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The head booker for Ring Of Honor, Gabe Sapolsky, was the special guest on this past week's live edition of Monday Night Mayhem (3/26/07), which can be heard in streaming audio every week (hosted by The Big Mosh, Blade, & The Angry Hero, and heard LIVE at 9PM ET/8PM CT every Monday night) exclusively on The Monday Night Mayhem Radio Network (www.MondayNightMayhem.com, www.ObsessedWithWrestling.com, www.ProWrestlingPress.com, www.AllWNYRadio.com, www.Showdown.net, & www.AudioWrestling.com -- your official home of "The Spring Break Incident" Video-On-Demand, featuring former WWE Diva, Stacy Keibler).
An in-depth preview of this upcoming weekend's "All-Star Extravaganza III" & "Supercard Of Honor II" with Gabe is now available for FREE in Real Audio.
Here are some of the highlights from the interview, provided by The Mayhem's exclusive recapper, The eXtreme Icon!
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*Gabe was welcomed back by The Mayhem Crew, saying that everything has been doing great over the past few weeks, and everything is definitely "falling into place" for this upcoming weekend's big events in Detroit.
*Gabe says that Ring Of Honor has fans coming in from over 35 states (including New York, California, Ohio)& many different countries around the world, so this time it's their chance to impress even more fans and get more followers in the process.
*Gabe said that they did not really set out to get big names for the shows, but they targeted Bruno Sammartino to come in, simply because he was "the right guy to have there." The fans going to the Friday show can see Bruno, and then go to the WWE Hall Of Fame Ceremonies as well that weekend. Gave, along with The Big Mosh, Blade, & The Angry Hero all agreed that the days ahead are all about giving back to the legends in the business, who have given their blood, sweat, & tears to make the business how successful it has become now.
*He says that the two of the three TNA guys that will be appearing as part of the "All-Star Extravaganza" & "Supercard Of Honor II" events ("The Fallen Angel" Christopher Daniels & "The Notorious 187" Homicide) were on the first ever Ring Of Honor show back in 2002, so it makes sense they are a part of this weekend's tremendous milestones in ROH history.
*Gabe was very pleased with how the "farewell tour" went off for "The Samoan Submission Machine," Samoa Joe. According to Gabe, despite what some in the business might think/the fans might not want to believe, TNA actually gave Samoa Joe an extra year to compete in Ring Of Honor, which he is extremely grateful for them doing just that. If he was not in TNA, he would be with the WWE, and "it was just his time to go."
*Gabe says that he does not want to make any promises to the fans (as he likes to keep certain cards up his sleeve), but he does not have any doubt in his mind that Samoa Joe will be part of Ring Of Honor again in the future in some capacity.
*He says that with their new Ring Of Honor World Heavyweight Champion, Takeshi Morishima, they are getting a great deal of exposure overseas, more so than they have ever had in the past. Gabe is very much looking forward to what Morishima has planned in the upcoming shows ahead, especially in the months of April & May.
*Gabe was asked about Generation Next splitting up and what the fans can expect from Austin Aries, Roderick Strong, & Jack Evans in the future. Gabe believes that all of them are going to "have a great story to tell" with their upcoming feuds." They are all exciting talents to watch, great athletes, & that will definitely set the slate for some upcoming matches. The factions in ROH will be stronger to say the least is The Mayhem's opinion here fans...
*Gabe says that the talent in Ring Of Honor continues to give "state-of-the-art wrestling," and we will also be seeing some more "high-flying & innovative things in shows to come."
*The company will be heading to Japan in July, and then back to the United Kingdom for what he hopes will be a successful return there. For the time being, they are focused on those two things as their next "big projects." The idea is still out there to do more shows in the future, possibly with some new markets, but their attention is on the UK & Japan for now.
*Gabe was asked if he sees similarities between ROH & the UFC: He answered by saying that he does see some similar things between the two companies -- including their hard-hitting & athletic styles.
*He says that Ring Of Honor is not trying to show "sports-entertainment," like the WWE is doing, but the wrestlers are "real athletes." He also adds that their production adds a smooth look to the company, but also keeps the underground feel at the same time.
*As a parting shot for the Ring Of Honor fans, Gabe says that a lot of exciting things will happen this weekend, leading to some solid months ahead for ROH -- including "a few returns."
*A 35+ minute interview covering plenty of additional topics (including Gabe's thoughts on the ECW Originals/New Breed WrestleMania 23 match, the "new ECW" brand, the possibilities of new titles being added to the 'Straight Shootin' Series, & more) which can be head here: (http://www.mondaynightmayhemarchives.com/waxfiles/032607.wax: streaming) (http://www.mondaynightmayhemarchives.com./mar07/032607.mp3: podcast)
*For event information on "All-Star Extravaganza III" & "Supercard Of Honor II," head on over to www.ROHWrestling.com. While there, also purchase the latest Ring Of Honor event titles & the best from their 'Straight Shootin' Series. Tell them The Mayhem sent you...
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