IWC promotor Norm Connors

[Guest Dynamite Kido]

Norm Connors Interview

 

I wanted to introduce people on the ‘net to one of my favorite independent organizations in the IWC, or International Wrestling Cartel. I conducted the interview with their promoter Norm Connors on August 7th 2004 and here it is:

 

How did you actually get started in the business?

 

I actually started in wrestling when I was 19 years old. I started going to local indy shows and meeting the talent, promoters etc. First, I did the ring announcing route, with American Commonwealth Wrestling out of Harrisburg and a wrestling promotion out of Butler, PA that would run a few times a year. Then I debuted as a manager Notorious Norm, with a purple suit a short time later for different local indys. Lord Zoltan, an indy wrestler and former WWF jobber took me under his wing and we traveled through several states working indy shows, usually twice a weekend. The pay sucked, but the experience was really strong as I learned a lot about the business. I first started running wrestling shows in 1993 with American Commonwelath Wrestling and in 1994 I opened my own wrestling promotion, Steel City Wrestling.

 

What do you like the best out of the thing you have done in your career? Wrestling? Managing? Or Promoting?

 

Promoting is hard because you are the face of the company, good or bad, with all things that happen. A lot of people don't realize how much work it is to promote a show, and how you have to depend on everyone else to make it work. But I enjoy bringing good wrestling to the area, and I have a special relationship with many fans that I have built up through the years. Managaing was fun and I felt I exceled at it, but I don't like being in front of the crowd as much as I used to. Wrestling- no thanks.

 

There have been rumblings lately of TNA possibly doing house shows. A place that has been mentioned has been Pittsburgh. Have they contacted you about it, or is that something you would be interested in?

 

I feel that if TNA would come locally, they would probably use Shane Douglas as their local promoter. So no I would not get involved. I would be suprised to see them run here anytime soon, however.

 

If you could bring in any wrestler of all time, who would you bring in and why?

 

The one wrestler I would probably bring in would be either The Great Muta or Ric Flair, two of my all time favorites.

 

What is the hardest thing about promoting?

 

The hardest thing to do in the business is promote shows consistently without losing money. There always seems to be something to hold things back, although the lsat 12 months have been very good to us.

 

 

Who in your opinion is the greatest talent in the history of the business and why?

 

The greatest talent in the history of the sport, in my opinion, is Bruiser Brody. I can't even imagine being in a building the night of a show knowing that he was eventually going to come through the curtain and you literally have no idea what was going to happen from that point forward. That type of electricity is just not seen today.

 

 

Were you thinking of expansion at this point into new areas?

There have been times in the past, like our run in late 2001 and early 2002 where we have attempted to expand, and we have drawn well in other markets such as Uniontown and Butler, but my real life prevents me from any major expansion at this point. Plus its hard, since wrestling is down, and takes months to build a new area with consistent shows. Promoting is damn hard believe me. If you actually looked at how wrestling promotions in the US are doing outside of WWE, I think you would be very suprised to see how much money is lost.

 

What in your opinion is the greatest match in IWC history?

 

 

There are a few that come to my mind and very hard to pick one. I loved Eddie Guerrero and CM Punk where Eddie defended the Intercontinental Title back in 2002; I also loved Kid Sensation vs Shirley Doe from that same year; and Backseat Boys vs Evolution vs Christian York & Joey Matthews; More recent, I thought A.J. Styles and Homicide tore it up; as well as Dean Radford's title win against Sterling James Keenan, not so much for the actual action, but for the wild ending. In a lot of ways, wrestling is a series of moments. Like from my youth I can remember when Ray Stevens piledrove Jimmy Snuka on the floor or when Roddy Piper hit Snuka in the head with a coconut. Matches like Keenan and Dean or when Low Ki debuted against Kid Sensation, or when CM Punk did the cage dive in June, these are moments in wrestling that may not be part of the greatest matches ever, but I hope stick with today's fans for years to come.

 

What kind of wrestling are you into right now besides your product?

 

 

I dont watch much WWE other than to check up on friends. Other than that, I don't watch wrestling at all, other than a few indies here and there. I really enjoy Japanese wrestling, and am just getting back into the scene.

 

Who in your opinion is the greatest promoter in the history of the business and why?

 

The greatest promoter in the history of the business is Vince McMahon. He has made the most off of the business for the longest period of time.

 

What is your overall goal for the International Wrestling Cartel(IWC)?

