May 5th 2024 01:32am

Sign Up / Sign In|Help

 

Jermaine Johnson Interview With World Wrestling Interviews

Jermaine Johnson Interview With World Wrestling Interviews

Posted: Aug 28th 2015 By: Facebook.com/WorldWrestlingInterviews

Find out know what the former IZW world champion Jermaine Johnson think about the indies, the wrestling business and a lot more in this interview:

1-For those who do not know, can you introduce yourself?

Born in Wichita, KS in 1984 I caught the wrestling bug from his grandma. As a four year old, he watched Sting and Ric Flair have a classic at the first Clash of Champions and I never looked back, I grow up during pro wrestling's Golden Age, when larger-than-life characters like Macho Man and Ultimate Warrior were lifting the sport to new heights. The loud combination of cartoon like characters and athleticism always left me wanting more.

2-Can you describe your career for us, how did you become a wrestler?

I never wanted to go to the NFL or NBA. I never had any thought of another career, all I wanted to do was wrestle. I wanted to get in the business at 16 like Sean Waltman ( X-Pac, 1 2 3 Kid, Syxx) did, but I didn't know how. There were no wrestling schools in Kansas at the time. One day I picked up a special edition of Pro Wrestling Illustrated and it had profiles of every fed in the world, including there phone number and training school information. I made a list of all the feds in the surrounding states and knew it was how I was going to get started.

3-Can you talk about your first steps into this buisness, do you remember your first match?

I made lots of phone calls, but one day I called Brandon Bishop in Colorado. I told him I was willing to drive the eight hour trip every other week to train, and pretty much called me a dumbass, but he didn't completely douche me out he give me Johnny Z's number in Oklahoma City and told me that's closer, they're just started up but they a great place to get started. He was right. my training to Impact Zone Wrestling was top notch. I learned everything to be truly prepared for my first match and beyond. I started training July 28th 2007. on March 15th 2008 I had my first match with "Mr. Saturday Night" Michael Barry. I will say that I've watched that match not to long ago and it still holds up if I say so myself and that's thanks to Barry and my training from Aaron Neil, Gary Tool, Brad Michaels, Bernie D., and Johnny Z.

4-Who inspired you for your wrestling style and your character?

My in ring style changing from time to time as I try to keep evolving my craft to become the best performer possible. when I started in 2008 I studied what I thought were the best whitemeat babyfaces, for me that was Shawn Michaels, Ricky Steamboat, X-Pac, Booker T. and Brian Pillman just to name a few. As my career moved along I started watching more Arn Anderson, Pretty Wonderful, and a lot of the Chris Jericho run of 2008 to 2010.

5-Who had the greatest influence/impact on your career?

Overall while studying all those great and countless others, no one has had a better Impact or been more influential then John Wolfenbarger A.K.A. Johnny Z. He was my first feud and I learned so much. We traveled the roads together, and I learned so much. He's been in a lot of my favorite matches, from T.L.C, Cage, Last Man Standing, and No Holds Barred, and it learned so much. You see the pattern here.

6-What has been the hardest sacrifice being part of the wrestling world?

I learned quickly in this business that sacrifice and wrestling go hand in hand. The biggest one I've made without a doubt is the time I away from my children, they still live in Kansas while I'm living in Lawton, OK.

7-If you could change anything about the wrestling industry, what would it be?

If I could change anything about the industry, I would made it harder to get in. It's like anything in life if it's just given to you, handed to you without you having to earn it in any way you don't appreciate it the same. You can tell pretty quickly who had to sacrifice to make it and who it was given to.

8-Wrestlers are very often on the road, so do you have any story for our readers?

I recently listened to the Steve Austin Podcast when his guess was Tommy Dreamer and that show introduced me to the wrestling game. I was on a road trip with The K.C. Wolves ( Graham Bell & Luke Langley) and John E. Rocks and we played that game for a grand total of 54 hours non stop!

9-Who gave you the most valuable advice? What was this advice?

The best advice I've gotten would have to have come from Matt Striker and The Brooklyn Brawler and it was talk like a real person. I've done a few tryout for WWE and ROH, and my promo skills always get over and that started when I realized what they were talking about.

10-What are your favorites moments in your career?

I've wrestled on some awesome show but I would have to say my favorite moment in wrestling was working as a extra for Raw and Smackdown. I learned so much and it's just an experience of a lifetime.

11-Where would you like to wrestle? Why?

WWE is were I'm trying to go, but in the mean time I would like to be wrestling on shows like PWG in California or AIW in Ohio. a place to get notice and get my name out there.

12-What do you think of the indies?

