1 00:00:01,218 --> 00:00:05,138 [Announcer shouting] 2 00:00:05,179 --> 00:00:08,699 [Crowd cheering] 3 00:00:08,747 --> 00:00:10,747 MVP: I'm a pro wrestler, 4 00:00:10,793 --> 00:00:13,103 and I've abused my body in different ways. 5 00:00:14,492 --> 00:00:16,712 I haven't been very kind to myself over the years. 6 00:00:16,755 --> 00:00:20,315 [Cheering] 7 00:00:20,368 --> 00:00:22,148 I will beat the shit out of my body 8 00:00:22,196 --> 00:00:24,016 for entertainment, you know? 9 00:00:25,851 --> 00:00:27,381 But I feel it, you know, 10 00:00:27,418 --> 00:00:30,678 and I know that cumulative damage is taking its toll. 11 00:00:34,686 --> 00:00:37,076 Physically my body is telling me, 12 00:00:37,124 --> 00:00:38,604 "You ain't gonna be doing this shit too much longer." 13 00:00:38,647 --> 00:00:40,077 [Laughing] 14 00:00:40,127 --> 00:00:41,647 [Groaning] 15 00:00:41,693 --> 00:00:43,353 I recognize it for what it is, you know. 16 00:00:43,391 --> 00:00:45,391 This world is coming to an end. 17 00:00:45,436 --> 00:00:47,786 Eventually I'm gonna have to hit this exit ramp. 18 00:00:47,830 --> 00:00:49,790 [Cheering] 19 00:00:49,832 --> 00:00:52,752 NNOUNCER: Callihan is very well known all around the world. 20 00:00:52,791 --> 00:00:54,711 He is a freaking nut. 21 00:00:54,750 --> 00:00:57,270 When you think about wrestling, like it's fucking stupid. 22 00:00:57,318 --> 00:00:59,838 [Cheering] 23 00:00:59,885 --> 00:01:01,575 MVP: Wrestling's changing, 24 00:01:01,626 --> 00:01:04,146 and it's not the business that I came into. 25 00:01:04,194 --> 00:01:07,114 Like everything else, wrestling must evolve. 26 00:01:07,154 --> 00:01:09,854 You started with the Model T Ford, 27 00:01:09,895 --> 00:01:11,505 and now you have Teslas... 28 00:01:11,549 --> 00:01:13,379 Whoa! Stricklin knew it was coming! 29 00:01:13,421 --> 00:01:14,381 Bugattis... 30 00:01:14,422 --> 00:01:16,122 Oh! 31 00:01:16,163 --> 00:01:18,563 Where the athletes are today, they are good at everything, 32 00:01:18,600 --> 00:01:21,390 so it's really difficult to try to stand out. 33 00:01:21,429 --> 00:01:24,209 MVP: Now you have this new generation of guys 34 00:01:24,258 --> 00:01:28,568 that can do incredible things that you never saw before. 35 00:01:28,610 --> 00:01:29,790 [Slamming] 36 00:01:29,828 --> 00:01:31,218 That was awesome! 37 00:01:31,265 --> 00:01:34,525 MVP: Some guys are willing to accept the evolution, 38 00:01:34,572 --> 00:01:36,232 and some guys are holding fast to, 39 00:01:36,270 --> 00:01:38,660 "That's not how you do it. That's not the way it's done." 40 00:01:38,707 --> 00:01:41,227 Well listen, this is the fight choreography now. 41 00:01:41,275 --> 00:01:42,615 This is where we're at. 42 00:01:42,667 --> 00:01:45,407 ♪ 43 00:01:45,453 --> 00:01:47,463 Everything evolves. 44 00:01:47,498 --> 00:01:51,148 Now we're not combat fighters, we're superheroes. 45 00:01:51,198 --> 00:01:54,198 ♪ 46 00:01:56,420 --> 00:01:58,600 ♪ 47 00:01:58,640 --> 00:02:01,770 ♪ Another day another dollar as I holla to the world ♪ 48 00:02:01,817 --> 00:02:04,387 ♪ I love the way I'm living love the Gucci love the girls ♪ 49 00:02:04,428 --> 00:02:06,948 ♪ All the parties and the clubs all the models in hot tubs ♪ 50 00:02:06,996 --> 00:02:09,826 ♪ All the German engineers set on deep dish dubs ♪ 51 00:02:11,000 --> 00:02:13,440 DAMIAN: Hassan Assad is a pro wrestling superstar, 52 00:02:13,481 --> 00:02:16,751 known in the ring as Montel Vontavious Porter, or MVP. 53 00:02:16,788 --> 00:02:18,438 [Cheering] 54 00:02:18,486 --> 00:02:20,046 [Laughing] 55 00:02:20,096 --> 00:02:21,576 And full disclosure, he's a good friend of mine, 56 00:02:21,619 --> 00:02:23,969 and also one of my favourite wrestlers of all time 57 00:02:24,013 --> 00:02:26,803 As famous for his theatrics as he is for his wrestling skills 58 00:02:26,842 --> 00:02:29,802 MVP has won multiple championships and performed wit 59 00:02:29,845 --> 00:02:32,235 some of the top wrestling promotions in the world. 60 00:02:32,282 --> 00:02:33,892 [Chattering] 61 00:02:33,936 --> 00:02:36,286 These days he's a free agent and in high demand, 62 00:02:36,330 --> 00:02:37,810 appearing at independent promotions 63 00:02:37,853 --> 00:02:39,463 all over North America. 64 00:02:39,507 --> 00:02:40,897 - And you are? - I'm MVP. 65 00:02:40,943 --> 00:02:42,553 - MVP? - Yes, ma'am. 66 00:02:42,597 --> 00:02:44,467 - The most valuable player? - That would be me. 67 00:02:44,512 --> 00:02:46,782 That'd be my son also. He's a left-handed pitcher. 68 00:02:47,950 --> 00:02:49,910 At 44 years old, Hassan is already feeling 69 00:02:49,952 --> 00:02:52,352 the long-term effects of repeated hard impacts, 70 00:02:52,389 --> 00:02:54,829 falls, and concussions, and he is approaching 71 00:02:54,870 --> 00:02:57,000 a major shift in his career. 72 00:02:57,046 --> 00:03:00,216 He's also been witness to a shift in the industry. 73 00:03:00,267 --> 00:03:03,007 ANNOUNCER: Strickland right now holds multiple championships. 74 00:03:03,052 --> 00:03:05,362 DAMIAN: A new generation of wrestlers, many of who grew up 75 00:03:05,402 --> 00:03:07,842 idolizing MVP and the major wrestling promotion, 76 00:03:07,883 --> 00:03:10,583 are now making it big on the independent circuit. 77 00:03:10,625 --> 00:03:13,235 Rising stars like Shane Strickland are finding success 78 00:03:13,280 --> 00:03:14,850 without the help of top promotions... 79 00:03:14,890 --> 00:03:16,630 ANNOUNCER: Whoa! 80 00:03:16,674 --> 00:03:18,464 DAMIAN: ...and are instead growing their own fan bases 81 00:03:18,502 --> 00:03:19,552 through social media. 82 00:03:19,590 --> 00:03:21,330 ANNOUNCER: My god! 83 00:03:21,375 --> 00:03:24,025 ♪ 84 00:03:24,073 --> 00:03:25,773 DAMIAN: I'm here to talk to a veteran 85 00:03:25,814 --> 00:03:28,034 on the verge of retirement about where he's come from 86 00:03:28,077 --> 00:03:30,857 and where he's going now, and also to get his take on 87 00:03:30,906 --> 00:03:32,776 the changing face of wrestling. 88 00:03:32,821 --> 00:03:34,341 - There he is. - Hello. 89 00:03:34,388 --> 00:03:36,478 - What's up, man? - Your place is incredible! 90 00:03:36,520 --> 00:03:38,350 - Did you find it okay? - Yeah. 91 00:03:38,392 --> 00:03:40,392 My humble abode, welcome. 92 00:03:40,437 --> 00:03:43,827 Well, let me tell ya, it has humbled me. 93 00:03:43,875 --> 00:03:48,615 ♪ 94 00:03:48,663 --> 00:03:51,363 Very few people I know in my life have a mantle 95 00:03:51,405 --> 00:03:52,925 full of action figures of themself! 96 00:03:52,971 --> 00:03:55,321 It's... It's a rare achievement. 97 00:03:55,365 --> 00:03:57,405 If you go on eBay and try to buy it, 98 00:03:57,454 --> 00:03:59,894 they're on sale for like 3-400 bucks a piece. 99 00:03:59,935 --> 00:04:01,755 I wouldn't pay that. [Laughing] 100 00:04:01,806 --> 00:04:03,766 Look at this, come look in here. 101 00:04:03,808 --> 00:04:04,938 I still got 'em. 102 00:04:04,983 --> 00:04:07,293 A collection of VHS tapes. 103 00:04:07,334 --> 00:04:10,864 [Crowd cheering] 104 00:04:10,902 --> 00:04:14,562 And one last thing: I would wash your mouth piece. 105 00:04:14,602 --> 00:04:16,432 I'm on steroids there, man. 106 00:04:16,473 --> 00:04:17,783 I'm on the vitamin T heavy. 107 00:04:17,822 --> 00:04:19,692 [Laughing] 108 00:04:19,737 --> 00:04:21,037 ANNOUNCER: Antonio Banks certainly has 109 00:04:21,086 --> 00:04:22,516 the athletic ability to become 110 00:04:22,566 --> 00:04:24,566 the FIT heavyweight champion down below. 111 00:04:24,612 --> 00:04:27,012 Is it just to get bigger, or does it actually help you train? 112 00:04:27,049 --> 00:04:29,919 Back in the day, it was all about just getting bigger. 113 00:04:29,965 --> 00:04:33,395 I didn't really understand until later on that the steroids 114 00:04:33,447 --> 00:04:35,357 actually help with recovery. 115 00:04:35,405 --> 00:04:37,315 The problem is most professional wrestlers, 116 00:04:37,364 --> 00:04:40,414 myself included back then, we didn't use them, we abused them. 117 00:04:40,454 --> 00:04:43,504 Antonio Banks trying to take the legs out from CM Punk, 118 00:04:43,544 --> 00:04:45,984 and connects with that elbow which sends him down. 119 00:04:46,024 --> 00:04:49,384 What lessons do you think this next generation has learned 120 00:04:49,419 --> 00:04:50,769 from your generation? 121 00:04:50,812 --> 00:04:52,902 I think the main two things I would have to say 122 00:04:52,944 --> 00:04:54,514 is the passion. 123 00:04:54,555 --> 00:04:56,765 You can't be a fly-by-night guy and do this. 124 00:04:56,818 --> 00:05:00,388 The camaraderie, the brotherhood of pro wrestling still maintains 125 00:05:00,430 --> 00:05:02,610 that you gotta respect this fucking craft. 126 00:05:02,650 --> 00:05:04,610 Which ties in perfectly with the other lesson: 127 00:05:04,652 --> 00:05:06,612 at the end of the day, it's all about the fans. 128 00:05:06,654 --> 00:05:09,834 Giving them something for them to come back to. 129 00:05:09,874 --> 00:05:12,574 And a lot of the young guys... you know, you got guys, 130 00:05:12,616 --> 00:05:14,436 "Oh, I just got all this cool shit I gotta do," 131 00:05:14,488 --> 00:05:16,618 with no real rhyme or reason to it. 132 00:05:16,664 --> 00:05:19,584 There's a story to tell, a psychology, to... 133 00:05:19,623 --> 00:05:22,413 to solicit a certain reaction from the fans. 134 00:05:22,452 --> 00:05:24,502 That's the foundation of what we do. 135 00:05:24,541 --> 00:05:26,151 You just-- You gotta leave the fans wanting more. 136 00:05:26,195 --> 00:05:27,885 DAMIAN: "Leave 'em wanting more" 137 00:05:27,936 --> 00:05:29,936 is something Hassan knows all about. 