Interview with BJ Whitmer

As we heard of the news of the unfortunate accident that occurred to BJ Whitmer two weeks ago in Canada at a Ring of Honor show, he’s still a little bit shaken up but high spirited  on the road to recovery. He was in attendance at this past weekend’s Wrestling Cares show in Los Angeles where he apologize to the fans for not being able to compete but thanked the fans for the support & I had the chance for a one on one OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAinterview with “The Buzzsaw” BJ Whitmer.

1. How are you doing today?

BJ: I’m feeling pretty good all things consider, my neck is a little tight, a little stiff but all things consider I’m doing pretty well.

2. Do you remember the first time you saw a wrestling match & if so do you remember who was in the match?

BJ: I don’t think I can pin point the exact moment the first time I watch wrestling, I know I was about 5-6 years old & getting up on a Saturday mornings watching the Crockett stuff out of the Carolina’s were we had it syndicated into Cincinnati. That’s probably the first time I’ve seen wrestling & being a huge Rock & Roll Express fan.

3. What was it about pro wrestling that made you think that this was what you wanted to do in life?

BJ: I fell in love with it right away, the aspect of wrestling, the athleticism and as I got older it was something I wanted to give a try.

4. What was your inspiration to get into the business?

BJ: I was just a fan growing up & it looked some much fun & give it a shot to be out there.

5. Where did you go for your training?

BJ: I went to Les Thatcher’s school & learned there.

6. How long did it take you before you had your first wrestling match?

BJ: I started refing after 4 months, started in January 1999 training & refing in April/May & then did my first battle royal in October/November & then had my first single match in January 22, 2000.

6. Do you remember who was your first opponent?

BJ: It was a local guy who was training with Les & been working there about 3-4 yrs named Extremist. He just passed away a year ago but never got the details about it.

7. Tell me about the current promotions you are competing in?

BJ: Spend most of my time with Ring of Honor, i was lucky enough to be invited to the Wrestling cares tournament & AIW in Cleveland..pretty much my regular spots ROH & AIW but I’ll pick up some shows here & there if i get contacted.

8. Have you gone international?

BJ: I did my first tour in japan 2001 for Pro Wrestling NOAH & done 4-5 tours. Went to Japan for Ring of Honor once, but been to England, Germany & Pureto Rico.

9. How many championships have you won in your career?

BJ: (Laughs) I have no idea

10. How long have you been wrestling?

BJ: Counting my training of January 1999, So would put a little of 14 years. Actually 13 years working time minus 2 years & 9 months that i took off, I’ve been 11 years of actually wresting time.

11. Any favorite competitors you faced in your career?

BJ: Series of matches with Jimmy Jacobs probably sticks out above anything else because all the special matches we had were very special to me so he’s my favorite because we have the best chemistry & best business together.

12. Any competitors you’ve haven’t competed against that you would like to face?

BJ: AJ Styles always wanted to have a singles match with him because we came up through the indies. I’ve tag with him once on a small show in Indiana but never had the chance to work with.

13. Do you watch WWE/TNA & if so, what do you think of their product?

BJ: I don’t really keep up with the product. If I’m channel surfing & it lands on there I’ll watch for a few mins but I don’t keep up with the product.

14. Have you been contacted by WWE or TNA to do a dark match?

BJ: I did some dark matches for TNA in 2002-2003 in Nashville during the weekly PPVs. Been backstage with WWE a couple of times since I’m friends Jamie Noble & of course he’s an agent.

15. Have you played “Security” Guard on WWE or TNA?

BJ: No, i was just there backstage for Jamie meeting people but never did the “security guard” or standing in the background or any extra work.

16.What do you feel makes a good match in the ring?

BJ: Physcology, chemistry between the two guys, fan interaction. What I think is a good match, someone else thinks its bad & vice versa, what do you call it… subjective?

17. We know you injury at the recent Ring of Honor show, can you tell us your prognosis?

BJ: Just had a MRI done last week & results were that I bruised my spinal cord at C3-C4 of my spine & a little bit of spinal stenosis which is the narrow of the spinal column. But still have to go back to a specialist to find out how much narrowing is going on but for the foreseeable future I’m out for right now & I’m going to start some physical therapy & see how that plays out & hopefully get back in the gym & training soon. When you hear the word bruise you never think its bad but when you bruise your spinal cord its a pretty big deal its not like a bruise on your leg its a pretty intense injury.

18. Do you have anything to say to your fans?

BJ: Thanks for all the support over the years. If you want to follow me on twitter @BJ_Whitmer. I also have a facebook as well but I’m not on there as much. But thank you for the support over the years & its why we do what we do is for you fans keeping you entertained…so thank you.

We at Socaluncensored.com wish BJ Whitmer a successful recovery & hope to see you back in the ring soon. Thank you for the interview BJ & was a pleasure to have met you.