Everyone's who's anyone keeps talking about the Indies are doing wonderful, but those guys weren't in the fire like I am. there are a lot of great performers on the indies but, there's a lot of trash on the indies too. I think the experts are including ROH ,TNA, GFW, LUCHA UNDERGROUND indies and they're not. those guys might work indy shows but they're on National T.V. every week. Go to a real indy show and watch the dude who works at Whataburger vs the nightclub bouncer and you'll see The YoungBucks aren't indy.

13-How did you feel when you won the IZW heavyweight championship? Were you as proud of winning the IZW heavyweight title as winning the IZW Impact Division Title or the IZW Tag Team titles? Did you feel the same?

IZW is my home base and I've won every championship there. Each championship has a different feeling. Winning any championship in any promotion is a sign that the company trust you and is to be respected as such.

15-Can you explain the name of your team with Jordan Jacobs "What Wrestling Should Be"?
Who had the idea of this name?

"Lights Out" Jordan Jacobs and I have discussed this a lot. When we originally had been tagging and needed a name, our ideas focused on the fact that we were different. We felt that to many people are afraid to rock the boat. That's not us. We have the balls to be ourselves and seize any audience's attention...by doing what we do, and going all out, we leave an impression that lasts even after the show ends. When we are on a show, whether together or separate, we are not two more men wrestling. No, no, no... We are something different and we will be remembered. That's What Wrestling Should Be!!!!! Oh and by the way, I came up with the name all by myself and Jordan gets no credit at all lol

16-Who are your dream partners/opponents?

My dream opponents reads like a who's who from Chris Jericho to Kane to, Big Show. Speaking of Dream opponents there's a certain someone out there who said he could wrestle for a hour with no problem and I would love to help/be apart of him proving that, so exclusively for you I make the challenge to one of the greatest big man this sport has ever seen. That's right, you guessed it, I challenge THE GREAT KHALI to a 60 min IRON MAN MATCH!

17- What do you think about the Hulk Hogan Scandal?

My goal for 2016 is to continue moving forward, Get notice and make an Impact. I want to be a name that people remember when they think about wrestling, and prove to people that I'm Larger than Life.

You can follow him:
On Twitter: @JermaineAboutME
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JermaineJohnson84PW?fref=ts

 

Printable version Email to a friend

Supplemental Information

Latest News

3
Fritz Von Erich and the Christmas Day Massacre

Fritz Von Erich and the Christmas Day Massacre

Among professional wrestling’s most infamous incidents and despicable angles, this will forever be remembered as one of th... Read More

All News

The Scoop

The Scoop

NEWS WWE Hall of Famer Kevin Nash weighed in on the warning sent to AEW by the Oklahoma State Athletic Commission. OSAC alleged that the company had viol... Read More

All Columns

1

Spotlight in History

  • 1941 Maurice Shapiro became the TSW Missouri Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 1958 Jim LaRock became the TSW United States Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 1958 Jim LaRock def. Sandor Kovacs for the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 1978 Jerry Brown & Bobby Jaggers def. Ray Candy & Steven Little Bear for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 1982 King Kong Bundy def. Kerry Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
  • 1982 Junkyard Dog & Mr. Olympia def. The Wild Samoans (Afa & Sika) for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Champion
  • 1986 Rick Rude def. Lance Von Erich for the WCCW Television Champion
  • 2002 Red Eagle def. Terry Montana for the OCW Oklahoma Hardcore Champion
  • 2002 Terry Montana def. Red Eagle for the OCW Oklahoma Hardcore Champion
  • 2007 Compound Varsity (Romero Contreras & Justin Lee) became the FCW Tag Team Champions
  • 2012 Kareem Sadat def. David Kyzer for the SWCW Hardcore Champion
  • 2017 El Greengo Loco & Karnage def. Team Dean Machine (Christopher Dean & Jerry Dean) for the BPPW Oklahoma Tag Team Champion

