[Hello Wrestling fans, this is "The Professor" Matt Burns. On June 25th, 2011 Power Pro Wrestling based out of Sanford, NC suspended, some say, closed its doors as it said good bye to the wrestling fans that were entertained by this great promotion. On February 25th, 2012 Power Pro Wrestling returns to Sanford, NC at the National Guard Armory with it's event "The Boys Are Back In Town". I have the pleasure and honor to interview the man behind Power Pro Wrestling; Your hardcore Hero, Dick Foley. Dick Foley; former Power Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Champion, Tag Team Champion, & Internet Champion. He has been Power Wrestling Commissioner and Power Pro Wrestling Owner. He has been loved, he has been hated but everyone agrees that Dick Foley, is the genius behind the promotion that many say set the standard. He created Power Pro Wrestling Talk, an internet wrestling talk show which began on Blogtalk radio and included co-hosts Mark James, DJ Slash and Big Daddy Hess aka Michael Devine. He was the first promoter in North Carolina to broadcast live Power Pro Wrestling events on Ustream. Love him,hate him; Dick Foley is truly a mastermind.]
Matt Burns: Dick Foley, it is truly, truly an honor to interview you for Wrestling Reporters. I want to get right to it. You and I spoke days after your decision to close the doors of Power Pro Wrestling. For those who didn't know; why did you make the decision to end Power Pro Wrestling? And how tough was that decision to make?
Dick Foley: Wow, starting off with a tough one to begin with...Closing the doors of Power Pro Wrestling was not an easy choice by far, in fact, I didn't tell anyone one I was doing it due to the fact of I know I would have been tried to be talked out of it...One thing people close to me know is, I am headstrong and usually when I make a decission I can't be swayed. Several reasons why played into the decision but I guess the top reasons were...I had just started a new company and I wanted to be able to devote my time and energy to that...I had just turned 50 and wanted to spend more time with my wife and family...A new granddaughter...and I believed PPW had run it's course in Sanford. We ran in Sanford/Carthage and did 3 fair shows a year for 6 years, I guess we did somewhere around 300 shows in that time...That is alot of shows, we had done just about everything and anything a wrestling company can do. It was a privilege and honor to entertain and wrestle for Sanford, Carthage, Seagrove, Dunn, Siler City, Southern Pines, Rockingham and our beach shows at Suck Bang Blow "Myrtle Beach and North River in North Myrtle Beach.
Matt Burns: I mentioned that you closed the doors of Power Pro Wrestling, I guess technically, you suspended regular operations, since PPW ran several fair shows. My next question is this. Besides doing the fair shows what has Dick Foley been doing?
Dick Foley: We did our fairwell show June 25th 2011, it was a great show, my brother who I had not seen in 10 years came in from Tennessee to be apart of the show, and it was a very emotional show to say the least. as far as the fair shows, I had already agreed to do the shows and we just held up our end of the contract and yes the shows were as always "Great" As far as what has Dick Foley been doing? We moved from Sanford to East Bend NC, a town a little NW of Winston Salem, Working on building the new company and honestly missing my friends and fans of the wrestling business.
Matt Burns: Thinking back on the long and I would say, prominent history of Power Pro Wrestling, what are some of the moments in PPW history that you loved and the moments you disliked or had problems with?
Dick Foley: I personally don't think you have eneough space on your recording device there to record all the things I loved about PPW, but I will say this, I have said it before, I mostly treasue the friends I have made while running PPW, unless you are in this business, you cannot understand that answer. The Wrestlers and fans have been a big part of my life. I really never dreamed that me...doing this Dick Foley character would have been as successful as it has been, I guess with my natural personallity and the Mick Foley image...Dick Foley was and is kinda special, and I see that look on your face...not that kind of special either. The fans loved this character and I think with all the talent past and present, WE, and I said WE made PPW what it was. As far as dislikes...we didn't have alot of problems, but what problems we did have were handled quickly and that saved face with alot of boys and girls in the locker room. We had some talent to get upset and leave, mainly because things didn't go their way...but guess who paid the bills? Some just ran their course with us, and there are others who are still a part of the PPW Family! I can say this the dividing line which was the curtain...everyone handled themselvels professionally once through the curtain, the back always took care of itself and it's business as it needed to be.
