Post by Goldash on Feb 7, 2013 17:59:21 GMT -5
Normally I don't reprint "dirt sheet" interviews on official URWL websites, but one such shoot disgusted me enough to circumvent company policy and post this report. After working a few independent bookings in Japan, Seth Stern sat down with WrestleVoice.cc interviewer Jay Bierce. Stern didn't have many positive things to say about this company or the current focus of the URWL. Without further ado, this is what went down:
EXCLUSIVE Interview with Former URWL Internet Champion Seth Stern
February 1, 2013 --- JAY BIERCE
To say Seth Stern's done with waiting to continue his return to the URWL is like saying the nation's gun control debate isn't over. It's entirely obvious when you look into his eyes and study his demeanor --- Stern isn't the same wrestler he was before. He's more focused, conniving and dastardly in nearly every way. Most of that has to deal with his month-long stay at the Bay Area's Pescadero State Hospital following a nervous breakdown in the aftermath of URWL Unrivaled Ambition. When Stern returned to the ring at Thanksgiving Throwdown, he seemed calm, assured and willing to exert his will in order to win the match --- a throwback of sorts to his rookie campaign and his pre-Asphyxiation matches against Jaime Emo.
Asphyxiation 2007 was the turning point in Stern's young career. He dominated Jaime Emo in both of their previous contests and was well on his way to retaining his URWL Internet Title until Jaime Emo took advantage of a missed elbow drop and became the centerpiece of the URWL overnight.
The story's been written many times, kayfabed or otherwise: Stern and Emo do not get along. In the ring, backstage, on the road --- the less they see of one-another, the better. Frankly, it's the last thing URWL fans want to hear, as their feud has been the company's drawing point for quite a while.
Following a recent independent Japanese booking at Narita's DAIHATSUCENTRE ARENA, I was fortunate enough to get an interview with the normally reclusive Stern. His personal rejuvenation was apparent from the start.
WRESTLEVOICE: This is your first tour of Japan. Tonight's forty-five minute draw against reigning NFE (Nihon Fighting Evolution) Heavyweight Champion Teiichi Fukusaku was your only match not to enter the win column during your tour of the country. That being said, how has this experience changed you as as performer?
STERN STERN: It proves to me that there's a world out there beyond American wrestling and the URWL --- a region where I can prove I'm the greatest wrestler on Earth. Dominating Japan only makes me that much greater, that much better and that much closer to achieving my...what am I saying? I achieved my goal long ago.
WRESTLEVOICE: That being...?
STERN: It appears you've been living under a mountain for the past five years, Mr. Bierce. Otherwise, you'd know.
WRESTLEVOICE: ...excuse me?
STERN: Do I have to say it again, Jay? You know, this is why journalism's dead. It's because of inexperienced reporters like yourself. You don't do your research, you're overpaid, over-entitled. You haven't earned a dollar in your life.
WRESTLEVOICE: What does that have to do with anything?
STERN: It has everything to do with anything. If you did your research, watched my matches, you'd know. You'd know that I, Seth Stern, am the greatest wrestler of all time. No longer will I relent to the politics and pressure. I am a force unlike anything the wrestling industry has ever seen. And the reason I don't do many interviews these days is because of that fact. No one acknowledges it. They laugh it off, say I'm under-trained. Well, Japan already knows what I've been telling the world for years. Other wrestlers claim they're the best in the world. I'm the greatest of all time.
WRESTLEVOICE: Well, one of the reasons people say your rise was so unique was that lack of training. We --- the media at least --- like to say you have an innate sense of wrestling and polish that many wrestlers lack. What's...
STERN: You're DAMN right I have, and I've proved I can do it better than anyone in this business.
WRESTLEVOICE: Undeniable, that. Which brings me to my next point --- the URWL. When do you see the company contacting you to begin wrestling again?
STERN: Seeing as though I'm not even on the card at HighStakes, they haven't said a word. Again, the political games these idiots in Buffalo play are ridiculous. But I'm not complaining, seeing as I'm the top draw. They'll come crawling back sooner or later, begging me to carry the company out of the years of inconsistency and lost reputation --- all Goldash's fault, might I add.
WRESTLEVOICE: Do you think he's made the wrong choices?
STERN: Everybody can tell you that. Goldash isn't the right man to run this company. He may have started the promotion but he's lost all sense of being a promoter. Nice guys don't last in this industry.
WRESTLEVOICE: You say this like you know it.
STERN: I've been around wrestling my entire life, asshole. My uncle's been with this company since day one. When he'd come home to San Francisco on vacation, he'd tell our family of how disorganized this "organization" really was. It all boils down to the decisions of its CEO. Why the board --- which Uncle Jack now sits on, by the way --- hasn't kicked Goldash out is beyond me. The company should be in the hands of someone different.
WRESTLEVOICE: Speaking of which, Goldash recently entered the URWL into an official affiliation with the VWA and WWR. What do you think of the Rantboard Network and what it means to the wrestling industry?