Week of Sun 05-05 to Sat: 05-11

  • 05-05 1941 Maurice Shapiro became the TSW Missouri Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-05 1958 Jim LaRock became the TSW United States Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-05 1958 Jim LaRock def. Sandor Kovacs for the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-05 1978 Jerry Brown & Bobby Jaggers def. Ray Candy & Steven Little Bear for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-05 1982 King Kong Bundy def. Kerry Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-05 1982 Junkyard Dog & Mr. Olympia def. The Wild Samoans (Afa & Sika) for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Champion
  • 05-05 1986 Rick Rude def. Lance Von Erich for the WCCW Television Champion
  • 05-05 2002 Red Eagle def. Terry Montana for the OCW Oklahoma Hardcore Champion
  • 05-05 2002 Terry Montana def. Red Eagle for the OCW Oklahoma Hardcore Champion
  • 05-05 2007 Compound Varsity (Romero Contreras & Justin Lee) became the FCW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-05 2012 Kareem Sadat def. David Kyzer for the SWCW Hardcore Champion
  • 05-05 2017 El Greengo Loco & Karnage def. Team Dean Machine (Christopher Dean & Jerry Dean) for the BPPW Oklahoma Tag Team Champion
  • 05-06 1959 Pretty Boy Collins & Duke Scarbo became the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Champion
  • 05-06 1969 Ramon Torres & Alberto Torres def. Karl Von Stroheim & Treacherous Phillips for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-06 1974 Rip Tyler def. Bob Sweetan for the TSW Brass Knucks Champion
  • 05-06 1984 The Rock & Soul Connection (Buck Zumhofe & King Parsons) def. The Super Destroyers (Super Destroyer 1 & Super Destroyer 2) for the WCCW American Tag Team Champion
  • 05-06 1984 The Von Erichs (Fritz Von Erich & Kevin Von Erich & Mike Von Erich) def. The Fabulous Freebirds (Terry Gordy, Michael Hayes, & Buddy Roberts) for the WCCW World 6-Man Tag Team Champion
  • 05-06 1984 The Von Erichs (Kerry Von Erich & Kevin Von Erich & Mike Von Erich) became the WCCW World 6-Man Tag Team Champion
  • 05-06 1985 The Fantastics (Tommy Rogers & Bobby Fulton) became the WCCW American Tag Team Champion
  • 05-06 2005 Shane Morbid def. Kenny Campbell for the SRPW X Division Champion
  • 05-06 2005 The 918 Boyz (Timmy J & Cade Sydal) became the SRPW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-06 2011 Jeff Starchild became the MWA Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-06 2017 Lone Star, Inc. (Cody Burns & Trey Cole & The Longhorn Outlaw) def. Simply the Future (J. D. & Alex) for the WFC Tag Team Champions
  • 05-06 2017 Team Dean Machine (Christopher Dean & Jerry Dean) def. El Greengo Loco & Karnage for the BPPW Oklahoma Tag Team Champion
  • 05-06 2023 Thrash def. Jason Jones for the WFC Prime Champion
  • 05-06 2023 MLP def. Red James for the RDW Brass Knucks Champion
  • 05-06 2023 Red James def. MLP for the RDW Brass Knucks Champion
  • 05-07 1984 Killer Khan became the WCCW Television Champion
  • 05-07 2010 Cody Jones became the NWA-OK Texoma Champion
  • 05-07 2010 Jack Legacy def. Jeff Starchild for the MWA Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-07 2010 Dustin Heritage def. Shane Morbid for the MWA MAX-Division Champion
  • 05-07 2010 A. T. F. (Al Farat & Gurkha Singh) became the NWA-OK Oklahoma Tag Team Champion
  • 05-07 2010 La Reina de Corazones became the NWA-OK Women's Champion
  • 05-07 2011 Rudy Edwards def. Ryan Styles for the SWCW All-American Champion
  • 05-07 2011 Bernie D & Max McGuirk def. Nemesis (Rage Logan & Damien Morte) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-07 2016 Tyson Jaymes def. Brandon Groom for the BCW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-07 2018 Jack Swagger became the WCR Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-07 2018 The Von Erichs (Marshall Von Erich & Ross Von Erich) became the WCR Tag Team Champions
  • 05-07 2018 Damon Windsor became the WCR Revolutionary Champion
  • 05-07 2021 Jerome Daniel Griffey def. Tino Valentino for the ASP Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-07 2022 Drake Gallows def. Oxley for the RDW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-07 2022 Derek James became the AWE Lion Heart Champion
  • 05-07 2022 Luna Nightshade became the RDW Women's Champion
  • 05-07 2022 Brandon Groom def. Derek James for the AWE Lion Heart Champion
  • 05-07 2022 Becky def. Luna Nightshade for the RDW Women's Champion
  • 05-08 1970 The Hollywood Blondes (Jerry Brown & Buddy Roberts) became the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-08 1985 The Snowman became the MSW Television Champion
  • 05-08 1988 Kerry Von Erich def. King Parsons for the WCCW World Champion