138 00:05:29,981 --> 00:05:32,161 Like many fans, I was shocked when after four years with 139 00:05:32,201 --> 00:05:36,161 a top wrestling promotion, MVP unexpectedly quit. 140 00:05:36,205 --> 00:05:37,815 I had one year left on my deal. 141 00:05:37,859 --> 00:05:40,169 They were trying to resign me to a five-year deal. 142 00:05:40,209 --> 00:05:41,819 And at the time, I just wasn't happy. 143 00:05:41,863 --> 00:05:44,653 My passion for wrestling at that point was waning because 144 00:05:44,692 --> 00:05:46,172 wrestling had become a job. 145 00:05:46,215 --> 00:05:49,605 I've always been like fascinated with Japanese culture, 146 00:05:49,653 --> 00:05:52,003 and history, and bushido, and samurai. 147 00:05:52,047 --> 00:05:56,007 My dream one day: I wanna wrestle there. 148 00:05:56,051 --> 00:05:59,531 ♪ 149 00:05:59,576 --> 00:06:01,836 New Japan is the biggest pro wrestling promotion in Japan, 150 00:06:01,883 --> 00:06:04,713 the second biggest in the world and Japanese wrestling is famou 151 00:06:04,755 --> 00:06:07,575 for strong style, a more realistic style of wrestling 152 00:06:07,628 --> 00:06:10,408 which had appealed to Hassan since he began his training. 153 00:06:10,457 --> 00:06:14,807 I debuted in Sendai February 6th, 2011. 154 00:06:14,852 --> 00:06:18,032 I remember just standing in the ring that afternoon, 155 00:06:18,073 --> 00:06:19,943 and I could hear the lion's roar. 156 00:06:19,988 --> 00:06:22,428 [Roaring] "New Japan Pro Wrestling!" 157 00:06:22,469 --> 00:06:26,039 I got goosebumps, I was like this is fucking insane! 158 00:06:26,081 --> 00:06:27,471 I'm here! 159 00:06:27,517 --> 00:06:29,477 So you were aware enough of the situation that 160 00:06:29,519 --> 00:06:30,959 you could take it in at least, it seems. 161 00:06:30,999 --> 00:06:32,129 Oh man. 162 00:06:32,174 --> 00:06:35,184 From 16 to 26 I was the property of 163 00:06:35,220 --> 00:06:37,440 the Florida Department of Corrections. 164 00:06:37,484 --> 00:06:39,224 And there were times when 165 00:06:39,268 --> 00:06:41,968 thinking about the future was difficult 166 00:06:42,010 --> 00:06:44,060 'cause I didn't know if I was gonna make it to tomorrow. 167 00:06:44,099 --> 00:06:46,839 But it was so surreal. 168 00:06:46,884 --> 00:06:48,934 I was waiting for the prison guard to kick my bunk. 169 00:06:48,973 --> 00:06:50,933 [Knocking] "Inmate, get up! Wake up!" 170 00:06:50,975 --> 00:06:53,455 I went, "Oh! Ah damn, it was all a dream." 171 00:06:53,500 --> 00:06:55,150 I remember Booker T said, 172 00:06:55,197 --> 00:06:58,717 "Nah, bro, ain't nobody gonna kick your bunk. You wide awake." 173 00:06:58,766 --> 00:07:02,466 ♪ 174 00:07:02,509 --> 00:07:05,689 Hassan Assad was born Alvin Burke Jr. and grew up in Miami 175 00:07:05,729 --> 00:07:07,729 in a neighbourhood known for violence and crime since 176 00:07:07,775 --> 00:07:11,075 the rise of the Miami cocaine trade in the 1970s and '80s. 177 00:07:11,126 --> 00:07:12,946 Alvin and his two younger brothers 178 00:07:12,997 --> 00:07:14,697 were raised by their mother. 179 00:07:14,738 --> 00:07:17,048 His father, a police officer, was only an occasional presence 180 00:07:17,088 --> 00:07:18,918 in his life. 181 00:07:18,960 --> 00:07:21,180 My mom worked a full-time job, 182 00:07:21,223 --> 00:07:23,053 a part-time job, and went to school. 183 00:07:23,094 --> 00:07:25,014 Jeez, and raised two kids. 184 00:07:25,053 --> 00:07:26,273 - Three. - Three kids. 185 00:07:26,315 --> 00:07:28,005 Yeah, three. 186 00:07:28,056 --> 00:07:31,226 At one point, Opa-locka had... 187 00:07:31,276 --> 00:07:35,106 I don't know if it was the, but it was among the nation's 188 00:07:35,150 --> 00:07:36,890 highest per-capita murder rate. 189 00:07:41,025 --> 00:07:43,065 So these are now garden apartments. 190 00:07:44,159 --> 00:07:46,029 Here on that little ledge right there 191 00:07:46,074 --> 00:07:48,954 is where I learned how to pitch change. 192 00:07:48,990 --> 00:07:51,730 You know, closest to the ledge wins everybody's money. 193 00:07:51,775 --> 00:07:53,255 And there used to be a bank of pay phones 194 00:07:53,298 --> 00:07:54,868 where all the drug dealers would hang out, 195 00:07:54,909 --> 00:07:56,259 and you know, with their pagers. 196 00:07:56,301 --> 00:07:58,871 So it wasn't uncommon to find a little, you know, 197 00:07:58,913 --> 00:08:01,313 fucking gram packets of cocaine and whatnot. 198 00:08:01,350 --> 00:08:04,140 This is where you probably knew at a young age 199 00:08:04,179 --> 00:08:06,659 that I had a chemical imbalance. 200 00:08:06,703 --> 00:08:09,103 I used to get in trouble sometimes 'cause I'd climb 201 00:08:09,140 --> 00:08:12,140 over the railing on the third floor, and on the outside 202 00:08:12,187 --> 00:08:14,537 walk on the edge so I could practice being a ninja. 203 00:08:14,581 --> 00:08:17,151 They would tell my mom, I'd get my ass kicked. 204 00:08:17,192 --> 00:08:20,672 And my escape route would be I'd run up the stairs, 205 00:08:20,717 --> 00:08:24,847 hop that fence on the roof, and I would jump to this branch. 206 00:08:24,895 --> 00:08:27,065 But one day the branch, as I got-- extended out, 207 00:08:27,115 --> 00:08:28,285 the branch snapped. 208 00:08:28,333 --> 00:08:29,683 [Laughing] 209 00:08:29,726 --> 00:08:32,116 And I fell a full storey flat on my back. 210 00:08:32,163 --> 00:08:34,563 That was my first big bump. 211 00:08:34,601 --> 00:08:36,121 [Laughing] That's your first back bump. 212 00:08:36,167 --> 00:08:38,127 Yeah, that was my first back bump, off the top of the cage! 213 00:08:38,169 --> 00:08:39,999 [Laughing] 214 00:08:40,041 --> 00:08:42,571 You said that you were a bad guy at a certain point. 215 00:08:42,609 --> 00:08:44,049 Yeah. 216 00:08:44,088 --> 00:08:45,958 But from the stories here, you just sound like a kid 217 00:08:46,003 --> 00:08:48,013 that's hyperactive, having fun. 218 00:08:48,049 --> 00:08:52,139 When was that transition point for you, do you think? 219 00:08:52,183 --> 00:08:55,233 Fourteen is where I started to turn the corner. 220 00:08:55,273 --> 00:08:57,323 It went from just, you know, 221 00:08:57,362 --> 00:09:00,632 doing stupid little mischievous things to, you know, 222 00:09:00,670 --> 00:09:04,110 grand theft auto, and then armed robbery. 223 00:09:04,152 --> 00:09:06,022 And then that's when the gang shit came in, 224 00:09:06,067 --> 00:09:08,587 around 15, the gunplay and all that kind of shit. 225 00:09:08,635 --> 00:09:11,195 So it happened fast, man, 14. 226 00:09:11,246 --> 00:09:14,116 By 15, I did 6-and-a-half months in the juvenile program, 227 00:09:14,162 --> 00:09:17,082 and by 16 I was facing life in prison. 228 00:09:17,121 --> 00:09:20,211 ♪ 229 00:09:20,255 --> 00:09:21,945 Right down here in the street, they used to sell drugs 230 00:09:21,996 --> 00:09:23,386 all through here. 231 00:09:23,432 --> 00:09:25,612 But I saw little kids, smaller than me, 232 00:09:25,652 --> 00:09:28,052 they had to've been like kindergarten. 233 00:09:28,089 --> 00:09:30,699 The one boy had some leaves, 234 00:09:30,744 --> 00:09:33,014 and the other boy had some little pebbles, 235 00:09:33,050 --> 00:09:35,360 and they were playing a drug transaction, you know. 236 00:09:35,400 --> 00:09:37,750 So what future do you have, you know? 237 00:09:37,794 --> 00:09:40,324 ♪ 238 00:09:40,362 --> 00:09:43,282 Guy we're about to meet, Bernard, we call him Bert. 239 00:09:43,321 --> 00:09:44,801 Left. 240 00:09:44,845 --> 00:09:46,105 He's my big brother, you know. 241 00:09:46,150 --> 00:09:48,150 He's the dude who kinda raised me up out here. 242 00:09:48,196 --> 00:09:51,236 [Motor sputtering] 243 00:09:51,286 --> 00:09:53,636 So this is the neighbourhood you moved to after? 244 00:09:53,680 --> 00:09:56,290 Yeah, from those apartments to here. 245 00:09:56,334 --> 00:09:58,694 - That was my house. - Right there. 246 00:09:58,728 --> 00:10:01,638 My younger brother, Brad, state champion wrestler. 247 00:10:01,688 --> 00:10:03,248 I did amateur wrestling briefly, 248 00:10:03,298 --> 00:10:04,388 but then I wanted to be an asshole. 249 00:10:04,429 --> 00:10:06,429 I didn't wanna be an athlete. 250 00:10:06,475 --> 00:10:08,735 But at the end, I turned out to be a champion wrestler. 251 00:10:08,782 --> 00:10:10,352 Yeah, you're the only guy who's got gold in Japan. 252 00:10:10,392 --> 00:10:12,922 [Laughing] Yeah, right? 253 00:10:12,960 --> 00:10:14,960 Bert! 254 00:10:15,005 --> 00:10:17,265 Man, don't be camera shy, man. 255 00:10:17,312 --> 00:10:18,572 - Hi. Damian. - Damian, Bert. 256 00:10:18,618 --> 00:10:19,968 - Bert, this is Damian. - Nice to meet you. 257 00:10:20,010 --> 00:10:21,930 What was it about him that made you wanna 258 00:10:21,969 --> 00:10:23,139 take him under your wing? 259 00:10:23,187 --> 00:10:24,837 Just him being your neighbour, or is it... 260 00:10:24,885 --> 00:10:26,275 Not just that. 261 00:10:26,321 --> 00:10:28,111 I like the fact that he always asks questions, 262 00:10:28,149 --> 00:10:30,149 always thinking, mind going. 