Missouri Wrestling Revival

By Kari Williams

Isaan Hadeev reached the pinnacle of his career July 19 in Danville, IL as he successfully battled Nick Cutler and DaCobra in a triple threat match to emerge with the New Breed Wrestling Alliance (NBWA) Heavyweight Championship. The moment he won the belt, Hadeev “silently thank[ed] [his] son and mother for the strength to continue and be the best in the NBWA.”

Hadeev views his championship victory as the be-all, end-all for his professional career.

“Being the NBWA Heavyweight Champion [is my greatest accomplishment] because that is where I started, and that is where I will finish,” said Hadeev.

Mississippi Madman, a six-year veteran in the Midwest, has high hopes for Hadeev, who Madman has crossed paths with on a number of occassions.

NBWA Champion Isaan Hadeev stands over his nemesis, DaCobra, after he successfully defeated both DaCobra and Nick Cutler to win the NBWA Heavyweight Championship Photo courtesy of Isaan Hadeev

“He will make a great nbwa champion. He is a great in ring technician and [has] great charisma,” said Madman.

Although his desire to become a wrestler developed many years ago, Hadeev did not have the means to do so until he apporached NBWA Owner Don Kato after a show in 2006. His training started the following week. Despite his aspirations, he limited his ambitions for the sake of his family.

“I decided I wanted to wrestle back in 1996 but never had a venue till several years ago. When I started wrestling I wanted to do it full time, but my career outside the ring along with family are much more important,” said Hadeev.

Hadeev values spending time with his family over taking his career to a higher level, as in WWE or TNA. He considers his wife, Angelita, and his children, Austin and Jennifer, far more important. Photo courtesy of Isaan Hadeev

He restricts his travel, somewhat, due to caring for his family but still works for NBWA, All American Pro Wrestling (AAPW) and IWA Productions. While in NBWA, Hadeev had the chance to wrestle “The Japanese Nightmare” Kahagas in the Alberta J. Murray Tournament June 21.

“I would have to say my [favorite] match [was] with the Japanese Nightmare Kahagas because there is no other man in this business today who can match stiffnes, viciousnes and brutality like he and I do. I still want a rematch,” said Hadeev.

Kahagas was unable to comment on the match due to the absence of a translator, however, Hadeev clarifies that he and The Tokyo Monster “really didn’t wrestle each other, we literally just beat the hell out of each other.”

Cutler can testify to Hadeev’s statement, having gone to battle with him only a few months ago.

“Issan is by far one of the toughest guys I have worked with. Physically, me and him match up pretty evenly, but there is a ferociousness about him that I haven’t experienced with anyone else I have worked with,” said Cutler.

Hadeev stands with the tropy he won from the Alberta J. Memorial Tournament, where he wrestled "The Tokyo Monster" Kahagas. Photo courtesy of Isaan Hadeev

NBWA Wrestler Aaron Matthews has been wrestling for five years and has crossed paths with Hadeev on a number of occassions. Matthews’ favorite match was Hadeev’s debut match.

Less than a month after going to battle with “The Japanese Nightmare,” Hadeev walked out of the triple threat NBWA Title match riding high. Perhaps some of what lead to Hadeev’s victory had to do with the way he “get[s] inside the heads of the wrestling fans and the wrestler himself”—his favorite part of wrestling.

“I have not had the opportunity to defend the championship since I just recently attained it, but, in all honesty, I don’t believe I will defend it anytime soon since: One, the fans don’t deserve to see a true talent like myself perform; they are not privelaged enough. And two, there is no single wrestler in NBWA or central Illinois who can match strength, skill and wits with me,” said Hadeev.

Because his love for family outweights his love for wrestling, Hadeev remains content with his current position as the top dog in NBWA.

“What are every wrestlers dreams? To make it to WWE or TNA. But I am a realist and realize that will never happen for me as I choose family over being away 300 days a year. But I know if I focused 100% I would make it,” said Hadeev.

With the help of Kato, “Bloody” Harker Dirge and Corleone, among others, Hadeev has had the opportunity to make his dreams come true, while putting his family first.