Interview with Brawlin Bo Cooper

This is Draven UnScripted with a special interview with one & only “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.