Oklafan.com v5 Beta

Brandon Bishop Talks About IZW, ACW and His Perspective On Wrestling

Posted: Nov 11th 2012 By: CMBurnham

Oklafan was contacted recently by ACW owner and former IZW Commissioner Brandon Bishop, who again demanded an opportunity to talk about his career and himself. Bishop's history with Oklafan, and C. M. Burnham specifically, is well documented, but given that this interview was conducted online, things worked out safely. All opinions here are those of Mr. Bishop and are not necessarily reflective of Oklafan's beliefs.

What were the circumstances that led to your return to IZW last year?

There was an opening. I kicked the door door once I saw that thin crack of light and I made the place my own. I think I gave IZW what is desperately needed, organized and entertaining chaos. They knew that there weren't many that can carry things like I do, draw heat like I do and give 110% of everything I had like I do. So when he opening came, and when it made sense, there I was standing on the green. I wanted the decade of drama between myself and Johnny Z to finally come to a head, he was out when I came in, he came back, then I put him out again.

How different was IZW when you returned from when you left?

When I left IZW in 2006 it was just another promotion in Oklahoma, I worked there because I knew everyone and I had some input in stories and production. When I came back it was THE promotion in that region and I was quite happy for them, and the progress IZW made. My input wasn't needed so much anymore, they had a system that seemed to be working, but I still managed to weasel in a little BB juice here and there. Night and day was the difference, I learned a lot from IZW in my latest tenure, I don't mind telling anyone that.

Who were some of the new talent members that immediately stood out to you?

I knew Aaron Neil, I knew Johnny Z, John O'Malley, Bad Brad etc. We've all shared many rings over many night. I appreciated all of their evolving. But it was a real surprise to see the younger talent like Double D, Jermaine and many others with their game stepped up. It was nice to hear several of them talk about the older days and their memories of shit I did back in the day. I loved the whole tension and atmosphere when I strolled through the gates. The rumors, the drama, the stories, and then BOOM there I was. Like always, when someone has an issue with me, I walk as close to them as possible. In this case, Johnny Z and I have has a true battle for over a decade in and out of the ring, and it made for a classic environment. I love shit like that. As far as name dropping the talent I was impressed with, I'll just say Sean McHale, Venus, Nemesis when they were a team, Cody Jones grew the fuck up and kicks ass, Randy Price, Damon Windsor, Kevin Morgan, DD is there and a host of others i'd be proud to book or work anywhere... I was really surprised by the teamwork behind the scenes, the production team, the TV crew, camera people, staff and creative are fantastic. I'd steal them before anyone...

When you came back, was it always your intention to return to in ring action or were you wanting to focus more on the commissioner role?

I came back to run the show. The story goes Jeff Wolfenbarger left it to me, and I ran with it. Yet, I'm a pro wrestler, have been for many years. It was bound to happen and It did. The sad part is that I just wasn't ready for it when I had to lace the boots. I was fat, out of shape, and embarrassed as hell to be in there. Sure I held my own, won a few, lost a few more, but I wasn't hardly near the top of my game. They have guys that can GO, and I was barely able to keep up. I had a medical condition that fucked me out of my testosterone and most of my energy, like I said, I was a fat ass, and most of my in ring work there was pretty embarrassing to me, knowing that I could do so much more. My skills on the mic had never been better, my connection with the crowd seemed second to none, but I was a blubber ass and sucking wind...

Memories of the Impact Chamber match where Erica turned on Double D.

The Impact Chamber was my whole reason for coming back. Not th match itself, but the result. I never came back to be a commissioner forever, to runa TV show or book wrestling matches, I came back to kill JOhnny Z and win our ten plus year war. I took him out, I made his life hard for quite awhile, and that's what I came back to accomplish. I won... My memories are simple, cracking his head with a chair against the steel cage... That's all that mattered...

Any other matches that really stand out to you in this time period?

My match with Jermaine Johnson stood out, right before my departure. I stepped into the ring knowing that my goals in IZW have already been accomplished. So not only was I out of shape and not ready for a talent like Jermaine, I had zero drive. I got my ass kicked and then realized that I needed to work on myself before I got serious about wrestling again. I had huge family issues, financial issues and more personal issues, and fighting Jermaine or anyone else started making less and less sense. I had nothing left to prove, I won the war with Johnny Z, so everything else was pointless. Erica did what she needed to do, I GAVE her the commissioner role, She didn't get rid of anyone, she couldn't have. I opened that door for her, if she says anything otherwise, she's being the little child she is. But I wish her luck...

