Originally released in 2017, The Wrestler: A Q.T. Marshall Story is an award-winning documentary about an independent wrestler trying to make it to WWE. It’s an underdog story about a regular guy from New Jersey trying to make it to the big-time. While I didn’t know anything about Q.T. Marshall prior to watching this documentary, his name was vaguely familiar. In a world filled with wrestling documentaries, including 350 Days, Nail In The Coffin, You Cannot Kill David Arquette, and The Resurrection of Jake the Snake, is this one worth watching? Read on for my thoughts.
It’s been a while since my last IMPACT Wrestling Report, but that’s because I’ve been very busy doing interviews for my books about the history of TNA/IMPACT Wrestling. Some of the people I’ve interviewed in recent weeks include Gail Kim, Ken Shamrock, Earl Hebner, and Jeff Hardy, who is the most popular wrestler in IMPACT Wrestling history and, currently, one of the top guys in WWE. Make sure to sign up for email alerts on my site so you don’t miss out on any future book updates because there are many more to come.
This past week was a big one in IMPACT Wrestling. The company announced a new TV show, which premieres tomorrow night, No Surrender aired on Saturday, and a partnership was revealed with New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). Let’s dive in!
I have now interivewed four members of the TNA/IMPACT Wrestling Hall of Fame, with the newest addition being the greatest referee of all time: Earl Hebner. For more than 40 years, Earl has been the gold standard for professional wrestling referees. From officiating matches between Hulk Hogan and Andre The Giant to Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels, he’s the absolute best at what he does. Earl spent 11 years with TNA Wrestling and he told me that it was the happiest time in his career. We talked about what it was like working with Dixie Carter, taking part in entertaining storylines, including ones with the Knockouts, life on the road, working internationally, and the art of being a great referee, among other topics. It was an honor and a pleasure to speak at length with a man I admire, and I know that his commentary will make a great addition to my books about the history of TNA/IMPACT Wrestling.
This week, in addition to others, I’ve interviewed Gail Kim, Jeff Hardy, and, now, Ken Shamrock! The first-ever world champion in TNA/IMPACT Wrestling, and the only person to be both in both the UFC Hall of Fame and the IMPACT Wrestling Hall of Fame, Ken Shamrock is the real deal and a bonafide legend. While his moniker is “The World’s Most Dangerous Man,” he was a pleasure to speak with. Ken and I talked about what it was like to win the NWA-TNA World Heavyweight Championship at the company’s first-ever PPV, his thoughts on what makes TNA/IMPACT Wrestling special, what the locker room culture is like, the Montreal Screwjob, the best advice Bret Hart ever gave him, and a whole lot more. Want to know his thoughts on Eddie Edwards, Sami Callihan, Moose, and what it’s like wrestling in the era of COVID? I asked Ken about all of this. I also spoke with him about his time in the WWF, including his thoughts on The Rock, Mick Foley, Bret Hart, and officiating the iconic match at WrestleMania 13 where Stone Cold Steve Austin’s star shot into the stratosphere. As someone who grew up watching Ken Shamrock become a combat sports legend, it was an honor to pick his brain and gain a greater understanding of what make him special. I look forward to sharing these thoughts with all of you in my books about the history of TNA/IMPACT Wrestling.
The latest guest on AEW’s Unrestricted podcast, Matt Sydal had some words of wisdom for Snoop Dogg before he did the “Snoop Splash” live on AEW Dynamite. Matt also had some encouraging words for himself after his not-so-perfect AEW debut at the ALL OUT Casino Battle Royale. He tells that story along with the last-minute phone call he received about the surprise booking. He offers insight to the Third Eye gimmick, what it means to have a “Sydelic Mentality,” risk-taking in the ring, and why he is solely focused on the TNT Championship. Plus, Matt tells stories about working with Cody Rhodes, Chaos Project, learning from AEW coaches like Dean Malenko and Tully Blanchard, his love of Japanese death matches, and tagging with Ricochet at NJPW.
I’ve got my biggest book update yet: I interviewed Jeff Hardy! Yes, the most popular wrestler in the history of TNA spoke with me at length about his time in the company. We talked about his first run with the promotion, winning the TNA World Heavyweight Championship multiple times, his Victory Road 2011 match against Sting, overcoming personal demons, his feud with “Broken” Matt Hardy, Dixie Carter, Hulk Hogan, Jeff Jarrett, and so much more! It was an honor to speak with “The Charismatic Enigma” because he’s not only a professional wrestling legend but a creative genius. I look forward to including his commentary in both of my books about the history of TNA/IMPACT Wrestling!
Today was quite a day for interviews for my books about the history of TNA/IMPACT Wrestling. I interviewed the greatest and most influential female wrestler of all time, Gail Kim, as well as hardcore wrestling icon Shane Douglas, and former TNA Knockouts Champion Taryn Terrell!
On Saturday, February 13 the next IMPACT Plus exclusive event takes place: No Surrender. Just today it was announced that there’s going to be a Triple Threat Revolver match, which is a revolving series of triple threat matches where three men begin, and when somebody is pinned or submits another man enters. Tonight, I interviewed IMPACT Wrestling Referee Daniel Spencer and got his thoughts on this one-of-a-kind match that’s making its debut at No Surrender, as well as Tommy Dreamer getting a shot at the IMPACT Wrestling World Championship on the same night, which happens to be his birthday!
Tommy Dreamer was the special guest on IMPACT Press Pass today!
This Press Pass highlighted everything IMPACT, particularly No Surrender, February 13th on IMPACT Plus, where Dreamer will challenge Rich Swann for the IMPACT World Title on his 50th birthday. You can watch the full Press Pass below.
