Interview with Joey Cabibbo
Written by: Jeff Wilen, Sports Writer
Professional wrestling visits The Coliseum on Saturday, August 22.
Last Friday, I spoke by phone with owner/promoter Joey Cabibbo. Here’s the interview:
http://blogs.three8six.com/jawbreaker/2009/08/interview-with-joey-cabibbo.html
Q: Tell us about PWF and NWA Midwest — a short history recap and how long it has been around.
A: “The NWA is the oldest governing body in wrestling. They run the NWA in the Midwest. The guy who runs it is Ed Chuman. He’s been in the business for 30 years. We ended up becoming friends and have worked and co-promoted PWF since May 3, 2008. This past May we celebrated our one-year anniversary and I believe we partnered up in March 2009. We co-promoted events under the NWA banner. We’re good, clean fun. We use national talent and guys that have been to Puerto Rico, WWE, etc. All of our wrestlers are good and in shape and are seasoned wrestlers. We put on a real good show.”
Q: Wrestling has a huge history in Daytona Beach, with the Peabody Auditorium and the Ocean Center for starters. How did you settle on The Coliseum?
A: “We wanted to make our way to Daytona Beach because of the rich wrestling history. And it’s a beautiful place. The place (The Coliseum) is absolutely gorgeous. It was a no-brainer. We have the capability to have big projector screens, smokes and laser lights. It’s a Roman motif where you have a built-in set and entrances to the side. It seems like it’s built for wrestling. I’m originally from West Palm Beach (and hadn’t been there before).”
Q: I’m not quite sure, so I’ll ask: What, if any, history does The Coliseum have with wrestling?
A: “I don’t know if it has been there before.”
Q: Any insight as to how things will be set up at The Coliseum?
A: “The ring will be set up in the middle of the dance floor pushed toward the stage. There’s a screen where the heroes and a screen where the villains will come out and a big screen. We have a national show coming out in October. I’m hoping to utilize the screens and lasers as much as possible. I believe we can fit about 800 fans. We just drew 850 (150 comps) and had to turn away 100 or so in Temple Terrace on August 1. We’re going back there September 5. We’re going to have more of a risque show.”
Q: Risque? Do tell.
A: “This will be a test to see what kind of crowd I’m dealing with. I’m not opposed to doing a hardcore match or a bikini match. We might even have a cage match. We can definitely do that.”
Q: Might even have Awesome Kong in a bikini?
A: (Laughs, joking he’d have to double her take-home pay).
Q: Besides this interview, what kind of advertising are you doing to promote your show?
A: “We’ve done 44 commercials on all the wrestling programs. We’re doing radio on the Vibe. There will be posters around town. And then there’s The Coliseum advertising. The promotion is more than we usually do for shows.”
Q: Fans likely recognize some names on your card. Tell us about the champ The Sheik and any other wrestlers of note.
A: “The Sheik is our PWF Champion. Chris Jones is our Florida Junior Champion. We have a tag-title match with the Shane Twins vs. The Dark City Fight Club. We have Prince Iaukea from the Power Plant. He has seen it all and done it all. We have Awesome Kong — TNA’s biggest wrestler in the world. Kizarny (from WWE) will be there, along with Too Cold Scorpio.”
Q: Anything else you would like to add?
A: “You’re going to see national wrestling stars. Come out and have a good time.”
Thanks for your time, Joey.
FAST FACTS
What: Pro Wrestling Fusion and NWA Midwest present “Beach Street Bash.”
Address: 176 North Beach Street, Daytona Beach
Doors open: 7 p.m.
Show starts: 8 p.m.
General admission tickets: $10
THE CARD
1. Florida Heavyweight Title Match: Too Cold Scorpio vs. PWF Florida Heavyweight Champion The Sheik.
2. Contenders Match: Francisco Ciatso vs. Steve Madison.
3. First Time Ever Special Challenge Match: Prince Iaukea vs. King Kong Fu.
4. First Time Woman in Fusion Woman’s Special Attraction: Sumie Sakai vs. Awesome Kong.
5. First Time Ever Colossal Tag Team Match: Dark City Fight Club vs. The Shane Twins.
6. First Time Ever Special Challenge Match: Dagon vs. PWF Florida Junior Heavyweight Champion Chris Jones.
7. Fusion Debut of Sinn: SiNN BoDHi (Kizarny in WWE) vs. Tommy Taylor.
Card subject to change.
Professional Wrestling Sanctioned by the National Wrestling Alliance
For more information, call 813-960-8412 or visit www.prowrestlingfusion.com
