did sway my decision to take the first break in my wrestling career. Steve got struck down with cancer, so as a family we all were round to support him through it. It was a big decision for me, I was weighing it up. But when the management stripped me of the title, a decision, I understand now, but didn't at the time. I decided then to take a break from wrestling.
ER - Steven, he did make a recovery didn't he?
SJ - He did, he fought through the cancer and made a remarkable recovery and we're thankful because of it.
ER - Now it was only a couple of months before you returned to wrestling, This time within the EWF. How was that move?
SJ - EWF was fantastic, probably the best place that I've wrestled in. CWF was great, SFW was too. But EWF surpassed them both. EWF's backstage crew, Scott Hill, Frankie Martel, all welcomed me graciously, the place was just superb. I've never felt more welcomed in a place like I did in EWF. Especially considering that EWF was where I considered a home for a great time in my life. Things were great. Steven made a recovery and I joined EWF at a great time in the places history.
ER - You were also a big time player in EWF too.
SJ - I was, thankfully, and gratefully. I became the only person in the history of the place to win all the titles again, the second place for me to do that. Everyone there was great, and I entered into some fantastic fueds back then. The Red Star turned HardKore Revolution, The Carlos Brothers again. The place was great. Everyone got on backstage too.
ER - While working in EWF, you also did some work in Japan and Mexico. How did that go down with EWF Management?
SJ - It went down well. All Japan Pro Wrestling and Mexicana de Lucha Libre Asociación had contracts with the EWF to have stars wrestle there. I was one of seven that won titles in those two places, one of four who won titles in both. The other three being Valencia Valentino, Jose Hugo Marino and of course my bro, Brian.
ER - So those two companies you won titles for were while part of EWF, where of course you were just dominent. But what happened for you to leave the EWF, cause you did leave before the place closed.
SJ - I didn't actually leave. I was still contracted but things were taking their toll and I came down with an injury. While injured that was when Scott Hill unfortunately passed away and shortly there after the company closed.
ER - Now at the time your sort of retired again. This time to take time out assumingly. But when you returned, you joined another home based company, one that was part of the World Wrestling Alliance, in the EWC.
SJ - Yes the English Wrestling Championships. It wasn't the biggest in fact it was quite small, but I struggled there it must be said. For a small fed, competition was very tough. People like Dark Wolf, Sam Horrey and Ryan Matthews there. It was quiet unbelievable the talent the place had. Admittedly the tag team titles I won, I was offered the chance to team with Mercury when he was in sole possession. I agreed but maybe I shouldn't have. But the Super Middleweight title I won in a brutal match and became the first and last ever champ. The company closed down shortly after that when the owner disappeared.
ER - Then you moved to SWF, the Sadistic Wrestling Federation. Why that one?
SJ - SWF was willing to give me a chance there, and it showed Early, besides it was also in the same alliance as EWC was. So it was an easy decision to make. The first night I wrestled there I was in tag team action along side my brother where we had two tag matches, we won the first but lost the second to the team known as the Front Office. We did though beat them to win the tag titles a few weeks later.
ER - Now at the time, you joined RWF too.
SJ - Yes, SWF was just based in Michigan, and RWF was a worldwide company. RWF wasn't a bad place it was friendly in some respects, but not as much as other places. I did win my first title there on my second show. Which was good and the title was the title that was defended on every show, which I successfully did. It was about two months long when I left for some time off, at the same time I left SWF. When I returned, it was in the RWF's training federation where I was there last heavyweight champ, mainly because the fed was closed to move everyone up to the main roster. Where I won the tag titles just before the fed closed. Although we left before we could defend them. That was at the time when the things started going wrong in my life.
ER - Ahh yes, the famous crash that never actually happened.
SJ - That was part of it, but the reason I took time off from RWF and SWF, was due to ill health, now I've always been in top shape and been of good health till then. It was after my father had handed control of Funk Inc. To my brother Martin, with the rest of us being directors. But Brian had found her drugging my food, he didn't say anything to me which I was annoyed about, but he went straight to the police with it, as he feared, due to having similar illness symptoms, that he was having the same done to him by her. Now it was then that the police informed him that she was already married to someone else, and they had planned for them to wait till the day we were made directors of the company, where we would automatically get a death insurance policy of three million pounds. That is when things were going south. Brian was "killed" in the accident as a police thing. At that time, I was rejoining WWA and this time with the AWA, where I won the tag straps with a Russian, Romantski, who would leave due to visa issues, and it was shortly after that I left too. Again due to ill health. I didn't know what was happening or what was wrong with me at the time. After several weeks of recouperation I returned to the ring with AWA, then with C2W, Cairo Championship Wrestling. It was there I held a cup in the honor of my brother. Alought in WWA, I mean. I even returned to SWF for a few shows, and done some odd work round the world, in different places, althought at the same time I didn't feel quite right, physically I was drained after every match, which was simply not me. I decided to stop fully at that point, thinking, hell maybe my body is just not good enough to compete this much. So I returned home and started doing some work with the band. It was at this point when a sting operation that had been planned. My brother walked in to our home one day. Surprised the hell outta me, I was shocked, not more so than her. It went from there she tried to grab kitchen knives, the police came in and she dropped the knife, but she didn't give a damn and grabbed a gun out of her handbag. I didn't know what the hell was happening, but the police weren't armed, they armed response were outside, before they could get anywhere near her, my instincts and training kicked in and I went to grab the gun, things went a bit of a blur and well, I got shot. Just a graze thankfully. It took several months after that before I returned to my former self, my body healed and I got over the symptoms. When Brian told me everything it was as though I'd been shot all over again, this time in my heart.
ER - Horrible times. It must have been hell.
SJ - Hell is what I went through in Ireland and Bosnia, this was worse. But I'm a fighter and I've moved on and come along way since then. I met Amy through her brother Leon, who I've known for a while, from back in the EWF days, he was known back then as Sickboy. We hit it off pretty much straight away, and thankfully we did. We got engaged pretty early too, which after what I went through before, was for me out of character, but thankfully we're in love and that's what matters.
ER - And of course you returned to the ring yet again.
SJ - Yup, firstly with the Combat Zone Wrestling, where I left due to my tag partner Drew Scorpion, the other member of the Sin City Rockers, that I teamed with, leaving on James Williams our drummer the only one I haven't. But yeah, Drew was attacked after an event there and I found it too much of a coincidence that we were in for a title shot at the tag champs the following week. So I left there for that and the fact that I had some disagreements with the staff. There I joined Elite World Wrestling, and Combat Championship Wresting, all at the same time. Big impacts there before both closed with only a week between their closing, then it was A2W won the Pure Wrestling title on the same night as the tag straps with Bri. Two weeks later I won the world title vacating the Pure Wrestling title, but the fed closed a couple of days later. As for WWC, Me and Bri won the tag titles, and when I won a battle royal which Bri didn't take part in, for a shot at their world title, we were both fired for no apparent reason.
ER - Then from there you joined your second CWF.
SJ - This time Classic Wrestling Federation, I was undefeated and met several decent people there too, Mariano Fernandez, James Baker, Nate Warrens etc. It wasn't all good though, as you know a lot of backstage politics sorta ended the fed. Of course it was taken over by Superior Championship Wrestling, where I did win a few titles before the place closed. Then from there I joined the PCW. Unfortunately PCW at the time was filled with some backstage politics, mainly from one man. Which was indicated when after I kicked out of a pin attempt by the guys son, I was adjuged to have been pinned, replays clearly show me breaking the pin just after the two count. It turned out at the time, the referee did see my foot on the rope, but he was paid off by the prick backstage. Who is the only person, that I'm going to name and shame, Rob Osbourne. A pest, in fact worse than that he's a parasite to the wrestling world. Him, his son and his friend who is a guy I after being a military man myself, to claim to be a vet himself, when he wasn't ever enlisted, couldn't cut the grade.. After meeting with the true people behind the PCW, the match was expunged and the result was over turned and the match although still available to see is offically had the match result overturned to a win in my favour via DQ after a dirty official. I went on a run in PCW, where I remained undefeated. I left just before the place temporarily closed its doors due to Saint's uselessness as a business man, but that was because I officially got married. Since then I've not really returned to wrestling.
