Current KSWA Heavyweight Champion Shawn Blanchard is a force to be reckoned with throughout the independent scene. The 6’ 230# fan of Ric Flair who feels adversity introduces a man to himself is a testament to that very statement. Overcoming adversity, recognizing the true form or professional wrestling is to know the crowd and how to work them is Blanchard’s biggest asset.
Blanchard spoke with The Worm just prior to the big KSWA New Years Knockout being held this coming Saturday, January 23 at the Lawrenceville Moose Lodge in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The main event will be the Battle Bowl II with contracts for all three KSWA titles on the line including the heavyweight title, the Golden Triangle title and the tag team titles. Ali Kaida faces Mike Malachi in an Afghanistan Strap Match, the tag titles are on the line as champions Violence Inc. battle the V.I.P.s and also appearing is the legendary Lord Zoltan. You can learn more by visiting the KSWA website here.
Your dream match would be?
I would love to have had the chance to wrestle guys like Ric Flair, Blackjack Mulligan, Gino Hernandez & Terry Gordy. There are others but these guys really stand out to me.
Who is someone you always like to watch wrestle?
Ric Flair, Blackjack Mulligan, Gino Hernandez, Terry Gordy, Buddy Roberts, The Masked Superstar
As a promoter, who would you put in the ring for your money match?
Ricky Steamboat vs Ric Flair
Do you think tag team wrestling is a lost art?
150% agree with that. There are no pure tag teams anymore. It is guys put together for no reason. But I do have to give credit to Beer Money in TNA. Those 2 guys work very well together and are throw back. But there will never be tag teams like The Andersons, Freebirds, Midnight Express and Rock n Roll Express
If you got the call from New York, would you change your gimmick?
The can save that call. I would never want to work for WWE. They are everything I am against in this biz. There is no money total that would make me sell out and want to work there.
Do you think wrestling needs to make titles mean something again?
Yes title belts do not mean anything. They are just a prop. I take pride when I hold a title for a promotion.
You own a promotion, who are your first five workers hired?
If I owned a promotion today I would want Randy Orton, AJ Styles, Shawn Michaels, Ric Flair and I hate to say it but Hulk Hogan
What is the craziest match you have ever done?
I really haven't been in any crazy matches.
Do you prefer hardcore, traditional or a mix of the two in your matches? Traditional Wrestling!!!!!
Besides yourself, who is the best ever to step into the ring? Ric Flair
Who is your favorite opponent?
I have 2 guys. 1. Anthony Alexander we work good together. We worked a few 30 min. time limit draw matches. The fans were into it the whole time. In this day and age that is hard. Some fans like to watch quick and to the point matches. 2. Demolition Ax (Bill Eadie)....First class human and great wrestler.
If you could change one thing about the business, what would it be?
To get the biz back the way it was before Vinnie Mac ruined it with sports entertainment
Does wrestling need a union?
No
What drew you into the wrestling business?
The year was 1981 I turned on TBS and saw Ric Flair and Gordon Solie and said that day I want to be a pro wrestler.
As always I am Jerry Wiseman...and then the bell rings.
Comments
Great interview with a top name in Pennsylvania independent wrestling. Shawn Blanchard's time-limit draw with Anthony Alexander was two wrestlers in their prime.
It was also tremendous to see Shawn wrestle Demolition Ax. Shawn and his tag team partner, Lou Martin, lost the KSWA Tag Team Championships to Demolition (Ax and Smash) last October in a great match. But Shawn is still the KSWA Heavyweight Champion.
Thanks again for the interview. Keep up the good work!
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