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Long Live Alex Kane!

Alex Kane addresses the people alongside his Bomaye Fight Club, MLW @ 2300 Arena, July 2023

A look back at July 8, 2023, when Alex Kane defeated Alexander Hammerstone to win the MLW World heavyweight championship (as told by one of his top allies in the Bomaye Fight Club).

TEXT BY O’SHAY EDWARDS

You had to be there.

To feel the 2300 building and bubbling over just ready for the moment where it all could just erupt.

You had to be there.

Alex Kane has been working his ass off for this moment for the better part of 20 years, before BOMAYE was even a catchphrase or a chant. And to be able to not only see it, but experience it first-hand, is one of the rare moments in wrestling that I will never forget. Because seeing it on TV is one thing, but seeing and feeling it live?

Man, you had to be there.

Alex Kane, the new MLW World heavyweight champion, is looked upon with pride by O'Shay Edwards

But as much as it’s what you saw, there were moments that you didn’t.

I had a chance to pull Alex away from everyone and just speak to him man to man. Explaining how we both came from Georgia Wrestling in a time where guys like us weren’t really going to get a ‘fair shake.’ Because in wrestling, well, people like who they like, and because we didn’t look like those people, we were going to have to work two and sometimes three times as hard to get where we are. But when we get there, they’ll never be able to take it from us.

Alex Kane applies a waistlock to Alexander Hammerstone, who attempts a rope break

I told him I was proud of him, I told him that I love him, I told him I was OVER THE MOOON happy for him, and I never been more ecstatic to call him my friend.

Long Live Alex Kane. Long Live the MLW World heavyweight champion.

Alex Kane celebrates, 2300 Arena, MLW July 2023
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IT IS KZY TIME … And The U.S. Is About To Go Crazy!

It's Kzy Time!

IT IS KZY TIME …

AND THE U.S. IS ABOUT TO GO CRAZY!

It's Kzy Time!

TEXT & PHOTOS BY ISSA MARIE

DURING THE MONTH of February, the leader of Dragongate’s NATURAL VIBES, Kzy, and the unit’s powerhouse, BIG BOSS Shimizu, will be wrestling throughout the U.S.—East to West Coast and some in between!

When I was still in Japan, I had the opportunity to speak with Kzy just days ahead of the tour announcement. He is the man in charge of Dragongate’s most beloved faction, NATURAL VIBES, known for its feel-good energy, music, and, most importantly, being the blueprint for what a cohesive unit should be.

NATURAL VIBES (Good Vibes Only): Dragongate

“We stay true to who we are,” explains Kzy. “We respect each other, support each other. There are no betrayals.  We are made up of ‘Good Vibes Only.’”

Since re-establishing NATURAL VIBES, Kzy has focused his efforts on coaching and mentoring the next generation of talent in Dragongate.  “When the first iteration of NATURAL VIBES was established, I had Susumu (Mochizuki) and Genki (Horiguchi) to help develop me as a top player,” he said. “After their departure from the unit, I assumed their former roles in order to pay it forward to the younger generation of wrestlers that make up NATURAL VIBES, Chapter 3: Jacky, Jason, and (Strong Machine) J.” 

In my interviews with Jacky Funky Kamei, Jason Lee, and Strong Machine J (SMJ), each effusively praised the group’s leader, with SMJ acknowledging it was Kzy who gave him the opportunity and the platform to be the truest version of himself. Without such a supportive captain, NATURAL VIBES simply would not be what it is today.

Big Boss Shimizu & Kzy

Given the choice, I wondered whether Kzy preferred being the undisputed “Top Guy” in Dragongate or being a leader among his peers. He doesn’t see the two as being mutually exclusive. “As a leader, I always strive to be in the limelight,” he admitted. “But helping the younger wrestlers become the next generational group to lead the promotion ignites the fire and grit within [me] to continue to fight harder to achieve my results. Helping them elevates me.” 

While that may be true, those who have followed Kzy’s career have wondered when it will finally be his time to reign as Open the Dream Gate champion. That includes the NATURAL VIBES leader himself. “Seeing all the younger wrestlers thrive and become champion, from the lens of the promotion, I am very happy to see,” Kzy told PWI. “However, personally, it is frustrating [to not become champion]. In Dragongate, timing is everything. And when the time is right, I will be ready to take advantage of it.” 

