02 September 2024

Interview #16 - LegenDarius


The next interview is involving someone who made his introduction at the July Filipino Pro Wrestling FPW Astig show.  His name is  LegenDarius.

 

Fans who were at the event feel that he is a manager to a new wrestler on the roster by the name of Jason Rex.  However, instead of going further on this, this blogger will let LegenDarius  share what happened at the July show.  Since this blogger wasn't in attendance, I found out bits and pieces of what transpired that day.  Thank you to LegenDarius in agreeing to this interview.  Here we go.

 

Wayne:  What led you to becoming a manager? 

 

LegenDarius:  I'll be showing the real me in this interview, so apologies in advance. I just recently learned what a "wrestling gimmick" is, and now I understand that I've been playing this gimmick persona of being a super nice wrestling fan. It feels amazing to finally be able to be myself.

 

To be clear, I don't mind being called a manager, but I'm more of a mentor—a strategist. Nothing led me to the position I am in today. I've planned everything from the start. In terms of how we started planning this, it was actually my apprentice, Jason Rex, who put pro wrestling on my radar. I had to get involved in the industry to ensure the success of one of my students, and it then evolved into a bigger mission.

 

"Amateurs seek the sun. Get eaten. Power stays in the shadows." — Lewis Strauss.

 

I had nothing to do with Philippine wrestling until about two years ago. Then, suddenly, my research team successfully made people believe I was this super fan attending FPW and MWF shows. I even gaslighted some fans into thinking I was with them at events years before, even though my first time ever watching a wrestling show was at FPW's first shows. I'm sorry, guys, but I've never actually been to "PWR Homecoming". And to be clear, I didn't lie; my team tricked you. 

 

You interviewed me before, and it was one of your most-viewed interviews, and that has been by design. It's all part of the data collection process and a means to subtly and covertly win over the trust of the fans and the people involved in the industry. 

 

The next step was to get my foot in the door, so I started attending training sessions at the FPW Academy. During that time, I grew closer to rare individuals who not only shared my philosophy but were "pure" in understanding and living my concepts. Let's just say I had to learn how to become "sigma," and some people are just born with it—I'm not going to tell you exactly who they are. 

 

Then, my team said I had to make sure people felt good about me. A consultation firm created my training vignettes so more people would perceive me better. It was a risky step, as it could put off some people seeing a trainee already releasing training montages. But my analysts said this was part of how I could infiltrate more effectively, as it would make the "mark fans" in the wrestling industry relate to me more. Finally, I was able to become what they call a "Young Boy"—a sort of usher and security for FPW shows. 

 

The last show was a canon event. Jason Rex was facing someone who disrespected him in the past. It was a calculated risk, but it was the right moment to step out of the shadows and make things right. Here is a bit of footage from that show: https://www.instagram.com/p/C-4r19cvQhp/ 

 

I don't mind getting my hands dirty, so if I have to get in the ring for the sake of my mission, I will. 

 

Now we're at a point where the world can see who I really am, and we can actually influence the direction of the local wrestling industry—and eventually, hopefully, the entire world. 

 

Wayne:  Tell us more about Jason Rex. 

 

LegenDarius:  Jason Rex used to be known as Brad Cruz, the "Manila Bae" of an old defunct promotion. He was deluded by society into having dreams of becoming a star, which meant he had to be materialistic, vain, and had to pander to society's wants. 

 

But he was able to see the light—that the ladders he wanted to climb were part of a world built on fantasy, mind-controlled advertising, synthetic food made to make us feel weak and wanting to consume more, psychological warfare on social media, and propaganda news designed to distract and divide us. (Why the heck should people care about Carlos Yulo's family drama?) The world hypnotized Brad Cruz, but my secret sigma seminars woke him up from his slumber. I rechristened him and made him into Jason Rex, The Manila Beast! 

 

Wayne:  What are your thoughts on the new venue, Baked Studios? 

