PWHS Team
Chapter One: Brian Bubba Edwards - Loophole Wizard, Ban Master
#PWHS #Interview
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Question 1
Thanks Brian for doing this long awaited interview; but before we go on, you have just got to explain that unusual tagline I gave you for this article.
Answer
(Brian laughs) That glorious title is a running joke among me and many of the other Team Leaders in the group. "Loophole Wizard", I really don't try to do it, but they tell me their perception is that I study how to get around a rule (find a loophole) so I can have my way, but at the same time not break their rule/ policy. I wish I was that smart, but I won't tell them lol.
"Ban Master". I really believe in what this company is attempting to do. I like the collective knowledge of the tens of thousands that have joined together to share, teach, and to learn from each other. I like it so much that I used to to be TOO hasty to delete remarks and/or the member who I thought was possibly breaking the policies or the harmony of the group. My heart was in the right place, but the finger was TOO HASTY, lol.
Question 2
(Laughs) Though we have never met, I have known of your love for Professional Wrestling for about 5 years or so. You presently live in the great state of Indiana. Dick the Bruiser was the local hero while you were growing up I believe you told me once. Did you attend Bruiser’s WWA matches?
Answer
I honestly wish I could remember more, keep in mind I was barely walking at the time. I can remember my parents and their friends always saying there was no one tougher than The Bruiser.
Question 3
Did you watch the weekly WWA show?
Answer
I can remember them talking about him on the news, I was only a kid at the time and was more involved in playing and pretending to be Bruiser and had way too much energy to sit still for very long…
This was before a lot of homes had cable and we only had about 3 fuzzy channels on tv if we were lucky. The main things I could watch on tv around here was WWF and WCW usually on Saturday and Sunday Mornings and briefly GLOW (Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling) that was on way past my bedtime.
Question 4
What is your earliest memory of Pro Wrestling? How did you discover it? What captured your attention?
Answer
After Bruiser I'd have to say the next time I really noticed wrestling was in the mid '80s. The first one after that that caught my eye was Jake Roberts, I could really listen to the man talk for hours.
Question 5
Any memories that stand out about you watching wrestling in person?
Answer
I've been to WWF, WCW and ECW events and the for-mentioned WWA events my dad took me to as a child. Wrestlmania 8 I would get an autographed program from Paul Bearer and The Undertaker (Unfortunately I've lost it since then)…I remember Undertaker walking out among the fans and being at least a foot taller than everyone there. It was really hard to miss him. But I was a Jake Roberts guy and would probably be the only one around me there rooting for the snake.
But the most memorable moment to me would have to be at an ECW Event at the Tyndall Armory in Indianapolis. I was sitting on the upper level of the Armory and I remember seeing Paul E and New Jack off to the side talking to each other. During a match with the Dudleys, New Jack would tag with John Kronus and would come back to the upper level. He would literally walk in front of where me and my friend was sitting and asked us how we were enjoying the show. Which we would reply AWESOME! He smiled at us and nodded and replied, “Good” ; right before he did a back flip off of the upper level onto the Dudleys who were beating up on Kronus right below us!...Earlier I had saw Axl Rotten who was about the same size as I was. I was telling my friend I could do this. All my dreams of fame were put to rest as soon as I saw New Jack do that flip. I quickly withdrew my comment to my friend telling him not even if they showed me how to land would I ever do that! Lol
Question 6
I know the WWF caught your attention at a later age. Tell me what specific wrestler and why? Who were their feuds?
Answer
The First One to catch my eye was, as I mentioned, Jake Roberts, He was cool with Damian and how he talked during his interviews, Classic! He had feuds with Steamboat and Rick Martel after I had started watching again.
Question 7
What emotions do you have now that Jake is sober and fit again?
Answer
I'm thrilled for him. I watched “Beyond the Mat” and felt sorry for Jake, simply because I knew how
good he used to be and could be.
Question 8
Did you get the opportunity to see other territories eventually? Was the WWF still your favorite?
