This is a special Draven UnScripted with an interview with Alpha Omega Wrestling’s “The Mastermind” J.J. Young. Mr. Young was 
gracious enough to take some time out of his busy schedule to talk about his career & his life.
What made you decide that this is what you wanted to do?
J.J: I was always a wrestling fan growing up. I did not have very many friends as a child, I have a disability and when you have a disability, you get made fun of a lot, you are labeled as a “freak” and pro wrestling was and still is my escape from the everyday realities of life. Every time I get ready to preform in front of the fans, my mindset is always to show the world that just because you have a disability does not mean you should be pushed to the side. I have a dream like everyone else, and that dream is to be a pro wrestling personality. I’m thankful that the fans allow me to entertain them.
Who were your inspirations getting into Pro Wrestling?
J.J: As far as wrestling personalities go; Jake Roberts, Ric Flair, Jim Cornette, and Shawn Michaels.
Did you wanted to be a Wrestler or was the Manager or even a Referee role more your style?
J.J: I always wanted to be a wrestler, but after getting in the business and realizing that do to my limitations with my disability (Cereable Palsy) I realized that being in the ring is not the most entertaining thing in the world! (Chuckles) But after trying my hand at commentating and then being a manger, I find that I’m able to tell a better story as a manager and I think the fans realize this too!
For those who do not know can you explain what is cerebral palsy? Were you born with this disability or did this happen to you later in life?
J.J: I was born with Cerebral Palsy or better known as CP & it comes in many different variations. Cerebral palsy occurs when not enough oxygen is being given to the brain causing a small portion of the brain to die. When this happens, the rest of the brain is forced to work harder to cover the job(s) that can no longer be done by the portion of the brain that can no longer function. There is no cure for CP and I’m glad I have a mild form of the disability, Due to CP, I’m forced to use a walker to walk. I still can do every day tasks and feel all (And move) my extremities. I feel very blessed to have CP & it has taught me more about life than anyone can ever dream of knowing.
How does it feel being a manager with a disability and yet still able to take a bump?
J.J: To be honest I feel blessed being a manger with a disability. I feel that I have a bit of an advantage being a manger with a disability. We as entertainers are here to tell a story and to entertain the fans. I feel that having a disability adds to the story and it shows the world that not all disabled people need to be treated as porcelain dolls. I’m telling a story, I’m playing the role of “The bad guy.” & eventually I’m going to get what is coming to me. If the story calls for me to get my “just desserts.” then so be it. My thing is and has always been, if you step foot in this business, disabled or not be prepared to be treated like anyone else. I know from my point of view I will treat you the same way I’d want to be treated.
What do you think of the state of the managers in So Cal? Do you like how it is or do you feel there’s not enough or too little managers in So Cal?
J.J: There is a common misunderstanding in today’s industry that a manger is someone used as a mouthpiece for someone who does not have the mic skills to get over with the fans. I agree and disagree with this belief. I agree that a manager needs to be there as a mouthpiece for someone who can not connect with the fans verbally.
But on the flip side, a manger can also enhance a wrestler who has great mic skills. The perfect examples to this are Mr. Perfect and Rick Rude. They both cut great promos and were both great wrestlers but Bobby Heenan added so much more flare to both of the personas by giving a much greater emphasis on what was trying to be conveyed to the fans both in and out of the ring. I feel that in order to be a great manger you have do more then just stand around and look pretty. You have to get emotionally involved with the fans as well as know whats going on in the ring. The art of a manager is starting to come back to life in so cal and I can see more managers on the horizon… I can feel it.
Have you had the opportunity to see other indie promotions & any possibility you are looking to work with them?
J.J: I tell this to everyone that asks me, I am open to work any promotion that wants to have me. But the feeling in the majority of the wrestling world is that a disabled person has no business being at ringside or even in this business, So I’m hoping to change that line of thinking in the years to come, but yes I’ll work for any company that is willing to have me.
What do you think of AOW & it’s roster?
J.J: Alpha Omega Wrestling is one of the hottest promotions in So Cal indy wrestling today. AOW has so many up and coming wrestlers who are very hungry, it’s simply an amazing sight to see live. All of our roster goes out and gives you everything they have on each show. AOW is also a family friendly company, and I think we as a roster enjoy that because we end up being hero’s to many of our fans. At the end of the day we want to send you home with one of the best experances of your life.
Since last summer, it seems you’ve had a personal vendetta against Team Hi Def member Drake Fortune..why this personal animosity?
