Post by The Ultimate Nullifier on Jan 23, 2015 17:38:51 GMT -6
www.wrasslinpals.com/?p=900
WRASSLINPALS *EXCLUSIVE* INTERVIEW WITH ERIK PLESKA OF PRO WRESTLING SYNDICATE (PWS)
At the Two Man Power Trip of Wrestling Radio Show, we are launching a new initiative called the #WeSupportIndyWrestling campaign. On our BlogTalkShow as well on both BroiledSports.com and here on WrasslinPals we are going to bring you the best that the Independent scene has to offer.Kicking off our #WeSupportIndyWrestling series will be the outstanding promotion based out of the NY/NJ Metro area, Pro Wrestling Syndicate (PWS).
I had the opportunity to speak with Erik Pleska, the Co-Owner of PWS (along with his partner, Pat Buck) and we cover everything from grooming young talent at the PWS training school to promoting some of the only remaining “dream matches” left in the wrestling business. PWS has definitely begun to carve out a very unique niche product and has most recently signed a television deal with WLNY in New York to broadcast a one hour weekly show featuring the top talents on the PWS roster. Currently, they are preparing for their upcoming show, Frozen Fallout on Saturday January 31st at the Rahway Rec Center in Rahway, New Jersey. Please be sure to checkout all the links below and see why PWS is a “place to fulfill your dreams”.
I watched the first episode of PWS TV and it was an exciting breath of fresh air in the North American wrestling scene. How did the TV deal with WLNY come together?
Thank you so much, we’re having a lot of fun putting the episodes together and glad to hear people are enjoying them. The people whom regularly attend Pro Wrestling Syndicate live events began demanding that we get on television. In turn, PWS started a Go-Fund-Me campaign in which fans pledged donations to help us reach our goal to get our program on the air. While we didn’t reach our financial goal, we were overwhelmed with the amount of support we did receive which helped us with some production costs. WLNY is a great network which is on a low channel and available in 7 Million homes throughout the metro New York area and felt like a great fit for PWS.
You promote shows that feature some of the biggest names both past and present from the “TV” genre of wrestling and come up with some very creative booking scenarios for those superstars. How is it putting together such unique themed events?
My partner Pat Buck and I have a lot of fun with PWS and it’s been great getting the opportunity to work with such talented people from all over the world. My goal with PWS has always been to create a fun wrestling product and I’m very happy people enjoy it.
Since launching in 2007 you have also featured a great amount of Independent talent that are considered to be the backbone and future of the wrestling business, what names have been standouts to you that the average fan may not be fully aware of?
In 2007 I was very fortunate to work with a lot of talented wrestlers such as Kenny Omega, Jack Evans, Trent Acid, and Teddy Hart amongst many others. Kenny Omega is arguably the most talented wrestler on the planet. PWS has been home to talents such as Talia Madison, Anthony Neise, Sami Callihan, and Samuray Del Sol amongst others before they began their journeys on to bigger things. Currently The PWS roster possesses a wealth of talent such as Kevin Matthews, Brian Myers, Dan Maff, and countless others along with home grown stars such as Starman, Habib From The Car Wash, Bonesaw, and Mario Bokara.
Speaking of talent, how has the response been to the PWS Wrestling School? Do you feel that there is a “diamond in the rough” out there in the crop of wrestlers trained thus far?
I think a lot of talent has developed out of The PWS Wrestling School as I think their trainer educates them well. “The Prince Of Aesthetics” Damian Gibbs and Chris Payne were booked to wrestle in an arena in Mexico, the latter battled Ultimo Dragon, which is quite an accomplishment especially for gentlemen so new to professional wrestling. Others such as Bobby Wayward & Anthony Bowens of The Untouchables along with “The Lifeguard” Mike Del have been featured on events in Canada. The people whom have joined The PWS Wrestling School and stuck with it have all done well for themselves. Habib From The Car Wash is beyond entertaining and I look forward to his matches.
In 2013, while in the middle of an intense WWE storyline where he was “fired” PWS announced via Twitter that Cody Rhodes would be joining the PWS roster following his no compete clause expiring. This story was picked up everywhere by the wrestling media and Cody himself tweeted and gave PWS a huge compliment. What was behind the thought to post that announcement?
Cody Rhodes is a very talented athlete and I’d happily welcome him to PWS any time.
To end 2014, your Fightmare Before Christmas show featuring the Bullet Club, Jeff Jarrett and Rob Van Dam vs. AJ Styles was definitely looking to be one of your biggest shows to date and your upcoming Frozen Fallout show features an unusual pairing of Sabu vs John Hennigan (fka John Morrison) a four corner PWS title match and a legends match with the Rock n Roll Express vs. The Heavenly Bodies. What is the most fun part of booking shows with a mix of young stars, legends and immortals all on one card?
It’s the kind of wrestling show that I would want to watch, the best of all worlds meshed together to form a unique product where the audience is never isolated.
What has been your favorite show since PWS launched?
I honestly am always looking forward to the next one. There have been a lot of really great PWS moments, however the anticipation of what could happen next is what I look forward to the most.
What is the match that stands out as the contest you feel would bring the most eyes to PWS?
It really depends on the taste of the person choosing to watch PWS. If someone enjoys let’s say “hardcore wrestling” perhaps New Jack’s retirement match against Necro Butcher is something they’d enjoy. If someone enjoys high flying then perhaps our Suicidal Six Way matches are something they’d like. If a fan grew up watching wrestling in the 1970’s or 1980’s then maybe seeing some of those familiar faces at PWS would be most appealing to them. There have been a lot of great matches and great moments. Jerry Lynn’s final singles match ever which was against Lance Storm happened at PWS. Mil Mascaras’ final singles match to date also took place at PWS against Samuray Del Sol. Jushin Liger against John Hennigan (fka John Morrison) was a memorable match as was Rob Van Dam against AJ Styles. For the regular PWS audience member perhaps the feuds that have occurred would stick out the most. If someone really wants a feel for PWS then I’d recommend anyone to check out a full event or our weekly one hour television program on WLNY. It really comes down to what a fan likes. You’ve gotta think too, before Andre The Giant, before “Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers, before Frank Gotch, wrestling was occurring in ancient Greece. When men died in ancient Greece, one question was asked at their funeral, “did he have passion”. I think ultimately the best PWS matches are the ones that involve passion both from the in ring wrestlers and the audience.
What can we expect from PWS in 2015? Will there be perhaps more iPPV’s, surprises, and creative/unique events?
There’s a weird misconception that if an event is an “iPPV” is bigger & better than it is. However, that’s really not the case. Instead of doing ippv’s I wanted to try other things to make our product more easily accessible to people whom are unable to travel to our live events. From August through November we ran a weekly web show called Monday Night Mayhem which is available on YouTube which featured a lot of PWS matches ever week before we started our weekly television program with WLNY. We just announced that our television program will soon be available in Philadelphia and that Jushin Liger will return to PWS on Feb 21st against Colt Cabana. Both are two things I’m looking forward to… and hey, who doesn’t like surprises, I know I do!
Checkout Pro Wrestling Syndicate’s www.bedofnailz.com
Follow PWS on Twitter @prowresyndicate
Check out all of their videos on YouTube: Pro Wrestling Syndicate
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Chad
Listen to the Two Man Power Trip of Wrestling radio show on BlogTalkRadio.
Self diagnosed wrestling history junkie! Have a different perspective on the business and love to share it whenever engaged.
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