 

My overall goal is twofold: a. expand the business at a very slowpace and wait for the next wrestling boom and hope to be part of it, and b. get all of my wrestlers that are loyal and put work and time in as much work as possible all over the country (that is, when they arent working for us). IWC is a very special promotion with its own unique flair that gets very little national attention due to our location. Lets hope that changes also.

 

Who do you feel is the best talent on your roster right now?

 

The best wrestler on our roster is A.J. Styles, although Shirley Doe in my opinion is right up there with his knowledge of how to put together a match and how to get the most out of every single situation handed to him.

 

Who in your opinion is the worst wrestler of all time?

 

Spaceman Frank Hickey. Need I say more?

 

What is your personal favorite match of all time?

 

My personal favorite match of all time is Dan Kroffat & Doug Furnas vs Kikuchi & Masa Fuchi from All Japan I think in 1992. It was the most insane I have ever scene a crowd in my life, and the work was off of the charts.

For fans out there who want to support the IWC and don’t know how….how can they help?

 

Just buy our merchandise and give us a shot!! I think everyone would be suprised at our show quality.

 

Name Association

Vince McMahon- best promoter ever

 

Ric Flair- ageless

 

Jim Miller- gave a good run to me as booker of PWX and let the NNWO flourish with myself, Stevie Richards, Blue Meanie, Lou Marconi, Frank Stalleto, Samu, and the Disco Inferno as Notorious Norm's world order

 

Christopher Daniels- great worker, stand up guy

 

A.J. Styles- ditto, future of the business?

 

Hulk Hogan- ultimate wrestling politician

 

Kenta Kobashi- tremendous career, bad knees

 

Jim Cornette- my personal wrestling idol growing up

 

The Jarrett's- dont know them personally, tremendous risk takers;

 

Paul Heyman- great booker, lousy businessman

 

Who is the best talent in wrestling overall today and why?

 

A.J. Styles- Here is my personal assessment of wrestling right now, and AJ relates to it. In years past as a promoter, I would simply wait for WWF, WCW, etc to release talent, and then use them to draw money on my shows. The best example of this is when Mick Foley wrestled for me as Cactus Jack and was my heavyweight champ back in 1995. Of course, the legends were also around, and still some do well to this day. But the business has changed dramatically, with less money making talent being released, the ones that are generally have some type of personal problem that makes you leary to use them, and former legends of the business are dwindling in numbers becuase of injuries throughout their careers, the lifestyle, or of course, the ones that have sadly passed away. What A.J. brings to the table is the ability to draw for me and be a star for me in a independent wrestling market that is sadly void of many stars that can draw money. Remember, I am saying drawing money..putting a good match on and drawing are two different things. A.J. can do both, and thats why he is most important to me right now.

[Guest The Last Free Voice]

Nice interview Dougie... I mean DK... Just kiddin. Good interview, and once I finally get that job (soon) IWC is on my check out list for sure (along with all the other indy companies I haven't already, lol)

 

Keep up the good work bro.

[Guest Dynamite Kido]

Thanks for the support.......

 

But if you ever call me Dougie again.......

 

*piledriver(in japanese voice)*

[Guest The Last Free Voice]

So, recomend me some shows for future reference dougie.

[Guest Dynamite Kido]

For a good introduction to IWC.....Check out their Super Indy shows. There had been three up to this point, I attended 3 this past may and it is a great show with an awesome Christopher Daniels vs. AJ Sytles main event.

 

*piledrives LFV*

[Guest The Last Free Voice]

Okay then, I'll have to remember that.

 

::no sells piledriver and offers DK a cheeto::

[Guest Dynamite Kido]

*takes cheeto*

 

Oh what the hell?

[Guest whitemilesdavis]

Good interview DK. Very enjoyable read even though I am totally unfamiliar with IWC.

 

Who is the best talent in wrestling overall today and why?

 

A.J. Styles

 

While I'd agree AJ is the #1 indy wrestler in the country, it's hard to consider him a better overall talent than some WWE guys. Eddie, Angle, and Y2J quickly come to mind, but there are probably several more if I thought hard enough. Still, I think I'd rank AJ top ten.

[Guest Dynamite Kido]

Good interview DK. Very enjoyable read even though I am totally unfamiliar with IWC.

 

Who is the best talent in wrestling overall today and why?

 

A.J. Styles

 

While I'd agree AJ is the #1 indy wrestler in the country, it's hard to consider him a better overall talent than some WWE guys. Eddie, Angle, and Y2J quickly come to mind, but there are probably several more if I thought hard enough. Still, I think I'd rank AJ top ten.

I see what you are saying WMD about AJ for sure. Just keep in mind that he is the money guy for the IWC......so Norm loves him.