You also made a return to MSWA for a couple of matches. You hadn't competed there for about 7 years prior. What were your impressions of the federation at this point?

MSWA was just for fun. Did my best to perform in the ring, but fell shorter than I should have if I were in shape and ready. I wasn't the Brandon Bishop I was when I last stepped in the MSWA ring, so I didn't keep wasting anyone's time by showing up. Since my last matches in MSWA and IZW I've lost 60 pounds and have worked on my cardio and toning as much as I could. I'm training here in Colorado constantly and if I ever made a return to Oklahoma, it would be a completely different story... I promise...

What led to your departure from IZW?

Like I said, I accomplished what I needed to accomplish. It felt like a waste of my time to stand in that green ring knowing i've already beaten Johnny Z, I've led all of my team to titles and held every ounce of power. What else did I have to prove in IZW? I don't owe the fans, the roster or anyone an explanation. I did what I felt was right for me and my situation. As soon as that ambulance took Johnny Z's lifeless body away, and tears streamed down his wife and kids face, as his stretcher parted a sea of worried fans, I knew I had accomplished everything I set out to accomplish. Though Lately I see that Johnny Z has returned...

Is the door open for you to make a return in the future or have we seen the last of Brandon Bishop in IZW?

The war between Johnny Z and I will never be over. If I decide to return, I will and Johnny Z will be the first to know. I've driven a nail into his coffin once, he has since decided to bust out of that said coffin. I have plenty of nails left. When the time is right, and I feel as though I'm physically and financially and mentally ready, I may return. It doesn't matter if the door is open or not, I broke it down last time, I'll break it down again whenever I feel like it. But for right now, returning to IZW makes zero sense. I've won, and I've left unharmed. John isn't stupid, he'll be ready next time, and I currently have no reason to give him that opportunity anytime soon.

After Ten Years of being a part of Asylum Championship Wrestling, what are some of your fondest memories and biggest disappointments?

I could do a top 50 in each list... Bright spots have included watching Dr Death retire in our ring, watching guys I trained from their first bump, carry on the winning ACW titles and taking over the surrounding circuits, Just seeing ACW evolve from a Tuesday Night event in a small club in front of 80 people in nowhere Oklahoma to bringing in hundreds of people to large auditoriums and expo centers... On the flip side, Dr Death passing away, being accused of every horrible thing you can imagine, watching those same kids you created turn into know it all drama queens that wipe their asses with the very product that made them, watching numbers fall back into smaller digits... It?s a vicious cycle we?ve been on for over a decade, and they?ll be more triumphant times and more heart ache to come.. It?s how you handle it. I truly feel as though we?ve just gotten rid of a lot of dead weight in ACW, people that were given the ball and expected to run with it, but instead waited till you turned your back and deliberately stuck an ice pick in the ball and deflated it. A lot of them killed the passion I had for this business, killed the drive and made me want to kill them...throw in the venues giving us shit over the past 3 years, the sponsors coming and going, the inconsistency of the shows, the inability to carry on storylines and it became a shit storm. I?ve always said that if it weren?t fun, I wouldn?t do it anymore.. THey killed the fun, so I took a long break... But through all the latest drama and revelations of who I can truly trust and rely on, ACW will be going into this next era better prepared and lacking the back stabbers, the drama cheerleaders and it?ll have a much more business oriented direction and stronger leadership.

With some of your top talent being signed away by another promotion in your area that somehow got them to SIGN CONTRACTS on an Indy level, how does that affect ACW?