263 00:10:30,194 --> 00:10:33,114 Always had big dreams as a young kid, you know. 264 00:10:33,154 --> 00:10:35,904 What did you think when he got locked up for that, 265 00:10:35,939 --> 00:10:37,249 you know, long bit? 266 00:10:37,288 --> 00:10:38,328 That was hurtful. 267 00:10:38,376 --> 00:10:39,986 That hurt me really bad, man. 268 00:10:40,030 --> 00:10:41,820 Just devastating. 269 00:10:41,858 --> 00:10:44,768 The damnest thing about it is I chose that life. 270 00:10:44,818 --> 00:10:46,378 I didn't have to live that life, you know, 271 00:10:46,428 --> 00:10:48,298 but something drew me to it. 272 00:10:48,343 --> 00:10:50,823 Just growing up here in Miami, I wanted that life. 273 00:10:50,867 --> 00:10:52,297 I liked the crimes. 274 00:10:52,347 --> 00:10:55,787 So many guys from around here just... it's almost like 275 00:10:55,829 --> 00:10:57,829 going to prison was a rite of passge, you know. 276 00:10:57,874 --> 00:10:59,054 Unfortunately. 277 00:10:59,093 --> 00:11:00,363 You're just waiting for your turn. 278 00:11:02,357 --> 00:11:04,747 I kinda wanted to go to the Navy, 279 00:11:04,794 --> 00:11:08,844 and my mom was really into like superstition. 280 00:11:08,885 --> 00:11:11,925 There was this lady that she just called "The Lady". 281 00:11:11,975 --> 00:11:15,755 The Lady told her some some very big things were about to happen 282 00:11:15,805 --> 00:11:19,455 in my life, and that she saw a boat in my future. 283 00:11:19,504 --> 00:11:21,294 A ship, a big ship. 284 00:11:21,332 --> 00:11:22,812 Oh, I'm going to the Navy! 285 00:11:22,856 --> 00:11:24,376 That must mean the Navy, yeah! 286 00:11:24,422 --> 00:11:26,822 And then I go to prison for robbing a cruise ship, right? 287 00:11:26,860 --> 00:11:27,860 [Laughing] 288 00:11:31,038 --> 00:11:33,738 DAMIAN: When he was 16, Alvin Burke Jr. and three accomplices 289 00:11:33,780 --> 00:11:36,740 committed armed robbery on a casino cruise ship. 290 00:11:36,783 --> 00:11:38,483 At the end of the night, the group of teenagers appeared 291 00:11:38,523 --> 00:11:41,313 from hiding, held up the staff with loaded shotguns, 292 00:11:41,352 --> 00:11:44,272 and escaped with over $80,000 in cash. 293 00:11:45,922 --> 00:11:50,142 MVP: One dude got caught, and he ratted everybody out. 294 00:11:50,187 --> 00:11:52,537 My father told me to turn myself in. 295 00:11:52,581 --> 00:11:54,451 I was on my way to Mexico. 296 00:11:54,496 --> 00:11:56,756 He's like, "Man, you're 16. 297 00:11:56,803 --> 00:11:58,763 What is it, armed robbery case? You're gonna get boot camp. 298 00:11:58,805 --> 00:12:00,935 Just come get the shit over with, you know." 299 00:12:00,981 --> 00:12:02,201 Well, all the people in the casino, 300 00:12:02,243 --> 00:12:03,553 we locked them in a closet. 301 00:12:03,592 --> 00:12:05,942 I had no idea that in the state of Florida, 302 00:12:05,986 --> 00:12:07,336 it's considered kidnapping. 303 00:12:07,378 --> 00:12:09,118 And it was nine people? 304 00:12:09,163 --> 00:12:11,513 - Ten with the janitor. - Ten with the janitor. 305 00:12:11,556 --> 00:12:13,116 [Chuckling] 306 00:12:13,167 --> 00:12:15,207 And that's why I ended up with an 18-and-a-half year sentence. 307 00:12:16,474 --> 00:12:19,094 Alvin ended up serving 9-and-a-half years in prison, 308 00:12:19,129 --> 00:12:21,479 where he changed his name to Hassan Assad. 309 00:12:21,523 --> 00:12:24,273 He spent his final year here at the Opa-locka Work Release 310 00:12:24,308 --> 00:12:26,918 Center, just a few blocks away from his childhood home. 311 00:12:28,835 --> 00:12:31,395 This is where his wrestling story begins with a prison guar 312 00:12:31,446 --> 00:12:34,796 named Daryl Davis, who was also a local Miami wrestler 313 00:12:34,841 --> 00:12:36,891 known in the ring as Primetime. 314 00:12:36,930 --> 00:12:38,240 Well, this is it. 315 00:12:38,279 --> 00:12:40,319 It's been a while since I've been here, man. 316 00:12:40,368 --> 00:12:42,368 How long did you live here? 317 00:12:42,413 --> 00:12:44,073 About a year. 318 00:12:44,111 --> 00:12:45,331 I put in for a transfer to come here 319 00:12:45,373 --> 00:12:47,163 when I got regular work release status. 320 00:12:47,201 --> 00:12:48,861 And then you met fate. 321 00:12:48,898 --> 00:12:50,288 Yeah. 322 00:12:50,334 --> 00:12:51,904 So Prime, do you remember when he showed up here? 323 00:12:51,945 --> 00:12:53,945 Yeah, I was the one that had to sign y'all guys out. 324 00:12:53,990 --> 00:12:55,170 Right, in the morning, yeah. 325 00:12:55,209 --> 00:12:57,209 He would bring in VHS tapes 326 00:12:57,254 --> 00:12:59,434 of the pay-per-views and indie shows. 327 00:12:59,474 --> 00:13:01,434 I remember the guys would talk like, 328 00:13:01,476 --> 00:13:03,256 "Hey man, don't fuck with Officer Davis, man. 329 00:13:03,304 --> 00:13:05,524 He know that wrasslin' shit, man, he'll hit your ass up." 330 00:13:05,567 --> 00:13:06,827 [Laughing] 331 00:13:06,873 --> 00:13:10,273 I remember one day asking Officer Davis, 332 00:13:10,311 --> 00:13:12,271 "Hey man, how y'all do that shit 333 00:13:12,313 --> 00:13:14,183 without really breaking each other's necks, man? 334 00:13:14,228 --> 00:13:16,618 What's the real deal with that shit?" 335 00:13:16,665 --> 00:13:19,145 And he gave me a book by King Kong Bundy about 336 00:13:19,189 --> 00:13:21,279 how to be a pro wrestler, about life on the road... 337 00:13:22,540 --> 00:13:24,110 - I gave it back to you, man. - No. 338 00:13:24,151 --> 00:13:25,631 I gave it back to you the next day! 339 00:13:25,674 --> 00:13:27,634 - No. - Ah, yeah, yeah, yeah! 340 00:13:27,676 --> 00:13:29,626 Oh, okay. [Laughing] 341 00:13:29,678 --> 00:13:31,108 But that's how we hit it off. 342 00:13:31,158 --> 00:13:32,508 He goes, "Damn, you read that quick. You serious, huh?" 343 00:13:32,550 --> 00:13:34,250 I said, "Well, I'm just curious." 344 00:13:34,291 --> 00:13:37,121 So he said, "I'm gonna start my won independent promotion, 345 00:13:37,164 --> 00:13:39,214 so when you get out, if you wanna learn, I'll teach you." 346 00:13:39,253 --> 00:13:42,043 Well shit, I'm getting out of prison soon, I need a hobby. 347 00:13:42,082 --> 00:13:43,522 Yeah, alright, yeah. 348 00:13:43,561 --> 00:13:45,431 Do you remember when he called you once he was out? 349 00:13:45,476 --> 00:13:47,166 - He called me. - Really? 350 00:13:47,217 --> 00:13:49,477 I mean, you can look at certain guys and say... 351 00:13:49,524 --> 00:13:51,314 and say, "Man, he ain't gonna make it," 352 00:13:51,352 --> 00:13:52,922 so why even take his money 353 00:13:52,962 --> 00:13:55,622 or why even just waste your time with him? 354 00:13:55,660 --> 00:13:58,190 With him, he would ask so many goddamn questions. 355 00:13:58,228 --> 00:14:00,228 [Laughing] You know, especially here. 356 00:14:00,274 --> 00:14:02,934 That's when you know okay, this guy's serious. 357 00:14:02,972 --> 00:14:05,502 He got a taste of the ring, and then I mean, 358 00:14:05,540 --> 00:14:08,940 you know, like this guy, he just became, you know... 359 00:14:08,978 --> 00:14:11,678 crazy with it, where this shit becomes a drug. 360 00:14:11,720 --> 00:14:12,810 Yeah. 361 00:14:12,852 --> 00:14:15,032 And once you get addicted to it, man, 362 00:14:15,071 --> 00:14:17,421 you just wanna keep going further and further and further. 363 00:14:17,465 --> 00:14:19,895 And then he went the furthest you can go. 364 00:14:22,296 --> 00:14:24,166 For all the shit that I've done, you know, 365 00:14:24,211 --> 00:14:25,691 wrestling saved my life. 366 00:14:25,734 --> 00:14:28,084 And I've had this trip through professional wrestling 367 00:14:28,128 --> 00:14:30,388 to accomplish things that I never thought I'd do. 368 00:14:30,434 --> 00:14:34,484 And looking back now, I'm playing with the house's money. 369 00:14:34,525 --> 00:14:37,915 If I got convicted for all the shit I did, 370 00:14:37,964 --> 00:14:39,624 I'd be under death row. 371 00:14:39,661 --> 00:14:50,501 ♪ 372 00:14:50,541 --> 00:14:53,151 [Cheering] 373 00:14:53,196 --> 00:14:55,456 We're at one of Hassan's first wrestling schools, 374 00:14:55,503 --> 00:14:57,513 CZW in Fort Lauderdale. 375 00:14:57,548 --> 00:15:00,118 ♪ 376 00:15:00,160 --> 00:15:01,640 Alright, let me... 377 00:15:01,683 --> 00:15:04,433 [Chattering] 378 00:15:04,468 --> 00:15:05,688 Hey, man. 379 00:15:05,730 --> 00:15:07,430 Pablo! 380 00:15:07,471 --> 00:15:09,041 Where's MVP? 381 00:15:09,082 --> 00:15:10,652 I couldn't find no MVPs, they were taken. 382 00:15:10,692 --> 00:15:12,172 You got fucking Charlie Hoss. 383 00:15:12,215 --> 00:15:14,125 You gotta rectify that, man. That's not right. 384 00:15:14,174 --> 00:15:16,094 He's fired. You're fired. 385 00:15:16,132 --> 00:15:18,052 No, you stand over there and start doing squats. 386 00:15:18,091 --> 00:15:19,441 I'll get back to you in about an hour. 387 00:15:19,483 --> 00:15:21,053 [Laughing] 388 00:15:21,094 --> 00:15:22,664 [Screaming] 389 00:15:22,704 --> 00:15:25,274 [Cheering] 390 00:15:25,315 --> 00:15:27,485 One, two, three! 