Interview with Brawlin Bo Cooper

This is Draven UnScripted with a special interview with one & BO 5only “Punk Rock Powerhouse” Brawlin Bo Cooper. It’s been about a year since I first interviewed Bo Cooper & he was gracious enough to have another opportunity to talk about Indy wrestling in general.

1. Its been a year since we last had our last interview, so how do you think the state of wrestling is in So Cal at this point?

BC: Yeah Mike its been a little while, what do I think about the state of wrestling in Ca? Well It seems like in the last year or so there is a lot of promotions that have used more old school talent which is always a good thing plus there’s some good up and comers who are hungry and really wanna get there names out so it makes a better product especially when you got the vets who can have good matches with guys who are there to make a impact on the card. So I would say its better then it was couple years ago.

2. Something close to you is that in 2013 we said goodbye to MPW, do you want to reflect on your time there? Your accomplishments, your favorite matches?

BC: MPW was a promotion that came in around 2001 and took the So Cal fans on a amazing ride of talent stacked shows. I never worked for then on there first run as I was EWF Champion around that time and focused more on that promotion. But I definitely  wanted a chance to be apart of the company but they folded and after like 10 years, they risen from the ashes and announced they were going to be running shows on a regular basis. At the time I was starting to teach at the Fit Pit with my boy GQ and they were going to start running at the same venue we held the school in.

So I contacted Logan X and told him I would love to work for MPW. They agreed to have me. I was also bouncing at Yankee Doodles Sports Bar in Simi Valley and pitched the idea of having a show there. They were all for it as well as Yankees, so we ran with it and had a year full of some amazing shows. After the bar closed, they made the transition to the Simi Valley Boy’s and Girls club. On their first show there I got to work with WWE NXT star Jacob Novak. Great match great guy. Couple more shows went by then I got the call that they wanted to make me their Champion.

It was a real pleasure to hold the title for them. I beat the talented Ryan Taylor in a hard fought match to become champion. I think it was a thank u from them for my help with the Yankee building. I was champion for almost a year but then had to take some time off. Came back and continued my time there and even got inducted to the MPW hall of fame. A real honor and it was sad to see the company fold for the second time. But I can honestly say that locker room was so fun and nice to be in. No drama whatsoever no politics, just a group of hard working guys who loved to perform…Thank you MPW for everything.

3. We know of your history with one “GQ Money” Ryan Katz & in 2013 where you had “The Final Match” with him, can you talk about that match & what it meant to you?

BC: My history with GQ goes way back. I remember him always being on my AOL instant messenger list. I always just use to say hello here and there. Then I worked for FCW which was a big drawing fed that had a brief run in some big arenas like Grand Olympic and the Forum. I remember talking to him more and more in person and always showing nothing but respect to him, then XPW’s “Cold Day in Hell” came around.

I got a phone call asking if I would like to be involved in his match as his “BodyGaurd” & I said sure. Wow, what a fun time I had working side by side with him. That night i witnessed how creative and innovative he was with his matches. It was awesome being his partner for the night. Then couple years later he was teaching and running his school. I went down a couple times to work out and he offered me a position to help teach. Then we started to run shows weekly from the fit pit. I helped with creative and help mold some of our students such as The Hobo, Mario Banks, Hanes Classic, etc. We always had great chemistry when it came to put ideas together. I respected him and he respect me. The idea to have a 1 on 1 match together was kinda improv. He cut a promo on MPW radio and happened to mention my name and called me out. So MPW and myself ran with the idea.

We feuded for a couple shows. But the match that finally settled the score was a “Career vs Career ” match. A lot of hype and promotion went into it. We really wanted the fans of So Cal to know our history of our long careers. Either friends or foe, we had a history together and we were determined to put on one hell of a match with one mans career coming to a end…so the match was set Brawlin Bo Cooper vs GQ Money. About 250 fans got to witness one of the most all around creative matches & we had it all; Blood, Explosions, Tacks, Tables, High flying, Chairs & Power moves. And two guys who no matter who won, left a lasting impression on Southern Cailifornia Wrestling. I came out on top & I wished my good friend a successful future in wherever he goes.