ER - You mentioned PCW shutting down, but it has since re-opened.. What do you make of its re-opening?
SJ - It's good to see it re-open, along with EWF and CWF are my top three feds. I don't have a particular order of them, but they are the top three for me. After is SWF and possible SFW and EEW. But with regards to the PCW re-opening, its fantastic for them, and it's going very strong indeed. I watch as many shows as it can. But of course its been busy.
ER - Now before we go onto why, there is another question to ask, now in the newly released version of PCW, is there anyone in particular that has caught your eye, excluding your young protogé Seamus?
SJ - There is a great roster there and most deserve to be there, others, mainly Sync and Static, that shouldn't. But theres a couple of newer guys that have caught my eye.. Adrien Cochrane with his big win over a PCW hall of famer, Heather Monroe. He's been doing well and is a mark for a future World Champ.
ER - Okay, now, you mentioned you didn't return cause you were busy, and that was busy with the Olympics.
SJ - Yup, for which I competed in both the Freestyle Wrestling and the boxing. Originally, it was only the Boxing that I was going in for. Team GB already had a male wrestler, but he then got himself suspended so they asked me to fill the spot as it was too late to bring in a new member to the team GB squad, I was more than happy to accept and I'm glad I did, two gold medals. It was fantastic.
ER - Now, to wrap this up. Is there any thoughts of you returning to the professional aspect of wrestling?
SJ - All I'll say to that question, is watch that space. In this business, there is a good reason why there's the saying, never say never.
ER - Okay, look forward to seeing if you do come back to the sport. Good luck in your future endeavours anyway, and thanks for the interview.
SJ - Its been a pleasure.
With that we fade to black.
-=-
The rain bounces hard against the glass ceiling of the conservatory of SJ Funk's home in Durham, England. SJ, wearing a pair of black combat style trousers and a black t-shirt with a white TAPOUT Logo, sits on a comfortable wicker style sofa which is pushed up against a cream painted wall, to the right of a set of closed french doors which have white vertical blinds drawn closed. SJ sets down a bunch of A4 paper, placing it down upside down so nobody can read what is on it. SJ Looks at the the camera as the rain continues to pour.
SJ - So much for summer huh?!
Anyway, PCW is back huh. Back with a bang it seems. I know, I've been in PCW a few times since it came back, what with the introduction to Seamus, the Wrestle Extravaganza pre-show autographs and what not. But PCW is back.
It seems like there has been some changes going on behind the scenes. Terrell Ryder the new man in charge rather than old timer Saint. Add to that the introduction of PCW's new talent. Things are looking different, but in a good way I suppose.
The place has picked up, there are familiar faces and there are those that are less familiar. People have come in and made names for themselves already. People like Adrien Cochrane, Jessica Harmony. Both of whom beat hall of famers from right here in PCW to become champs. Adrien the new Platinum Champ, beating both DLK and Heather Monroe, and Jessica Harmony beat Danielle Lopez. Hell even Jay Thunder and Scarlett Quinn beat the desciples of Syn to become the new tag champs.
So what does that tell you? Are the new talent out weighing the old? Is the new guys here in PCW already surpassing the old guard? Fear not, I have the answer.. Nope. Sure there was some shocking results at Wrestle Extravaganza, but lets see who you have right at the top of the tree at the present moment in time. Michael Morrison, Sickboy, Leon Lonewolf, hell even the ol' Japanese guy Yoshi is up there. Even though he is hanging round with a true dinosaur of wrestling in Paul soddin' Blair.
I must admit, that there are some good people there in PCW at the present moment, just like there always has. PCW, has always been a great place amount a hugely over-crowded business sector. There are plenty of feds that come and go. There are plenty who have been going for a while. Places that have a huge history and they still end up closing down. The problem is when they close they tend not to return. Or if they do, they last only a couple of weeks to a month, EWF is a prime example of that, even if it does mean that I am disappointed everytime it happens. But PCW has defied them odds. People have flocked here since its come back. Some of which don't deserve to be hear, makes me wonder who they paid off to give them some sort of decent enough reference. Admittedly Seamus is here because I got him the chance. He won a match and has since then proved his worth. He beat three others to win the Scars of Wrestling cup. I honestly know and understand James and Terrell's thoughts of giving the younger generation the chance to shine. Its a helluva gamble, but in some ca... No scrap it, in alot of cases it has proven to be a gamble that has paid off. Just look at what happened at Extravaganza, the Scars of Wrestling Cup, got voted the match of the event.
A match that was contested between four members of the roster, all four of whom are new to PCW. Not a single former member or hall of famer involved in it. It was a specticle, the whole event was. Just as you'd expect with the PCW.
As far as I can see in the whole wrestling world is that PCW is one if not thee, place to be as a wrestler. It's out there with the biggest pull factor of the moment. With a roster to back it up. Well a roster that can mostly back it up. But apart from the Jobber Hall of Fame the place has, everybody there has the ability to beat everybody.
Theres new guys beating Hall of Famers, theres old guys beating new guys. Hell there's even the Elite, who are not tag team champs.
Now speaking of The Elite. There is one person that I have to speak about. That person being none other than The Elite Member, Sickboy. No not the cut out copy that Yoshi is hanging around with, but the real man. I know he'll be able to see this, although knowing his comments from previous times the two of us have face off against each other, he'll see its me and turn over. But Sicko has gone on record to say that there is no way that after this week, when he beats the crap out of Radar, which I may add that he ought to. After the tricks Radar pulled trying to play off Sickboy as somebody he clearly isn't. But, after that he'll be leaving PCW, he won't be coming back... Or so he says.
You see, I've faced Sickboy several times in the past, and if there is one thing that I have picked up on, in working against him in matches several times of the past few years is that he is one unpredictable SOB. Sickboy says he'll be quitting. Yeah, he may well do that at some point, hell he may do it after the match like he says he is. But he'll be back, and he'll be back before you know it. The guy has just come back the other month, and now he's leaving, just because he was handed a beatdown by the world champ two weeks ago at Wrestle Extravaganza? I doubt that. I beat him several times, however that did not put him down, that didn't blow his confidence. Why should a little beatdown cause him to think deeply on his career? Cause he was outsmarted for once? Wait, I've done that a few times already in the ring, why should one more to the hands of the current world champ be any different?
Come on Curtis, we all know that you can't leave this business, it keeps drawing you back in, no matter how hard you try to. We all know that you're not through. You've only just returned. Yeah, sure that beatdown at the hands of Morrisy will have hurt, not just physically, but mentally. After all you were not prepared for him to do such a thing. Even though, it wasn't too much of a shock to me. After all, you have to remember Sickboy, those types of tactics are something you and Yoshi are very kind enough to throw out at random people every so often, then when you consider the fact that the person who gave you the beatdown was formally part of you little wrecking crew. It makes sense really.
Now onto the other person involved in that incident. The current World Champ.
So Champ, how is things at the top of the tree? Ahh what the hell, I don't really care what its like for you Morrison. Yeah, Yeah. I know you're now the longest reigning world champ in history. Even though for a lot of that time PCW was... how to put this... ah yes. Hibernating. But hell, you're the longest reigning champ anyway, congrats pal. But that's where it ends on that.