391 00:15:27,535 --> 00:15:30,315 [Cheering] 392 00:15:30,364 --> 00:15:33,244 One of the reason Hassan loves coming back to visit CZW is tha 393 00:15:33,280 --> 00:15:35,460 his old wrestling coaches are still here, 394 00:15:35,499 --> 00:15:37,629 training young men and women in the ring and running their own 395 00:15:37,675 --> 00:15:39,065 independent promotion. 396 00:15:39,112 --> 00:15:40,642 - Dave Johnson. - Nice to meet you. 397 00:15:40,678 --> 00:15:45,728 If Primetime introduced me to the business, Dave gave me 398 00:15:45,770 --> 00:15:48,030 the bumps and the bruises of the business, you know. 399 00:15:48,077 --> 00:15:50,337 Like Dave was the enforcer down here. 400 00:15:50,384 --> 00:15:51,734 It's a tough business, it's... 401 00:15:51,776 --> 00:15:52,946 It used to be. 402 00:15:54,388 --> 00:15:56,088 You don't like where it's gone? 403 00:15:56,129 --> 00:15:58,259 Uh, you know, everything evolves. 404 00:15:58,305 --> 00:15:59,305 Yeah. 405 00:15:59,349 --> 00:16:00,519 There's different styles. 406 00:16:00,568 --> 00:16:02,438 The new school, the old school. 407 00:16:02,483 --> 00:16:04,793 You know, but I mean, now you don't earn your keep. 408 00:16:04,833 --> 00:16:06,623 You just pay your gym dues. 409 00:16:06,661 --> 00:16:08,531 Just pay your gym dues, you know? 410 00:16:08,576 --> 00:16:10,226 It sucks to say. 411 00:16:10,273 --> 00:16:12,413 I get the feeling that these coaches may be the kind of vets 412 00:16:12,449 --> 00:16:14,449 who despair at the new generation 413 00:16:14,495 --> 00:16:16,315 and the shift in the industry. 414 00:16:16,366 --> 00:16:18,456 We've been a business now for over 14 years. 415 00:16:18,499 --> 00:16:22,019 Well, in that 14 years, how has running a school changed? 416 00:16:22,068 --> 00:16:24,238 Well, I can tell you how it's changed over in the last... 417 00:16:24,287 --> 00:16:26,157 since '89 when I went to Molenko's. 418 00:16:26,202 --> 00:16:29,292 Everybody seem to have been training, working out. 419 00:16:29,336 --> 00:16:31,466 It seems like the guys just don't train like they used to. 420 00:16:31,512 --> 00:16:34,252 Prime was saying like from the first moment he started working 421 00:16:34,297 --> 00:16:37,127 with MVP, he knew that he had something. 422 00:16:37,170 --> 00:16:38,820 Even before that, you said you knew he had something. 423 00:16:38,867 --> 00:16:40,347 Did you see that? 424 00:16:40,390 --> 00:16:41,650 Yes, I'd seen it right away. 425 00:16:41,696 --> 00:16:43,176 I didn't tell him. I was tough on him. 426 00:16:43,219 --> 00:16:44,699 I told everybody else. 427 00:16:44,742 --> 00:16:46,792 It seems like that's an important part of this business, 428 00:16:46,831 --> 00:16:49,621 is giving it to someone as hard as you can at first to see 429 00:16:49,660 --> 00:16:52,580 if they have the mettle to kind of stick around. 430 00:16:52,620 --> 00:16:55,060 Dave will tell you, I mean, these guys back in the day, 431 00:16:55,101 --> 00:16:56,541 they'd beat the shit out your ass. 432 00:16:56,580 --> 00:16:59,110 The training was much more harder than this. 433 00:16:59,148 --> 00:17:02,148 You ask Hassan what we put his ass through. 434 00:17:02,195 --> 00:17:04,195 They would press charges on us right now 435 00:17:04,240 --> 00:17:05,630 if we were to do what we did. 436 00:17:05,676 --> 00:17:07,156 Ask him what we did to him. 437 00:17:07,200 --> 00:17:08,720 Now you'd be afraid of these guys 438 00:17:08,766 --> 00:17:10,586 gonna fall out and drop dead. 439 00:17:10,638 --> 00:17:13,208 Sometimes we're getting guys that are close to 40 years old 440 00:17:13,249 --> 00:17:15,469 and they're just starting, you know? 441 00:17:15,512 --> 00:17:18,302 40 years old, you're supposed to be wrapping it up, you know. 442 00:17:18,341 --> 00:17:20,171 So you're saying it's not too late for me? 443 00:17:20,213 --> 00:17:21,613 It's not too late, today's the day. 444 00:17:21,649 --> 00:17:23,689 - Today's the day! - Today's the day! 445 00:17:23,738 --> 00:17:26,478 If you wanna be a pro wrestling superstar, 446 00:17:26,523 --> 00:17:28,483 I can tell you right now you're not working hard enough. 447 00:17:28,525 --> 00:17:29,785 I don't even know you, 448 00:17:29,831 --> 00:17:31,571 I can tell you're not working hard enough. 449 00:17:31,615 --> 00:17:33,525 You gotta be honest with yourselves. 450 00:17:33,574 --> 00:17:34,794 Did you raise your hand 'cause 451 00:17:34,836 --> 00:17:36,186 you wanna be a professional wrestler? 452 00:17:37,230 --> 00:17:38,670 How many people in pro wrestling look like you? 453 00:17:41,147 --> 00:17:42,407 What are you doing about that? 454 00:17:44,150 --> 00:17:45,760 Are you being honest with yourself? 455 00:17:48,154 --> 00:17:49,424 No, with yourself. 456 00:17:50,808 --> 00:17:52,198 Okay. 457 00:17:52,245 --> 00:17:54,285 If you wanna be a professional wrestler, 458 00:17:54,334 --> 00:17:58,514 you have to be consumed with pro wrestling. 459 00:17:58,555 --> 00:18:00,505 But I do have some good news. 460 00:18:00,557 --> 00:18:03,727 It's easier to get hired now than it's ever been. 461 00:18:03,778 --> 00:18:06,778 Kevin Owens, a fat guy in a t-shirt, 462 00:18:06,824 --> 00:18:09,574 beat John Cena, Superman. 463 00:18:09,610 --> 00:18:11,570 That means there's been a philosophy change. 464 00:18:11,612 --> 00:18:13,792 So if you're a chubby dude in a sweatshirt, 465 00:18:13,831 --> 00:18:15,701 there's a chance. 466 00:18:15,746 --> 00:18:17,746 But do you have Kevin Owens' charisma? 467 00:18:17,792 --> 00:18:20,102 Be real with yourself and your expectations of yourself. 468 00:18:23,493 --> 00:18:26,153 [Chanting] 469 00:18:30,848 --> 00:18:35,198 [Chanting] 470 00:18:35,244 --> 00:18:42,164 ♪ 471 00:18:42,208 --> 00:18:44,338 DAMIAN: Shane "Swerve" Strickland is a 28-year-old 472 00:18:44,384 --> 00:18:47,214 wrestler who grew up watching MVP on TV, 473 00:18:47,256 --> 00:18:49,776 and is a perfect example of the changing face of wrestling. 474 00:18:49,824 --> 00:18:52,654 ♪ 475 00:18:52,696 --> 00:18:55,436 In less than a year, he's gone from a virtual unknown to one o 476 00:18:55,482 --> 00:18:58,492 the most recognizable and in-demand wrestlers on the indi 477 00:18:58,528 --> 00:19:02,318 circuit, doing shows all over North America and the world. 478 00:19:02,358 --> 00:19:05,448 He's also the championship belt holder here at Defy Wrestling 479 00:19:05,492 --> 00:19:07,622 in Seattle, and is famous for his ability 480 00:19:07,668 --> 00:19:09,448 to seamlessly mix wrestling styles. 481 00:19:09,496 --> 00:19:12,236 [Cheering] 482 00:19:12,281 --> 00:19:14,371 You're bringing in the lucha, the high flying, 483 00:19:14,414 --> 00:19:16,984 but you're also doing like Japanese strong style 484 00:19:17,025 --> 00:19:18,505 that everyone loves too, and then there's also like 485 00:19:18,548 --> 00:19:20,328 the American influence. 486 00:19:20,376 --> 00:19:22,806 Is that typified by this generation that you're part of? 487 00:19:22,857 --> 00:19:25,337 Yeah, it definitely is, because like everything has been 488 00:19:25,381 --> 00:19:26,691 pushed forward so much now. 489 00:19:26,730 --> 00:19:28,990 The limit's been, like, well surpassed. 490 00:19:29,037 --> 00:19:31,517 Everybody's like really skilled and really well rounded 491 00:19:31,561 --> 00:19:33,961 in what they do, and that's what I try to, 492 00:19:33,998 --> 00:19:35,698 like, be at the forefront of. 493 00:19:35,739 --> 00:19:39,699 I was the one that really tried to just master or get as... 494 00:19:39,743 --> 00:19:42,273 maybe like a B+ in every category. 495 00:19:42,311 --> 00:19:46,011 You gotta be good at everything, every style, 496 00:19:46,054 --> 00:19:48,404 like literally doing every single style of wrestling 497 00:19:48,448 --> 00:19:49,748 in a matter of a week. 498 00:19:49,797 --> 00:19:52,757 [Cheering] 499 00:19:52,800 --> 00:19:55,240 There are the detractors of what's happening 500 00:19:55,281 --> 00:19:57,021 in wrestling right now, and it tends to be people 501 00:19:57,065 --> 00:19:58,585 that are from an older generation. 502 00:19:58,632 --> 00:20:00,112 Yep. 503 00:20:00,155 --> 00:20:02,675 Why do you think there is such resistance to this sort of 504 00:20:02,723 --> 00:20:05,683 new evolution of wrestling that's happening? 505 00:20:05,726 --> 00:20:07,596 I feel like they only see the actual aspects of wrestling 506 00:20:07,641 --> 00:20:08,731 that go viral. 507 00:20:08,772 --> 00:20:10,472 They just see like the hot new thing. 508 00:20:10,513 --> 00:20:13,393 They see Joey Janela falling off of a building. 509 00:20:13,429 --> 00:20:15,519 You know, they see the Lucha Underground when people are 510 00:20:15,562 --> 00:20:17,092 falling through glass. 511 00:20:17,128 --> 00:20:18,258 That's what catches people's attention 'cause it's like... 512 00:20:18,304 --> 00:20:19,874 [Snapping] ...it's front page news. 513 00:20:19,914 --> 00:20:22,614 [Crowd yelling] 514 00:20:22,656 --> 00:20:25,826 CROWD: Oh! 515 00:20:25,876 --> 00:20:29,706 [Cheering] 516 00:20:29,750 --> 00:20:32,360 [Chattering] 517 00:20:32,405 --> 00:20:33,925 Do you think it's a more exciting time 518 00:20:33,971 --> 00:20:36,841 to be a wrestler now than say five years ago or something? 