J.J: That is very simple as Drake & I were best friends, we grew up together & we broke into this business together. We made a deal never to leave each other behind. When we started working for AOW I was asked to be on the announce team, show after show I watched as Drske steal the spotlight. I finally had enough and came up with a plan. This plan unfolded in Auguest as I brought to AOW a monster! Not just any monster, this man stands 6’5 and weighs 250 he is DARKNESS! This monster has no heart, he has no soul and does as I command! His soul purpose is to serve me. Drake made a big mistake stealing my spotlight and we will end his career! Then finally the spotlight will shine on me, why? because I am The Mastermind J.J. Young that’s why.
Please tell the fans where on earth did you find your monster Darkness?
J.J: Darkness was born from the deepest, darkest corners of my mind. His actions are controlled by The Book Of Darkness. Darkness is my human wrecking machine!
Will there ever be a time where you & Drake will bury the hatch?
J.J: HAHAHA! your kidding me, right?
Is there anyone on the current AOW Roster that you have an eye on to maybe add as another potential acquisition?
J.J: No, not at this time. Darkness is all I need, there is nobody worthy enough for my services. After all I am the greatest manger in the business today. You need to be able to meet my standareds and nobody but Darkness has done so, yet.
Do you follow WWE or TNA & if so what do you think of the product?
J.J: I do follow both companies and the current products are very stale. Not saying that they’re bad companies, I just feel that wrestling is in a major boom period. However, with the launch of the WWE network I think that major changes will occur and they both will need to step up their game and that’s when things will be fun to watch again.
In the 3 years AOW has been around, Former big names like Gangrel, Christopher Daniels, Matt Hardy & this coming sunday Amazing Red have made an apperance, if you can bring anyone to AOW who would it be?
J.J: Gregory Iron and Zach Gowen, I’d love to work a real handicap match with them! (Chuckles)
What’s next on the horizon for “The Mastermind” J.J. Young?
J.J: Darkness and I are going to take the wrestling world by storm in 2014! It’s time to make it known that we are here and we will not be stopped! I promise you that you will know why I am The Mastermind and why I am the greatest manager in this business today!
Let’s do some word association with the current AOW roster:
AOW Owner StepDaddy Roscoe
J.J: As an owner Stepdaddy has let the roster run wild! We have had commentators get struck by wrestlers hell even Stepdaddy himself has struck one of the best announcers in the business today in Christian Rosenberg! Tell me what kind of owner strikes an employee? He is lucky he did not get sued! However I give the man his due, he has brought in some of the best talent today and does put out an entertaining product. He needs to learn to put his wrestling days behind him and be a better business man in my opinion.
The Midnight Society
J.J: One of the most talented groups in wrestling today
Richie Slade
J.J: Great entertainer! He is Young and hungry I just hope he never crosses I and Darkness’ path. I’d hate to have to destroy such a talented wrestler.
Dexter Milhouse
J.J: Waldo? never let that guy around any lab equipment he might blow up the world!
Blindman Mike Chatman
J.J: I owe that man everything! Before AOW was born, nobody but Blindman would give me the chance to do what I do best because I am disabled. Without Blindman there would be no J.J. Young!
The Alpha Females
J.J: Some of the best workers period! It’s not a slap fest like you see on TV. They go out a kick butt every chance they get.
Christian Rosenberg
J.J: The Voice Of Choice! One of my idols growing up. He brings something special to the announce team. It’s one of of those gifts that you can not explain I like to call it the “IT” factor.
Do you have any final words of wisdom to any fans of J.J. Young & AOW?
J.J: For all my followers out there I am living proof that no matter how big your dream is, if your disabled or not even the biggest dreams can become a reality. If your bust your ass and never give up it will happen.
To those of you that think I’m a hero, thanks but i’m just a guy who had a dream and made it happen through determanation and the will to do what I wanted to do. As far as AOW, goes my actions speak louder than my words & remember it’s always the silent ones who make the biggest impact.
To close I just wanted to say that J.J. Young is proof positive that you can achieve your dreams without having your physical limitations hold you down. J.J. Young joins a list of Physically Capable stars like The Blindman Mike Chatman & Former WWE Star Zack Gowan who wanted to be part of Professional Wrestling & if they can do it, so can you.
Thank you to “The Mastermind” J.J. Young for giving his time for this interview & you all can see “The Mastermind” & the rest of the stars of Alpha Omega Wrestling this Sunday in Indio, Ca for AOW’s Tag Wars.
http://socaluncensored.com/event/aow-tag-wars-in-indio-ca/
Until next time, this is Mike Draven…signing off.