It does and it doesn?t... ACW made a huge mistake in relying on who we relied on. ACW put the power of advancement in the hands of those that have little idea how to even advance themselves. We begged, pleaded, promised and even step by step SHOWED these kids how to better themselves and the product and they instead slowly took that information and that opportunity, wrapped it around their thumbs and inserted their thumbs in their asses. So, lesson learned... After watching the past couple years of events, I noticed a couple things. Stories weren?t being told very well, work rate went way down, crowds decreased and ACW?s pocket book got much lighter. We didn?t have The Jeremy Quinn's, the Franco?s, The Michael Barry?s, the Joshua Michael?s, the Zane Morris?, and even I wasn?t on my game as a performer... I got fat and lazy and forgot how to connect with a crowd. I?d bring in guys that weren?t on an ACW level and let them fill slots, and I gave the main spots to guys that truly believed their shit didn?t stink... Well it did stink.. it stunk up the entire fucking ring and spilled over into the crowd. So I hate the fact that I have to watch kids that I started, I gave opportunities to, kids I genuinely cared more about than they?ll ever realize, jump ship and drink the Kool Ade of some promotion that is making them million dollar promises without having ran a single show, yeah I?d be lying if I said that didn?t bother me a bit, BUT... ACW has a huge talent pool of amazing performers that can easily fill the gaps. Aaron The Candy Mann, Rob Ryzin, Caleb Crush, Jack Mecidol, Joshua Todd, Bruce Rogers, Jason Noal, Jay Synn, Arik Angel, and a host of people returning to where they had there best days... Plus several BIG NAMES that I?ve heard might be coming into the fold as mainstays... This gives ACW a chance to focus on those that truly are loyal and deserve it as opposed to those that smile in our faces and then kill us out of earshot. I guarantee not a single one of them would say anything to my face.. not one.. But that?s fine, we?ll be doing what we?ve been doing for over 240 shows now, for over a decade.. trust me ACW is sweating anything... From what I?ve heard and seen, we have a new venue that?s 100% behind us, we?re about to have a calendar full of dates in 2013, and we may not outdraw other promotions, we may not advertise as much and we may not promise the world to anyone, but we guarantee we will have a better product, more motivated workers, and we?ll be around celebrating our 20th anniversary in 2022... will they? maybe.. but let?s let this concentrate on show number one.. I truly wish them luck. I?m sure ACW will keep the door cracked open for when that ship hits rocks...

What are some of the BIG NAMES you?ve heard might be joining ACW in the ear future? We know you?ve recently had words with Vince Russo and Ed Ferrara at a recent ACW exhibition event, any truth to the rumors that THEY are the new ACW owners?

Things are moving pretty quickly lately... It?s funny how this happens everytime I plan on going on a long hiatus. Here?s the deal, I have a family, I?m almost 40 years old, I?ve been doing this silly shit for well over a decade now since my first bump, ACW HAS to do it right this time or I stand to lose a lot. As far as BIG NAMES, giving tat away right now would be foolish. It?s all in the rumor mill, it?s all yet to be confirmed 100%, so as i?ve learned from booking Pat Tanaka, it?s never a great idea to open the cat bag until the opening credits are already running. Just let me assure you that you?ll know who they are and true wrestling fans will be smiling ear to ear. As far as the Secret Owners of ACW, I have no idea who?s going to fill those shoes. I started ACW in 2001, had it taken from me in 2003 by Payton Scott, got it back, lost it Jeremy Quinn, got it back, gave it to Michael Titus, and then since then, This company has had it... It?s like a championship in a way. I?m on the active roster as a wrestler, I?m down to 210lbs as of this morning, never wrestled under 225lbs before, i?m excited to see what y body lets me do, I?m excited to compete with the very best in the circuit, and the very best from other circuits that will be frequenting ACW starting in 2013, and we?ll see what?s revealed and who reveals it... Vince and Ed were fantastic people that gave me an encyclopedia of advice and hope and my meeting with them was nothing but positive and honoring. I doubt they?re the owners, but who knows...

Will ACW continue on GFL or will there be another way to catch ACW events online or on TV?

GFL is a great thing, communication with them could be better, but we?re a new product that doesn?t provide weekly entertainment to them, so I understand our place in the grand scheme of things. We hope to continue on GFL.tv, and we also hope to offer our product on our own web based medium sooner than later. One foot in front of the other.

Knowing you like I do, is there anything you?d like the publicly say the your defectors before this budding war begins?

