INTERVIEW: With IPW:UK Debutant, Sabian
Published
My Interview with current CZW Best of the best winner; Â’Black JesusÂ’ Sabian - by Oliver Newman
Oliver Newman: Can you give the readers who a little unfamiliar with Â’Black JesusÂ’ Sabian, a little background information on yourself?
Sabian: I'm from Philly (Philadelphia), I started wrestling in February 2000 but it was really off and on until about 2003 when I really started to take it more seriously. I wrestle mostly on the East Coast, I've also wrestled in Alaska, Indiana, Illinois, Mississippi, Alabama, West Virginia, Ohio and Florida. I also wrestle frequently in Canada. I've also been fortunate enough to wrestle in Italy and most recently, Spain. I'm really looking forward to wrestling in the UK and hopefully this will be the first of many successful trips over there.
ON: Were you a wrestling fan growing up if so who were some of your favourite wrestlers to watch?
S: I've been a wrestling fan my whole life and my favourites were always, Eddie Guerrero, Jushin Â’ThunderÂ’ Liger, Ultimo Dragon, Rey Mysterio Jr, Juventud Guerrera, Owen Hart, Shinjiro Ohtani, Dean Malenko, Brian Pillman and Great Muta.
ON: Was there a defining moment/match when you thought I want to be a Professional Wrestler?
S: Definitely when I got into watching old New Japan, like the Super J Cup '95. I don't think there has been anything that has ever been better than that tournament. Japanese wrestling always had me wanting to be a pro wrestler. Also, when the Cruiserweights were doing their thing in WCW. Watching old ECW got me hyped up wanting to be a wrestler too.
ON: When did you start training to be a Wrestler and which Wrestling School did you go to?
S: I started training in October ‘99, I didn't go to a well-known school, I got trained at a place in Philly called Hawkins. I've had many trainers and mentors over the years such as, Gemini, Sebastian Rose, Jerry Schaffer, Ron Starr, Mercury. I started going to seminars held by Mike Quackenbush and Skayde. I would say that I'm very well rounded and can easily adapt to ANY style of pro wrestling. Also, not being trained at a well known school or by bigger named people, made me work harder, kept me humble and made me appreciate the things that I have accomplished so far in my career.
I've also had the pleasure of being mentored by one of the greats of our business, Afa The Wild Samoan as well as his entire family. Most recently, I wrestled for Rikishi's place in Spain (N.W.E.), which was the greatest experience I've had in my career thus far. Just being around and learning from guys that have been EVERYWHERE and accomplished so much, one of whom was Big Vito, who I learned a lot from while I was there, he really motivated me and made me understand even more about the business than I already did.
ON: You've given Tony Nitro, Jerry Schaffer, Mike Quackenbush and Jorge Rivera credit for your training as a pro wrestler, can you tell the readers which aspects of pro wrestling your trainers taught you?
S: I learned the basics from Tony Nitro and Jerry Schaffer and I learned Lucha Libre from Quack and Jorge Rivera.
ON: Can you talk the readers through your 1st day of training?
S: Well, it was so long ago that I don't really remember it but I'm sure I was excited, anxious and thought that I was going to be some big star overnight but, it didn't happen that way.
ON: A three-part question, how long were you training before your first match, who did you wrestle in that first match and what are your personal thoughts on the match?
S: I was training for four months before I wrestled for the first time and it was against Ron Starr, O Dogg, Deakon Frost and another guy whose name I don't remember, I just remember that he was deaf. At the time, I probably thought it was the best match ever but that's how we all are at that stage.
ON: The first milestone of your career came on August 5th 2000 when you defeated
Insayashi for the HPW Junior Heavyweight title, what are your personal thoughts on this achievement?
S: Back then, I thought it was pretty cool; really just being able to go out there and wrestle was cool enough though.
ON: Your big break came when you joined Combat Zone Wrestling in September 2003, how did this come about?
S: I was training down at their school on a regular basis and when the show came up, John Zandig decided to throw us on. After that, we were in CZW fulltime.
ON: June 12th 2004 must be a day that lives long in the memory as this was the day you and Ruckus (Blackout) defeated the H8 Club (Nick Gage & Nate Hatred) to win the CZW Tag Team Titles, what are you personal thoughts on the match and the achievement?
S: I thought that the match served its purpose. It was a big achievement being in there with CZW's top and most popular team at the time. That was the start of something really big for Blackout. We pretty much took over and did our thing month after month after that.
ON: Memories of the Cage of Death War Games match you had (Blackout vs. Team Cash) in December 2004?
S: It still stands out as one my favourite matches I've ever had. We all wanted to prove that we could put on the best and most exciting match in Cage Of Death history and I still think that's been the best Cage Of Death match since.