You talked earlier this week about beating the crap out of Sickboy with the chair because you wanted to. Because you wanted to give Sickboy a taste of his own medicine. A taste of the suffering that you went through over the past several months. Yeah, admittedly, the Elite have kicked the crap out of you for a long time. But its not like you haven't done the same things in the past. So all I have to say to that statement, is turnabouts fair play.
You talked about the fact that you had it all worked out, the referee gets distracted, Long rushes the ring and knocks you out. Yup, nothing like giving Sickboy credit is there. He may not be the nicest person around, he may be the hardest person to get on with. But the truth remains Mike, he is one helluva competitor in the ring. You say he was confident. Hell he always has been, but you on the other hand Mike. I say that you did what you did because you knew, just like everyone else knows, you couldn't beat Sickboy. You knew it, and you knew that if you went through with the match, I wouldn't be sitting here right now addressing you as the current, reigning world heavyweight champion.
You talk about taking the easy way out, yeah you admitted to doing it, but what is the real reason Morrisy? Were you scared to face a man you used to team with. The man you screwed over back in the last PCW run. Were you so scared of losing your title to Sickboy you had to resort to the tactics that you've came out with at Wrestle Extravaganza.
You pulled this place, that world title into disrepute pal, and that's not good, not good for you, for this company, not that you're bothered about that now are ya? All you care about is self presevation. As long as you keep your title you don't care if you get yourself disqualified or actually win the match do you?
Its funny too Mikey, you came out with some old clichés. Don't do the crime, actions have consequences etc, etc. Well to be honest with ya... Can't the same be said to you. After you actions at Wrestle Extravaganza.
You asked if Curt felted cheated and welcomed him to your world? How is that a comparison Mikey? You're the world champ, how can you have been cheated? All I've seen is you do the bloody cheating. You also asked how Sickboy's actions over the past few months deserve to wear the PCW world title.. Really Dude? Are you so far up your own arse to realise, everything you claim that Sickboy does and acts, you are doing exactly the same. So how does that justify you wearing the title? You cheated to retain, yet you say that Sickboy doesn't deserve it because of how the Elite run around the place.
Now, I know you're all wondering why the hell I'm having a go at the World Champ? Well two reasons. Firstly, just to clarify to him, or help him understand, as difficult as that will be. After all a man who has to proclaim he's Greatness rather than for others to say that. Anyway, to the point. I want to try and make him understand just how much of a feckin' hypocrite the guy really is, and secondly. Well that's simple.
A few months ago on one of the Rapture Episodes there were two people who made themselves heard in regards to the title picture. Firstly, Heather Monroe and Adrien Cochrane. You see, the thing is, they came out telling the world champ that he should watch himself as both of them own the right to face the champion at any time in order to fight for the title.
However everyone seems to forget that there is one other person who also has a guaranteed shot at the World Heavyweight Champ.
Does that mean this week, I'll be cashing in? No. Does it mean that I'll be cashing it in sooner rather than later? No.
Hell there is no guarantee that I'm returning to wrestling just yet anyway. But one thing is for sure. If I do return to wrestling on a professional scale. Providing that the place is still open, which I believe it will be. SJ Funk will return to wrestling here in PCW.
Until that point in time, I bid you farewell.
With that we fade to black.
Now up to this point SJ Funk had stayed away from doing in depth interviews about himself, his career, his private life and his future plans. However, on the back of his fantastic achievement of becoming the first athlete since 1908 to compete in two sporting events and win a gold medal at the Olympics of 2012. SJ has finally decided its time to open up to those he calls friends and family within the business.. His fans and fellow competitors.
-=-
The scene is light and airy, the pale beige, cream walled backgrounds surround the scene on two sides, as the camera focuses on a corner of a light room as its focal point. Sitting down comfortably in a black leather sofa is none other than the man himself, wearing a black t-shit upon which is a large tap-out logo. and a pair of red framed black shades. SJ looks comfortable and doesn't look at all nervous about the questioning. For a few seconds the scene is replaced by a logo of FWZ with the words Wrestling's SJ Funk Shoot interview by Eddie Robinson.
ER - Firstly, I'd like to thank you SJ, for finally, after many years of contact, agreeing to come in and do a full sit-down interview to talk about everything.
SJ - It's a pleasure Eddie.
ER - It is for us too. Now first question I've got to ask, is why now, of all the times we've asked and begged you for an interview, have you decided to come on and go through an interview?
SJ - To be honest, with everything thats happened over the past few years, life has been hectic. After the last federation I was part of sort of closed, there was the training and qualifications for the Olympics. Now that, they are over things are settling down slightly. With that, and the fact that I'm sort of now officially retired from wrestling professionally... Again... I thought it would be a perfect time. That and well you know things are going to be slightly boring now that everything I was part of was officially done.
ER - Okay, well like I said before, its great to be able to do this interview with you, and as you said its a great time for yourself. So lets "Crack On". Now of course everyone knows this is more of an out of character sort of interview, but for yourself, that is sort of only half true.
SJ - Yes, pretty much what you see, or saw rather, when I was within wrestling companies was me being me. I wasn't trying to be somebody else, or trying to be the big guy who didn't want to give others the chance of day. I've always tried to be the most honest and open person that I could be, both backstage and in the ring. Obviously, there have been times when I have pertrayed a character in the wrestling world, but then again who hasn't.
ER - Good point. Now, before we go deep into the wrestling business of your previous accomplishments and such, lets go to before that. Before you were even a wrestler. Now I know from what everyone could find out previously, you've always been a fan of wrestling?
SJ - Absolutely. Ever since I can remember. Admittedly, apart from Brian, none of the other members of my immediate family, that being my parents, my older brother and sister were into it or watched it. It was when I visited my uncle that I remember him having the old VHS' of old wrestling events. It was from there that I got into it, and then I started attending the old World of Sport wrestling events with the likes of Big Daddy, Giant Haystacks, David "The British Bulldog" Smith, Dynamite Kid and Dave Findley. It was strange how wrestling back then in the 80's is completely different to now. I remember all the old women how'd have a beef with one of the bad guys, or as we call them now, heel's of the WOS, they wouldn't just chant at them and boo, they'd actually get out of their seats and hit the guy with their handbags. Now that was fan interaction. It was at that point in time that I dreamed of become a pro wrestler myself. My brother Brian although not at first soon became hooked too.
ER - So it was not even in your teens when you got hooked?
SJ - Hell no. I was an early bird when it comes to being a wrestling fan. After a while, it became a thing in the house, every Saturday afternoon.
ER - Now your style is something that is unique, and has a mix of a lot of different styles thrown into it, styles practised around the world. So who was the first none British talent that you came across?
SJ - Hmm, to be truthful I can't actually recall, there were a few Americans that made the trip over from the states at the time, None of which at this moment I can recall seeing. I always thought Kendo Nagasaki was from Japan, being billed from there, but he was as it turned out also a Brit. Although, I can still recall slightly the hypnotism of a familiar name to some people Robbie Brookside.
ER - So in that case who's the earliest influence you can think of in regards to non-British talents.
SJ - Again it's tough. After watching the World of Sport wrestling, I did start to broaden my horizons and it was then I started to watch wrestling from Japan at first, which I know is a strange one, but Japan had a big influence in World of Sport and so I started watching there first, with the likes of the Tiger Masks, not sure which Tiger Mask it was at the time. From there I got interested in others, but that didn't come until into my teens in the early 90's, when we first started getting the American Shows.
ER - Now many people would think that's where you entered wrestling, but it wasn't was it?
SJ - No, as alot of people now know about me, after Comprehensive school, high school to any Americans watching, I joined the British Light Infantry.
ER - What was your time like in the Infantry?