Answer
Besides the WWF, I’ve seen WCW, ECW, The USWA, WCCW; if it was on and it was wrestling, I basically would watch it. I'd have to say out of them all, I was really a big fan of ECW. At the time, I know this probably isn't a popular opinion, but I loved the Hardcore style. It changed wrestling at the time, it ushered in the Attitude Era and The Cruiserweights in WCW.
Question 9
You and I met through a Pro Wrestling simulation game that we spent 40-60 hours playing weekly; why don’t you tell everyone about it and why it has so intrigued you the past few years?
Answer
Being a longtime fan is what originally drew me to the game (Wrestler Unstoppable). While the Graphics doesn't really compare to Playstation or X Box, I still was curious enough to try it out. What kept me playing after that, were the people and the aspect they brought to the game. The trash talking and role playing and the getting into the Characters. There was so many different companies (Territories if you will, in my best Dream voice) that kept me logging on. Each company had a different feel to it compared to the other ones. I always had love for the heels over the babyfaces, so I naturally would play a heel (originally my character was loosely based off of Jake Roberts & Cactus Jack).
So, I would find myself sitting around trying to think of ways to tick people off without actually doing anything to them. I would just talk about how much better I was than they were; how they should be thankful I was there to draw the fans to fill the seats. To my delight I had more than a few come back at me and either challenge me or talk trash back at me starting several feuds.
When I would win I'd post it to the scene and brag about how easy they were beaten. It was about that time I had really started talking to Terry (Magnificent Maurice in the game) and would eventually become a GM
for his company: WSoE (Wrestling School of Excellence) Hardcore. It was one of the first companies I had joined. I enjoyed the company as the theme was based off of Wrestling Knowledge (complete with articles about random Wrestlers.) Terry eventually handed the company to me which I still run, even though I will admit I have cut back on my hours in the game.
Question 10
I know you feel strong about the importance of organizations like the PWHS to recall when wrestling was different than the product youngsters know today. Why not give us your feelings on how it was
and how it is today?
Answer
I guess when I first became a fan there were more actual wrestling moves. I had wrestled in school and was familiar with some of the holds they would use. It was less scripted so I think the men that had the gift of gab would shine and the ones that didn't needed a manager. There are far fewer managers. Today it seems too scripted. I think Terry Funk said it best in his book, “More than just Hardcore” :” They aren't actors they're wrestlers.. You give them a script and tell them to go do an interview or promo. Sometimes it works, a lot of times it doesn't.”
Question 11
What is it you like about PWHS?
Answer
I always love a trip down memory lane, the wealth of knowledge that is not only with administration but it's members really never ceases to amaze me. I feel I have met a few kindred souls in my time in the group and even have (Facebook) befriended a few of my heroes from that time. I think that's pretty cool.
Question 12
Anything you would like to add? Anything burning in your gut?
Answer
I'd like to thank everyone that contributes to the group. I'd also like to throw out there that the Administration does a fantastic job on the history of wrestling. Jimmy does a lot more for this group than a lot of people know. I've helped him a few times and some of it's boring tedious stuff. But then again so do the other Admins.: Mike, Greg, Jay, Pablo, Curtis, Barry and Terry are all have a wealth of knowledge that they all want to share because like myself, they have a love for wrestling. No one here is getting rich, they all do it for the love of wrestling…Thank you sir.
Terry Kent
Thank you Brian for your friendship - I could go on for over an hour of all the projects you have unselfishly helped me with - Brian is an invaluable part of our PWHS leadership.
Unique content strictly for the Professional Wrestling Historical Society.
Interview with Brian Bubba Edwards.
Interviewer: Terry Kent.
Published: 2014.
PWHS Team Interview: #1.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.
Updated: November 30, 2018.
Unique content strictly for the Professional Wrestling Historical Society.
Interview with Brian Bubba Edwards.
Interviewer: Terry Kent.
Published: 2014.
PWHS Team Interview: #1.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.
Updated: November 30, 2018.
An Interview with Jimmy Wheeler by Terry Kent - Read Here.
Other interviews on the #PWHS website can be Read Here.