In the world of Professional Wrestling, friendships are made, matchups are created & rivalries are born. In life if we have the opportunity to witness a match between two fierce adversaries, we cherish the chance to see the outcome of the match & hope for another match down the road. But next week, one career will continue to entertain fans wherever he goes while the other career will come to an end. I’m taking about the career vs career match when Brawlin Bo Cooper faces his nemesis & MPW Maximum Pro Champion GQ Money.
These two Southern California veterans has had a long & successful tenure in pro wrestling. Bo Cooper a 17 year veteran may make his final appearance in the ring against the 14 year veteran GQ Money who himself faces the same fate. The two former friends have held many championships throughout So Cal as well as former business owners together (owning the Fit Pit). But like some friendships, friends split & take different routes in their careers. But it seems that this “former friendship” also had a bumpy past at one time.
I had the chance to ask GQ Money about his relationship with Bo Cooper & here’s what he had to say:
GQ: Despite Bo being a few years younger than me, and despite the fact that he also has a few years more experience than me, the fact of the matter is I have always been a role model to Bo Cooper.
As he pushed through obscurity to grind a career and make a name for himself on the indys, I was fortunate enough to carve a niche and steal the spotlight with a promotion that at that time was the largest independent, and essentially the number 4, and then number 3 wrestling company in the country.
While Bo was seen by a hundred or so people, I was performing in front of thousands. My matches were distributed worldwide on home video and DVD, and along with my Enterprise stable-mates we were solidifying our position as SoCal’s top faction. A lot of the top “workers” in the area would dispute that claim, but the reality was, we got paid more, had more exposure, had more fun, and were living the life and dream.
Bo Cooper wanted that. He envied it. He coveted what we had.
I always looked out for Bo. I always had his back. When opportunities and openings arose, I threw his name in the mix. When backstage politics, name calling and wars with workers came about, I always defended him. Through all the defense, through the watchful eye, through the mentor like coaching Bo and I became friends. I allowed him to accompany me to the ring for XPW’s Cold Day in Hell, because it was my way of giving him my endorsement and seal of approval. I even allowed him to use my Clockwork Orange gimmick which he had always been fascinated with.
When I started my school, and subsequent shows, there was only one man I was able to think of that i wanted as the face of the promotion, and that was good ole Brawlin Bo. We had a great relationship, but as i started focusing on getting other wrestlers hooked up with WWE, and even refocusing my own career to get hooked up with WWE I saw something new with Bo.
I saw jealousy. I saw a petty whiny behavior and attitude of “why not me?” Bo started trying to take more and more credit for everything that was going on, he tried to attach his name to everything i was doing and working on, and he constantly called to complain, cry and cultivate a feeling of misery and negativity. I had enough. i found it to be pitiful and pathetic.
As social media took off, the onslaught of Bo’s need for approval and praise grew and made me sick. The constant, “hey bros, can i get a follow?” The constant ass kissing to vets on Twitter, the child like war of words with other workers. The begging for praise, follows and respect from the fans… It was all so, disgusting.
I mean, go out there and do your job. if you give it your all and leave everything on the table, if you know you did the best you could do, then there is no need to beg for respect, there is no need to pander for praise, it all comes naturally.
For years I worried about what the fans thought of me. Hell, major message boards would blame me for killing XPW. Every WSX review bashed me and my announcing style making me one of the most hated men in wrestling at the time. Through all the criticism, through all the complaints, through all the bashing did I cry? Did I tuck my tail between my legs and whine about poor, poor me? No! Because i knew that i was better than every one of those people bashing me. i knew that i had created a career that 95% of indy workers would be jealous about. I knew that even though i only worked once a month, and even though i pick and choose where I work, who i wrestle and what storylines I participate in, that I am the best at what i do, and there’s nothing anyone could say to strip me of that confidence. Unlike Bo, i don’t need the fans approval to make me what I am… A Champion. In and out of the ring!
I have done everything i have wanted to do in the wrestling business except be a full time worker with WWE.
I worked for the biggest indy and became the top heel. I was written about in Terry Funk’s autobiography, as well as 2 other wrestling books. I moved cross country and got myself in TNA. I was instrumental in the creation and production of WSX. If you played WWE’s game Smackdown vs. Raw 2006 through 2011 you’ve seen my in ring abilities as i did motion capture for Eugene, Mankind, Steve Austin, Rey Mysterio and more. I commentate on pay per view. I promoted on the Sunset Strip. I got people signed to WWE. Hell, i even got myself a contract offer that unfortunately had fallen through, but I took control of my career, and made it what i wanted to.