SJ - It was okay, not the best time of my life that was for sure. But it wasn't too bad. I got to meet a few people and it was tough, being one of the youngest members. But I spent 3 years in the Infantry only.
ER - Is that when you joined the SAS?
SJ - It was, Obviously well after the world known Bravo Two Zero mission, or the more known Embasy Siege, but I did join the SAS. Obviously I can't go into too much detail about missions that are still kept secret.
ER - So, how did it go in the SAS? Surely you'll have seen things that will have pretty much ended a normal mans life of socialising skills?
SJ - There was a lot of things that I've had to deal with in my time, alot of which I don't really want to go into too much detail. I've had people, friends, that have died in front of me and in my arms. So it wasn't the greatest and happiest time of my life. However I don't regret it at all.
ER - What was the most horrific place that you served, or can't you tell us that?
SJ - I can tell you, because its one already known to the public. The worst places, I served have got to either be in and around Belfast in the time of the IRA and during the mid to late 90's in Kosovo. Although most of my nightmares that I still suffer from now and again, are not from there, those two have got to be the harshest places to operate. Kosovo was just a diabolical place, snipers would just take out people for the hell of it. No matter who their victim was, whether it be an old lady or a pre-teen kid. It was a bad place. As for Northern Ireland. That was just as bad in the sense, that some people welcomed you there, but most were against you, and although they didn't know you, they hated you for being there because of what you stood for. Hell you'd even get kids coming at you with knives and throwing things like broken bottles, bricks and the odd molotov cocktail. People would see you and shout warnings at the people you've come to arrest then you'd have to get away from the place without getting caught out by their traps. It also wasnt a case where if you arrested or killed a big time player in some sting operation, the opposition would like their wounds for a few days. They'd pretty much retaliate straight away, shooting out police stations or killing strangers. Hell you would have your knees capped if the big players thought you were a traitor to their cause. It was awful. I couldn't wait to get out of that place.
But even now, I don't hold grudges against the people that I've had to go up against, the people of Northern Ireland, the people in the former Yugoslavia. They were fighting their own wars, it just involved us. Although saying that. Northern Ireland, we were just under some extreme conditions. Going back to Bosnia we were up against some evil people. People who would rape women and used the excuse that they are doing it because they know the otherside are doing the same. It was horrific to see some of the schools in small villages turned into brothels with women and kids as the unwilling participants. It was horrible and made me sick. I was glad to get back from that place too.
ER - Are there any places where you've visited during your days, that you took a like to?
SJ - There were some beautiful places to visit, and if I had been visiting there on any other pretence other than to do what I was there to do, I'd have probably loved being there. Places like Mexico, which was mainly a stopping off point to meet contacts or other exotic places, places which had tourists to mask the reason why I was trully there. Some places I was able to take in the surroundings, others there was no time to take in the sights. After all, at the end of the day it was all about the job. There was times where I wished that I wasn't there to do a job.
ER - I see.. At any point during your time within the SAS, did you at any point come close to dying?
SJ - There were a couple of times that I thought would be the end of it. Maybe there was one or more times where I came very close to being one of many who failed to beat the clock. But I'm grateful that I did. I can't think from the top of my head any time in particular that I thought it was my time, to which I'm sure there were more than a few.
ER - Okay, so what made you retire from the SAS and the army?
SJ - Thats really tough to answer, I don't think that it was one thing in particular to be honest, but a mosh of a few things. I'd served almost half of my second term there and I'd seen things that will never go, things that I will never be able to get out of my mind, pictures instilled of fallen comrades, enemies that turned out to be young kids not even in their teens, add that to political changes and the fact that there were at the time not many battles going on. There were a few of course, then again there always will be. That will never change. But the nostalgia had worn off and I was worn out of being an Army man. I was still young and didn't fancy having to carry on with that way of life, not knowing when it would be my time if at all. That was what made me want to leave. It wasn't because I was bored of army life, or that I hated the way things were in the military. After all the SAS is not as hard arsed as some actual regiments.
ER - So what did you think about life when you left. Just I do know that when people first leave, they tend to have problems fitting back into society. Did that happen to you?
SJ - At first it was a bit hard, things had changed in the outside world, times had moved on. Thats not to say that I just locked myself away or anything, just when I was not on assignments, I'd be in my apartment or on leave spending time with my family. So it took a little time to re-adjust to normal life outside of the military. But I think my transitional period between military man and normal man was quicker than most. More to do with the closeness my family had even with the huge company that was run by my father. But it was close and I think that actually helped me somewhat.
ER - Now, after you left the army, you didn't get straight into wrestling, what did you do in the cross over period?
SJ - Thats simple, I was training, after all you cant just get a job in something that you've not trained to do. Sports wise anyway. It was two years after leaving the Army before I joined the wrestling business as a wrestler. But it started off, training and get the odd spot as a ring hand a few companies. Before being given the chance to shine at my first one.
ER - I see, now, during your time before getting into wrestling, this was when you hooked up with the first love of your life. Kate. However you didn't last in the relationship, due to an unfortunate accident.
SJ - Yeah, we were dating for about six months, when it happened. She was out with her parents to celebrate her Mothers birthday, I was supposed to have been there, but I was in Canada at the time. It was a family holiday, but we were supposed to have been back the day before. But due to weather conditions our flight was cancelled and we could get back. When we eventually got back in the country I was greated by the police. It was a difficult time for me to go through... Although when you say accident, I can officially say that it wasn't an accident. There was foul play involved. The brake lines were cut on her car, as she was the designated driver. I was shocked by the news of the crash, but due to the fact that at the time, I was out of the army for 8months only. I still didn't know how to react to situations like that. I'd lost so many friends and comrades over the previous few years, that it did affect me strangely. I learned how to deal with loss and it's not what people would call a normal way. But due to that the police thought that I was somehow involved in it. At the time I was furious that they could think so. Even Kate's brother didn't think that I was involved. Chris, who I became huge friends with, and well everyone knows now is the lead singer of the Sin City Rockers. He was also there to celebrate, but he had his own fiancée at the time and they were in a different car so they didn't suffer the same fate. But Chris stayed by my side throughout the investigation. Cause of their innitial suspicions they had to follow it through, even though it was a few days later they realised I wasn't, due to my history in the Armed Forces, more so the SAS. That they realised my reaction was just the way that I had learned how to deal with things.
Now I'm not sure if it was my Brother Bri, or if it was Chris who informed the police of my background. But they did still need to eliminate me and they did shortly thereafter.
ER - So after that, you and Chris became good friends.
SJ - Yeah, I think it was the fact we both lost someone special, Chris more so with his parents too. Even I liked them, and I was lead to believe they liked me. We helped each other through that time and came through good friends. In fact many people dont actually know this, but it was because of the accident, that Chris, Bri and myself started the band. Along with Drew and James, as a tribute. It started small a tribute to Kate and her parents. Ironically called the Infernus at first.
ER - Ahh, yes, the name which apparently, many believe to come from the fact that you were an explosives expert in the army.
SJ - Although, I was hand at explosives and could manufacture an IED easily back then, I wasn't the actually explosives expert. But that isn't the actually reason for the name. Originally we were calling ourselves the Wardons of Justice, but that changed a few weeks later when during a car chase with police, the actual person who had caused the accident, was speeding away from the police and lost control of his car and ended up rolling it several times. It was an horrific crash, but the guy survived. He managed to crawl out of the car, and the police were almost on him, he had his arms raised up in surrender, but the car blew up. Aparently it had unstable bomb chemicals in the backseat which ignited and the ruptured fuel tank blew. The guy died in the blast. At the time we were obviously still angry, hurt and distraught by his actions that due to the blast and the fire, which the news crew called an Inferno. We called ourselves the Infernus.