Matt Burns: When Power Pro fans last saw you in the ring in Sanford, you were one of many wrestlers in the gigantic and first ever gaunlet match for the Power Pro Wrestling Heavyweight title, where more than a dozen wrestlers that would become champion and former champions. You faced Scrapyard Dog, your old in ring rival. What were you thinking, what was going on in your head during that match, which was the last match...at that time...for Power Pro Wrestling?
Dick Foley: (laughing) 'ole Scrappy Dappy Doo, I just love that guy! Yes Scrap and I have literally beat the crap out of each other, I honestly can't think of us having a bad match until probally the last one, we were both so emotionally involved, we just didn't have it completely together, I remember I did not plan to wrestle that night, Mark James and the Fans made that match. We did it for them! but on the other hand I guess anytime you have a "Hardcore Match" and you can walk away, some things were done correctly. I was very emotional when the locker room emptied and came to the ring for the final moments of PPW, I will never forget that.
Matt Burns: So here is THE question, Dick. Why or rather...What made you...what prompted you to bring Power Pro Wrestling back?
Dick Foley: Stupidity???? maybe I didn't learn my lesson the first time? No..well if you have ever been in a wrestling ring, and heard the boo's or cheers, this business gets in your blood and your life. I am the type of person who has to have something going on all the time, if not I go nuts and usually risk the chance of getting an ass beating from Mama-Kat (Jennifer my wife) and I rather have 10 hardcore matches a day with scrap than one with Mama-Kat!!!! She's Mean! My business was doing great, matter of fact Mark James and DJ Slash worked with me, we were doing great, building the business and making a little money...then the rug was pulled out from under our feet and we were out of business, we did nothing wrong, just the retail chain store we were working for decided to stop using outside vendors to assemble their products, this happened mid Oct 2011 and really killed Christmas for us. We all took new jobs, DJ is doing his photo career, Mark is working at a fitness center, and I took a job as a on-site manager for a staffing company...My schedule allows me off Fri-Sun, so I thought, New Town, New PPW, what the hell, lets give it a go one more Dicktime and see what happens, and most of all, I get to hang with my friends again and see the fans...I really missed that!
Matt Burns: What should the Power Pro Wrestling fans expect with the return of Power Pro Wrestling? Will things be like they were before or are there new things in store?
Dick Foley: Just how many more questions do you have there? I am getting paid for this right? Nah, just rib'n Ya...nevermind, as good as PPW was, NO things will not be as it was, some of the old faces will be a part of the new PPW which is now being called Power Pro Wrestling 24/7, make a note of that! My plans right now are to run 1 show a month, the 4th Saturdays, and having work with my good friend and promoter of CIW in Michigan, Nitro, I have had the honor to meed some great talent from up north which I plan to start using down here. Names such as Rhino, Kevin Thorn, Paul Bearer, Rosie, Zach Gowen, Nitro, Gideon Malace just to name a few. They all have showed an interest in working with PPW 24/7, We will be the same in the fact that we will have the best damn promotion once again, just gonna bring in some new faces and push the envelope just a little more...controversy sales...never forget that Mr Matt Burns.
Matt Burns: February 25, 2012 Power Pro returns to Sanford, NC in the National Guard Armory which has been titled "The Boys Are Back". This is a two part question. First, your thoughts on returning to Sanford, NC where PPW has a tremendous history? And second, Do you expect for that night to be as emotional for the fans, wrestlers and yourself as the farewell show was?
Dick Foley: I think every question you have asked me has been a two part question. There is no doubt that February 25th will be a special day..Ok Ok look at me one more time like that when I use the word special!!!!! May I continue now? We do have a big history in Sanford, and I thought it only fitting to start back where we left off. There are a couple tings different from when the fans last seen us in Sanford, Scrapyard Dog was Heavyweight Champion, now that big mouth Michael Devine is Champion, Scotty Mathews is still Internet Champion, but the shocker...Steven Strick and Nate Robers are Tag Team Champions??? What the hell happened there? As far as being emotional for the fan, I know it will be emotional for me, I am almost positive it will be emotional for the guys comming back, The Fans...I can only hope they are, we have been getting a good response from the fans on twitter and facebook. We will see...we will see!
