On a recent edition of the “Tru Heel Heat Wrestling” podcast, Josh Alexander discussed his NJPW debut at Monday’s Destruction In Ryogoku event.
You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:
On his debut with NJPW: “I don’t know how I put it into words because I’m so excited. I’m a guy I don’t get super excited with anything especially in wrestling because you always feel you’re gonna get let down somehow. But Japanese wrestling is something I discovered when I was 15 years old. At the same time I discovered TNA/IMPACT Wrestling, Ring of Honor, all these other companies, you know. That’s just when the birth of the internet came in and I discovered all these things. And it blew me away. Just like the focus on the in-ring style and the stuff they were putting on was something that evaded me for nearly 18 years in this business. I’ve never traveled to Japan, so when I finally got to do New Japan STRONG over the last few years, it was always spoken of, ‘oh, we need to get you to Japan.’ And I was just like, ‘you guys just let me know.’”
On when he found out about it: “It’s just a waiting game and then finally, I was at, do you guys know what a splash pad is? It’s like an outdoor park where it’s a water park without slides and stuff like that. You can take your kids there on hot days, so they can enjoy themselves in a waiting pool and stuff like that. And I had my sons at the splash pad just hanging out on a sunny summer day and got an email that we need this information from you for this, this and this because you’re coming to New Japan. And I was just like, ‘what?’ Like this came out of nowhere, you just check your email inbox and a few weeks later, the match gets announced. And you’re just like, ‘this is the first match that I get to compete in when I come to Japan, New Japan.’ So you know I’m very excited as a pro wrestler, as a wrestling fan because you know I’ve been lucky enough to be in the ring before with one of my favorite Japanese wrestlers, Tomohiro Ishii, but to get in there with, you know, The Ace (Hiroshi Tanahashi) and Okada at the same time, it’s a hell of a way to debut. So I’m gonna make the best of it, show up at New Japan Sumo Hall for my very first show and I intend on making a statement. Do more of what I’ve always done in the past few years and that’s put all eyes on me and all eyes on IMPACT Wrestling at the same time.”
On a recent edition of the “I Just Wanna Talk To Friends” podcast, Serpentico offered his thoughts on working as a producer for AEW.
Serpentico explained the duties he has to carry out regularly and detailed the process of transitioning into a backstage role. He said,
“We get with talent before the show and talk about whatever match we have. My job is to give the best ideas and present the best idea possible for TV and advance whatever story we have going on. While they are wrestling, I’m on a headset in the back talking to the production crew, the camera, the director, telling them, ‘this is going to happen soon, this might happen next,’ trying to get the best shots and cameras angles and also timing the show. I have direct feed to the referee and they have direct contact to the wrestlers, so we all have communication. I also have contact with Tony [Tony Khan], who is right next to us, giving play-by-play or advice on something he wants to see and we go from there. I usually do that two or three times a night depending on how big the show is. Now, we have more coaches than before, so it’s less hectic and we can spread the wealth more. It’s an aspect of the business I started doing last October [October 2022] and it’s a blast. I always wanted to have a ‘what’s next?’ in wrestling, I never wanted to wrestle and go, ‘I’m done…now what do I do?’ I wanted to be able to transition into something after I’m done wacking my head, and that’s the perfect avenue. I can still get my creative stuff out of my idea that way. I have ideas that just don’t work for me, Angelico, or Luther. ‘Hey, how about you try this. We can’t do it, see if it works for your character, fits the matches, fits the storyline.’ It’s very rewarding.”
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Josh Alexander, a professional wrestler, recently made his debut with New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) at the Destruction In Ryogoku event. In a podcast interview, he expressed his excitement and gratitude for the opportunity to wrestle in Japan.
For Alexander, Japanese wrestling has always been a significant influence on his career. He discovered it when he was 15 years old, along with other promotions like TNA/IMPACT Wrestling and Ring of Honor. The focus on in-ring style and the quality of matches in Japanese wrestling impressed him and shaped his own wrestling style.
Despite never having traveled to Japan before, Alexander had been part of New Japan STRONG in recent years, which paved the way for his eventual debut in NJPW. He mentioned that there had always been discussions about him wrestling in Japan, but it was a waiting game until he received an email confirming his participation. The news came as a surprise to him while he was spending time with his children at a splash pad.
Alexander expressed his excitement about his first match in Japan, where he would be facing top Japanese wrestlers like Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kazuchika Okada. He intends to make a statement and showcase his skills, not only for himself but also for IMPACT Wrestling, the promotion he represents.
In another podcast interview, Serpentico, a wrestler working for All Elite Wrestling (AEW), discussed his role as a producer for the company. He explained that his responsibilities include collaborating with talent before the show to discuss match ideas and storylines. During the matches, he communicates with the production crew, camera operators, and directors to ensure the best shots and camera angles. He also coordinates with the referee and has direct contact with Tony Khan, the owner of AEW, for play-by-play commentary or advice.
Serpentico finds working as a producer rewarding and fulfilling. It allows him to channel his creativity and contribute to the overall production of the show. Transitioning into a backstage role has given him a sense of purpose beyond his in-ring career and ensures a smooth transition for his future in wrestling.
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In conclusion, Josh Alexander’s debut with NJPW and Serpentico’s role as a producer for AEW highlight the diverse opportunities available to professional wrestlers. These experiences not only allow them to showcase their skills but also contribute to the overall production and success of the wrestling industry.