ER - Ohh, thats a little dark, but under the circumstances, I'm sure it can be considered slightly understandable.
SJ - Yeah it was, but at the time, we didn't think so. Of course as time wore on we did come to the same conclusion, and that was the real reason for the change of the bands name, to The Sin City Rockers.
ER - Now I know that alot of people didn't know about this incident, as it was really before your life went sort of public. Well, your relationship and who you were with. So did it help that you weren't wrestling at the time, and that it was easier to be able to stick with your friends and family to be able to grieve, even if in your own way?
SJ - I dont truly know to be honest. There was huge support when things went south, and Brian was "dead", I had a lot of support from the fans, and fellow competitors. Which in turn I believed helped me get over it. As to which was easier to deal with. I'm not sure to be honest, both came at different times in my life, and both were different people who meant alot to me.
ER - Now you mentioned about Brian, being pronounced dead and we all of course know he isn't, but we'll come to that later. How long after the terrible event, was it that you joined your first wrestling company?
SJ - Kate died back in '99 and my first wrestling company was back in 2000, so it was just under or round about 2 years later. Although, I wasn't fully over the whole thing at the time, I knew that I had to concentrate and move on with my life. There was no point in putting it on hold or even going into a slump. Admittedly, I had always dreamed of being a professional wrestler, but there were times after the accident, that I thought to hell with this, I should re-enlist in the Army, and try for the SAS again. But I didn't and it was I believe May of 2001, that I signed up for my first company, the Spanish Federation of Wrestling, SFW. It's hard to think that in itself was all of what, eleven years ago. I was only 22, Strange, considering that I felt older and wiser than that at the time. I'd been through a helluva lot, since I enlisted into the Army at the age of just 15. Straight outta school. But 22, I made my debut a week or so after signing for the company after a few months in their academy. I debuted and things from that moment on went up.
ER - Do you remember your first official opponent?
SJ - That I do, then again most companies I seem to remember alot of my first opponents. For SFW it was the reigning Light-Heavyweight Champ at the time, "Windyman" Davis. It was a shock win for myself, but hell a wins a win, and when its against a champ, you know you've done well. SFW, was pretty good place, although I was there for only 7months it felt like longer, the amount that I accomplished there. I think if I recall correctly, that it was only something like my fifth match where I won the title.
ER - Now at the time, although you're now six four, you first entered at just six one. How come you've grown in size since then?
SJ - That's a mystery. Bri was the same back then as he was now at six, six. But it was as though I'd been stunted, but three years after the army I went from being six one, to six four. Since then I've not actually grown another inch. But thats fine, they do say that there is always one twin bigger than the other. I'm glad I'm not six, six and the size he is, I won't be able to do some of the moves I've been known to do.
ER - Did you get on with the people in SFW?
SJ - Yeah, it was a nice place to be at, of course you had the idiots like you have in most places. But they weren't exactly full on trouble makers like there has been alot about. Everyone was friendly, and being my first actually fed, alot of them were helpful too.
ER - Didn't the bosses give you a surprise during a tag team match for the titles?
SJ - I was indeed. I was issued a challenge by the champions at the time, to find a tag team partner for the following week and if I could do that, then they would offer me a title shot. My first choice of partner was the Windyman, who I came up to respect alot, and I was believed that the feeling was mutual. But Windyman was already booked for the following show. Nobody else was available unless I went to the academy and chose someone. The week of the challenge came, and I came to the ring to face the champs, advising there was nobody that was available, like they knew there wouldn't be. Fully expecting to be beaten down by the champs, then suddenly the boss came out and announced that since the tag titles were the only titles not being on the line, then there would be a title match and he had taken it upon himself to select my tag team partner... And what a shock it was to find out who that partner would be. There was no way that I thought for one second that the person would be my very own twin brother Brian. I think it was just as much a shock to them the champs too. It put them right off there game, and me and bBri being the twins we are, and the closeness of the bond that we share, it was only fitting that we managed to kick arse big style and become the new tag champs.
ER - Now wasn't that the start of the huge fued that was to ensue between you and the then tag team champions?
SJ - Yes it was. And a big fued at that. A fued that managed to last longer than the SFW itself.
ER - Yes, a fued if I'm correct went past two federations and into the third.
SJ - That's true, the fued surpassed SFW, went into CWF, that Championship Wrestling Federation and into the EWF, Elite wrestling Federation. After that though things dwindled down.
ER - Yeah, so you teamed up with your brother, went from strength to strength. When was it that you thought it time to jump ship and moved from SFW to the EEW. How did that come about?
SJ - The decision was actually an easy decision to make. Although Spain was actually beautiful, warm and had a lot of nice fans. It wasn't exactly what you would call the biggest market place for wrestling. I know the biggest four are the US, Japan, Canada and Mexico. But SFW at the time were failing and fluttering, the place was pretty much almost finished the place was going under. I know people will wonder why we didn't stick with the company, but the truth is, we did actually compete in their last show. There was one show booked for the week later, but that show ended up being cancelled.
ER - You mentioned the last show of theres got cancelled, why was that?
SJ - I think it was more to do with the fact that nobody wanted to work under the guy at the time. He was obnoxious, and you'd be punished if you spoke out, and when I say punished, if you were champion you'd be stripped straight away. The place went from nice and friendly to hostility in the space of a week. In the end, everyone walked out. I think it was to do with the fact that he booked himself in a match that featured all the champs apart from the tag team champs and himself, the winner would win every title. Of course he would make the rules up as he goes along, almost to the point that, you couldn't beat him. Once he became in charge, he never lost a match, no matter who he faced. Like me, a lot of those who left in the last two weeks, didn't want to. We all owed the company alot, and a lot to the original owner of the company. However there was just no way that we could last.
ER - I see. So after SFW, you went from Spain to Europe, with the Elite European Wrestling. What made you decide to go with the EEW?
SJ - The travel. I like travelling, always have done, was a reason for joining the army. The place was decent and well ordered.
ER - You made an instant impact in EEW, was that a good feeling?
SJ - It certainly was, me and Bri went into EEW, on the back of winning our last SFW match, and we went in and defeated the duo that held the tag titles for over two years. We beat them in our very first match.
ER - It was here in EEW, where the group known as The Good Timers would start to formulate. Firstly by you and your brother joining forces with another Brit, who was I believe half Brazilian too. Mr. Cool Gio Zivarno.
SJ - Thats true. Gio was born in England but has a Brazilian father. Gio is a cool guy, not just cause of his wrestling name either. But the fact remains that he became and still is a very good friend.
ER - Now, in SFW, you won the Cruiserweight, Heavyweight and the Tag Titles three times. What did you accomplish in your short time within the EEW?
SJ - Well I won the tag straps with Bri twice, didn't win them with Gio, but Bri did. Singles titles I held the Heavyweight, Eastern European, Western European and Hardcore titles once and the Cruiserweight three times.
ER - You mentioned the Western and Eastern European titles, what was their concept?
SJ - Well the Eastern title could only be defended in Eastern European countries, the Western the same but in Western European Countries.
ER - I see, now, you left EEW, before your brother and friend, why was that?
SJ - At the time of things, which was only several months or so, not quite a year. The EEW were taken over by a larger federation who's name I don't remember, but at the time there was a huge amount of backstage politics and what not. There was a huge dispute between other EEW stars and the new owner. I didn't want to get involved and take sides, so I requested, that since the new company was not the company I signed for, that I be released from my contract. It was agreed and so I left.
ER - After you left EEW, you moved back to the UK as we mentioned and joined the Championship Wrestling Federation. Which at the time was based near Durham, where you're from, but did shows around the UK, in the smaller indoor arenas at first. But how did it feel to join there?