I don?t consider it a war or even a competition. They fired shots our way first, I replied because I am who I am. Now things are simmering down a bit and it?s game time. I know the people booking that show and I know that they won?t be able to touch ACW as far as content or talent. That?s how I base success. If I can be entertained by my show I feel as though it was a success. I taught those guys 99% of everything they think they know, I?m expecting a watered down version of what I?ve ben providing for over a decade. Once again I wish them the best, If they draw a thousand people, I?ll be sure an flyer their parking lot... Haha... I look at it as a fun challenge. I?ve learned a little from them already, I respect the effort they?re putting forth, I like how they do ticket sales and seating etc. If I were a young kid that didn?t know any better, I?d probably be on board as well. I?m envious of the deep pockets they have to work with, ACW was created by begging, borrowing and stealing, and I?m not ashamed of that, ACW did what ACW had to do in order to keep the shows rolling and keep the brand alive, and we did. We?ve never been extremely business savvy, I know I?ve made a million mistakes, but i?ve learned from each one of them and i?ll continue to learn. All I can say is that the grass looks bright strong and green from this side of the fence, like moths to flames I can?t blame anyone for wanting to graze over there. But it?s freshly planted grass, and right below the surface of that bright flowing green grass is several layers of compost that eventually they?ll sink into. I?ve done it, anyone with any time in this business has gotten stuck in the shitty part of it. ACW got stale and our lawn died mostly because of the kids that hopped over to the neighbors yard. It won?t take them long to kill it, they have financial backing, so they can re-sod more often than I ever could, but it?ll keep dying because it won?t have the right amount of sunlight and water... And don?t you dare tell me that wasn?t an AMAZING metaphor!

With ACW relaunching in 2013, can fans expect a brightening of it?s lawn?

Please don?t use my metaphors against me... From the attitude i?ve seen from several members of ACW, things will be intense. There is a huge motivated mass of wrestlers, crew and fans from what I?ve heard that will raise the intensity of ACW to heights it hasn?t seen in years. I?m excited, I know everyone else is as well. We?ll easily prove that we don?t need those that don?t want to be here. I would expect a more mature program, a more violent program and a more prolific demonstration of the fundamentals and work rate ACW was known for in our best days. I know I?m not fucking around anymore, I doubt the rest of the roster or staff plans on it either...

How many more years or decades do you plans on being an active wrestler?

Am I really that old to be asked that question? Here?s the deal, In Oklahoma I was responsible for helping elevate the games of most of it?s top stars, Without me things would be alot different to this day in that territory. I came to Colorado and I think I?ve changed the landscape drastically. I?ve trained half the top names here, named or gimmicked all the top stars, and given opportunities to grow for too many to mention, as far as my own personal and ring work, I still believe I can steal any show i?m on, and I still believe I can carry my own if not outwork most of the people I see dancing around rings. I don?t see many that can carry storylines around here or there, I don?t see many that can be as creative as I can be, I don?t see many that risk as much as I do and I don?t see many that can connect with paying customers as well as I can... There are several, but not many... The day I leave the ring and feel as though I no longer belong, is the day I?ll hang up my boots and wait for my son Brandon Bishop to take over for me if he chooses to... Until then, whether it?s full time, part time or once in awhile, I?m not going anywhere... right now family comes first, day jobs, personal issues and LIFE in general comes first, whenever I can fit wrestling in, I will... I?ve done it for too long and my passion is as strong as ever for it, so quitting would be stupid and against everything in my heart, but as a grown up is has to have it?s place and time, and until it once again becomes profitable and rewarding, it?ll be in my thoughts, but more towards the rear of of mind until game days. Like I said, I?ve lost almost 60lbs this year, i?m excited to see what I can do with it, I?m in the gym doing what I can when I can, I?m trying to tone up and gain more strength, and look the part, so I can have a 20 year career if I choose. The night I get to beat the shit out of my son in a match on a card will be the last night I wrestle.. He?s 5.. So I have some time...

I know you and Danger Dean have had a longtime friendship in and out of the ring from what I?ve seen and heard. With him leaving ACW and ?Drinking the Kool Ade? as you put it, how does that feel?

I never saw that one coming. I was actually happy as balls to see ACW rid of the other guys. I never enjoy drama or watching people make mistakes or leave on bad terms, but Dean was my guy. I made Dean as far as wrestling and he was one of the people I not only trusted, but genuinely cared about. He swore up and down that he wouldn?t be signing any contracts, but well... So he chose a 50 dollar pay out over loyalty and friendship. Truth is with the new finances ACW will have in 2013, I was planning on doing better than that... But Dean hasn?t been the Dean I knew and called my best friend in years. He?s been on some planet out by Neptune, he?s been stressed out to the point of annoyance, he?s been vacant to even answer a call or text most of the time, his work rate decreased, and he?s just seemed to not care. I brought him into the business, I showed him the ropes, gave him a place to train and learn, shoved him out into the circuit, made him a champion several times over, called him my main guy, put him on posters, commercials, tv, banners and in main events, even showed up to his baby shower and the hospital when his beautiful baby girl was born, I look back and try my hardest to think of a single thing he?s done for me in return... I can?t... Now he walks out on the man and the promotion that created him so he can make a few bucks that, if he were smart and used his name and talents, could?ve made ten fold with us. So the Danger Dean that won the ACW title on April 3rd 2010, is not the same Danger Dean that won it in July of this year. I miss the old Dean, I don?t miss this bearded mess i?ve seen around lately. Outside of wrestling I wish him and his beautiful family the very best, hopefully he?ll come back from outer space someday and we can pick up the awesome friendship we once had, as far as inside the ring, he?d best hope he never finds himself inside a ring with me again, it?ll be back to day one training for him. I think he remembers day one training, I do recall him actually shitting his pants. I?ve learned to chuckle things off after all this time.. this one was difficult to do that, but i?m finally there... chuckle chuckle...