  • 05-08 2004 Brandon Groom def. Michael Barry for the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-08 2004 John O'Malley became the IZW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-08 2004 Kenny Campbell became the IZW Impact Division Champion
  • 05-08 2004 Luc Lapointe & Se7en became the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-08 2010 Excellence Personified (Dustin Heritage & Se7en & Michael Barry & Jack Legacy) became the TAP Tag Team Champions
  • 05-08 2010 Wage def. Eric Rose for the IZW Impact Division Champion
  • 05-08 2010 John O'Malley def. Kevin Morgan for the IZW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-08 2010 Michael H def. Tex for the 412PE Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-08 2010 J. R. Orullian & The Unknown def. The Trenchcoat Mafia (Ryan Reed & Dennis Williams) for the 412PE Tag Team Champions
  • 05-09 1967 Gorgeous George, Jr. & Jack Brisco def. The Assassins (Assassin #1 & Assassin #2) for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-09 2004 John O'Malley def. Chris Matthews for the ACW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-09 2004 Se7en became the ACW Hardcore Champion
  • 05-09 2004 Bernie Donderwitz def. Se7en for the ACW Hardcore Champion
  • 05-09 2009 Crazy Beautiful (Brett Taylor & Michael York) def. Team SuperBad (El Super Colibri & Justin Lee) for the ComPro Tag Team Champions
  • 05-09 2009 Dane Griffin def. Dustin Heritage for the IZW Impact Division Champion
  • 05-09 2009 BLK-OUT (Jermaine Johnson & Montego Seeka) def. Impact, Inc. (Johnny Z & Bernie D) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-09 2015 The Trenchcoat Mafia (Ryan Reed & Billy Ray [1st]) def. Hurricane Ross & J. R. Orullian for the NAW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-09 2021 Erica def. Brandon Barricade for the ASP All Time Champion
  • 05-10 1966 The Assassins (Assassin 1 & Assassin 2) became the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-10 2008 Jerry Bostic became the 3DW Violent Division Champion
  • 05-10 2014 Billy Ray [1st] def. Running Wolf for the NAW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-10 2014 American Made def. Tim Rockwell for the UWE United States Champion
  • 05-10 2019 Kody Lane def. Latrell Upton for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Champion
  • 05-10 2023 Leo Fox def. The Wolf of War for the RDW Iron Man Champion
  • 05-11 1976 Karl Kox & Bob Sweetan def. Ted DiBiase & Dick Murdoch for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-11 1981 Ernie Ladd def. Kerry Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-11 2008 The Midnite Rider def. Outlaw for the MSWA Oklahoma Champion
  • 05-11 2008 Limited Edition (Les Mayne & Dane Griffin) def. The South Side Soul Assassins (Tyson Jaymes & 3rd Rail) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champion
  • 05-11 2013 Billy Ray [1st] became the NAW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-11 2013 The Trenchcoat Mafia (Ryan Reed & Billy Ray [1st]) def. Pretty In Pink (Mike Rose & Michael Duplanti) for the NAW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-11 2019 Drake Gallows became the KCW National Champion
05-05
  • Bill Watts May 5th Today!
  • Miss Diss Lexia May 5th Today!
  • El Matador Dos May 5th Today!
  • Princess Victoria May 5th Today!
  • Shane Rawls May 5th Today!
  • Maria Brigitte May 5th Today!
  • Pat O'Dowdy May 5th Today!
  • El Gallardo May 5th Today!
  • Zane Morris May 5th Today!
  • Olivier Vegos May 5th Today!
  • Claire Watson May 6th
  • Hercules May 7th
  • Richie Adams May 8th
  • Jake Danielsson May 9th
  • Sunny War Cloud May 10th
  • Rook Tyler May 10th
  • Tito Santana May 10th
  • Billy Brown May 10th
  • Jerry Brown May 10th
  • Psycho May 11th
  • Big J May 11th
  • Charming Charles May 11th
  • Sol Yang May 12th
  • Brock Baker May 12th
  • Sensei Jamo May 12th
  • Bill Howard May 12th
  • Prince Mahalli May 13th
  • Dave Ryda May 13th
  • Maggie Rae May 13th
  • Lars Manderson May 13th
  • Pete Maguire May 13th
  • Stan Kowalski May 13th
  • Danny Hodge May 13th
  • Payton Scott May 13th
  • Karl Krupp May 13th
  • Little Boy Blue May 13th
  • Steve Williams May 14th
  • Big Van Vader May 14th
  • C. M. Burnham May 14th
  • Scott Irwin May 14th
  • Tommy Rogers May 14th
  • Robert Fuller May 14th
  • Shawn Bragan May 14th
  • Oscar Amazing May 15th
  • Erwin IV May 15th
  • Koko May 15th
  • Andrew Bridge May 15th
  • Joe Cuedo May 15th
  • Kevin Von Erich May 15th
  • Ryker James May 16th
  • Ryan Martin May 16th
  • Alan Jefferson May 16th
  • Buddy Knox May 16th
  • Buddy Roberts May 16th
  • J. B. Pain May 17th
  • Mike Pappas May 17th
  • Wage May 17th
  • Dan Maestro May 17th
  • Billy Red Lyons May 17th
  • Kyle Hawk May 17th
  • Luna Nightshade May 18th
  • Matt Riviera May 18th
  • Kristopher Haiden May 18th
  • Akuma Jones May 18th
  • Jimmy Snuka May 18th
  • J. R. Wind May 18th
  • Gajo May 18th

More Look Back In History