INTERNATIONAL WRESTLING CARTEL

IWC INTERROGATION WITH
JON BOLEN

Conducted by Joe Dombrowski
IWC Play-by-Play Announcer and Media Correspondent

Q: Jon Bolen, you have burst onto the scene here in IWC, making a major mark for yourself in a very short amount of time. Now, you had a very unique way of entering professional wrestling just a short time ago. For those that may be unaware, explain the how you made your entry into the business and what led you to attempt to enter the business?

A: I got involved with professional wrestling the day I had my last state power lifting meet. I already held the state bench record in the 275 pound weight class with a bench of 630lbs. I was competing that day to bench 700 and qualify for the Arnold Classic bench press meet. I ended up breaking my own record by benching 670, and came within 2 inches of locking out 700. I didn't qualify for the Arnold but, as luck would have it, I did meet the most influential man I had ever met. His name is Ed Connors. If it weren't for him I probably wouldn't be wrestling. Ed used to own Gold's Gym Venice, the Mecca of Bodybuilding. He was in town for a bodybuilding show that evening. He came up to me and asked if I was a pro wrestler. I told him no, but I was thinking about it. He informed me about TNA and how they were having the Gut Check Challenge. He offered to fly me down and put me up in a room if I was interested in doing it. I said hell yeah and ended up winning the thing.

Q: Tell us about training with Scott D'Amore, one of the most well-known trainers today and the man responsible for teaching the likes of Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin. How was Scott as a teacher and what was a typical day of training like?

A: Training with Scott was brutal, I loved every minute of it. We would train for at least 3 hours a day, 5 days a week. As far as weightlifting and conditioning, we were on our own, which to me was great because I already know how to get myself ready in the gym. Scott is an incredible trainer. After 8 weeks of training he had me in the ring doing shows. I don't know of any other trainer that can get someone ready in that short of time, especially me. When I went there I knew nothing about wrestling. I would watch it when I was a kid, but then I was introduced to football and that took over my life. Now, wrestling has taken over.

Q: Now even though you're still new to pro wrestling, you have an extensive athletic background already in place, both in weightlifting and college football if I'm not mistaken. Tell us about some of your best highlights and accomplishments from those days?

A: Like I said before, I hold the Pa State bench record in the 275lb weight class with a lift of 670lbs. As far as football goes, I was a two time All Conference, All American nose guard at California University of Pa. I was also a two time Defensive Captain. My biggest highlight from those days is still the fact that I came back for my senior year after tearing three ligaments in my knee and breaking my tibia and fibula. It took an entire year of rehab, but I did it and I didn't miss one game.

Q: Have those credentials given you an adventage in pro wrestling?

A: I would say that those credentials have totally given me an advantage in pro wrestling. You have to be tough and athletic to do this kind of stuff. Not just anybody can do this. If it were easy than I guess everyone would do it.

Q: Of course, being a Uniontown native, it made perfect sense for IWC to be one of the many promotions you would appear in to fine tune your skills. Upon your debut, you demolished Bubba the Bulldog, destroyed his trophy, and established yourself as a serious player. Of course the battle between you two raged on for several weeks afterwards, but in retrospect, what are your thoughts on Bubba?

A: I don't think about Bubba. He tried to take me down, but we all know that wasn't going to happen. I like Bubba, I like the fact that he thought he could beat me. That shows a lot of character, but character is not enough to put my shoulders to the mat for a 3 count.

Q: What are your thoughts on the IWC organization and its fans?

A: IWC is cool with me. I think the fans are great at what they do. That is, cheer me while I put whomever I face through pain and anguish.

Q: You've been an invited guest to several TNA live events in the past. How has the locker room and officials of TNA treated you there?

A: Every time I have been down, TNA has been an incredible learning experience for me. The boys have been awesome to me, I can't thank them enough.

Q: You recently made your TNA in-ring debut, prior to the Turning Point PPV as part of a 6 man tag facing former World Tag Champions The Naturals & Lance Hoyt. What are your thoughts on that experience and the match?

A: The PPV match I had was the 15th match of my career. It was exciting and nerve racking. Just knowing that millions of people were watching was an incredible rush.

Q: Meanwhile, here in IWC, things have been in turmoil since the official public formation of this Unholy Alliance. You've proven to be one of the young lions in IWC willing to step up and lead the fight against them. Do you have any messages for Shirley Doe, Sebastian Dark, and HENTAI right now as you look forward to joining Dennis Gregory & Dean Radford to do battle against the three on Feb. 18 at “Accept No Limitations 2“?

A: Come Feb. 18th, Shirley, Lenny, and Squiggy had better watch out. Because they are going to have about 250lbs of pissed off BOLEN waiting for them.