STERN:
Nothing. I'm better than every single employee of all three companies. If, for example, WWR Champion Dustin Diamond ever decided to call me out...
WRESTLEVOICE: ...many have compared you two in the past...
STERN: ...well, I'd be remiss if I said he's not one of the great talents in this industry, but I'm the Greatest of All Time. I'm the "one percent".
WRESTLEVOICE: You keep saying that, but your win-loss record in recent events hasn't exactly set the world on fire.
STERN: And Fusion's has? What about the dinosaurs named Barry White, Commander and !nterogative? Hell, what about your 'precious, golden boy URWL Champion'? My losses came as a direct result of mismanagement and bad booking.
WRESTLEVOICE: Your losses came as a direct result of losing.
STERN: Those days are over. DONE! You saw the match against !nterogative, didn't you? A walk in the fuckin' park.
WRESTLEVOICE: You won because of a ref bump and a chair shot.
STERN: To steal a page from your playbook, asshole --- my win came as a direct result of winning. Do you think I'm a man who cares about how I win? Jaime Emo does that and you applaud him. I do that and it's somehow bad?
WRESTLEVOICE: Was wondering when you'd mention him again. You became obsessed with winning the URWL Championship, even going so far as to take Emo out of the main event to give Fusion a victory at Unrivaled Ambition. Some say its failure caused your break...
STERN: Shut the fuck up. Let me ask you a question, Jay. Did they ever teach you how to conduct an interview in your third-rate state college journalism program?
WRESTLEVOICE: Umm...
STERN: I rest my case. And about Unrivaled Ambition. Let's just say that when I get Uncle Jack's phone call to return to America and continue my domination of the URWL, they're going to get what's coming to them. I can assure you that.
WRESTLEVOICE: Have your thoughts about Jaime Emo changed?
STERN: I don't want to see the man's face, read his interviews or hear his pathetic drawl until I meet him in the ring. His goody two-shoes image is destined to die. I intend to kill it, even if I ruin his reputation or end his life in the process. He is all that is wrong with wrestling today and a cancer to this business. The kids that scream his name are as in much danger as he is.
WRESTLEVOICE: And Fusion?
STERN: You'll see.
With a seemingly uncharacteristic fury in his eyes, Stern abruptly stood up and walked away from the interview without a sound. His next booking will be Sunday night in Kyoto, a rematch against the aforementioned Fukusaku.
-JB
Stern's accusations and threats are borderline incredulous. Strangely, any attempts to request suspension due to conduct detrimental to the league were overruled by the Board, mostly due to the fact Stern didn't make these statements at a URWL event. I'm appalled by his unprofessional decision to speak out in this manner. You would think people like him --- especially those that were born into wealth and privilege --- would learn to think before they talk. But I guess that's to be expected, considering the way karma's treated him over the past few events.
EXCLUSIVE Interview with Former URWL Internet Champion Seth Stern
February 1, 2013 --- JAY BIERCE
To say Seth Stern's done with waiting to continue his return to the URWL is like saying the nation's gun control debate isn't over. It's entirely obvious when you look into his eyes and study his demeanor --- Stern isn't the same wrestler he was before. He's more focused, conniving and dastardly in nearly every way. Most of that has to deal with his month-long stay at the Bay Area's Pescadero State Hospital following a nervous breakdown in the aftermath of URWL Unrivaled Ambition. When Stern returned to the ring at Thanksgiving Throwdown, he seemed calm, assured and willing to exert his will in order to win the match --- a throwback of sorts to his rookie campaign and his pre-Asphyxiation matches against Jaime Emo.
Asphyxiation 2007 was the turning point in Stern's young career. He dominated Jaime Emo in both of their previous contests and was well on his way to retaining his URWL Internet Title until Jaime Emo took advantage of a missed elbow drop and became the centerpiece of the URWL overnight.
The story's been written many times, kayfabed or otherwise: Stern and Emo do not get along. In the ring, backstage, on the road --- the less they see of one-another, the better. Frankly, it's the last thing URWL fans want to hear, as their feud has been the company's drawing point for quite a while.
Following a recent independent Japanese booking at Narita's DAIHATSUCENTRE ARENA, I was fortunate enough to get an interview with the normally reclusive Stern. His personal rejuvenation was apparent from the start.
WRESTLEVOICE: This is your first tour of Japan. Tonight's forty-five minute draw against reigning NFE (Nihon Fighting Evolution) Heavyweight Champion Teiichi Fukusaku was your only match not to enter the win column during your tour of the country. That being said, how has this experience changed you as as performer?
STERN STERN: It proves to me that there's a world out there beyond American wrestling and the URWL --- a region where I can prove I'm the greatest wrestler on Earth. Dominating Japan only makes me that much greater, that much better and that much closer to achieving my...what am I saying? I achieved my goal long ago.
WRESTLEVOICE: That being...?
STERN: It appears you've been living under a mountain for the past five years, Mr. Bierce. Otherwise, you'd know.
WRESTLEVOICE: ...excuse me?