SJ - As with SFW and EEW, it was slightly strange to be in a new place, starting back from the bottom and having to create another, aura if you like, about me. Make people stand up and take notice. CWF, at the time wasn't that big, but it certainly grew bigger as time went on. The people backstage were great, people enjoyed it there. Gary Jones, the man who ran the place, knew of the SFW, and signed several of us up. I was happy to be able to join and of course sign for a company that was based in my home nation. Obviously, we had to travel all over the UK, from Scotland to Wales and even included trips to Ireland.
ER - How did that feel, returning to Ireland?
SJ - It felt strange at first, and of course I was nervous, because of what happened in the previous past times. Luckily, the first few times were in the Republic, where it was as bad as it was in Northern Ireland. Of course there were still the odd few who hated the Brits. A lot less than I first thought. After that I did start to enjoy my trips to Ireland, just as much as other places. It was strange too, being that I found out that I do have Irish heritage, so much so that it makes me a quarter Irish myself. My grandmother from my mothers side is Irish herself, born from Roscommon. So it was all good.
ER - How long was it in CWF, before you became the big star?
SJ - Thankfully, it wasn't too long. Not that it would have mattered. I mean sure, back then I was all about impressing people and winning titles, now its more entertaining rather than the titles. Although people will be thinking other when I enter the Olympics several weeks ago. But that was different. That was winning gold for my country. Anyway, CWF, it took at least a month or so to get noticed, at the time it was for the tag team division. Of course, alongside my brother at the time. But it was all good, it wasn't too long after that I was recognised as a singles competitor too. So things were good. A couple of years in the fed and it was mostly good, there were some sour points, such as an injury I suffered, but apart from that I've really fond memories, even when The Carlos Brothers arrived to kick-start our fued again. It was great, I really loved working at the place. Everyone backstage was fantastic. Everyone seemed friendly, and nobody behind the scenes had bad things to say to people.
ER - Now during the time, you managed to come into contact with a woman who would become your fiancée, and someone that you thought special in your heart from the days you were at school.
SJ - That's true, although thought is the correct word as it turns out. Rachel Fox, even now just saying the name is like gargling very strong acid in my mouth. But at the time, I had no idea of what was being planned behind my back. At the time, I was believed to be rekindling, a relationship that was from my past. We dated back when we were at secondary school for about two years, but broke up when I went off to join the army. She couldn't be with someone she wouldn't see that often. But, when I came out, we didn't meet till I returned home with CWF. At first we took it slow got to know, or at least I thought we were, getting to know each other again. And from there the plan formulated. We were getting on well and started dating really quickly. The relationship was going great, or so I thought.
ER - So you thought at the time, she was for real?
SJ - I did, so did everyone else that knew me. Then again, how can you know that someone is getting to know you, and letting you into their lives, after several years of being apart, do you get to know that they are cold blooded? I mean, there's been plenty of cases in the past where murders have not been able to tell that their partners, their lovers are homocidal maniacs excetra, it was the same with me and her.
ER - Now at the time, obviously the plan was to get to know you and have a few tragedies happen along the way, deaths in accidents so to speak. But, up until then the two of you seemed to be, what many people thought of as, the perfect couple within wrestling. How did that make you feel at the time?
SJ - At the time I thought nothing of it. A lot of people were happy at the time, I think it was more to do with the fact that I was happy, others were happy that I was finally happy. What a big arse mistake that was.
ER - Now of course before we can actually get to the trouble that was sturred up, we have to go back to the whole wrestling side of things again, CWF. You were a big superstar there, winning numerous titles, In fact I believe you were the first person to win all the titles.
SJ - Not exactly, I was the third person in history of CWF to win all the titles, but I was the first to win them at least twice. The Cruiserweight title I won five times, the InterEuropean hardcore titles twice each, the Tag team titles four times, twice with Bri, once with Chrissy, who joined us in CWF, and the Heavyweight title six times. The most anyone every won it.
ER - Everything was looking good for you at that point, but then tragedy struck again. This time it was when you were scheduled to defend your title. What happened?
SJ - At the show, I was scheduled to defend, but before I had a chance, my cousin Steven was taken seriously ill, he was in the audience at the time. When I found out it was Steven, I dropped everything and went straight to the hospital he was in. Not taking part in the scheduled match. The management understood it, but the fans didn't know that the man taken from the arena in an Ambulance was my cousin, they thought that I had jumped ship to a large company that was based in Scotland. CWF management didn't make things less likely on that front when the following week they stripped me of my title. It was a move that even shocked me. I was disappointed at the time, but it did sway my decision to take the first break in my wrestling career. Steve got struck down with cancer, so as a family we all were round to support him through it. It was a big decision for me, I was weighing it up. But when the management stripped me of the title, a decision, I understand now, but didn't at the time. I decided then to take a break from wrestling.
ER - Steven, he did make a recovery didn't he?
SJ - He did, he fought through the cancer and made a remarkable recovery and we're thankful because of it.
ER - Now it was only a couple of months before you returned to wrestling, This time within the EWF. How was that move?
SJ - EWF was fantastic, probably the best place that I've wrestled in. CWF was great, SFW was too. But EWF surpassed them both. EWF's backstage crew, Scott Hill, Frankie Martel, all welcomed me graciously, the place was just superb. I've never felt more welcomed in a place like I did in EWF. Especially considering that EWF was where I considered a home for a great time in my life. Things were great. Steven made a recovery and I joined EWF at a great time in the places history.
ER - You were also a big time player in EWF too.
SJ - I was, thankfully, and gratefully. I became the only person in the history of the place to win all the titles again, the second place for me to do that. Everyone there was great, and I entered into some fantastic fueds back then. The Red Star turned HardKore Revolution, The Carlos Brothers again. The place was great. Everyone got on backstage too.
ER - While working in EWF, you also did some work in Japan and Mexico. How did that go down with EWF Management?
SJ - It went down well. All Japan Pro Wrestling and Mexicana de Lucha Libre Asociación had contracts with the EWF to have stars wrestle there. I was one of seven that won titles in those two places, one of four who won titles in both. The other three being Valencia Valentino, Jose Hugo Marino and of course my bro, Brian.
ER - So those two companies you won titles for were while part of EWF, where of course you were just dominent. But what happened for you to leave the EWF, cause you did leave before the place closed.
SJ - I didn't actually leave. I was still contracted but things were taking their toll and I came down with an injury. While injured that was when Scott Hill unfortunately passed away and shortly there after the company closed.
ER - Now at the time your sort of retired again. This time to take time out assumingly. But when you returned, you joined another home based company, one that was part of the World Wrestling Alliance, in the EWC.
SJ - Yes the English Wrestling Championships. It wasn't the biggest in fact it was quite small, but I struggled there it must be said. For a small fed, competition was very tough. People like Dark Wolf, Sam Horrey and Ryan Matthews there. It was quiet unbelievable the talent the place had. Admittedly the tag team titles I won, I was offered the chance to team with Mercury when he was in sole possession. I agreed but maybe I shouldn't have. But the Super Middleweight title I won in a brutal match and became the first and last ever champ. The company closed down shortly after that when the owner disappeared.
ER - Then you moved to SWF, the Sadistic Wrestling Federation. Why that one?
SJ - SWF was willing to give me a chance there, and it showed Early, besides it was also in the same alliance as EWC was. So it was an easy decision to make. The first night I wrestled there I was in tag team action along side my brother where we had two tag matches, we won the first but lost the second to the team known as the Front Office. We did though beat them to win the tag titles a few weeks later.
ER - Now at the time, you joined RWF too.