Perhaps his journey overseas will enable the veteran wrestler to become closer to undeniable. And what should U.S. fans expect from Kzy? “In every state and venue I will be wrestling at, it is going to be fun,” he said. It is going to be loud, it is going to be exciting!”

Dragongate fans will nod their heads in agreement. They have learned to expect nothing less from “Mr. All Gas No Breaks, Mr. Full Throttle!”

Take it from the man himself: “That is why it is always Kzy Time.” 

If you have never seen Kzy wrestle before, you are in for a treat! 

At the end of this article, we will provide you with some recommended matches to watch via YouTube. However, the one that solidified everything for Kzy is available exclusively on the DRAGONGATE Network (dragongate.live). This is Open the Dream Gate challenge against PAC on February 10, 2019. 

Even though Kzy was not victorious in the end, he proved that he could go toe to toe with a world-class wrestler, giving him the confidence in his ability that he can stand with the best on the planet

U.S. Tour Schedule for Kzy & BIG BOSS Shimizu

Kzy

02-03 GSPW (New Jersey) 

02-04 MLW (Philadelphia) 

02-17 Prestige (Portland) 

02-18 BLP (Chicago) 

02-25 MEW (Alabama) 

02-26 ETU (New Jersey) 

Shimizu

BIG BOSS Shimizu displays his impressive strength

02-03 GSPW (New Jersey) 

02-04 MLW (Philadelphia) 

02-18 WrestleRave (Texas) 

02-25 MEW (Alabama) 

02-26 ETU (New Jersey) 

RECOMMENDED VIEWING:

Kzy vs. Shun Skywalker, 12-16-2022

Kzy vs. Shun Skywalker, Kobe Pro Wrestling Festival 2021, 07-31-2021

Kzy vs. Kota Minoura, King of Gate 2021, 06-03-2021


IT IS KZY TIME …

AND THE U.S. IS ABOUT TO GO CRAZY!

TEXT & PHOTOS BY ISSA MARIE

2月ではNATURAL VIBESのリーダーであるKzy選手とBIG BOSS清水選手が渡米することになりました!

アメリカンツアーが発表前に運よくKzy選手と話す機会がありました。彼がドラゴンゲートの最愛であるユニットNATURAL VIBESのリーダーです。改めて紹介しますが、NATURAL VIBESはエネルギーと音楽で知られている中、彼らの結束力がユニットのあるべき姿でもあります。

NATURAL VIBES trio

「私達は私達に誠実であり続ける。お互いに尊重し、支え合っている。裏切りなんてしない。私達はいつもGood Vibes Onlyで構成されている」

NATURAL VIBESを再結成して以来Kzy選手は次世代選手の指導や育成に力を注いでいます。「NATURAL VIBESが立ち上げた当初は望月ススムさんと堀口元気さんにトッププレイヤーとして育ててくれました。彼らがユニットを離脱した後、NATURAL VIBES第3章を構成する若い世界のジャッキー、ジェイソン、とストロングマシーンJに恩返しするために、彼ら(望月と堀口)の役割を引き継ぎました。」

ジャッキーとジェイソン選手、そしてストロング・マシーンJ選手のインタビューでは、それぞれがリーダーを絶賛し、J選手は真の自分であるための機会を与えてくれたのはKzy選手であると認めている。NATURAL VIBESはこんな協力的なリーダーがいなければ、今のような姿にはならなかっただろう。

Kzy選手は誰もが認めているトッププレイヤーになることと、仲間中のリーダーであることのどちらが好きなのだろうかと想像してみた。しかしKzy選手はこの二択が相反しないものだと考えている。「リーダーとして常に脚光を浴びようと努力をしている。ですが若い世代を団体のトップで走るように手助けをすることで自分の結果を出せるための火種にもなります。彼らの手助けはご自身も高めてくれる」

しかしKzy選手のキャリアを追っかける者はきっと「いつになったらオープン・ザ・ドリーム・ゲート王者になれるのだろう・・」と思うでしょう。Kzy選手自身も同感でした。「若い選手が成長し王者になるのを見るのは団体の目からとてもうれしいことです。なのに(王者になれなかったのを)ちょっと悔しいです。ドラゴンゲートでは、タイミングがすべて。タイミングが合えばそれを利用する準備を出来つつある。」