STERN: Do I have to say it again, Jay? You know, this is why journalism's dead. It's because of inexperienced reporters like yourself. You don't do your research, you're overpaid, over-entitled. You haven't earned a dollar in your life.
WRESTLEVOICE: What does that have to do with anything?
STERN: It has everything to do with anything. If you did your research, watched my matches, you'd know. You'd know that I, Seth Stern, am the greatest wrestler of all time. No longer will I relent to the politics and pressure. I am a force unlike anything the wrestling industry has ever seen. And the reason I don't do many interviews these days is because of that fact. No one acknowledges it. They laugh it off, say I'm under-trained. Well, Japan already knows what I've been telling the world for years. Other wrestlers claim they're the best in the world. I'm the greatest of all time.
WRESTLEVOICE: Well, one of the reasons people say your rise was so unique was that lack of training. We --- the media at least --- like to say you have an innate sense of wrestling and polish that many wrestlers lack. What's...
STERN: You're DAMN right I have, and I've proved I can do it better than anyone in this business.
WRESTLEVOICE: Undeniable, that. Which brings me to my next point --- the URWL. When do you see the company contacting you to begin wrestling again?
STERN: Seeing as though I'm not even on the card at HighStakes, they haven't said a word. Again, the political games these idiots in Buffalo play are ridiculous. But I'm not complaining, seeing as I'm the top draw. They'll come crawling back sooner or later, begging me to carry the company out of the years of inconsistency and lost reputation --- all Goldash's fault, might I add.
WRESTLEVOICE: Do you think he's made the wrong choices?
STERN: Everybody can tell you that. Goldash isn't the right man to run this company. He may have started the promotion but he's lost all sense of being a promoter. Nice guys don't last in this industry.
WRESTLEVOICE: You say this like you know it.
STERN: I've been around wrestling my entire life, asshole. My uncle's been with this company since day one. When he'd come home to San Francisco on vacation, he'd tell our family of how disorganized this "organization" really was. It all boils down to the decisions of its CEO. Why the board --- which Uncle Jack now sits on, by the way --- hasn't kicked Goldash out is beyond me. The company should be in the hands of someone different.
WRESTLEVOICE: Speaking of which, Goldash recently entered the URWL into an official affiliation with the VWA and WWR. What do you think of the Rantboard Network and what it means to the wrestling industry?
STERN:
Nothing. I'm better than every single employee of all three companies. If, for example, WWR Champion Dustin Diamond ever decided to call me out...
WRESTLEVOICE: ...many have compared you two in the past...
STERN: ...well, I'd be remiss if I said he's not one of the great talents in this industry, but I'm the Greatest of All Time. I'm the "one percent".
WRESTLEVOICE: You keep saying that, but your win-loss record in recent events hasn't exactly set the world on fire.
STERN: And Fusion's has? What about the dinosaurs named Barry White, Commander and !nterogative? Hell, what about your 'precious, golden boy URWL Champion'? My losses came as a direct result of mismanagement and bad booking.
WRESTLEVOICE: Your losses came as a direct result of losing.
STERN: Those days are over. DONE! You saw the match against !nterogative, didn't you? A walk in the fuckin' park.
WRESTLEVOICE: You won because of a ref bump and a chair shot.
STERN: To steal a page from your playbook, asshole --- my win came as a direct result of winning. Do you think I'm a man who cares about how I win? Jaime Emo does that and you applaud him. I do that and it's somehow bad?
WRESTLEVOICE: Was wondering when you'd mention him again. You became obsessed with winning the URWL Championship, even going so far as to take Emo out of the main event to give Fusion a victory at Unrivaled Ambition. Some say its failure caused your break...
STERN: Shut the fuck up. Let me ask you a question, Jay. Did they ever teach you how to conduct an interview in your third-rate state college journalism program?
WRESTLEVOICE: Umm...
STERN: I rest my case. And about Unrivaled Ambition. Let's just say that when I get Uncle Jack's phone call to return to America and continue my domination of the URWL, they're going to get what's coming to them. I can assure you that.
WRESTLEVOICE: Have your thoughts about Jaime Emo changed?
STERN: I don't want to see the man's face, read his interviews or hear his pathetic drawl until I meet him in the ring. His goody two-shoes image is destined to die. I intend to kill it, even if I ruin his reputation or end his life in the process. He is all that is wrong with wrestling today and a cancer to this business. The kids that scream his name are as in much danger as he is.
WRESTLEVOICE: And Fusion?
STERN: You'll see.
With a seemingly uncharacteristic fury in his eyes, Stern abruptly stood up and walked away from the interview without a sound. His next booking will be Sunday night in Kyoto, a rematch against the aforementioned Fukusaku.
-JB
Stern's accusations and threats are borderline incredulous. Strangely, any attempts to request suspension due to conduct detrimental to the league were overruled by the Board, mostly due to the fact Stern didn't make these statements at a URWL event. I'm appalled by his unprofessional decision to speak out in this manner. You would think people like him --- especially those that were born into wealth and privilege --- would learn to think before they talk. But I guess that's to be expected, considering the way karma's treated him over the past few events.