519 00:20:36,887 --> 00:20:39,587 Yes, and I feel like a lot of the guys who've been doing this 520 00:20:39,629 --> 00:20:43,019 for like 15, 12 to 15 years, they kind of like don't like 521 00:20:43,067 --> 00:20:46,677 that because too many guys get opportunities very quickly. 522 00:20:46,723 --> 00:20:49,943 [Cheering] 523 00:20:53,817 --> 00:20:56,647 [Chanting] 524 00:20:56,690 --> 00:20:58,300 There's no gatekeepers now. 525 00:20:58,344 --> 00:20:59,874 The fences are down. 526 00:20:59,910 --> 00:21:02,610 If you're talented and if you can connect with an audience, 527 00:21:02,652 --> 00:21:05,922 you don't need the industry leader to market you 528 00:21:05,960 --> 00:21:07,660 and to put you in a place and be successful. 529 00:21:07,701 --> 00:21:11,311 Now in this information age, you can create your own market. 530 00:21:11,357 --> 00:21:13,397 As an old school traditionalist, you know, 531 00:21:13,446 --> 00:21:15,536 I think it allows some people in the business that, 532 00:21:15,578 --> 00:21:17,318 you know, from my old school mentality, 533 00:21:17,363 --> 00:21:18,933 don't belong in the business. 534 00:21:18,973 --> 00:21:21,673 But then that's an outdated thinking. 535 00:21:21,715 --> 00:21:23,405 You know, like, "It's our business. 536 00:21:23,456 --> 00:21:24,586 You don't belong here, kid." 537 00:21:24,631 --> 00:21:26,151 "Bullshit. 538 00:21:26,197 --> 00:21:28,977 I got-- I got a YouTube channel with 100,000 subscribers. 539 00:21:29,026 --> 00:21:30,676 What do you got?" 540 00:21:30,724 --> 00:21:32,034 "Well, I gotta wait on this guy to call me 541 00:21:32,073 --> 00:21:33,123 and book me on this show." 542 00:21:33,161 --> 00:21:34,731 "Oh, okay," you know. 543 00:21:34,771 --> 00:21:36,771 [Chattering] 544 00:21:36,817 --> 00:21:38,727 One of the most successful wrestlers on 545 00:21:38,775 --> 00:21:41,335 the independent scene is 30-year-old Sami Callihan. 546 00:21:41,387 --> 00:21:44,777 Sami actually made it to a top wrestling promotion in 2012, 547 00:21:44,825 --> 00:21:47,735 and like MVP, after a few years felt unsatisfied 548 00:21:47,784 --> 00:21:49,574 and requested his release. 549 00:21:49,612 --> 00:21:51,142 How high is the ropes here? 550 00:21:51,179 --> 00:21:52,439 - Are they like... - Yeah. 551 00:21:52,485 --> 00:21:54,045 - Like normal? - Yeah, normal I'd say. 552 00:21:54,095 --> 00:21:55,785 [Groaning] 553 00:21:55,836 --> 00:21:58,486 In Sami's case, he felt he was being under-utilized, 554 00:21:58,534 --> 00:22:00,884 and believed he could achieve more on the indie circuit, 555 00:22:00,928 --> 00:22:04,058 a move that would've been career suicide 10 years ago. 556 00:22:04,105 --> 00:22:06,585 You left there, and you're bigger now than ever. 557 00:22:06,629 --> 00:22:07,719 Yeah. 558 00:22:07,761 --> 00:22:08,941 It's almost like that spurred you on. 559 00:22:08,979 --> 00:22:10,719 Oh yeah, man, it like... it made me cool. 560 00:22:10,764 --> 00:22:12,814 Like it works into the whole desperado character. 561 00:22:12,853 --> 00:22:15,553 I'm not complacent sitting around performers 562 00:22:15,595 --> 00:22:17,895 that are collecting a really good paycheque. 563 00:22:17,945 --> 00:22:19,335 I wanna work for my money. 564 00:22:19,381 --> 00:22:21,951 I didn't stick around and like try to wait it out. 565 00:22:21,992 --> 00:22:24,472 I knew I was worth more than I was being used at events, 566 00:22:24,517 --> 00:22:25,997 so I wanted to rock the show. 567 00:22:26,040 --> 00:22:28,780 [Cheering] 568 00:22:28,825 --> 00:22:31,385 Sami's success is well known, but not everyone's a fan. 569 00:22:31,437 --> 00:22:33,787 [Cheering] 570 00:22:33,830 --> 00:22:36,570 [Crowd gasping] 571 00:22:36,616 --> 00:22:39,006 When veterans of the industry talk about the cocky new breed 572 00:22:39,053 --> 00:22:41,533 of indie wrestlers, they often use the phrase 573 00:22:41,577 --> 00:22:43,007 "Sami and friends". 574 00:22:45,799 --> 00:22:47,709 [Cheering] 575 00:22:47,757 --> 00:22:50,017 [Crowd gasping] 576 00:22:50,064 --> 00:22:51,944 [Cheering] 577 00:22:51,979 --> 00:22:54,809 Sami's this guy that a lot of people have labelled, 578 00:22:54,851 --> 00:22:56,681 you know, even in a negative sense sometimes, 579 00:22:56,723 --> 00:22:59,033 when people are talking shit, like "Sami and friends". 580 00:22:59,073 --> 00:23:00,553 Yeah. 581 00:23:00,596 --> 00:23:03,596 You know, like this generation of wrestlers being like... 582 00:23:03,643 --> 00:23:05,653 you know, led by or inspired by Sami. 583 00:23:05,688 --> 00:23:07,078 [Cheering] 584 00:23:07,124 --> 00:23:08,874 There's always going to be that negative back push 585 00:23:08,909 --> 00:23:10,079 when you're successful. 586 00:23:10,127 --> 00:23:12,997 [Cheering] 587 00:23:13,043 --> 00:23:18,013 [Crowd yelling] 588 00:23:18,048 --> 00:23:20,878 And whether you like it or not, Sami's been successful. 589 00:23:20,921 --> 00:23:22,051 Oh yeah. 590 00:23:22,096 --> 00:23:24,706 [Crowd yelling] 591 00:23:24,751 --> 00:23:26,931 [Cheering] 592 00:23:26,970 --> 00:23:27,930 That's... yeah. 593 00:23:27,971 --> 00:23:30,671 [Cheering] 594 00:23:30,713 --> 00:23:32,243 And Sami's just like of like a leader. 595 00:23:32,280 --> 00:23:34,500 He has a lot of influence from a lot of talented young guys 596 00:23:34,543 --> 00:23:35,503 in the business. 597 00:23:35,544 --> 00:23:37,244 [Crowd chanting] 598 00:23:37,285 --> 00:23:38,895 CROWD: Oh! 599 00:23:38,939 --> 00:23:41,459 When you're in demand like Sami too, there's gonna be issues. 600 00:23:41,507 --> 00:23:43,117 CROWD: One, two, three! 601 00:23:43,160 --> 00:23:47,080 [Bell dinging] [Cheering] 602 00:23:47,121 --> 00:23:51,781 ANNOUNCER: The winner of this match: Sami Callihan! 603 00:23:51,821 --> 00:23:55,561 [Cheering] 604 00:23:55,608 --> 00:23:58,178 You know, I remember when I was coming up, 605 00:23:58,219 --> 00:24:02,879 it really wasn't possible to be an unknown indie guy 606 00:24:02,919 --> 00:24:04,569 and make a living. 607 00:24:04,617 --> 00:24:06,617 - Mm-hmm. - And now it is. 608 00:24:06,662 --> 00:24:08,582 You know, you can work domestically 609 00:24:08,621 --> 00:24:10,801 and internationally, and maybe you're not gonna get rich, 610 00:24:10,840 --> 00:24:12,670 but you're a professional wrestler. 611 00:24:17,151 --> 00:24:20,021 As a professional wrestler who's had... I couldn't even tell you 612 00:24:20,067 --> 00:24:23,937 how many concussions, I don't know, all of these people 613 00:24:23,984 --> 00:24:28,604 who had severe CTE, they all had the same symptoms. 614 00:24:28,641 --> 00:24:30,861 It scares me sometimes to think like now, 615 00:24:30,904 --> 00:24:34,124 what's gonna happen to me in 15, 20 years? 616 00:24:34,168 --> 00:24:35,948 'Cause you know, I joke about it, 617 00:24:35,996 --> 00:24:39,166 but dude, sometimes mid-sentence I'll be... 618 00:24:39,216 --> 00:24:41,126 you know, what was I just saying? 619 00:24:41,175 --> 00:24:43,305 Does that fear play into part of the reason 620 00:24:43,351 --> 00:24:45,051 that you wanna kinda step away from this? 621 00:24:45,092 --> 00:24:48,622 Yeah, I mean, I've always said I wanna walk away, 622 00:24:48,661 --> 00:24:50,271 I don't wanna limp away. 623 00:24:50,314 --> 00:24:51,844 And I had a doctor once tell me, it was funny. 624 00:24:51,881 --> 00:24:55,061 She said, "You guys always look great on the outside, 625 00:24:55,102 --> 00:24:56,802 but you're a mess inside." 626 00:24:56,843 --> 00:25:03,283 ♪ 627 00:25:03,327 --> 00:25:05,677 DAMIAN: For the past few years, MVP has not been signed to 628 00:25:05,721 --> 00:25:07,641 any major wrestling organizations. 629 00:25:07,680 --> 00:25:09,330 - Good to see you, bro. - How was your trip? 630 00:25:09,377 --> 00:25:11,157 Instead, he freelances with independent promotions 631 00:25:11,205 --> 00:25:12,725 all over the United States. 632 00:25:12,772 --> 00:25:15,342 Some big, some... not so big. 633 00:25:15,383 --> 00:25:18,043 ♪ 634 00:25:18,081 --> 00:25:19,611 And then you kind of hold it not like you're ripping 635 00:25:19,648 --> 00:25:21,038 her head off, but a little bit hard, 636 00:25:21,084 --> 00:25:22,224 'cause if not she'll start to wiggle around. 637 00:25:22,259 --> 00:25:23,609 - Okay. - Yep. 638 00:25:23,652 --> 00:25:26,052 ♪ 639 00:25:26,089 --> 00:25:29,009 It is still very much a privilege and an honour 640 00:25:29,049 --> 00:25:31,659 to perform in a wrestling ring. 641 00:25:31,704 --> 00:25:33,234 We'll just walk and talk, man. 642 00:25:33,270 --> 00:25:36,320 When people pay money because they wanna see you perform, 643 00:25:36,360 --> 00:25:37,800 that's a huge honour. 644 00:25:37,840 --> 00:25:40,280 And I recognize it, because at any given time, 645 00:25:40,321 --> 00:25:42,371 you know, [Snap] it could be over like that. 646 00:25:42,410 --> 00:25:44,370 You know, blow out a knee, land on your head and you become 647 00:25:44,412 --> 00:25:46,982 a quadriplegic, or you know, something terrible. 648 00:25:47,023 --> 00:25:48,203 How old are you? 649 00:25:48,242 --> 00:25:49,722 - 45. - 45? 