Looks like my wish towards him came true as the WWE recognized his all around talents and signed him to a backstage role at the Performance Center. We still talk, he is very happy and I am happy for him…Best friend I ever had in the Biz.

4. Are there any promotions out there on Brawlin Bo’s radar since MPW closed? If so where? Could we see you return to EWF in the near future on a full time monthly basis?

BC: Well I have slowed down on trying to really travel or go to promotions that I have already succeeded in. I mainly work Vendetta Pro now. Gas prices are high man and some promotions really don’t pay well and some even don’t pay at all. But as far as EWF goes, I will always consider them my home and if Jesse ever wanted me to be apart of it again he knows how to contact me and I would be happy to work again for them since I am their former Champ. Its always nice to visit home.

5. Being a veteran for almost two decades, you’ve seen your share of talent in & out of So Cal, is there anyone previous or currently that you would like to face & why?

BC: There’s a couple of great workers that I have never gotten the pleasure and honor to work 1 on 1 with. I will start with my old friend TJ Perkins. I’ve known TJ for 15 years and surprisingly never locked horns with him outside of training together. His in ring talent is phenomenal and he had one of the best attitudes I have come across in the biz. Another is Luke Hawx. I’ve been on many shows with Luke and he has really worked hard and made his self known all over the world with his presence, look and in ring skills. Also another guy would have to be Arik Cannon, that guy has always impressed me with his ability to move like he does for his size. Plus he’s into PBR and Punk Rock music which are two of my favorite pass times as well.

6. Being a 17 year that around what is next for brawling bo Cooper? what is left to achieve?

BC: Well here in Ca, I have done what I wanted to do pretty much and that was to perform with the best California had to offer and work my way up the ladder to being on Top of some of Cali’s biggest promotions through out the Years. Being a Heavyweight Champion, Tag Team Champion or Hardcore Champion in Feds such as EWF, MPW, AWS/NWA, BGPW, FIT PIT, APW, CWA, HRW, etc & having the Promoters choose the PunkRock PowerHouse to hold one of there titles meant a lot and I will always be grateful and Remember my times with them. But as far as what else is there to achieve for myself, I just want to work and have fun. I mean thats what it really should come down to. Until your making huge money and got agents and a crazy schedule to worry about, why sweat the small stuff. I just want to still give 100% every time I work & once I can’t do so, that’s when I think there’s not much left for me.