In Ten Years of ACW and however long you?ve been doing this all together, you?ve seemed to be the focus of a lot of personal vendettas. What is it about you that seems to draw so much heat?

That?s easy, ask ANY promoter/slash wrestler... You?re always in the hot seats, Shit rolls uphill in this business. If there?s ANY issues what-so-ever, it?s MY fault. If a shit talker in the locker room isn?t happy, he runs his mouth the his girlfriends standing around him and then they talk, and then they pass it along. Now if everything is smooth and profitable and houses are good and the shows are over, I?m a fucking KING! They smile down your throat and tickle your balls, but even then they THINK they can do it better, they talk and talk and talk, but rarely to me! At least Dean ?texted? me and apologized, almost like a man, would have rather him met me in person like a true man, but that doesn?t happen in wrestling anymore. Back in the earliest days of ACW, John Zorthos and his brother had a issue, they met me face to face and we fought it out like fucking MEN, if Angel Williams, or John O?Malley or Chris Matthews or any of THOSE guys had an issues, which was rare, but if they had an issue, they?d say it to my face and I would do the same, and I STILL do the same thing. If I have an issue with anyone, or something to say, I speak up! Ask IWF? IZW? Ask Michael Boge, Ask Pat Tanaka ask any of these fucking kids, I?ve always got within speaking distance and stated my case, whether I was wrong or right, I worked out my issues like a MAN and I always will. If it comes to blows, so be it, if I get my ass kicked so be it, If I kick someone?s ass, take it like a man and SO FUCKING BE IT! I can?t stand these little whiny back stabbing drama queen bitches that are calling themselves wrestlers these days. I?d do anything to have the guys that kicked my ass for years in Oklahoma and Texas here in Colorado to smack these bitches around. I?d kill to have Dr Death Steve Williams alive and well and working with us again, installing sets of balls.. I?ve never claimed to be perfect in any way, like I?ve said a million times, i?ve made a million mistakes, but i?ve owned up to them, and I?ve tried to work out my issues face to face. These kids aren?t men, they don?t belong in a man?s game and until they grow up and learn what the words loyalty, and respect mean, and finally pay their dues, they aren?t worthy of my loyalty or respect and don?t belong in ACW. I?ve met about a thousand people in wrestling in the past 12 years, and out of all of them, I?d say about 10-12 have an issue with Brandon Bishop... that?s pretty good and I can live with that. My issues just happen to get publicized and exaggerated more than most, and in tis business I enjoy that, that keeps the business interesting for fans and workers. Everything is a work to me, whether it?s real or truly a work, if you want to sit at home on your little computer and jab at me miles from my face, feel free, I?ve just made you a storyline and you WILL sell me tickets.. so thank you!

On the flip side of that, what keeps a smile on your face when you show up for work in the wrestling business?