650 00:25:49,765 --> 00:25:51,805 I'll be 44 in about 3 weeks. 651 00:25:51,854 --> 00:25:54,204 I'm right there with you, man. 652 00:25:54,248 --> 00:25:56,118 [Yawning] 653 00:25:56,163 --> 00:25:58,213 Anything... Any injuries or anything? 654 00:25:58,252 --> 00:26:00,822 Uh, this shoulder right here, if you can see, 655 00:26:00,863 --> 00:26:01,953 that's about as high as I can pick it up. 656 00:26:01,995 --> 00:26:03,255 Okay. 657 00:26:03,300 --> 00:26:04,870 Physically it's a day by day thing, you know. 658 00:26:04,911 --> 00:26:07,701 There are some days when man, I feel great! 659 00:26:07,740 --> 00:26:09,610 And there are some days when my knee's bothering me, 660 00:26:09,655 --> 00:26:12,395 or maybe the previous weekend I got suplexed on a pile of chairs 661 00:26:12,440 --> 00:26:15,360 and my back's still feeling a little aah, you know. 662 00:26:15,399 --> 00:26:18,139 You know, with all the cumulative wear and tear 663 00:26:18,185 --> 00:26:22,055 from the bumping, I don't feel like the 28, 29-year-old, 664 00:26:22,102 --> 00:26:24,322 you know, uber stud that I was, you know. 665 00:26:24,365 --> 00:26:25,755 Who's your favourite wrestler, young man? 666 00:26:26,889 --> 00:26:28,059 Well, guess what? 667 00:26:28,108 --> 00:26:30,938 Damien Wayne gonna be out very, very soon, 668 00:26:30,980 --> 00:26:32,720 and he's wrestling who? 669 00:26:32,765 --> 00:26:33,935 CROWD: MVP! 670 00:26:33,983 --> 00:26:36,293 - He's wrestling who? - MVP! 671 00:26:36,333 --> 00:26:37,903 That's who he's wrestling. 672 00:26:37,944 --> 00:26:39,214 Are we ready? 673 00:26:39,249 --> 00:26:41,689 [Cheering] 674 00:26:41,730 --> 00:26:44,950 Some nights I'm just like, "I don't wanna be here. 675 00:26:44,994 --> 00:26:46,954 I just wanna go home." 676 00:26:46,996 --> 00:26:49,216 But the flipside of that is once I walk out there in front of 677 00:26:49,259 --> 00:26:51,699 that crowd, it all changes. 678 00:26:51,740 --> 00:26:54,660 The adrenaline kicks in, I find those people that I connect with 679 00:26:54,700 --> 00:26:57,180 in the audience, and I appreciate it, you know. 680 00:26:57,224 --> 00:26:59,924 Here we go, the main event. 681 00:26:59,966 --> 00:27:02,656 Oh! 682 00:27:02,708 --> 00:27:04,268 He's coming through the curtains. 683 00:27:04,318 --> 00:27:09,668 ♪ 684 00:27:09,715 --> 00:27:11,755 [Roaring] 685 00:27:11,804 --> 00:27:13,154 Let it sizzle. 686 00:27:13,196 --> 00:27:15,196 VOICE: Three, two, one. 687 00:27:15,242 --> 00:27:21,772 [Cheering] 688 00:27:21,814 --> 00:27:24,734 DAMIAN: Wrestling is a 365 day a year business, 689 00:27:24,773 --> 00:27:27,173 so not every night is gonna be the Tokyo bill. 690 00:27:27,210 --> 00:27:29,690 But seeing MVP appear in front of a small crowd and still 691 00:27:29,735 --> 00:27:32,775 give it his all reminded me how dedicated he is to his fans. 692 00:27:37,177 --> 00:27:38,827 [Cheering] 693 00:27:38,874 --> 00:27:40,484 MVP! 694 00:27:40,528 --> 00:27:43,708 CROWD: M... V... P! 695 00:27:43,749 --> 00:27:48,969 [Cheering] 696 00:27:53,019 --> 00:27:54,109 [Bell dinging] 697 00:27:56,022 --> 00:27:58,982 [Grunting] 698 00:27:59,025 --> 00:28:00,285 One! 699 00:28:00,330 --> 00:28:15,350 [Girl laughing] 700 00:28:15,389 --> 00:28:17,219 Time out! 701 00:28:17,260 --> 00:28:20,180 [Crowd murmuring] 702 00:28:20,220 --> 00:28:22,180 [Girl yelling] 703 00:28:22,222 --> 00:28:25,182 Oh, you're laughing at him 'cause he's a chicken? 704 00:28:25,225 --> 00:28:26,875 Or you're laughing at his funny face? 705 00:28:26,922 --> 00:28:29,272 You can't laugh at me. I can only laugh at you. 706 00:28:31,144 --> 00:28:32,804 Yeah, why can't she laugh at you? 707 00:28:35,017 --> 00:28:39,017 [Laughing] 708 00:28:39,065 --> 00:28:42,845 [Cheering] 709 00:28:42,895 --> 00:28:44,765 Don't tell me how to live my life! 710 00:28:47,900 --> 00:28:51,770 [Laughing] 711 00:28:51,817 --> 00:28:58,207 [Cheering] 712 00:28:58,258 --> 00:29:01,778 I think David's... David's scared! 713 00:29:01,827 --> 00:29:04,217 Time out. [Laughing] 714 00:29:04,264 --> 00:29:05,964 That's why live wrestling's awesome. 715 00:29:06,005 --> 00:29:08,175 I love it, I love being in it. 716 00:29:08,224 --> 00:29:10,234 [Cheering] 717 00:29:12,272 --> 00:29:13,322 I gotcha. 718 00:29:15,231 --> 00:29:16,801 [Cheering] 719 00:29:16,842 --> 00:29:18,412 MVP: There comes a time when maybe yeah, 720 00:29:18,452 --> 00:29:20,582 you're on the mat in the major wrestling promotion, 721 00:29:20,628 --> 00:29:23,108 but those people who saw you on TV remember that, 722 00:29:23,152 --> 00:29:24,242 and they're cheering, you know. 723 00:29:24,284 --> 00:29:26,424 CROWD: MVP! MVP! 724 00:29:26,460 --> 00:29:29,070 Yeah, classic MVP! 725 00:29:29,115 --> 00:29:31,545 [Crowd yelling] 726 00:29:31,595 --> 00:29:34,075 MVP: Performance, the adoration, exhilaration... 727 00:29:34,120 --> 00:29:36,040 [Cheering] 728 00:29:36,078 --> 00:29:39,298 ...there's no other drug like it. 729 00:29:39,342 --> 00:29:40,912 And I've tried a few, you know. 730 00:29:40,953 --> 00:29:42,133 [Laughing] 731 00:29:42,171 --> 00:29:43,521 There it is! 732 00:29:43,564 --> 00:29:45,264 I can see where it can be like crack. 733 00:29:45,305 --> 00:29:46,825 [Cheering] 734 00:29:46,872 --> 00:29:49,532 Some people can get so addicted to it to their detriment. 735 00:29:49,570 --> 00:29:53,140 [Cheering] 736 00:29:53,182 --> 00:29:54,442 Where do they go? 737 00:29:54,488 --> 00:29:56,838 [Crowd yelling] 738 00:29:56,882 --> 00:30:00,492 Here's your up-close, personal pretty picture of MVP. 739 00:30:00,537 --> 00:30:03,447 [Booing] 740 00:30:03,497 --> 00:30:05,147 Now that's 10 bucks. 741 00:30:05,194 --> 00:30:06,894 [Booing] 742 00:30:06,935 --> 00:30:08,495 CROWD: Oh! 743 00:30:08,545 --> 00:30:11,845 MVP: Sometimes emotionally, I realize where I'm at right now, 744 00:30:11,897 --> 00:30:13,857 this is the home stretch, you know. 745 00:30:13,899 --> 00:30:16,119 When the time comes when I say okay, 746 00:30:16,162 --> 00:30:20,302 this is it, and I take the boots off for the last time, 747 00:30:20,340 --> 00:30:22,470 what's that gonna feel like? 748 00:30:22,516 --> 00:30:29,956 [Cheering] 749 00:30:30,002 --> 00:30:32,132 CROWD: Order! 750 00:30:32,178 --> 00:30:34,268 [Crowd wincing] 751 00:30:34,310 --> 00:30:36,570 [Grunting] 752 00:30:36,617 --> 00:30:38,177 One, two... 753 00:30:38,227 --> 00:30:44,317 [Cheering] 754 00:30:44,364 --> 00:30:47,584 I know that, as I said, the chapter of being an in-ring 755 00:30:47,628 --> 00:30:50,148 performer is coming to a close. 756 00:30:50,196 --> 00:30:54,286 As I approach 44 and knowing like this is a danger zone 757 00:30:54,330 --> 00:30:56,200 for most pro wrestlers, you know, if you're gonna drop dead 758 00:30:56,245 --> 00:30:58,635 of a heart attack, it's usually in the 40s, you know. 759 00:30:58,682 --> 00:31:04,172 And now I have a son, and he's just changed me in a way that 760 00:31:04,210 --> 00:31:05,690 I can't even verbalize. 761 00:31:05,733 --> 00:31:10,003 No conversation could ever prepare you for the love that 762 00:31:10,042 --> 00:31:11,652 you develop for your child. 763 00:31:15,961 --> 00:31:18,141 I never wanted kids. 764 00:31:18,180 --> 00:31:21,310 I was perfectly content to die childless. 765 00:31:23,403 --> 00:31:25,413 And the main reason I didn't want kids was because I didn't 766 00:31:25,448 --> 00:31:29,188 want the responsibility that comes with a child, 767 00:31:29,235 --> 00:31:31,365 and the vulnerability. 768 00:31:31,411 --> 00:31:32,981 'Cause I can look after myself. 769 00:31:33,021 --> 00:31:34,461 I've been through all kinds of shit. 770 00:31:34,501 --> 00:31:35,981 Hey, where you going? 771 00:31:36,024 --> 00:31:37,554 Come back, Camden. 772 00:31:37,591 --> 00:31:40,161 Camden, come here, come here. 773 00:31:40,202 --> 00:31:42,032 Come here, you gotta wait your turn in line. 774 00:31:44,076 --> 00:31:45,556 He was unplanned. 775 00:31:45,599 --> 00:31:47,209 Certainly not by me! 776 00:31:47,253 --> 00:31:48,563 [Laughing] 777 00:31:48,602 --> 00:31:51,742 It took a little bit of time for me to like 778 00:31:51,779 --> 00:31:54,039 really bond with my child. 779 00:31:54,086 --> 00:31:56,516 Walk, walk, walk, walk! 780 00:31:56,566 --> 00:31:58,256 Alright. 781 00:31:58,307 --> 00:32:00,047 Nice! 782 00:32:00,092 --> 00:32:01,402 Oh, cartwheels! Let's go! 783 00:32:01,441 --> 00:32:05,361 My father was in my life, but we're not close. 784 00:32:05,401 --> 00:32:09,281 He was around, but my father and I never like... 785 00:32:09,318 --> 00:32:12,188 had any father/son stuff that we did together. 786 00:32:12,234 --> 00:32:13,454 Ready? 787 00:32:15,107 --> 00:32:16,057 Go! 788 00:32:16,108 --> 00:32:18,238 Go, Camden! Go, go, go, go, go! 789 00:32:18,284 --> 00:32:20,424 It seems like it was just yesterday I was trying to 790 00:32:20,460 --> 00:32:22,550 find out what clubs were open at night, you know. 791 00:32:22,592 --> 00:32:24,592 Like let's get some bottles, you know. 792 00:32:24,638 --> 00:32:27,638 That's not the case anymore, you know. 793 00:32:27,684 --> 00:32:30,174 Now I wanna be a dad. 794 00:32:36,302 --> 00:32:37,432 I'm the bully. 