7. Do you feel that there is something missing in the Southern California wrestling scene? Lack of “Managers/valets”, Factions, etc?
BC: I believe in my personal opinion that So Cal has lacked discipline. What I mean by that is now you have a whole new generation of guy’s who never really earned a spot or had to truly pay dues to get on a show. Its not the wrestlers fault & I could blame a list of things that I could point out how things have changed since I broke in but I would just sound Bitter. Bottom line is some promoters will use guys who just show up say “Hey..I am a wrestler, I have my gear, can you use me” and they get booked. I believe it makes them have big heads because there was no spot to be earned. Same goes for some schools who will train guys for a couple of months and then the students see their buddies getting booked and figure if he can do it, hell I can too. There is no real supervision when it comes to who is used and not used anymore. If u got a guy working 7 different feds in a month who is barely 6 months out of training he thinks probably to himself,  “Wow I must be great and money because these promoters love to use me”. Where it could be that they just use anyone who is willing to work for nickel and dimes.
Who tells who when they are really ready to perform anymore.. Themselves. I broke in when you had to train for years. Pay dues by doing what ever the promoter asked you to do like ringing a bell, carrying jackets to the back, fetching water for the boy’s and waiting to truly earn my spot in a promotion..especially the fed you start out with. Times have changed and there’s a lot of young up and comers who get things handed to them way easier than 17 years ago.
8. Let’s do some word association & tell us what you think..
Dan Farren
BC: Dan is a friend and  a guy who knows the true roots of So Cal Wrestling.
Logan X
BC: Logan is a guy that would help you even if you didn’t deserve it. If u looked up the word genuine it would have a picture of him next to it.
GQ Money
BC: The Most Creative Guy I met in wrestling. Straight up smart and is very talented with technology.
The HOBO
BC: Student of GQ and Myself and out of all of the Fit Pit graduates he is the most hungry for the biz. He wants it and works hard.
Ryan J. Morals
BC: Ryan has a bright future. He is humble and is willing to travel and learn…Nice guy.
Dr. Vandel Drummond
BC: Haha, he is a character. He has been around for a very long time and he is a walking gimmick all around. He went out of his way to help me on a personal matter couple months back and I am very appreciative towards him.
Jesse Hernandez
BC: Jesse is my Trainer and the person I give my start to. Jesse is a true Legend and someone who I respect more then he knows.
Bill Anderson
BC: I’ve known Bill since I was 12 years old. My earliest memory’s was him announcing at the LA Sports Arena for WWF house shows. Always appreciated him for helping me break in.
Frankie Kazarian
BC: Me and Frankie were in the same classes at the School of Hard Knocks in our early careers. Even tagged on a couple occasions. Kaz has always had natural talent and a great look… Underrated
Christopher Daniels
BC: I also met Chris while training at the School of Hard Knocks. I was there the day he came in and showed Jesse and Bill Anderson his 8×10’s and highlight reel. He taught me a lot of moves and he’s a great worker all around.
Dave Marquez
BC: I never had any problems with Dave. I use to do the NWA TV taping back in the day and he always put me over. He puts in work trying to produce some pro wrestling on TV. Hasn’t failed at doing it so. I give credit where credit is due.
Johnny Yuma
BC: Met the dude like 2 Times. Once when he was a chubby young kid trying to get work at EWF then at a Tv Taping. Never really interacted with him. But I”ve seen him make some pretty disrespectful statements towards me on social media. He acts like a Keyboard Warrior but if we met again face to face I know it would be a different story…Enough said.
Vendetta Pro
BC: The best drawing federation in California. That company has the best all around production set up and the talent they bring in is top notch. I am proud to be apart of VPW and the fans sure do show there appreciation by being vocal.
“Rock of Love” Billy Blade
BC: Billy is the brains behind VPW. Me and him have wrestled one another all over and for years we earned one anothers respect even though he likes a different type of music then I do but I still have good matches with him.
Jacob Diez
BC: I love beating up that kid & promoters used us together alot. Our chemistry is always on point and we always tear it up. He’s a tough little guy and has some good matches.
Sinn Bohdi
BC: Sin Is a wild dude man, really fun to work with and be around he always used me well when he had FreakShow Wrestling and his vision of the biz is so innovative.
XPW
BC: They tried there hardest to be the most extreme fed and with what that had, they made a definite impact not just in So Cal but all around the states…good fan following.
WWE
BC: The main stage & everyones dream. I never had the opportunity to wrestle on TV for them but I have done extra work and got a tryout in front of Bruce Pritchard. Now I am 33 and couldn’t pass there physical due to injuries. But If I had the opportunity to work for them somehow again it would definitely be a blessing.
TNA
BC: I think it would be a good place to work for if you wanted to get your name known and to get experience on a bigger scale then just the indies. With the less hectic schedule compared to WWE, I would rather be home more then traveling. It has its bads and goods. I haven’t watched the product in a long time so couldn’t tell ya anything other then what I did.
9. Do you have anything to say to anyone who wants to become a pro wrestler? Any words of wisdom from the Punk Rock Powerhouse??

BC: If you always wanted to be involved in pro wrestling, first step is find a reliable school & get info and background on who your trainer will be. What he has accomplished and what is your goal. Before throwing money out there figure out if its the right one for you. There are some great schools out there such as School of Hard Knocks, Santino Bros, Vendetta’s Kayfabe Collage, APW Boot Camp, Etc. Always realize its up to you to make it to the top, no one else can hand you anything but a stage to perform on and even that you have to earn.

Once again, I would like to thank Brawlin Bo Cooper for another opportunity to talk & get his insight of Pro Wrestling in So Cal. If you would like to follow Brawlin Bo on twitter or instagram:
Twitter & Instagram: @BrawlinBo
Don’t forget to follow Me & Socaluncsored.com on Twitter:
@Socaluncensored
@TillAllAre1
Until next time, this is Mike Draven..signing off.