Wow, a positive question? Very unlike you sir... The flip side is that every single day, no matter if we?re running shows weekly or haven?t ran in months. Some fan, wrestler, staff member or pal in general says something positive about ACW, or me or something. It keeps me going. So while those 10-12 dipshits that jab ACW or me personally on the internet and out of speaking range, I have twice as many DAILY that put what I do over, or say how much they love or miss ACW, that ask about training, booking, talk about old storylines, talk about DOC, talk shit about the 10-12 dipshits... The ratio isn?t even close... I talk to legends in this business almost weekly, people I grew up idolizing. I?ve never been good with money inside or outside of the ring, even when I AM good with it, I?m accused of being bad with it (See Dawn Marie assholes). Money has always been ACW?s biggest issue. If I had those deep pockets, I guarantee we?d be up there at that ROH level, but I don?t. We have a lot of work to do. It?s the struggle that makes it worth it. Nothing was handed to ACW, we started from brick one and we?re still building after a decade. That means something. Sam Udell is on the WWE NXT roster, took his first bumps in the ACW ring, though I know he already had his contacts from his amateur career in college, I know we helped hi out quite a bit, and I?m proud of that and of him, I wish him the best.Once again, whether they work for me or not, I created most of these kids, and someday they?ll grow up and realize who truly cared for them. Whether or not I?d like to punch them in the taint, I?m proud of them for what it?s worth. things like that cement my legacy in this business. Being Mr. 483 on the PWI 500 is super cool to me. I used to scour that list for names and do little tournaments with dice etc. when I was a kid. Now I?m right there two years running. It doesn?t matter where I?m at on the list, I?m on it. No one else I know is on it, not around here... So that?s means I?m better than they are... haha... There?s too much in this business that keeps a smile on my face to let the dumb stuff and the dipshits bother me...

With the ACW Championship now vacant, who do you think in ACW can carry the company into it?s next era?

Me... Duh... I?m not that wheezing fat guy trying to keep my spot with this shitty kids anymore. Shit, I?ve beaten all of the ones that have left. I?m looking very forward to getting back to the sick twisted son of a bitch I made a name for being in that ring. I can absorb pain better than most of the people i?ve ever wrestled, I?m lighter, stronger, quicker and I seem to have the fans back in my favor... I?m planning on being better than I?ve ever been inside the ring and being ten times as entertaining as well. I?ll be so damn good that maybe they?ll offer me a contract! Haha... I don?t have to prove anything to anyone, I have to prove everything to myself. I spent too many years as the fat old guy on the card, to the point i?d have to point it out before the fans did. I still have a lot of work to do, but I know now that it?ll get done. The match I had at Theaterworks with Joey from Primos wrestling told me everything I needed to know about myself in that ring. I?m ready.. and who better to carry the ACW torch than me, the man who originally lit it over ten years ago...
What are your regrets?

My regrets aren?t really in the wrestling business, My regrets sometimes are as a result of the wrestling business or have affected my place in the wrestling business, but my regrets are mostly personal and home based. I wish I could have been better with money, could have finished a lot of things i?ve started, made better decisions, zigged when I should have zagged... simple and not so simple shit... I have no excuses for my faults, I wasn?t made to be that guy that would be homecoming king and stay in my hometown, find that 9-5 job, work 25 years, retire and settle into a nice life of fishing and golf. That?s not me. Sure I love my family, my kid is amazing, coolest person I know, I have a great relationship albeit challenging at times, mostly due to my own faults, but I?m meant to do what i?ve been trying to do for as long as I can remember. I?m a wrestler, a TV producer, a writer, a performing musician, a self reliant unchained extroverted human male. I?m sure many in this business will agree. I?m sick, we?re all sick. We have an over abundance of passion, so much that it dilutes doing the right things and sometimes makes it impossible to even think rationally. I?m consumed by this fucking sickness, and no matter what I do, no matter hard deep I eventually suppress it, it comes back, and keeps coming back. I like to think that i?m a lot better at suppressing it these days, I like to think that I can control it these days, but there?s no chance of completely exterminating it, it?s impossible, it?s who I am. It?s cost me jobs, family, friends and untold financial distress, but it?s also given me a lifetime of memories and ten lifetimes worth of happiness. I know what?s more important these days, I know that making a solid reliable living and having happy family around is much more rewarding, YET that tingle is always there, and it?ll always be there. I?m lucky enough to have a woman with that same sickness, not for wrestling, but for other forms of entertainment and creativity, my Mom in Detroit understands who I am and what I need in my life to keep from being miserable on some levels, and my son already shows too many traces of that same sickness, the need to entertain, the need to be appreciated for your talents, and the need to excel at something... I?m glad my road hasn?t been an easy one, money would?ve helped out a lot, but I?m glad I?ve had to fight for every scrap i have. I haven?t been handed a damn thing from anyone, I didn?t have rich parents, my pocket might never be deep, but I still managed to carve out a niche? and make a name for myself in a business I love, and for everything I may regret, I could never regret that... I?ve already succeeded in my mind, I?ve already won whatever war anyone decides to cast my way, I have a truckload of regrets, and I?m not stupid enough to think more shit won?t hit my fan, but I?ve learned and grown from every obstacle and I?ll continue to do so...