MICHIGAN INDY WRESTLING CENTRAL: Alex, thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to join us for this interview!
1.) MIWC: First of all, how did you break into the business?
ALEX SHELLEY: After I graduated from high school, I looked for a place to train. Unfortunately, the only place I found was run by a totally incompetent wrestler. I'm not going to even say his name, but he was, as it's said in the business, "the shits". More ways than one too. Regardless, I did get shown the most basic of basic aspects of wrestling there. I also had the opportunity to find my way around the ring. After about 6 months of training, I had my first match. Thank God Breyer Wellington took me under his wing and began training me though. Truth Martini also invited me to train with him at his school, and about a year ago, because of a match I had with Breyer, Scott D'amore invited me to start training with him as well. I'm still training under Joe E. Legend, and have been since last spring. Never ending learning process.
2.) MIWC: Describe your first match.
AS: It was for some weird promotion in northern Michigan. My first "trainer", or the guy who took my money, claimed to have numerous hook-ups throughout the business. He had maybe two. This was one. It was a tag team elimination match, with myself and Richard Cross being one of the teams. He's since quit the business, which sucks, as I think a lot of guys who really saw him work could tell you he was very gifted. Regardless, we were eliminated first. The match went very well, we worked mostly with a team called the Gameboyz. Think Dunn & Marcos obsessed with NES, for all you smarks. It was an experience, if nothing else. The match recieved match of the night, but it was also on a show with lots of guys who weren't trained well or at all, so take that with a grain of salt.
3.) MIWC: In less than two years, you have gone from being trained to working for top notch promotions like Ring of Honor and most recently, Combat Zone Wrestling.....what's it like working for these promotions?
AS: It's a blast. The fans over there are so much more appreciative than the fans here. The CZW fans are more action junkies, but I've yet to work there and not had an "Alex Shelley" chant before I've even locked up. The ROH fans are so, so educated. They appreciate the smallest things, it's great. I can chain wrestle there, and that will get a bigger pop than a powerbomb. I really enjoy working for both companies tons, and they both put out great products.
4.) MIWC: Many on the local scene have said you've become extremely cocky since you started working for Ring of Honor, care to answer your critics?
AS: Meh, not really. I don't think I have, but that's me. Everyone's entitled to their opinions. Honestly, there's a handful of people in Michigan whom I really like and respect the opinions of. The rest? Like I said, meh.
5.) MIWC: Now onto the local scene, what is the truth on the rumored ''contracts" that IWF asked wrestlers to sign this summer? Rumors said they prevented local wrestlers from wrestling for other groups. Does this explain why you only work for IWF?
AS: Sure does. Basically, I wasn't happy with where I was in IWR. It was kind of a stagnant roll, and honestly, I kept getting hurt in their ring. At the same time, Scott D'amore told me Huck would be interested in using me, so I figured what the hell. Besides, I rarely work in Michigan anyways, so I figured a change of scenery would be kinda cool. I'd also like to point out I do work for XICW as well though, so that's TWO places in the mitten state that looks like it's punching Canada.
6.) MIWC: What is your opinion on the current state of the Michigan Independents?
AS: Honestly, I don't think very highly of it. I do think it's a very good place to start off. There's lots of places here to work pretty regularly. I do think there's a handful of good workers here too, but for the most part, I think if one really wants to develop and learn, you've gotta get out. I've heard others who kind of know Michigan say it's "the blind leading the blind". I'd agree with that in some cases. Furthermore, the top talent just does not come through here. Would I have wrestled Hamrick, Mamaluke, Ace Steel, Cabana, Hero, B-Boy, any of those guys if I stuck around? Nope.
7.) MIWC: Compare and contrast all of the Michigan Independents.