ON: You then joined Chikara pro, and your first high profile singles match in Chikara was against Chris Hero, what are your thoughts on this match?
S: I liked the match; I think him and me had instant chemistry in the ring. Plus, it would be really hard to have a bad match with him.
ON: Also in August 2006 you participated in a WWE Tryout session at Wild
Samoan Training Centre in Pennsylvania, thoughts on this experience?
S: It was good experience and I got feedback on the things that I needed to work on.
ON: In February 2007 for Chikara you participated in a Trios Tournament
with Ruckus and Joker against Alex Shelley/Chris Sabin/Sonjay Dutt. Thoughts on the concept, opponents and match?
S: Chikara's tournaments are always exciting and worthwhile. Sonjay, Shelley and
Sabin are three of the top Junior Heavyweights in the world and it was great to get in there and work with them.
ON: Thoughts on your series of matches with Lufisto for the CZW Junior Heavyweight Title, how was if different fighting a woman and thoughts on the matches?
S: I had good matches with Lufisto. It might have been different fighting a woman if it was a different woman but Lufisto is better and tougher than a lot of men out there.
ON: Who came up with the nickname "Black Jesus", and is there a story behind it?
S: Jon Dahmer came up with the name and I decided to just run with it.
ON: Thoughts on being the current CZW Best of the Best Winner, thoughts on tournament, legacy and achievement?
S: This was something that I was striving for, ever since I have been in CZW. I missed the tournament the year before because of a broken ankle and made it known that nothing was stopping me from winning it in 2008. I worked really hard and came back from a broken jaw and finally became Best Of The Best.
ON: What goal/s do you hope to accomplish before your career ends?
S: I hope to finally get the opportunity to wrestle in Japan and hopefully sign a contract with a major company.
ON: What is the worst injury of your career thus far?
S: My worst injury was a broken jaw. That was the longest and most depressing 8 weeks of my life!
ON: Biggest match/es to date and thoughts on them?
S: My biggest matches were in Spain against great wrestlers like Ultimo Dragon, Juventud Guerrera and Big Vito. I think that I did well considering these are three guys that have been everywhere and accomplished so much in their careers. I learned so much from all three of them particularly Vito and being in there with them has made me a better wrestler.
ON: Do you have a favourite Wrestling promotion/s to watch in 2009?
S: No favourites I just try to watch a little bit of everything.
ON: Favourite Wrestler/Wrestlers now you're in the Industry?
S: I just watch a little bit of everybody's stuff, especially if I know that I'm going to be working with them soon.
ON: Thoughts on 'The Wrestler' movie and your cameo in it?
S: I Finally saw it and it was better than I thought it would be. That's right, a cameo, I'm a movie star now. Blk Jeez is taking over Hollyhood!
ON: Sabian vs. Who in a Dream Match?
S: Jushin Â’ThunderÂ’ Liger
ON: Any websites, you'd like to mention?
S: My myspace, which is, www.myspace.com/blkjesus1099.
ON: Any final words for the readers?
S: Fans in England, if you're not familiar with the Blk Jeez, get ready. Because once I get to the UK, I'm going to be tearing it up just like IÂ’ve been doing over here in the states for years. Killadelphia's fest is coming your way!!
‘Black Jesus’ Sabian is coming to the UK for IPW:UK this coming Wednesday 18th February 2009!
IPW:UK Live 18/02/09 - 22/02/09 - Season Ticket Adult
1x
Adult Admission ticket for each of the IPW:UK events 18th-22nd February
2009 (18th - Chatham; 19th - Selsey; 20th - Birmingham; 21st - Bognor;
22nd - Portsmouth)
(Including free DVD featuring: Hade Vansen vs.
Spud, Dave Moralez vs. Martin Stone & IPW:UK Title Lumberjack
Match: JC Thunder vs. Aviv Maayan)
Price : £48.00
18th - Chatham, Kent.
Date: Wednesday, February 18th, 2009
Venue: The Tap 'n' Tin, Chatham, Kent
Ticket PriceS: £8.00 (over 18's only)
IPW:UK Title Match
-'The Irresistible' Iestyn Rees (w/ 'Gentleman' Gilligan Gordon) © [4th defence] vs. 'The Guvnor' Martin Stone [former champion]
Return of the Dragon
-CZW Best of the Best Â’Black JesusÂ’ Sabian vs. Luke 'Dragon' Phoenix
Tag Team Challenge
- The Leaders vs. ???
- Big Vito vs. Debuting Kurrupt
MC: 'Hardcore' John Atkins
Featuring: Former WWE Superstars AL SNOW, VITO, Sky One's Gladiator: Nick 'OBLIVION' Aldis & more.