Bo lets other people control his destiny. Bo depends on others to build his confidence. Despite being a 375-pound monster, he’s a soft emotional midget. Hell, I was the one that was able to stir Bo into a tizzy by calling him out on MPW Radio, hijacking all future match making plans the MPW brass had. I knew I could control him like a puppet, and pull the strings so frantically that he had no choice to do what he feared most… Put his career on the line.
As I said above, I’ve gotten to do everything I have wanted in wrestling, and on Saturday May 18th, i will have the opportunity to add one more monumental mark to that resume, and that is retiring a monster.
Bo stands 6’3″ tall, and weighs 375-pounds. I stand barely 5’5″ tall, and tip the scales at 175. Despite that fact I walk into that match the giant. i walk into that match as the MPW Maximum Champion. I walk into that match knowing that i am the best thing going, and the most talented, most versatile, most significantly important worker in SoCal. My skill set makes me the most valuable commodity in pro wrestling today, and Brawlin Bo Cooper will see why i am the most maniacal, the most methodical, most mysterious and most amazing thing going.
On paper I am the underdog. If this was a popularity contest Bo Cooper would be cooler than me. If this fight happened at a bar or on the street, I probably wouldn’t have a chance. In all but one situation I likely would be dominated and destroyed by Bo, but that one situation where the playing field is even, and he’s cut down to size takes place when he steps through the ropes and into the ring, a place I have grown incredibly comfortable over the past 14 years.
I walk into that match healthy, while he walks in a frail broken man. I walk into that match with strategy and tricks up my sleeve, while he worries about the inevitable fact that his career is coming to an end. I walk into that match knowing my legacy has been defined, my talents are undeniable, and my will to win is unbreakable.
There are moments that define a career, and for Bo Cooper this match against me is his moment. For me, it’s just another cool accolade to add to my resume.
Bo knows in his heart, Bo knows in his brain, and Bo knows in his body that he can not beat me. Ask him about our “shoot wrestling” match at training years ago where I dominated him. Most people under estimate me, and not only does that make me laugh, it gives me fire.
I know for a fact that Bo and i will tear it up on the 18th. I know that one or both of us will walk or limp out of the Simi Valley Boys and Girls Club, bruised, battered and broken. I know that we will leave everything we have out in and around the ring, in an effort to not only prove our physical dominance, but to solidify and cement our legacy.
Bo Cooper worries about that legacy. What will the people think? How will he be remembered? How will they react? Will they be satisfied? While he loses sleep trying to answer those questions, I’ll rest peacefully knowing that i am prepared, knowing that I am ready and knowing that it is my destiny to retire the Punk Rock Powerhouse, and put him out of his misery.
On Saturday May 18th, the Human Hype Machine, the Pop Superstar Crossover Mainstream Media Sensation, Pro Wrestling’s Greatest Asset, Hollwood’s New Fashion Plate and the Omnipotent Genius of SoCal… GQ Money will stand in the center of the ring, with his arm extended high, celebrating the fact, that I’m better than Bo, and I’m the guy that ended his 17-year run! And if you want to bet on that, it’s going to make you MONEY!!!
I was also able to get a brief comment from Brawlin Bo Cooper & he had this to say about his former friend & opponent GQ Money:
BBC: Ryan & I used to be close friends, even ran a Business together with the Fit pit. He was the guy to bring me into XPW at cold day in hell. I feel that Ryan even though he is a current MPW Max champ. he feels he has to prove something by taking out the biggest dude in So Cal. He is a smart and devious guy.
Ryan likes to say I like to whine cry and complain about things and that I am very emotional ? There was numerous nights were I had to talk Ryan out of almost like a Suicidal state due to WWE not Hiring him and him wanting to hang it up cause he feels he is so Good that hes not worthy to wrestle in a high school gym or even a boys and girls club. I have bled so cal and wrestled all over this great state etc. and never in my life have I met or known more of a primadonna then Ryan “GQ Money” Katz. His love for TV and his “superstar” attitude has gotten him no where in his mins yet I never made money or was famous world wide. The fans of socal is what kept me going but when he faces the Punkrock Power House, he will realize that my 17 year career stays and his career ends.
Whether you like them or hate them, both men have left their mark wrestling in Southern California. So mark your calendar: Saturday, May 18th at the Boys & Girls club of Simi Valley is place to witness history as one man’s journey comes to an end but who will it be… Brawlin Bo Cooper or GQ Money?
For more info on the show visit the link to our event page for this event:http://socaluncensored.com/event/mpw-in-simi-valley-ca/