AS: We've got XICW. I love working there, just because I really enjoy having the freedom to do whatever, tagging with Jaimy Coxxx, being a Fun Lovin' Criminal, etc. I get to work some fun guys there that I don't elsewhere, like Frankie, Silas Young, Gavin, and so on. I like it. Now if only we could get a new building. There's IWF. I like IWF because they bring in such a wide variety of guys. It's always cool to see J.C. Bailey on a show, 'cos I usually only get to hang out with him in IWA Mid-South. They really do try and freshen up the roster. It reminds me a lot of IWA Mid-South actually. I like working for Huck a lot though. There's Max Pro. Oh wait. No there's not. Um, there's IWR. IWR really could've been pretty cool, I think. If you look at the talent they had a year ago, they had a TNA guy, two ROH/CZW guys, a WWE guy, Breyer, Nate, and Truth. I mean, pretty loaded roster with those guys. They just never put out the best workrate matches. They revolve very highly around storylines, which is hit or miss in indy wrestling. The whole punk rock thing could've added to it. But hey, what happens happens. Then there's AWWL and MMWA, which I've never worked for.
8.) MIWC: Now, as everyone has known for about the past year you have wrestled Jimmy Jacobs for MANY different promotions. After about 30 matches, are you sick and tired of wrestling him? What are your favorite matches from this extended series?
AS: We're at 37 this year, I believe. Sick and tired? Hells no. If I could wrestle one person for the rest of my life, it'd probably be Jimmy Jacobs. Favorite matches? Hair vs. Boot Hair I liked that the most, I think, just because it was uber unique. 30 Minute Iron Man Match really put us on the map, and we also had a match for IWC out of Pittsburgh in August that was real good. First match of our Best of 7 Series that's currently underway was really different and mat based.
9.) MIWC: On many different occasions, you have been touted as "The Prospect," where did that nickname come from?
AS: I honestly could not tell you. It started at IWR somehow. I thought "The Prospect, huh? Should I be a gold miner now?
10.) MIWC: How did "The Next" nickname come about? Did Bryer Wellington give it to you before he moved away?
AS: He sure did. He almost gave me the jacket too. Man, that'd have ruled. But Ian Rotten was getting on me about a nickname. He always compares me to Tom "Reckless Youth" Carter, which is very flattering, and said I should use "The Prodigy". There's already been plenty of those though, and I figured using "The Next" would be a fitting tribute to Breyer. After all, if it weren't for him, I'd still be wrestling The Suicycos or something. He really got the ball rolling for me.
11.) MIWC: On to WWE, what is it like to see your buddy Zach Gowen working for World Wrestling Entertainment?
AS: When he's actually on TV, it's great! I know he's making some good money now and he's enjoying himself, so I'm really very happy for him. Besides, he's learning from guys we both considered idols almost, and that's invaluable.
12.) MIWC: In your opinion, what is the current state of WWE?
AS: Honestly, I don't watch it, so I could not tell you. They sure do have lots of jacked up looking guys in trunks though.
13.)MIWC: NWA-TNA?
AS: Again, I don't watch it. I just know what Legend, Sabin, D'amore, and Sonjay tell me. Seems like they've got some good stuff coming on the horizon, with action figures and video games and what not.
MIWC: Word Association Time......
MIWC: Zach Gowen
AS: C'monnnnn.
MIWC: "The Future" Chris Sabin
AS: Poop and pee at the auction sale.
MIWC: "The Real" N8 Mattson
AS: Got new pants. I enjoy Nates stuff a lot, and I think he's a great worker. He just needs some more exposure so everyone else knows it.
MIWC: Jimmy Jacobs
AS: Huss. Actually, Zach, Sabin, Jimmy and I are all around the same age, and for the past year or so, I've basically just treated them like brothers.
MIWC: Truth Martini
AS: You can't handle the truth. Truth is one of my best friends and he taught me tons about the business. I hope he stays healthy this year, seeing as it really could be a big breakout year for him.
MIWC: Scott D' Amore
AS: Taught me how to wrestle more realistically. Looks out for me as much as he can too. Scott's the best.
MIWC: Ring of Honor
AS: Code of Honor. Lotsa fun, and man. Some good workers there.
MIWC: Combat Zone Wrestling
AS: Good workers here too. CZW's the coolest and treats us very well.
MIWC: Michigan Indy Wrestling Central (LOL)
AS: Central Wrestling Indy Michigan
MIWC: Well Alex, that about wraps it up. Any shout-outs, messages to fans, or plugs?
AS: I'd like to shout out to the numerous gangs I'm in. The Team, Boys of Summer, and that other one with Nate Webb, B.J., Nigel, Candido, and Sandman. Also, check out my website.
MIWC: Thanks Alex!
