Will Damon: Thanks brother.
Master Blogger: You're quite welcome. Now for my first question, some of my readers are not as familiar with you as they are my other guests that I have had on the show. So can you give some of my readers a little brief history of how you broke in, who your major influences were, a little brief history of Playboy Will Damon.
Will Damon: Yes - I had been away from the squared circle for quite some time, but like most guys who leave the business for a while, that itch always comes up, so here I am yet again. For those who have yet to hear the name 'Playboy' Will Damon, I broke into the business in the summer of 1999 via Don Callis' (The Natural/The Jackyl/Cyrus) first ever No Hold's Barred Wrestling Academy. I feel very fortunate to have been able to study the craft under the wing of such an intelligent individual who had so much REAL experience in the business, which is hard to find anywhere, never mind in Winnipeg.
Don was of course a direct influence, but if you're referring to whom I was influenced by growing up watching pro-wrestling, it'd have to be any performer who was flashy, had a larger-than-life personality and presence and who were great on the mic. I also appreciated those performers who didn't have to do too much in-ring but still got the biggest reaction from the crowd. That, in itself, is what I've always believed this business is about. That is how it should be. That's what makes someone a great performer. Working smart instead of working overly hard is something I've always been about, and anyone who has seen my matches can see that I'm sure. Don't get me wrong - I more than appreciate those performers who do crazy $#!% in the ring and the fans definitely respond, but I think if every performer had that style and if there were no personality to the business, pro-wrestling wouldn't be the attraction it is. Wrestling has always been about the personalities, plain and simple.
Master Blogger: How would you compare PCW to other promotions?
Will Damon: I'm not sure it's so much a comparison thing in the sense that I don't believe promotions should necessarily be 'compared' to eachother. I think the better way to go about looking at the talent pool and sports entertainment products in Winnipeg would be to look at them individually and at what they each offer, because each promotion offers something unique.
I won't go into my thoughts on each promotion as it would become very long-winded, and I'm not one for talking much (sarcasm intended). What I believe PCW offers and what I love most about it is that it's a more adult-oriented product which I believe wrestling fans are starving for now that WWE produces their product for a younger demographic.
PCW offers attitude-era-esque story lines and performances whereas the enveloppe is pushed a little more, which is an ideal platform for my character given its' brashness.
What I also love about PCW is its' fans. Everyone in a PCW crowd is there because they are a wrestling fan, and therefore you get sincere reactions from the PCW crowd. There are other promotions who, although they may draw more on a regular basis, have crowds full of young girls who are just there because they're friends with the performers or because they want to see good looking, jacked-up dudes in tights and without shirts on, but at the end of the day could care less about the business itself and who are far from authentic wrestling fans.
Lastly, but certainly not least, I've always had and always will have immense respect and a soft spot for PCW. I had a hand in its' conception which is something I'll always be very proud of, but more importantly, PCW raised the bar of the Winnipeg wrestling scene in 2002 and every other promotion that has been conceived thereafter, and every single indy wrestling fan in Winnipeg has PCW to thank.
Master Blogger: Now let me ask you this Will Damon, how did it feel to become PCW Heavyweight Champion for the first time?
Will Damon: It was a great segment and the fans ate it up. That's what's most important. Everyone involved was very happy with how it unfolded and how the crowd reacted. Because of this, it felt great. It was a lot of fun to do and was an honour doing the segment with someone as talented and successful in this business as Kenny Omega.
Master Blogger: Very well said, however now that you are PCW Heavyweight Champion, there is going to be a lot of guys on that roster that will coming for that title. Do you have a message for all those guys waiting in line for a title shot?
Will Damon: Heh, heh...yeah I have a message, and the message is this: the Player's Club is open 24/7, but don't be pissed if you get thrown out onto the street with my foot up your @$$ and my fist in your mouth. Similarily, don't get upset when after you get your @$$ up and dust yourself off, you peak through the window and see me making out with your sister. After all, Playboy isn't just a name - it's the way it is.
Master Blogger: (laughing histerically) Any final comments to your fans?
Will Damon: Absolutely, but for all PCW fans. I've said it many times before so it may sound redundant at this point, but without you, there is no PCW. All it would be is a bunch of dudes in weird attire throwing eachother around. So once again, I sincerely thank you.
It's the fans that make pro-wrestling. It's the fans that dictate what transpires in pro-wrestling, and I'm not just talking about PCW now - I'm referring to the entire sports entertainment industry. Without the fans, there is no product. I wish everyone understood and appreciated that.
I also want to thank you specifically, Jimmy. I hope you don't mind me calling you Jimmy. Jimmy's get laid. James' don't, so I hope for your sake that you're a Jimmy. But back to my thank you - guys like you who not only have sincere interest and appreciation for what us wrestlers do but who also go out of their way to write about our performances, characters and create things such as this blog you've brought to life, should be much more appreciated by sports entertainers...especially on the indy level. The fact that you give a @$&! enough to support us like this really means a lot, brother. So thank you as well.
Master Blogger: Well Champ, after hearing those words, I just want to say first off, yes you can call me Jimmy. Second, you are right this blog that I have created should be much more appreciated by wrestlers on the indy circuit. Thank you for your time and you are welcome to come back anytime.
Will Damon: No worries brother.
Well folks, as I always say here on the Columnist's Corner, in the meantime and in between time, that's it for another edition of the Columnist's Corner. Tune in next time when my guest will be Buddy Wiser.
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