SJ - Yes, SWF was just based in Michigan, and RWF was a worldwide company. RWF wasn't a bad place it was friendly in some respects, but not as much as other places. I did win my first title there on my second show. Which was good and the title was the title that was defended on every show, which I successfully did. It was about two months long when I left for some time off, at the same time I left SWF. When I returned, it was in the RWF's training federation where I was there last heavyweight champ, mainly because the fed was closed to move everyone up to the main roster. Where I won the tag titles just before the fed closed. Although we left before we could defend them. That was at the time when the things started going wrong in my life.
ER - Ahh yes, the famous crash that never actually happened.
SJ - That was part of it, but the reason I took time off from RWF and SWF, was due to ill health, now I've always been in top shape and been of good health till then. It was after my father had handed control of Funk Inc. To my brother Martin, with the rest of us being directors. But Brian had found her drugging my food, he didn't say anything to me which I was annoyed about, but he went straight to the police with it, as he feared, due to having similar illness symptoms, that he was having the same done to him by her. Now it was then that the police informed him that she was already married to someone else, and they had planned for them to wait till the day we were made directors of the company, where we would automatically get a death insurance policy of three million pounds. That is when things were going south. Brian was "killed" in the accident as a police thing. At that time, I was rejoining WWA and this time with the AWA, where I won the tag straps with a Russian, Romantski, who would leave due to visa issues, and it was shortly after that I left too. Again due to ill health. I didn't know what was happening or what was wrong with me at the time. After several weeks of recouperation I returned to the ring with AWA, then with C2W, Cairo Championship Wrestling. It was there I held a cup in the honor of my brother. Alought in WWA, I mean. I even returned to SWF for a few shows, and done some odd work round the world, in different places, althought at the same time I didn't feel quite right, physically I was drained after every match, which was simply not me. I decided to stop fully at that point, thinking, hell maybe my body is just not good enough to compete this much. So I returned home and started doing some work with the band. It was at this point when a sting operation that had been planned. My brother walked in to our home one day. Surprised the hell outta me, I was shocked, not more so than her. It went from there she tried to grab kitchen knives, the police came in and she dropped the knife, but she didn't give a damn and grabbed a gun out of her handbag. I didn't know what the hell was happening, but the police weren't armed, they armed response were outside, before they could get anywhere near her, my instincts and training kicked in and I went to grab the gun, things went a bit of a blur and well, I got shot. Just a graze thankfully. It took several months after that before I returned to my former self, my body healed and I got over the symptoms. When Brian told me everything it was as though I'd been shot all over again, this time in my heart.
ER - Horrible times. It must have been hell.
SJ - Hell is what I went through in Ireland and Bosnia, this was worse. But I'm a fighter and I've moved on and come along way since then. I met Amy through her brother Leon, who I've known for a while, from back in the EWF days, he was known back then as Sickboy. We hit it off pretty much straight away, and thankfully we did. We got engaged pretty early too, which after what I went through before, was for me out of character, but thankfully we're in love and that's what matters.
ER - And of course you returned to the ring yet again.
SJ - Yup, firstly with the Combat Zone Wrestling, where I left due to my tag partner Drew Scorpion, the other member of the Sin City Rockers, that I teamed with, leaving on James Williams our drummer the only one I haven't. But yeah, Drew was attacked after an event there and I found it too much of a coincidence that we were in for a title shot at the tag champs the following week. So I left there for that and the fact that I had some disagreements with the staff. There I joined Elite World Wrestling, and Combat Championship Wresting, all at the same time. Big impacts there before both closed with only a week between their closing, then it was A2W won the Pure Wrestling title on the same night as the tag straps with Bri. Two weeks later I won the world title vacating the Pure Wrestling title, but the fed closed a couple of days later. As for WWC, Me and Bri won the tag titles, and when I won a battle royal which Bri didn't take part in, for a shot at their world title, we were both fired for no apparent reason.
ER - Then from there you joined your second CWF.
SJ - This time Classic Wrestling Federation, I was undefeated and met several decent people there too, Mariano Fernandez, James Baker, Nate Warrens etc. It wasn't all good though, as you know a lot of backstage politics sorta ended the fed. Of course it was taken over by Superior Championship Wrestling, where I did win a few titles before the place closed. Then from there I joined the PCW. Unfortunately PCW at the time was filled with some backstage politics, mainly from one man. Which was indicated when after I kicked out of a pin attempt by the guys son, I was adjuged to have been pinned, replays clearly show me breaking the pin just after the two count. It turned out at the time, the referee did see my foot on the rope, but he was paid off by the prick backstage. Who is the only person, that I'm going to name and shame, Rob Osbourne. A pest, in fact worse than that he's a parasite to the wrestling world. Him, his son and his friend who is a guy I after being a military man myself, to claim to be a vet himself, when he wasn't ever enlisted, couldn't cut the grade.. After meeting with the true people behind the PCW, the match was expunged and the result was over turned and the match although still available to see is offically had the match result overturned to a win in my favour via DQ after a dirty official. I went on a run in PCW, where I remained undefeated. I left just before the place temporarily closed its doors due to Saint's uselessness as a business man, but that was because I officially got married. Since then I've not really returned to wrestling.
ER - You mentioned PCW shutting down, but it has since re-opened.. What do you make of its re-opening?
SJ - It's good to see it re-open, along with EWF and CWF are my top three feds. I don't have a particular order of them, but they are the top three for me. After is SWF and possible SFW and EEW. But with regards to the PCW re-opening, its fantastic for them, and it's going very strong indeed. I watch as many shows as it can. But of course its been busy.
ER - Now before we go onto why, there is another question to ask, now in the newly released version of PCW, is there anyone in particular that has caught your eye, excluding your young protogé Seamus?
SJ - There is a great roster there and most deserve to be there, others, mainly Sync and Static, that shouldn't. But theres a couple of newer guys that have caught my eye.. Adrien Cochrane with his big win over a PCW hall of famer, Heather Monroe. He's been doing well and is a mark for a future World Champ.
ER - Okay, now, you mentioned you didn't return cause you were busy, and that was busy with the Olympics.
SJ - Yup, for which I competed in both the Freestyle Wrestling and the boxing. Originally, it was only the Boxing that I was going in for. Team GB already had a male wrestler, but he then got himself suspended so they asked me to fill the spot as it was too late to bring in a new member to the team GB squad, I was more than happy to accept and I'm glad I did, two gold medals. It was fantastic.
ER - Now, to wrap this up. Is there any thoughts of you returning to the professional aspect of wrestling?
SJ - All I'll say to that question, is watch that space. In this business, there is a good reason why there's the saying, never say never.
ER - Okay, look forward to seeing if you do come back to the sport. Good luck in your future endeavours anyway, and thanks for the interview.
SJ - Its been a pleasure.
With that we fade to black.
-=-
The rain bounces hard against the glass ceiling of the conservatory of SJ Funk's home in Durham, England. SJ, wearing a pair of black combat style trousers and a black t-shirt with a white TAPOUT Logo, sits on a comfortable wicker style sofa which is pushed up against a cream painted wall, to the right of a set of closed french doors which have white vertical blinds drawn closed. SJ sets down a bunch of A4 paper, placing it down upside down so nobody can read what is on it. SJ Looks at the the camera as the rain continues to pour.
SJ - So much for summer huh?!
Anyway, PCW is back huh. Back with a bang it seems. I know, I've been in PCW a few times since it came back, what with the introduction to Seamus, the Wrestle Extravaganza pre-show autographs and what not. But PCW is back.
It seems like there has been some changes going on behind the scenes. Terrell Ryder the new man in charge rather than old timer Saint. Add to that the introduction of PCW's new talent. Things are looking different, but in a good way I suppose.
