Missouri Wrestling Revival

By “Your Trip to Space Mountain” writer Brian “Flair” Kelley

Editor’s Note: After this interview was conducted, “Thunderbolt” Brandon Walker was injured and will be unable to face Edmund “Livewire” McGuire tomorrow. AAPW and MWR wish Mr. Walker a speedy recovery!

Height: 5’9”

Entrance Music: “How Many Wanna” by Ja Rule [Instrumental]

Experience: 5

Promotions: All-American Pro Wrestling (AAPW), National Wrestling Coalition (NWC), IWA Productions, United States Championship Wrestling , New Focus Wrestling

Biggest Match: Versus “Homicidal” Steven Davis in Carbondale, IL on 8/19/07 [AAPW Heavyweight Championship Tournament Finals to crown the 1st EVER AAPW Heavyweight Champion]. I was unsuccessful thanks to “Thunderbolt” Brandon Walker’s outside interference.

Signature Move: The Livewire Legdrop (top rope legdrop), Superkick

Edmund, what attracted me to you for the interview was seeing you in action with All American Pro Wrestling. I had taken the time to search for you on Myspace, and what stood out to me was the fact that you are such a student of the sport. You have quite a passion for wrestling. What drew you to wrestling and who did you look up to?

Well, it was really easy for me to get caught up in the wrestling craze thanks to my family being huge fans. Ever since I can remember, I have been a die-hard wrestling fan. I grew up on 80’s NWA, WCCW, WWF, WCW, AWA, and USWA Memphis. I, till this very day, remain a fan of the old-school era of wrestling, and study it relentlessly in preparation of matches. I have so many wrestlers that I idolized and looked up to, and who I saw as inspirations for me to get into this business: “Cowboy” Bob Orton, Jr., Harley Race, Dory Funk, Jr., “Nature Boy” Ric Flair, Nick Bockwinkel, Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat, “Superstar” Bill Dundee, Jerry “The King” Lawler, Shawn Michaels, Bret Hart, Dean Malenko, Chris Benoit, “Flyin” Brian Pillman, The Undertaker, and “Diamond” Dallas Page are some of the most notable ones that I remember idolizing.

Who trained you and was it what you expected?

“Homicidal” Steven Davis & “Dangerous” Donny Sixx trained me. I really can’t say it’s what I expected, but I went in with a positive attitude, kept my eyes and ears open and my mouth shut, and gave my very best efforts to learning the craft of pro wrestling. I am grateful for all of the knowledge and time these gentlemen put into training me and molding me into who I am today.

Jake “The Snake” Roberts, Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake, Kid Kash, Greg “The Hammer” Valentine, Koko B. Ware, The Naturals, “Showtime” Eric Young, “Tennessee Cowboy” James Storm, Abyss, and Traci Brooks have all wrestled for AAPW, which must be a thrill for an up and coming wrestler such as yourself. Out of these Superstars which ones impressed you the most and really went that extra mile to work with the stars of tomorrow?

Koko B. Ware, hands down. Koko went out of his way to encourage me and to explain to me the art of promos. You know, how to make them believable. I made it a point to pick his brain regarding certain aspects of this business, and he was gracious enough to lend his ear and his time to me. For that, I’m fortunate as well as grateful.

It seems these days that all you hear about are the negative aspects of the sport when wrestling or wrestlers are the topic of conversation, but I must say that my experience with wrestlers on the Independent scene has been only positive. When doing research about you, a story came up about you attending a boys birthday party. Please tell the readers about how this came about and what were the results?

Well, the young man whose birthday party I was the surprise guest for attends most of AAPW’s area events. His mother asked me days prior to that whether I was available and if I could be a surprise guest for her son’s birthday party because he’s a huge fan of mine. I looked at it as a chance to do something for someone that wasn’t done for me when I was young, so it wasn’t at all a problem for me. I jumped at the opportunity. It’s not everyday that a kid has a wrestler for a birthday party guest! We all had a blast, and the young man and his family and friends attended that night’s event in West Frankfort, IL.

My Girlfriend and I took the 250-mile road trip to Carbondale, IL some time ago to see AAPW and what the promotion had to offer, and really had a good time. The show was very well run, and we look forward to coming back. How would you describe AAPW to a fan that wants to see some wrestling action?

I would describe All-American Pro Wrestling as a very family and fan-friendly wrestling organization that prides itself on providing good, clean entertainment. We do our best to emphasize the term ‘pro wrestling’, and in-ring action is strongly emphasized. I agree with you when you say that anytime pro wrestling is discussed, it’s usually referred to in a negative light. AAPW does it’s best to bring some class and respectability to professional wrestling. We sort of have an old school atmosphere to our events. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with having a little pizzazz in independent wrestling, but when it all boils down, it’s spelled w-r-e-s-t-l-i-n-g. We do our best to contribute to that philosophy. We want people to feel at home when attending our events, and we want to be a wrestling promotion they can call their own and be proud of.

With your quick moves you can electrify a crowd, which makes you very popular with the fans. You have won some big matches in AAPW but it seems as if Brandon “Thunderbolt” Walker has been a thorn in your side since nearly the beginning. In West Frankfort, IL in January after beating Chocolate Thunder (who substituted for a missing-in-action Brandon Walker), you made a challenge to “Thunderbolt” Brandon Walker for April 12, 2008 in West Frankfort for a No Countout No Disqualification match, yet once again in Mt Vernon, IL you were taking on Mike Masters when Thunderbolt pushed you off the top rope to allow Masters to take advantage and get the pin. Later in the evening, you decided to get some payback on Walker by heading to ringside, distracting Walker in order for “The All American” J.T. Calhoun to secure a victory in their match. This leads us to April 12th in West Frankfort, IL at the New Beginnings Assembly. Doors open at 6PM with a bell time of 7PM. You will finally have a chance to get a payback win off Thunderbolt. How do you feel going into this?

