Missouri Wrestling Revival

As you may know, IWA Productions, centered in Olney, Illinois, is holding its big event, Saturday Night Fright on October 17th at the IWA Wrestling Center. A great main event has been scheduled, at first being between the IWA Heavyweight Champion, Homicidal Steven Davis, and the number one contender, being Carnage. Carnage obtained the contendership position after outlasting twenty three other IWA and AAPW stars in an over the top timed battle royale. In the weeks following that event, shady practices by the champion led to the general manager making the match for October 17th a three way match, one in which the third party would be decided via a eight man tournament. I caught up with Carnage before the tournament finals match to ask him a few questions regarding his readiness, mentality, and his quest for IWA gold.

J.R. Timmons “Carnage… thank you for joining me, and for the time to do this interview. I know you’re busy with your preparations and training for what is now a three way match for the IWA championship. My first question to you is… How do you prepare for that, I mean… coming up on this matchup, what’s going through the mind of Carnage.”

Carnage: “Well, the first thing on my mind is… when did this match become more than just me and him, one on one? I’ve been out of action in IWA for quite some time, and last time I was here, Davis and Christian Rose attacked me with a chair, and injured my knee. So.. I was out for a couple of weeks, taking time just to get back in shape, and wrestling in All American Pro Wrestling, I had no idea this was turning into a… what did you say? A three-way, a four-way?”

Carnage looked at me, glaring from behind the dark circles around the eye-holes of his mask, and I have to admit, finding a response to his calm question made my heart skip a beat.

J.R. Timmons: “It’s looking like it will be a three-way.”

Carnage: “That’s alright, then the next thing on my mind would be how did that come about, and who would my second opponent be?”

J.R. Timmons: “Well, as you’re just now learning… eight IWA stars were chosen and they’ve been fighting for the opportunity to face you and Davis; Christian Rose, Alex Castle, just to name a few, and tonight, the final tournament matchup will decide who will go on to Saturday Night Fright.”

Carnage: “Well, the proper thing to say is… I don’t care who it is. I plan on coming into Saturday Night Fright, and taking home that belt. But, I’m actually pulling for Christian Rose so I can get my hands on him as well…”

J.R. Timmons: “That’s right, after the chair attack, I’d guess you’d have a little animosity against Rose, and if he wins, that will be a change for you to get a little payback?”

Carnage: “No… it’s going to be more than a little payback. I’m going to do to Christian Rose what he TRIED to do to me, but I’m going to get the job done.”

J.R. Timmons: “Well… any spoilers for all of us wrestling fans out here in Southern Illinois on how you’re going to do that?”

Carnage: “With brute force, the way I do everything…”

J.R Timmons: “Well, good luck on October 17th, any closing remarks to make, possibly addressing Davis and Rose?”

Carnage: “Well, let me say this. I’ve been wrestling with Homicidal Steven Davis for years. We know each other’s strengths, and each other’s weaknesses. As far as that element goes, the fans can expect to see a great matchup, but as far as this other person goes, whether it be Christian Rose or otherwise… Stay out of my way, cause that title is coming home with me. I haven’t had a championship title since 2004. My last and only heavyweight championship belt was with Attitude Championship Wrestling. I’ve been used as nothing more than hired muscle and henchman for several years, under the tutelage of my former manager, Brooklyn Bobby. Earlier this year, I had a falling out with Brooklyn Bobby, had a falling out with Homicidal Steven Davis. I’m going to take the IWAP Heavyweight Title, I’m going to take the AAPW Heavyweight Title, as well as the heavyweight championship of any promotion who wants to book a fight against a REAL wrestler.”

J.R. Timmons: “Wow…”

Carnage: “That’s a warning to all you other promotions; you want to put your five foot nothing, hundred pound and nothing champions in the ring against a real man? Do it, and I will take those belts… “

J.R. Timmons: “Well, just a second ago, you mentioned that you’re going to take the AAPW Heavyweight Championship. Does that mean you’re calling out the AAPW Heavyweight Champion Shawn Schultz?”

Carnage: “Absolutely…”

I thanked Carnage for his time, and with that, I left the interview area before he did with a quick shaking of his hand, and an even quicker grabbing of my recording devices… I was in no way prepared to stick around with the monster, the beast, the enigma the wrestling fans here simply refer to as… Carnage. That night, myself watched as both Alex Castle and Christian Rose battled to a time-limit draw. It was then announced that the match, which had already been changed to a three-way, was now going to be a four-man battle for the IWA Heavyweight Championship. October 17th was shaping up to be an event of epic proportions.