The place has picked up, there are familiar faces and there are those that are less familiar. People have come in and made names for themselves already. People like Adrien Cochrane, Jessica Harmony. Both of whom beat hall of famers from right here in PCW to become champs. Adrien the new Platinum Champ, beating both DLK and Heather Monroe, and Jessica Harmony beat Danielle Lopez. Hell even Jay Thunder and Scarlett Quinn beat the desciples of Syn to become the new tag champs.
So what does that tell you? Are the new talent out weighing the old? Is the new guys here in PCW already surpassing the old guard? Fear not, I have the answer.. Nope. Sure there was some shocking results at Wrestle Extravaganza, but lets see who you have right at the top of the tree at the present moment in time. Michael Morrison, Sickboy, Leon Lonewolf, hell even the ol' Japanese guy Yoshi is up there. Even though he is hanging round with a true dinosaur of wrestling in Paul soddin' Blair.
I must admit, that there are some good people there in PCW at the present moment, just like there always has. PCW, has always been a great place amount a hugely over-crowded business sector. There are plenty of feds that come and go. There are plenty who have been going for a while. Places that have a huge history and they still end up closing down. The problem is when they close they tend not to return. Or if they do, they last only a couple of weeks to a month, EWF is a prime example of that, even if it does mean that I am disappointed everytime it happens. But PCW has defied them odds. People have flocked here since its come back. Some of which don't deserve to be hear, makes me wonder who they paid off to give them some sort of decent enough reference. Admittedly Seamus is here because I got him the chance. He won a match and has since then proved his worth. He beat three others to win the Scars of Wrestling cup. I honestly know and understand James and Terrell's thoughts of giving the younger generation the chance to shine. Its a helluva gamble, but in some ca... No scrap it, in alot of cases it has proven to be a gamble that has paid off. Just look at what happened at Extravaganza, the Scars of Wrestling Cup, got voted the match of the event.
A match that was contested between four members of the roster, all four of whom are new to PCW. Not a single former member or hall of famer involved in it. It was a specticle, the whole event was. Just as you'd expect with the PCW.
As far as I can see in the whole wrestling world is that PCW is one if not thee, place to be as a wrestler. It's out there with the biggest pull factor of the moment. With a roster to back it up. Well a roster that can mostly back it up. But apart from the Jobber Hall of Fame the place has, everybody there has the ability to beat everybody.
Theres new guys beating Hall of Famers, theres old guys beating new guys. Hell there's even the Elite, who are not tag team champs.
Now speaking of The Elite. There is one person that I have to speak about. That person being none other than The Elite Member, Sickboy. No not the cut out copy that Yoshi is hanging around with, but the real man. I know he'll be able to see this, although knowing his comments from previous times the two of us have face off against each other, he'll see its me and turn over. But Sicko has gone on record to say that there is no way that after this week, when he beats the crap out of Radar, which I may add that he ought to. After the tricks Radar pulled trying to play off Sickboy as somebody he clearly isn't. But, after that he'll be leaving PCW, he won't be coming back... Or so he says.
You see, I've faced Sickboy several times in the past, and if there is one thing that I have picked up on, in working against him in matches several times of the past few years is that he is one unpredictable SOB. Sickboy says he'll be quitting. Yeah, he may well do that at some point, hell he may do it after the match like he says he is. But he'll be back, and he'll be back before you know it. The guy has just come back the other month, and now he's leaving, just because he was handed a beatdown by the world champ two weeks ago at Wrestle Extravaganza? I doubt that. I beat him several times, however that did not put him down, that didn't blow his confidence. Why should a little beatdown cause him to think deeply on his career? Cause he was outsmarted for once? Wait, I've done that a few times already in the ring, why should one more to the hands of the current world champ be any different?
Come on Curtis, we all know that you can't leave this business, it keeps drawing you back in, no matter how hard you try to. We all know that you're not through. You've only just returned. Yeah, sure that beatdown at the hands of Morrisy will have hurt, not just physically, but mentally. After all you were not prepared for him to do such a thing. Even though, it wasn't too much of a shock to me. After all, you have to remember Sickboy, those types of tactics are something you and Yoshi are very kind enough to throw out at random people every so often, then when you consider the fact that the person who gave you the beatdown was formally part of you little wrecking crew. It makes sense really.
Now onto the other person involved in that incident. The current World Champ.
So Champ, how is things at the top of the tree? Ahh what the hell, I don't really care what its like for you Morrison. Yeah, Yeah. I know you're now the longest reigning world champ in history. Even though for a lot of that time PCW was... how to put this... ah yes. Hibernating. But hell, you're the longest reigning champ anyway, congrats pal. But that's where it ends on that.
You talked earlier this week about beating the crap out of Sickboy with the chair because you wanted to. Because you wanted to give Sickboy a taste of his own medicine. A taste of the suffering that you went through over the past several months. Yeah, admittedly, the Elite have kicked the crap out of you for a long time. But its not like you haven't done the same things in the past. So all I have to say to that statement, is turnabouts fair play.
You talked about the fact that you had it all worked out, the referee gets distracted, Long rushes the ring and knocks you out. Yup, nothing like giving Sickboy credit is there. He may not be the nicest person around, he may be the hardest person to get on with. But the truth remains Mike, he is one helluva competitor in the ring. You say he was confident. Hell he always has been, but you on the other hand Mike. I say that you did what you did because you knew, just like everyone else knows, you couldn't beat Sickboy. You knew it, and you knew that if you went through with the match, I wouldn't be sitting here right now addressing you as the current, reigning world heavyweight champion.
You talk about taking the easy way out, yeah you admitted to doing it, but what is the real reason Morrisy? Were you scared to face a man you used to team with. The man you screwed over back in the last PCW run. Were you so scared of losing your title to Sickboy you had to resort to the tactics that you've came out with at Wrestle Extravaganza.
You pulled this place, that world title into disrepute pal, and that's not good, not good for you, for this company, not that you're bothered about that now are ya? All you care about is self presevation. As long as you keep your title you don't care if you get yourself disqualified or actually win the match do you?
Its funny too Mikey, you came out with some old clichés. Don't do the crime, actions have consequences etc, etc. Well to be honest with ya... Can't the same be said to you. After you actions at Wrestle Extravaganza.
You asked if Curt felted cheated and welcomed him to your world? How is that a comparison Mikey? You're the world champ, how can you have been cheated? All I've seen is you do the bloody cheating. You also asked how Sickboy's actions over the past few months deserve to wear the PCW world title.. Really Dude? Are you so far up your own arse to realise, everything you claim that Sickboy does and acts, you are doing exactly the same. So how does that justify you wearing the title? You cheated to retain, yet you say that Sickboy doesn't deserve it because of how the Elite run around the place.
Now, I know you're all wondering why the hell I'm having a go at the World Champ? Well two reasons. Firstly, just to clarify to him, or help him understand, as difficult as that will be. After all a man who has to proclaim he's Greatness rather than for others to say that. Anyway, to the point. I want to try and make him understand just how much of a feckin' hypocrite the guy really is, and secondly. Well that's simple.
A few months ago on one of the Rapture Episodes there were two people who made themselves heard in regards to the title picture. Firstly, Heather Monroe and Adrien Cochrane. You see, the thing is, they came out telling the world champ that he should watch himself as both of them own the right to face the champion at any time in order to fight for the title.
However everyone seems to forget that there is one other person who also has a guaranteed shot at the World Heavyweight Champ.
Does that mean this week, I'll be cashing in? No. Does it mean that I'll be cashing it in sooner rather than later? No.
Hell there is no guarantee that I'm returning to wrestling just yet anyway. But one thing is for sure. If I do return to wrestling on a professional scale. Providing that the place is still open, which I believe it will be. SJ Funk will return to wrestling here in PCW.
Until that point in time, I bid you farewell.
With that we fade to black.