You’re absolutely correct, Brandon Walker has indeed been a thorn in my side for the longest time now, dating back to August when he cost me the opportunity to become the very first AAPW Heavyweight Champion. There seems to be an underlying bitterness in Brandon. Since returning to Southern Illinois after a lengthy absence (following a stint of being on top in this area for years), Brandon sees that there’s a new crop of young lions on the prowl. I guess he chose me to target. I, being one to never back away from a fight, embraced the competition and after a while it turned personal after a series of back and forth battles. We’ve each got a victory over one another, and on April 12th I plan to settle this score with Brandon once and for all!!!

What goals do you have for yourself in wrestling?

To have fun. Plain and simple. Not too many people in this lifetime can say they lived their dreams, and I am blessed to be able to say that I have. I feel as though I have yet to reach the tip of the iceberg, and I’m going to continue to give it my all and entertain audiences to the best of my abilities. As far as particular goals, I’d like to tour the U.S. & foreign countries in pursuit of pro wrestling experience. WWE is always an option…

Now it is time for the Space Mountain Free Fall where you can give your thoughts on the wrestlers that are scheduled for April 12 with AAPW:

“Thunderbolt” Brandon Walker:

Officially exterminated after April 12th courtesy of Edmund “Livewire” McGuire.

Shawn Shultz:

Arrogant, obnoxious, super-talented athlete who I’ve waged war with once… and won!

Carnage:

Diabolical, mysterious and savvy…

Keith Knox:

Hmmm… I feel sorry for Shawn Schultz on April 12th.

“Homicidal” Steven Davis:

One of the toughest competitors I’ve ever stepped into any ring with. I have welts on my back and chest that will last me a lifetime thanks to this guy.

Ax Stevens:

Wily and dangerous. He’s been on a hot streak like none other here in AAPW lately. We’ve battled all over IL, IN, MO and AR, and I consider him to be one of my fiercest rivals. We have a score that has yet to be settled, and one day, we’ll get the chance to close the book on our storied rivalry.

“The All American” JT Calhoun:

For a man his size, it’s astonishing to see someone with that kind of speed, strength and agility. Much props to JT.

Vulcan:

I’ve never had a chance to cross paths with Vulcan, but I’ve worked with him in other companies. From what I’ve seen, it’s all about brute force with Vulcan. His smashmouth style has earned him championships and he’s got a reputation for throwing the rulebook out the window. Let’s just see how he tests his mettle against the competition here in AAPW.

Mike Masters:

As good an athlete as Mike Masters is, I must admit that I’ve lost respect for him. I know wrestling’s all about wins and losses, and as hard as the reality of it may be, I can accept losing to a better competitor. Mike proved in Mt. Vernon, IL back in February that he’s willing to stoop to any level necessary to gain respect. It takes a very respectable individual to steal a cheap victory from me after Brandon Walker interfered… at least in Mike’s eyes it does! I proved to him in Carbondale, IL last month that that deed doesn’t come without a heavy price Believe me, he got his receipt tenfold in the form of him having his shoulders pinned to the mat… one. two, three!

Playboy Paul Rose:

What a character this guy is! He’s another in a long line of wrestlers who’ve tried to take me down and have been proven unsuccessful. I’m still trying to figure out what kind of gall this guy has for coming out in pink feather boas, pink Speedos, and bleach-blond hair.

“The Future” Donavan Ruddick:

He’s making his AAPW return on April 12th, and is looking to destroy any and everyone in his path, I’m quite sure. I’m going to be sure to keep my eye on this individual closely.

“The Serial Thriller” Shane Rich:

A class act in every sense of the term. He’s gone through a lot of trials and tribulations to get to where he is in AAPW, and I commend him for never giving up and never giving in. It’s paid off for him by him winning the AAPW Heavyweight Championship. Don’t let my respect for him lead you to believe that I won’t be chasing him down for that title someday.

Brandon Espinosa:

I’ve been in the ring with this tremendously talented athlete only once, and he emerged the better man that night. If given the opportunity, I’d like to believe that the results would be a bit different… unfortunately for Mr. Espinosa…

J.C. Blade:

One of the hungriest young competitors that we have here in AAPW. He’s looking to make a way for himself. I encourage him to keep up the good work and never lose faith, no matter how rough the competition may be.

In Altamont, IL a new promotion IWA is having a Fund Raiser to benefit the Blue Knights. Their charity is the SAFE Program. What can you tell us about this new promotion?

I can safely say that IWA is going to be an experience like none other. I am looking to carve out a path in IWA just like I have in AAPW and many other promotions that I work for.

It is also scheduled for AAPW to bring hot wrestling action to Chester, IL on May 7, 2008. At this point are there any more dates where we can see Live wire McGuire in action?

Well, I’m booked all the way through June. I am getting booked in advance, and it’s possible that by then I’ll be booked up another few months. I’m going to be all over Illinois and Indiana and I’m working on bookings in Michigan and Ohio, so I encourage any and all to contact me via my Myspace page (www.myspace.com/livewire_mcguire) and inquire.

Any last words for your fans?

I am so eternally grateful for the encouragement and support that you’ve shown me, and I thank you all so much! Your continued support would be greatly appreciated as I continue making a way for myself in this lovely sport of professional wrestling. Thank you and I hope to see and meet you at the events! God bless!