もしかして海外遠征ではその第一歩になるのだろうか。アメリカのファンはKzy選手に何を期待するでしょうか?「どんな州でもどんな会場でもきっと楽しいでしょう。とてもうるさくなるし盛り上がることは間違いないでしょう!」ドラゴンゲートファンはミスター宴人全開ときっと賛成するでしょう。

だって本人「いつも常にKzyタイム!」

Kzy選手初見の方はきっといい時間を過ごすでしょう!下記にはおすすめ試合はありますが、一番おすすめする試合はdragongate.liveで見られる。これが2019年2月10日PAC選手とオープン・ザ・ドリーム・ゲート選手権試合でした。

残念でしたがKzy選手が敗れてしまった。なのに世界級のトップクラスレスラーと互角に渡り合えることを証明できたし、自信を持たせるようになりました。

スケジュール:

Kzy

2月3日 GSPW、ニュージャージー州

2月4日MLW、フィラデルフィア

2月17日Prestige、ポートランド

2月18日BLP、シカゴ

2月25日MEW、アラバマ州

2月26日ETU、ニュージャージー州 

BIGBOSS清水

2月3日 GSPW、ニュージャージー州

2月4日MLW、フィラデルフィア

2月18日WrestleRave、テキサス州

2月25日MEW、アラバマ州

2月26日ETU、ニュージャージー州

おすすめ試合:

2022年12月16日Kzy対シュン・スカイウォーカー

神戸プロレス祭り2021年、2021年7月31日、Kzy対シュン・スカイウォーカー

King of Gate 2021年、2021年6月3日

Kzy対箕浦康太

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The Return of Alex Shelley

The Return of Alex Shelley

TO SAY THAT Alex Shelley has been everywhere and done almost everything in wrestling is an understatement. The Detroit, Michigan, native has plied his trade in Ring of Honor, IMPACT Wrestling, and New Japan to much success—and even cropped up in NXT for a brief time in early-2020. Away from the ring, he has worked just as hard in pursuit of academia and his day job. Now, after some time away, Shelley is on the cusp of a return to the ring as part of Major League Wrestling. PWI recently caught up with him to find out just what it is that keeps the former Motor City Machine Gun coming back for more.

PWI: A lot of fans are excited to hear that you are returning to wrestling again. Why is MLW the right place for that to happen?

Shelley: It’s the right place, right time. They contacted me about a year and a half ago, and it didn’t really work with my schedule because of my career outside of wrestling. But now, it does. On top of that, for me personally, I want to be creatively inspired. I want to be challenged. And I want to be excited about the wrestling I am going to produce. And when I saw the MLW roster, that appealed to me, as well.

PWI: MLW has announced that you will face TJP at the Fightland event on October 2 as part of the Opera Cup tournament. TJ is someone you are quite familiar with. What can fans expect from that match?

Shelley: I’ve known TJ since 2004. We both competed in the Jeff Peterson Cup in Florida when TJ was (wrestling as) Puma at the time. He was a guy who I had actually watched before I met him. I had watched CMLL and PWG, and he had been in both places. I thought he was very good. Then, I found out he was close to my age, too, When we first met at that Peterson Cup in Florida, Chris Hero and I had been sparring in the ring that day for close to an hour before the show started, just training. When we were done and got out of the ring, TJ came up to me and said “Where did you learn to do all that?”

A group photo of the 2005 Super 8 participants. On the right, Alex Shelley poses behind a crouching Puma (TJP), whom he’d first met the year prior. (Photo by Joe Zanolle)

Now, keep in mind, this was a peer of mine. He had more experience and better training than me—albeit different training. But that’s really where our bond was formed: over a love of wrestling, and technical wrestling in particular. And, if that doesn’t give you an idea of how this match will be, then I don’t know what will.

PWI: You touched on it earlier, but you do have a career outside of wrestling as a physical therapist. That obviously comes with its own responsibilities and was a key reason why you had to step away from IMPACT Wrestling earlier this year. A lot of wrestlers don’t plan for careers away from the ring. Is it something that’s been difficult for you to balance?