 

LegenDarius:  Baked Studios is the stage that will set the world of Philippine wrestling on fire. A great mix of lights, lasers, screens, and overall production creates an otherworldly, surreal atmosphere. That’s exactly the kind of environment where moments are made. It's a venue that matches the caliber of talent FPW wrestlers bring to the table. The roster thrives in places like this—especially my apprentice. 

 

Wayne:  What are your thoughts on Filipino Pro Wrestling now and its future? 

 

LegenDarius:  Filipino Pro Wrestling will keep on growing. Every show, a huge fraction of the audience is people watching wrestling for the first time. The talent here is hungry, the energy is electric, and FPW will continue to evolve and get bigger with time. 

 

But the sun will set on the current era of FPW. Jason Rex and I will use the platform of Filipino Pro Wrestling to help steer the ship of culture itself. 

 

Just so people understand, I am not Andrew Tate or Josh Mojica. I am not here to sell courses to make people rich, and I don't condone misogyny. I am here to build people up, to wake them up to the truth that we live in a dystopia that intentionally wants to harm us, make us weak, so we can be slaves and just consume. I want people to unleash the beast within them. 

 

Against my own wants, I make "relatable" short-form content so I can try to reach people outside the wrestling niche. But it's mostly so people can connect with us—the first step in waking people up. If I can transform Brad Cruz into Jason Rex, I hope to do the same for everyone else. But if they want to reach their beast self, they should follow me on socials, FPW, and Jason Rex. 

 

LegenDarius on Socials: FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/imdariusaur 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dariusaur/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dariusaur TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dariusaur 

FPW on Socials: FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/filprowrestling 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/filprowrestling/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@filprowrestling 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@filprowrestling 

Jason Rex on Socials: FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064183021332 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jason_rex_fpw/ 

 

I want to change the world, and FPW will be the catalyst for that change. A new dawn is breaking.

 

LegenDarius, thank you so much for the interview.  As this is being posted, Legendarius and Jason Rex are preparing for the next FPW show, FPW Astig.  The show is on Sunday, September 15th at 2pm at Baked Studios in Makati City.

 

Jason Rex will be taking on Dax Xaviera in one of several matches that afternoon.  This match is important for both wrestlers as a victory could move one of them closer to an FPW Championship Title match down the line.

 

For tickets, please visit the FPW - Filipino Pro Wrestling Facebook page.  All the best to LegenDarius and to Jason Rex in the next show, and going forward!

Interview #15 - Miguel Navarro


Hello everyone!

 

It's been about 11 months since doing an interview on this blog.  A lot has happened in the pro wrestling world since that time.  There have been several people that suggested that one of these should be done again.  So, here we go.

 

During this blogger's last visit to the Philippines a few weeks ago, had a chance to meet Miguel Navarro.  Right away, I saw the passion and the knowledge that Miguel has as a wrestling fan both locally and internationally.  Miguel is the WUW - PH (World Underground Wrestling - Philippines Correspondent).  Just recently, he began his own podcast called Ready To Rambol.  Please check it out if you haven't already.

 

Just recently, we did this interview with several questions.  Hope you enjoy it.

 

Wayne:  When did you start following wrestling?

 

PUSO Wrestling Heart-2-Heart Update #4


Hello everyone!

 

One match has been added for PUSO Wrestling's (Philippines) Heart-2-Heart show.  The event will take place on Saturday, September 21st.  Location is the Brawl Pit Bulusan beginning at 6pm.

 

Jomar and ?????? (partner of Jomar's choosing) will take on Isaiah Valencia and Patricia Ligaia in tag team action.  

 

For those who haven't followed how this match was made, Patricia Ligaia was the winner of the Jun Capilos Battle Royal.  She won by eliminating Jomar over the top rope to win it.

 

It appeared that initially, Jomar wanted Patricia in singles competition.  However, Isaiah Valencia stepped in perhaps to face Jomar instead.  Eventually, per General Manager - Sonny Go, this will now be a tag match.  Jomar will choose a partner of his choosing against Isaiah and Patricia.