Matt Burns: Besides all the PPW champions; The Youngbludz (Steven Strick and Nate Roberts) tag team champions, Scotty Mathews (Internet Champion) and Michael Devine (Heavyweight Champion) can you tell me and the fans who else will be on the card for "The Boys are Back"?
Dick Foley: One of the guys who has been with PPW 24/7 Caprice Coleman now has a contract with ROH (ring of honor) I am so proud and happy for him. Caprice and his Tag Team Partner Cedric Alexander will be our special guest that night, we do have the show poster on the website www.powerprowrestling247.com so you can see who else is on the show, This show was booked by me personally to find out where everyone stands with PPW 24/7 and the Fans...it will be a night you will not want to miss, I can promise you that, but Matt you can miss it if you want to!
Matt Burns: On March 31, 2012 Power Pro Wrestling goes to Winston-Salem for the very first time at the National Guard Armory for "You Just Got Licked" which will feature an appearance from Ronnie, Amy, Bobby and other members of Tru-TV's 'Lizard Lick Towing' reality show as well as seeing in-ring action Matt Hardy, from WWE and TNA. Another two parter for you, Dick. Why Winston-Salem? Second, everyone knows that you and the Hardys are close friends; but how did you come to meet the Lizard Lick crew?
Dick Foley: March 31st 2012...I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS SHOW!!! it is our first time running in what I will call a BIG CITY, usually we run small towns, they are usually a little easier to work up a show, but still being 2 months out from "You Just Got Licked" I haven't even made a scratch. It is a little scary, because I am a perfectionist when it comes to running shows, the possible turnout for this show is unreal, I keep wondering, is the building big eneough, should I look for something bigger, Will Winston Salem accept PPW 24/7, there are alot of other promotions running within 30-50 mile radius...some good, some not so good, and some even worse...but the country saying is "They Ain't Power Pro". I wanted to do something special at this show for the fans so I got hold of Matt Hardy and he was gracious eneough to want to be a part of this show. Who ever Matt's opponent will be will be in the fight of the lifetime, who will that be?...See that should have been one of your questions Mr Matt Burns..(Foley Shakes His Head...Dumb Ass..). Once again thanks to Matt Hardy for being a part of this show! As far as Lizard Lick Towing, Yes I have made some new friends. I met Ronnie, Amy Bobby and Big Juicy at a show I was booked on last year for Rob "Boogie Woogie Man" McBride "I hate guys who do gimmicks" I didn't even know they were gonna be there. I was truely surprised, Being a big fan of the show...yes I marked out...anyhow, me and Mark James were in a tag match and just beat the crap out of some backyarder..at intermission I went to get pics with the crew, and was walking around when Mama-Kat and I were approached by the producers of the show, and was asked if we would be interested in being on the show, they decided not to use Mama-Kat (said she was to nice...oh they have no clue) I was used and Season 2 Episode 5 is now in the history books. I spoke with Ronnie about being apart of our show when I started running again, and he said they would love too...so hence Lizard Lick Towing "You Just Got Licked" March 31st 2012 Winston Salem National Guard Armory...get your tickets online, can't promise any will be left at the door???
Matt Burns: Dick, I know you are very busy, so I will conclude this interview. I want to thank you for your time. Do you have any final words for the fans of Power Pro Wrestling and/or all the wrestling fans out there reading this interview?
Dick Foley: Thats Mr. Foley to you...and it's about time! No just kidding Thanks for having me...What can I say? I am excited about running again, new town, new faces, new product...I am going all out...if you think PPW was something special " watch that look" if you think PPW was something special before...You Have No Ideal what we are getting ready to do. Follow us on twitter www.twitter.com/dickfoley and facebook www.facebook.com/jimbofox60 and the website is www.powerprowrestling247.com Power Pro Wrestling 24/7 is back with a vengence!!!!
Matt Burns: Once again thank you Dick Foley. Fans for more information on Power Pro Wrestling events and dates go to PowerProWrestling247.com This is "The Professor" Matt Burns saying see you at the show.
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