Shelley: I think it was different for me and for where I fell generationally. I’ve been doing this for 20 years, even though I’m still only in my late-30s. I remember very, very clearly around 2008, in TNA, due to the way the company was structured and how they operated at the time, I remember thinking that I don’t want to do this here forever. I don’t enjoy it. I love wrestling, love it so much, and I’ve given so much to it. But that environment just wasn’t good for younger wrestlers. That’s when I started making a contingency plan, and the obvious answer was to get an education. So, I got my first Bachelor’s degree in 2012. Then, I went to Japan for a little while, and Japan was an amazing experience.

But I fell in love with learning then. And, even though my first degree was in business, I got to thinking about physio. Everyone gets injuries, whether you’re a wrestler or not, right? New Japan had two trainers who went on the road with us, and I was around them for years. They helped the wrestlers get into the ring. Like, if you saw what goes on behind the scenes, with the amount of work that these guys put into the wrestlers, and what the wrestlers are then able to do after treatment, it’s very inspiring. And, at that point, I got very inspired to go in that direction.

Alex Shelley and Kushida teamed up in New Japan to form the two-time junior heavyweight tag champions, Time Splitters. While in New Japan, Shelley was inspired to pursue physical therapy as a vocation away from the ring. (Photo ©2013 New Japan Pro-Wrestling, LTD.)

And I thought, Well I guess it’s time to get another four-year degree (laughs). So, I went back to school after my New Japan contract was up in 2015, and that was all she wrote. But I was splitting my time between wrestling and school, and it was so exhausting. I was in Ring of Honor at the time. I gave them all I had, but wrestling requires a certain amount of mental study outside of the ring. I wasn’t able to do that as much as I would’ve liked. Because I couldn’t. I had to learn all sorts of stuff about joints and anatomy and systemic illnesses and oh, my gosh! That was easily the most stressful period of my life. But I got through it, and now I’ve got a degree in Physical Therapy. Now, I’m able to work in physio 40 hours per week and wrestle, too. And I’m not saying it’s easy—because it’s not—but it’s a grind that I love because I love both fields.

PWI: You have been everywhere and done everything in wrestling. And you have a Monday-to-Friday job away from the ring. So, what keeps you wrestling? Is it that desire to be creatively inspired, like you talked about earlier?

Shelley: Yes it is. It’s very much a love of creativity. But also, wrestling is supposed to be fun. Wrestling is a sport, and what do you do with sports? You play sports! And I was that kid that grew up playing sports. I loved it because I loved helping people, and I loved pushing myself, and loved just being in the moment and feeling that stress—not the bad stress, but the good stress, which is what you feel when you’re in the ring. You almost go into autopilot … And I think that’s the most fun. And to be paid to do that is such an honor, such a privilege. And to be able to use your body and to help other people, I mean, to anyone who has ever spent one minute watching me, thank you so much!

Alex Shelley attempts a submission on Mark Haskins at Ring of Honor’s Free Enterprise PPV in February 2020. Though Shelley is well known for his high-flying abilities, he’s also a sound technical wrestler. (Photo by Ring of Honor/Zia Hiltey)

PWI: Away from wrestling and physical therapy, you’re a big music guy. You sing and play guitar, and are a big punk rock fan. What kind of stuff is Alex Shelley listening to these days?

Shelley: For the most part, I revolve around the same things. Like, the bands that I like are going to be making music until the day they die because that’s just what they do. But, lately, there’s been this whole West Coast indie punk rock scene that’s popped up in the last ten years, and there’s this band called Wavves … f’n awesome man! It’s basically one guy. But he put out a new album not that long ago, and I love it because I can learn to play it, too, you know? It’s all basic chord parts, but so well structured. When I look at Wavves or Together Pangea or Fidlar or Guided by Voices or Electric Six … bands that I’m a huge fan of, they don’t tend to veer too far off [the same chords], just the strumming pattern is different. But they make the most out of the least, and it’s just so cool.

PWI: It’s quite clear that being creative is a big thing for you. With wrestling, your education, music … it’s a fire that burns pretty bright within you. You’re obviously going to bring that with you to Major League Wrestling. What can fans expect from you in MLW?

Shelley: I don’t want to say anything finite because it’s going to change from opponent to opponent. I’m going to wrestle TJP differently than I’m going to wrestle Calvin Tankman or Matt Cross. But I can promise you this much: Whatever I’m doing, or whoever I’m in there with, I’m going to work my ass off!

(MLW Fightland takes place this Saturday, October 2 from the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, PA)