GET TICKETS NOW: www.ipwuk.com/chatham
19th - Selsey, West Sussex
Date: Thursday, February 19th, 2009
Venue: Bunn Leisure - West Sands Holiday Park, Selsey, Chichester, West Sussex, PO20 9BH
Event: IPW:UK Live In Selsey
Ticket PriceS: £6.00–£20.00
MC: ‘Sweet’ Stevie Aaron
- 'The Human Hate Machine' Dave Moralez vs. 'The Star Attraction' Mark Haskins
-'The Toughest Guy To Wear A Dress' Big Vito vs. Ricky Hype (w/ Gilligan Gordon)
IPW:UK Tag Title Match
-
The Thrillers (Joel Redman & Doug Basham w/ 'Gentleman' Gilligan
Gordon) © vs. The Iron Lions (Andy Boy Simmonz & James Tighe)
- Marty Scurll vs. Â’Black JesusÂ’ Sabian
FEAT:
Former WWE Superstars AL SNOW, VITO, CZW Best of the Best Sabian, Luke
'Dragon' Phoenix, Sky One's Gladiator: Nick 'OBLIVION' Aldis & more.
GET TICKETS NOW: www. ipwuk. com/selsey
20th - Birmingham, West Midlands
Date: Friday, February 20th, 2009
Venue: Aston University Students Guild, Aston, Birmingham
Event: IPW:UK Live in association with AWW
Ticket PriceS: £8.00–£15.00
MC: ‘Sweet’ Stevie Aaron
- Former WWE Superstar Al Snow vs. 'The Sadistic' Jack Storm
David vs. Goliath
- 'The Big O' Nick 'Oblivion' Aldis vs. Spud
The Machine vs. The Human Hate Machine
- Doug Basham vs. Dave Moralez
Special Challenge Match
- The Leaders (Marty Scurll & Zack Sabre Jr) vs. The Thrillers (Mark Haskins & Joel Redman)
PluS: Former WWE Superstars AL SNOW & VITO, Sky One's Gladiator: CZW Best of the Best Sabian & more.
GET TICKETS NOW: www. ipwuk. com/birmingham
21st - Bognor Regis, West Sussex
Date: Saturday, February 21st, 2009
Venue: The Arun Leisure Centre, Bognor Regis, West Sussex
Event: IPW:UK Live In Selsey, West Sussex
Ticket PriceS: £6.00–£20.00
Time to go to war again:
- Martin Stone vs. 'The Hired Gun' Doug Basham
Special Attraction
- The Thrillers (Rees & Hype) vs. Former WWE Stars Al Snow & Vito
- Leroy Kincaide vs. Mark Haskins
Bognor Brawl Tag Team Challenge:
- The Bognor Brothers (Will & Ed) vs. LT Summers & ??
- Andy Boy Simmonz vs. Â’Black JesusÂ’ Sabian
MC: ‘Sweet’ Stevie Aaron
PluS:
Former WWE Superstars AL SNOW, DOUG BASHAM & VITO, CZW Best of the
Best Sabian, Sky One's Gladiator: Nick 'OBLIVION' Aldis, Luke 'Dragon'
Phoenix & more.
GET TICKETS NOW: www. ipwuk. com/bognor
22nd Portsmouth, Hampshire
Date: Saturday, February 22nd, 2009
Venue: Liquid Nightclub, Portsmouth, Hampshire
Ticket PriceS: £6.00–£15.00 (suitable for all the family!!!)
-Special Challenge Match
'The Ladies Man' LT Summers vs. Former WWE Star Al Snow
- Undisputed Tag Team Championship
The Firm (Martin Stone & Leroy Kincaide) vs. The Thrillers (Doug Basham & Joel Redman)
- Battle of the breakouts
Luke 'Dragon' Phoenix vs. 'The Star Attraction' Mark Haskins
Andy Boy Simmonz vs. Â’Physical SpecimenÂ’ Joel Redman
- Best of The Best vs. The Specialist
CZW's Best of The Best Sabian vs. Mark 'The Specialist' Sloan
MC: 'Sweet Stevie Aaron'
RefereeS: Chris Roberts & Tommy Stevens
Featuring: Former WWE Superstar VITO, Sky One's Gladiator: Nick 'OBLIVION' Aldis & more.
GET TICKETS NOW: www. ipwuk. com/portsmouth
Overall Thoughts: I approached Sabian when I knew he was debuting for IPW:UK in the UK this year with the hope of publicising his debut tour.
Thankfully he agreed and together we have worked on a great interview which will hopefully give those who donÂ’t know about him a lot more information and those who do some information they have never heard before. Sabian was a fantastic interviewee and I wish him the best of luck with his upcoming UK tour and I wish him the best of luck for the rest of his (what I hope) is a long and prosperous career.
Thanks for taking the time to read my work, to see more of it head across to: http://blog.myspace.com/brummieol
Oliver Newman