795 00:32:37,477 --> 00:32:38,997 Who's the aggressor now? 796 00:32:39,044 --> 00:32:40,444 Who's the one attacking now, me or him? 797 00:32:40,480 --> 00:32:41,480 KIDS: Him. 798 00:32:41,524 --> 00:32:42,744 Him. 799 00:32:42,786 --> 00:32:46,786 So, shuffle down, knees on the ground, 800 00:32:46,834 --> 00:32:49,054 hands behind his leg, up. 801 00:32:49,097 --> 00:32:51,097 Push, push, push, push, push! 802 00:32:51,143 --> 00:32:54,063 I'm gonna take him down, alright? 803 00:32:54,102 --> 00:32:57,282 Now, both of your hands on his arms. 804 00:32:57,323 --> 00:32:58,323 Punch me, bully, now. 805 00:32:58,367 --> 00:32:59,497 [Grunting] 806 00:32:59,542 --> 00:33:02,332 He cannot punch me now. [Clapping] 807 00:33:02,371 --> 00:33:04,771 I don't want my son to be a pro wrestler. 808 00:33:04,808 --> 00:33:06,718 Whatever he decides, I hope, you know, 809 00:33:06,767 --> 00:33:09,807 I can enstill enough guidance and intelligence so that 810 00:33:09,857 --> 00:33:12,247 he'll make some pretty solid decisions. 811 00:33:12,294 --> 00:33:16,214 But I want him to use his brain, I want him to be brilliant. 812 00:33:16,255 --> 00:33:18,775 You know, let him compose music, let him write code, 813 00:33:18,822 --> 00:33:20,742 let him study medicine. 814 00:33:20,781 --> 00:33:23,041 You hungry? You want rice? 815 00:33:23,088 --> 00:33:26,478 Physically, you know, I beat the shit out of my body 816 00:33:26,526 --> 00:33:28,346 for entertainment, you know. 817 00:33:28,397 --> 00:33:31,227 I don't want him to fucking deal with that, you know. 818 00:33:31,270 --> 00:33:38,360 ♪ 819 00:33:38,407 --> 00:33:39,797 DAMIAN: Hassan has brought me to meet 820 00:33:39,843 --> 00:33:42,063 another pro wrestling super star, 821 00:33:42,107 --> 00:33:45,147 long-time friend and fellow Houston resident Booker T. 822 00:33:45,197 --> 00:33:46,417 - Yo, how you doing? - Good. 823 00:33:46,459 --> 00:33:48,199 Booker, this is Damian. 824 00:33:48,243 --> 00:33:51,643 The six-time world champion was both a hero and mentor 825 00:33:51,681 --> 00:33:53,601 for Hassan early in his career. 826 00:33:53,640 --> 00:33:56,250 Both men are African American wrestlers who overcame criminal 827 00:33:56,295 --> 00:33:59,205 pasts to become champions in the wrestling world. 828 00:33:59,254 --> 00:34:02,084 Wax on, wax off, baby. 829 00:34:02,127 --> 00:34:04,167 Tie up. 830 00:34:04,216 --> 00:34:05,566 Wax on. 831 00:34:08,698 --> 00:34:10,348 And it looks cool, and that's what... 832 00:34:10,396 --> 00:34:11,956 [Laughing] 833 00:34:12,006 --> 00:34:14,486 No, no, that's what wrestling mostly is, you know what I mean? 834 00:34:14,530 --> 00:34:17,400 Booker retired from pro wrestling in 2016, 835 00:34:17,446 --> 00:34:19,706 and as well as his weekly gigs as a wrestling commentator 836 00:34:19,753 --> 00:34:23,543 he now runs a wrestling gym training the next generation. 837 00:34:23,583 --> 00:34:25,413 Good, good. 838 00:34:25,454 --> 00:34:28,414 Really early on when MVP found out about your story and the 839 00:34:28,457 --> 00:34:30,497 things that you kind of were able to overcome to get the 840 00:34:30,546 --> 00:34:34,116 legend that you are today, that was a huge inspiration for him. 841 00:34:34,159 --> 00:34:37,119 Yeah, yeah, yeah, I mean, he stole a lot of my traits. 842 00:34:37,162 --> 00:34:40,212 [Laughing] 843 00:34:40,252 --> 00:34:42,782 For me, you know, I always try to set an example. 844 00:34:42,819 --> 00:34:45,339 I'm all about, you know, helping young people. 845 00:34:45,387 --> 00:34:48,557 I got, you know, maybe 50 kids 846 00:34:48,608 --> 00:34:51,568 that all look to me as a father figure. 847 00:34:51,611 --> 00:34:53,701 [Yelling] 848 00:34:53,743 --> 00:34:56,703 MVP's someone who's kind of at a crossroads right now, 849 00:34:56,746 --> 00:34:58,656 like you know, talking about the end of his career. 850 00:34:58,705 --> 00:35:00,745 Have you guys spoken about what's next? 851 00:35:00,794 --> 00:35:02,274 Have you given any-- offered him any advice? 852 00:35:02,317 --> 00:35:04,887 We've talked frequently, you know, about... 853 00:35:04,928 --> 00:35:07,408 [Slamming] ...life after wrestling. 854 00:35:07,453 --> 00:35:08,723 You know, especially when you get a kid. 855 00:35:08,758 --> 00:35:10,238 [Laughing] 856 00:35:10,282 --> 00:35:11,592 You gotta start thinking about... 857 00:35:11,631 --> 00:35:13,501 As well as when you get older, you know, 858 00:35:13,546 --> 00:35:15,716 the body, you gotta be able to think about yourself. 859 00:35:15,765 --> 00:35:19,245 You know, I was just watching a video today, 860 00:35:19,291 --> 00:35:22,511 and it had a couple of the old wrestlers from the '80s, 861 00:35:22,555 --> 00:35:25,815 and they were still wrestling on the show in 2017, 862 00:35:25,862 --> 00:35:27,692 and I was like God, man, you know. 863 00:35:27,734 --> 00:35:29,614 You don't wanna be that guy. 864 00:35:29,649 --> 00:35:31,909 My education is professional wrestling. 865 00:35:31,955 --> 00:35:34,735 I got a lot of knowledge in the business. 866 00:35:34,784 --> 00:35:37,274 That's one of the reasons I opened this school. 867 00:35:37,309 --> 00:35:39,309 And I wanted to be able to walk away from it and say man, 868 00:35:39,354 --> 00:35:40,574 thanks for the ride, guys. 869 00:35:40,616 --> 00:35:42,136 It's been awesome. 870 00:35:42,183 --> 00:35:44,663 Booker T left the ring at a point where he was one of the, 871 00:35:44,707 --> 00:35:46,927 you know, still the greatest, and didn't wait till that point, 872 00:35:46,970 --> 00:35:48,580 that decline. 873 00:35:48,624 --> 00:35:50,634 Was that at all inspiration for why you're choosing to get out? 874 00:35:50,670 --> 00:35:53,410 I got a few more years left, you know, it's not-- 875 00:35:53,455 --> 00:35:54,625 Well, I don't me now now. 876 00:35:54,674 --> 00:35:56,244 I mean like in the next few years. 877 00:35:56,284 --> 00:35:57,764 But in the very near future, yeah. 878 00:35:57,807 --> 00:36:00,287 You don't wanna give them that mental snapshot of when 879 00:36:00,332 --> 00:36:02,772 you used to be good, and now when he goes to do 880 00:36:02,812 --> 00:36:04,382 the spinneroni and his back pops. 881 00:36:04,423 --> 00:36:06,033 [Laughing] 882 00:36:06,076 --> 00:36:08,636 Always leave them wanting more. Always leave them wanting more. 883 00:36:08,688 --> 00:36:11,688 Booker did that, you know, and that's what I wanna do. 884 00:36:11,734 --> 00:36:14,694 ♪ 885 00:36:14,737 --> 00:36:16,567 We're back in Hassan's home state of Florida 886 00:36:16,609 --> 00:36:19,999 at MLW One Shot, a new event on the outskirts of Orlando. 887 00:36:20,047 --> 00:36:23,307 Hassan's old prison guard and wrestling inspiration, 888 00:36:23,355 --> 00:36:25,395 Primetime, has travelled up from Miami to join me 889 00:36:25,444 --> 00:36:27,364 in the audience. 890 00:36:27,402 --> 00:36:29,752 Alex, Primetime. Primetime, Alex. 891 00:36:29,796 --> 00:36:31,406 Hi, it's so nice to meet you! 892 00:36:31,450 --> 00:36:33,630 I'm gratified for putting this motherfucker in my life. 893 00:36:33,669 --> 00:36:35,669 [Laughing] 894 00:36:35,715 --> 00:36:37,325 Hassan is a busy man tonight. 895 00:36:37,369 --> 00:36:39,329 He's working as an agent for four young wrestlers 896 00:36:39,371 --> 00:36:40,811 in two of the matches. 897 00:36:40,850 --> 00:36:42,240 - Seven minutes. - Okay. 898 00:36:42,287 --> 00:36:45,857 They want like a 70/30, heel, babyface kinda deal. 899 00:36:45,899 --> 00:36:48,679 He'll also be performing in his own match. 900 00:36:48,728 --> 00:36:51,508 His opponent: none other than indie upstart 901 00:36:51,557 --> 00:36:54,597 and worldwide desperado Sami Callihan. 902 00:36:54,647 --> 00:36:56,427 So some brainbusters out. 903 00:36:56,475 --> 00:36:57,905 I can take a brainbuster, that's fine. 904 00:36:57,954 --> 00:36:59,964 Hassan's plan is for Sami to win, 905 00:37:00,000 --> 00:37:02,390 creating a kind of "passing of the torch" moment 906 00:37:02,437 --> 00:37:04,567 from a veteran champion to a new star. 907 00:37:04,613 --> 00:37:06,703 You're gonna have ooh, aah, and oh. 908 00:37:06,746 --> 00:37:10,916 Richocet and Swerve are gonna be the, "Aah!" 909 00:37:10,967 --> 00:37:14,487 Lawler and Jeff Cobb will give you the, "Ooh!" 910 00:37:14,536 --> 00:37:15,706 And then we're just like, "Oh!" 911 00:37:15,755 --> 00:37:17,705 We're gonna give you the, "Oh!" 912 00:37:17,757 --> 00:37:19,847 We'll just beat each other up and have fun. 913 00:37:19,889 --> 00:37:22,539 Shortly after arriving though, he discovers that 914 00:37:22,588 --> 00:37:26,458 the MLW promoters have decided it's MVP who should win. 915 00:37:26,505 --> 00:37:27,935 Did he talk to you about the finish? 916 00:37:27,984 --> 00:37:29,074 No. 917 00:37:29,116 --> 00:37:31,766 Okay, um... 918 00:37:31,814 --> 00:37:33,604 [Clap] Mute this for a second, please. 919 00:37:36,819 --> 00:37:40,689 [Chattering] 920 00:37:40,736 --> 00:37:42,826 So there's been a bit of a change in the plan 921 00:37:42,869 --> 00:37:44,349 for this evening, right? 922 00:37:44,392 --> 00:37:48,572 Uh, originally Sami was probably gonna come out on top, 923 00:37:48,614 --> 00:37:50,314 but now things have had to change. 