 

Also, Jake De Leon, fresh off a very successful wrestling tour of Japan, will be in action that night.

 

For more information, including tickets, please visit the PUSO Wrestling Facebook page.  Also, for sponsorship inquiries, please message PUSO Wrestling or email pusowrestling@gmail.com for more details.  Thank you.

01 September 2024

Cross Promoting


Growing up with pro wrestling in the Territory Era in North America, there was something interesting that this blogger learned early on. 


About two years after first watching wrestling on television, this blogger first came across a wrestling magazine known as The Wrestler.  Remember everyone, back then, there was no internet! 

 

It was a shock to find out that there were actually three promotions in North America and not one!  I grew up in the National Wrestling Alliance territory and thinking it was the only one.

 

However, there were two other promotions in the American Wrestling Association (Midwest Region) and the World Wide Wrestling Federation (East Coast Region).  It would be extremely rare if a wrestler from one region back in 1968 would wrestle in another one.  The only exception I could remember early on was the WWWF's Bruno Sammartino doing a couple of shows against the NWA's Ray Stevens at the Daly City Cow Palace.

 

Things were very tight amongst the heads of the different groups back then.  Definitely, it was big business and up until the 1970s, one promotion would not "invade" another's territory.  The invasion began in 1969 when the American Wrestling Alliance invaded NWA territory with a show in the Los Angeles area (The Forum in Inglewood).  NWA was the territory back then with shows at the Olympic Auditorium in downtown Los Angeles.

 

Jumping forward a half century, in Southeast Asia, there are a few pro wrestling promotions throughout the various countries.  Unlike the days of The Territory Era in North America, pro wrestling in Southeast Asia is definitely a breath of fresh air!  The heads of the various promotions are far more receptive in a wrestler from one country visiting another.

 

This blogger has been following a recent pro wrestling tour of Japan involving Jake De Leon (PUSO Wrestling - Philippines), Shivam (SETUP - Thailand) along with Dr. Gore (SPW), Monomoth (SETUP), Chris Brookes and Masa Takanashi (SETUP, DDT Pro Wrestling, ChocoPro).  A couple of fans from abroad were able to attend the tour as well.

 

There were the Baka Gaijin and ChocoPro shows that were definitely memorable.  Then there was the legendary show at Korakuen Hall where many Japanese pro wrestling shows have taken place.  I believe the tour ends in Saitama before the wrestlers return to the respective countries.

 

Over the last few weeks, this blogger has been trying to keep up with several wrestlers.  While I was in the Philippines, Filipino Pro Wrestling's, Chino Guinto took part in a Vietnam Pro Wrestling show at the VAIB Studio.  Before this, Jake De Leon (PUSO Wrestling) and Mike Madrigal (Filipino Pro Wrestling) traveled to Malaysia for an APAC Wrestling show.  The Eurasian Dragon and a couple of other wrestlers from Ring Of Rebirth Singapore wrestled in the show as well.


Earlier in the year, Dexcon Philippines promoted a couple of shows with Zack Sabre Jr. (NJPW), Chris Brookes and Masa Takanashi (SETUP, DDT, ChocoPro) appearing. 

 

In about two weeks, September 14th, the Philippines own, Crystal, will be appearing at Middle Kingdom Wrestling's Championship Supercard show in Shanghai.  She will be taking on Yuki Kamifuku for the SPW Queen Of Asia Championship.

 

The point this blogger is making is that the cross promotion of wrestling talent in Southeast Asia is a very healthy one for pro wrestling in the region. It spurs interest, grows the industry and helps the economy.  Friendships are strengthened as well.

 

There is no question in this wrestling fan's mind that the Japan visit was a success!  From what was posted in Social Media, all of the wrestlers had a great time and were receptive positively by the fans who attended.  Definitely, there are exciting times ahead for sports entertainment in the region.