Interview with Maxx & Alexandra Burton

Alex: In early 2000, I started looking up indy feds in my area. I came across one in the northern Vermont territory, that was willing to make me a valet. From there I branched out throughout Vermont and wound up in the now defunct TSW (Tri State Wrestling). In TSW I was the Lt. Commissioner of the company and eventually became the manager of the tag team champions. After TSW closed, I became active in the ring and behind the scenes in Slam All-Star Wrestling, where I am to this day.

Maxx: I started in December 1998 as a ring announcer for World of Hurt Wrestling in Schenectady, NY. I got to ref and book for the company for a bit before deciding to go full time wrestler. I wrestled there and in Tri State Wrestling throughout 1999-2002. I was the head booker for TSW in it’s first year and saw the companies most success. In late 2003, I made my debut in Slam All-Star Wrestling. I have been with the company ever since and have held the company’s Heavyweight title.

Alex: Well I have accomplished almost everything I have wanted to. I’ve been a commissioner, a manager of champions, a women’s champion and a female booking agent.

Maxx: I have gotten to do way more than I ever thought. I’ve ring announced, I’ve reffed, I’ve wrestled, I’ve been a champion many times, I’ve been a booker. I’ve gotten to be on TV with TSW. I trained with Dory Funk Jr. My only goal is to see wrestling continue in Rutland, VT, where I live.

Alex: Managing my husband, Maxx Burton, through several different championships. Being the first ever Vermont State Women’s Champion. Winning the title a second time this past fall. But the biggest highlight and the crowning goal for me has been running a women’s locker room and having the most successful women’s wrestling division in Vermont.

Maxx: I’ve gotten to train with Dory Funk Jr, as I mentioned before. I got to book for a year in TSW where I got to bring in guys like Nunzio from the WWE when ECW folded. I got to work the ring crew in ROH and met some of the top talent in the biz. A lot of things that would take up too much room on this interview.

Alex: Not unless I’m in charge.

Maxx: No.

Alex: We met in Tri State Wrestling. We started dating on April 20th, 2001. We were wed April 20th, 2002. Sounds corny I know, but it took the wrestling business for each of us to find the love of our lives. And yes, as I’m sure you could guess, a good percentage of our conversations involve the wrestling business.

Maxx: Sounds good to me.

Alex: Were open minded to each others opinions. For instance, when it comes to the S.A.W. women’s locker room I respect his opinion on matches and angles for the ladies, because he cares too. Also never bring locker room business home.

Maxx: Respect is the main thing. If you can’t respect each other you won’t last.

Maxx: I’ve done my share of hard-core matches so the pain associated with those is probably the worst.

Alex: Emotionally, seeing Maxx going into Hardcore matches. Physically, being in 2 no holds barred matches with Demonica. The first was the worst.

Maxx: I would want to see matches where guys are focusing on emotion and psychology, rather than moves, high spots and TV time restaints. Plus, let the guys cut promos from the heart instead of having it written for them. I'm speaking about mainstream wrestling of course. Plus, I wouldn't want to so many cookie cutter body builder types trying to become wrestlers. I understand this is a cosmetic business, but the best wrestlers didn't have Greek God bodies. The Funks, Harley Race, Ric Flair, Dusty Rhodes, guys like these didn't have chiseled physiques, they looked human.

Alex: As far as Women's wrestling goes, I would choose only to push the women who are making the effort to become real women's wrestlers. Those that choose to take the "modeling" route should not be allowed to get in the ring. In 2000, in WWE, I enjoyed seeing each of the ladies gimmicks and personalities come through. They seem now to be all lumped together and they've somehow lost their individuality. That is something I would try to fix and give back to the girls.

Alex: Lita, Trish Stratus, Stephanie McMahon, Debra, Sherri Martel, and the late Miss Elizabeth. So far as men go, Randy Orton, Hulk Hogan, The Undertaker, Jeff Jarrett, and the late Eddie Guererro.

Maxx: Terry Funk, Mick Foley, Chris Benoit, William Regal, there's a lot. But those came off the top of my head.

Alex: Well first off, I learned just about everything I know about being a booker from Maxx. He is a former booker of TSW. I have always wanted to be able to help other ladies find their place in this business. Having that opportunity has been the greatest gift I could have wished for. To be standing backstage and seeing your workers achieve their goals and the goals you have set for them, it is a proud moment to see it happen and all come together. Women like Demonica, Miss Montgomery and Yvonna Leach that are main stays in the S.A.W. women's locker room set a bar for themselves to reach and I have the chance to help them reach it. Being able to guide and help workers that truly appreciate it, make all the craziness and headaches worth while. I wouldn't change it for the world.

Maxx: I won the title on June 26th, 2004 from The Bull. It was a brutal match and we were stiff as hell in that one. After winning the belt, all my associates came to the ring to celebrate. What was more important about the evening was it was a tribute to a friend of mine named Lee Estabrook, who had passed away 1 year ago to the day. It was a great moment to hold my belt and my wife to hold her newly won women's belt up to the sky with all my friends, who were also his friends, and give one last salute to him. I held the belt for 4 months and got to do a lot of fun stuff in the interim.

Maxx: I had the dubious honor of being bitten by Abdullah the Butcher at a Ring of Honor show in December of 2002. It was "Night of the Butcher" and I was on the ROH ring crew at the time. Well we were to "run in" on Homicide and Abdullah who had just defeated The Carnage Crew, Loc and DeVito, who are mad cool guys. So before we ran in, Dunn and Marcos ran in and Dunn had a badly injured neck that night. We saw Homicide pick Dunn up and give him the Cop Killa (Kudo Driver). Me and my 2 friends actually thought it was safer to attack Abdullah. I through a punch at him, which he blocked and proceeded to bite my head off. He then sent me into a chair shot from Mafia (Dan Maff) of Da Hit Squad. I remember going up to Abdullah after and introducing myself to him and he was very gracious. You can check that tape out sometime, it's a great show. PLUG!

Alex: Great stories? Sorry folks, what happens in the women's locker room STAYS IN THE LOCKER ROOM!

Alex: It's all about commitment and self sacrifice. This is a hard business. More importantly than anything else, keep your ears open when someone is over you and respect the ones that came before you.

Maxx: Go for it. It may be hard sometimes, but never lose sight of your dream. If you're new, keep your ears open and your mind open and your mouth shut. Respect is earned just like in real life.

Alex/Maxx: S.A.W. will be holding it's first event of 2006 on January14th at the Parish Community Center Church in Swanton, VT. Although, we will not be in attendance, we support this company as our home fed and wish the roster a fun show. Hopefully it won't be a noreaster outside when they're done like last year.

Alex: http://alexh-aristocrat.iwarp.com is my personal site. My yahoo group is http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Alexzandra . Plus you can vote for me at www.glorywrestling.com

Maxx: http://www.maxxburton.iwarp.com is my site. www.slamallstarwrestling.com is the S.A.W. site.

Alex: I think it's pretty cool. One of my closest friends, Renee, told me about it and she was right, it was very cool.

Maxx: Ditto!

Maxx: Thanks for the time to chat and good luck with your site. And remember, "Bad Religion will deliver you to Salvation!" Screw The System!

Alex: Thank you very much for the interview, Johnny. It was my honor. A quick thank you to my friend, Renee, for peaking your interest in us. And remember ladies "Keep it simple, keep it violent and always keep it Real Women's Wrestling!" SLAM ALL STAR SORORITY!