924 00:37:50,355 --> 00:37:53,485 On a night like tonight, for this venue, 925 00:37:53,532 --> 00:37:56,932 nobody would expect Sami to beat me, you know what I'm saying? 926 00:37:56,970 --> 00:37:58,620 There's just, you know, a heirarchy. 927 00:37:58,667 --> 00:37:59,887 Like it's all bullshit anyway, right? 928 00:37:59,929 --> 00:38:01,319 [Laughing] 929 00:38:01,366 --> 00:38:03,976 But it doesn't hurt me at all to lose to Sami, 930 00:38:04,020 --> 00:38:05,810 but it does something for him. 931 00:38:05,848 --> 00:38:07,758 And you know, from a business standpoint, 932 00:38:07,807 --> 00:38:09,587 for whatever reason, things change, 933 00:38:09,635 --> 00:38:12,725 but that's fine because Sami doesn't give a shit. 934 00:38:12,768 --> 00:38:15,818 And that's one more reason that I respect him. 935 00:38:15,858 --> 00:38:18,858 He's a guy that's brought up by a lot of the detractors of 936 00:38:18,905 --> 00:38:21,995 the current generation as being sort of the figurehead 937 00:38:22,038 --> 00:38:23,948 of what's wrong with the new kids. 938 00:38:23,997 --> 00:38:25,477 [Laughing] 939 00:38:25,520 --> 00:38:26,610 You know, like "Sami and friends". 940 00:38:26,652 --> 00:38:28,352 He's become sort of this guy that-- 941 00:38:28,393 --> 00:38:30,663 Well then, count me in as the "and friends", you know, 942 00:38:30,699 --> 00:38:33,919 'cause I like his style, I like his intensity, 943 00:38:33,963 --> 00:38:35,753 I like his approach to it. 944 00:38:35,791 --> 00:38:38,101 And you know, like I said, everything evolves, man. 945 00:38:38,141 --> 00:38:41,011 You know, you can't become a relic, an antique, you know. 946 00:38:41,057 --> 00:38:43,097 DAMIAN: Hassan has a pretty realistic approach to 947 00:38:43,146 --> 00:38:46,106 the business of wrestling, and doesn't take it too seriously. 948 00:38:46,149 --> 00:38:49,409 It's something he and Sami seem to have in common. 949 00:38:49,457 --> 00:38:51,757 When you think about wrestling, like it's fucking stupid. 950 00:38:51,807 --> 00:38:53,157 [Laughing] 951 00:38:53,200 --> 00:38:55,990 I'm a cowboy, you're a basketball player. 952 00:38:56,029 --> 00:38:57,809 There's an undead wizard that 953 00:38:57,857 --> 00:38:59,117 strikes people with lightning bolts. 954 00:38:59,162 --> 00:39:00,432 Right, you know. 955 00:39:00,468 --> 00:39:01,858 But we're taking this so seriously, 956 00:39:01,904 --> 00:39:03,654 people wanna get in fights every time. 957 00:39:03,689 --> 00:39:04,989 That's what I say all the time! 958 00:39:05,038 --> 00:39:06,608 - We're grown men! - Yeah. 959 00:39:06,648 --> 00:39:07,818 Play-fighting in spandex! 960 00:39:07,867 --> 00:39:09,037 We're Game of Thrones. 961 00:39:09,085 --> 00:39:11,035 Relax, man! Take it easy! 962 00:39:11,087 --> 00:39:12,387 This is supposed to be fun! 963 00:39:12,437 --> 00:39:13,997 [Bell dinging] 964 00:39:14,047 --> 00:39:16,567 ♪ 965 00:39:16,615 --> 00:39:18,085 ANNOUNCER: He is so agile. 966 00:39:18,138 --> 00:39:29,668 ♪ 967 00:39:29,715 --> 00:39:31,845 Oh, Strickland knew it was coming! 968 00:39:31,891 --> 00:39:33,811 Strickland knew it was coming! 969 00:39:33,849 --> 00:39:35,759 Wow, like The Matrix! 970 00:39:35,808 --> 00:39:37,678 Able to get out of the way of the kick! 971 00:39:37,723 --> 00:39:39,643 - I'm impressed, man. - Thank you. 972 00:39:39,681 --> 00:39:41,201 I'm watching your growth, you know. 973 00:39:41,248 --> 00:39:42,638 I appreciate it. 974 00:39:42,684 --> 00:39:45,474 I've been watching more movies and acting more 975 00:39:45,513 --> 00:39:48,043 to try to finally impliment that in my wrestling. 976 00:39:48,081 --> 00:39:50,041 I've been talking about the evolution of the business. 977 00:39:50,083 --> 00:39:51,523 Right. 978 00:39:51,563 --> 00:39:54,043 The old school guys who shit on the new school guys, 979 00:39:54,087 --> 00:39:57,047 like we used to have the fight scenes, 980 00:39:57,090 --> 00:39:59,220 Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone. 981 00:39:59,266 --> 00:40:02,046 Now it's fucking John Wick and Jason Statham, you know? 982 00:40:02,095 --> 00:40:03,615 That shit evolves. 983 00:40:03,662 --> 00:40:07,452 And you guys do that shit in a single take with no wires. 984 00:40:07,492 --> 00:40:08,712 - Imagine that. - Yeah. 985 00:40:08,754 --> 00:40:10,584 [Laughing] A lot of pressure! 986 00:40:10,625 --> 00:40:11,665 A lot of pressure. 987 00:40:11,713 --> 00:40:13,063 You got it, baby, you got it. 988 00:40:13,106 --> 00:40:14,496 The future's in good hands. 989 00:40:14,542 --> 00:40:15,892 Thank you so much, man. 990 00:40:15,935 --> 00:40:20,455 ♪ 991 00:40:20,505 --> 00:40:21,845 [Bell dinging] 992 00:40:21,897 --> 00:40:26,247 [Cheering] 993 00:40:26,293 --> 00:40:27,773 Suckerpunches right. Didn't work! 994 00:40:27,816 --> 00:40:28,896 [Groaning] 995 00:40:28,948 --> 00:40:29,908 Damn. 996 00:40:29,949 --> 00:40:31,079 Connects there with a kick. 997 00:40:31,124 --> 00:40:32,654 [Crowd wincing] 998 00:40:32,691 --> 00:40:34,821 [Cheering] 999 00:40:34,867 --> 00:40:38,517 A lot of people I'm sure would get out of that system of 1000 00:40:38,566 --> 00:40:40,736 being incarcerated and find themselves right back in it. 1001 00:40:40,786 --> 00:40:43,566 For him to kinda get out and then become the very heart 1002 00:40:43,615 --> 00:40:46,225 of this industry, that's like all because of you. 1003 00:40:55,931 --> 00:40:57,501 Pull yourself up. 1004 00:40:57,542 --> 00:40:59,072 That's what you gotta do. 1005 00:40:59,108 --> 00:41:01,068 Sami's a younger guy and represents a sort of 1006 00:41:01,110 --> 00:41:02,900 different generation. 1007 00:41:02,938 --> 00:41:04,638 That's why it's such a dream match show, 1008 00:41:04,679 --> 00:41:07,939 because it's like the two generations colliding. 1009 00:41:07,987 --> 00:41:09,897 What in the world is he doing here? 1010 00:41:09,945 --> 00:41:12,025 Mocking MVP, okay. 1011 00:41:12,078 --> 00:41:13,778 CROWD: Oh! 1012 00:41:13,819 --> 00:41:15,039 [Clapping] 1013 00:41:25,004 --> 00:41:34,624 [Grunting] 1014 00:41:34,666 --> 00:41:35,966 [Slamming] 1015 00:41:36,015 --> 00:41:37,535 There are times now when I'm in the ring 1016 00:41:37,582 --> 00:41:39,632 from an emotional perspective. 1017 00:41:39,671 --> 00:41:43,761 I know like man, I really have to savour this, 1018 00:41:43,805 --> 00:41:47,675 because these days are coming to an end. 1019 00:41:49,681 --> 00:41:51,331 DAMIAN: Watching this match, it's hard to believe 1020 00:41:51,378 --> 00:41:54,118 MVP will be retiring soon. 1021 00:41:54,163 --> 00:41:56,563 But at 44, he's already achieved far more than 1022 00:41:56,601 --> 00:41:59,821 one might've expected from an ex-con from Opa-locka. 1023 00:41:59,865 --> 00:42:02,075 And for all the veterans that dump on the new generation for 1024 00:42:02,128 --> 00:42:04,868 not wrestling like they used to it's clear the business is 1025 00:42:04,913 --> 00:42:07,133 in good hands with talent who are creating wrestling 1026 00:42:07,176 --> 00:42:10,006 by this generation for this generation. 1027 00:42:10,049 --> 00:42:12,269 The wrestling world, especially independent wrestling, 1028 00:42:12,312 --> 00:42:14,012 is only getting bigger. 1029 00:42:14,053 --> 00:42:17,103 And maybe the high-flying acrobatics get clicks, 1030 00:42:17,143 --> 00:42:19,673 but the brutal combat, the old school grappling, 1031 00:42:19,711 --> 00:42:22,671 and the crowd-pleasing characters are all still there. 1032 00:42:22,714 --> 00:42:25,194 From Shane, the unpredictable golden child who wants to be 1033 00:42:25,238 --> 00:42:28,588 good at everything, to Sami, the jeans-wearing, 1034 00:42:28,633 --> 00:42:31,683 spit-throwing, street-brawling desperado, 1035 00:42:31,723 --> 00:42:34,643 young wrestlers are surprising their audiences, 1036 00:42:34,682 --> 00:42:37,032 winning new fans, and driving the evolution of 1037 00:42:37,076 --> 00:42:39,076 American pro wrestling. 1038 00:42:40,906 --> 00:42:42,946 And they're fortunate to have coaches and mentors who can 1039 00:42:42,995 --> 00:42:46,215 pass on their experience and craft, and push them 1040 00:42:46,259 --> 00:42:48,869 to work hard and achieve greatness. 1041 00:42:48,914 --> 00:42:50,834 Even if it is just play-fighting in spandex. 1042 00:42:52,134 --> 00:42:54,314 ANNOUNCER: Throws him in a suplex. 1043 00:42:54,354 --> 00:42:56,314 Holds on for the cover, and that's it! 1044 00:42:56,356 --> 00:42:57,706 [Cheering] 1045 00:42:57,749 --> 00:43:02,879 Ladies and gentlemen, here is your winner, 1046 00:43:02,928 --> 00:43:07,108 M... V... P! 1047 00:43:07,149 --> 00:43:09,059 [Cheering] 1048 00:43:09,108 --> 00:43:11,278 DAMIAN: I have to say I'll be sad when MVP finally decides to 1049 00:43:11,327 --> 00:43:14,107 hang up his boots, but on the other side of the coin 1050 00:43:14,156 --> 00:43:16,286 lies a bright future full of new stars 1051 00:43:16,332 --> 00:43:18,812 who strive to burn just as bright. 1052 00:43:18,857 --> 00:43:22,897 ♪ 1053 00:43:22,948 --> 00:43:25,038 ANNOUNCER: Hold on, is this not done? 1054 00:43:25,080 --> 00:43:26,690 Well, yeah. 1055 00:43:26,734 --> 00:43:28,044 [Cheering] 1056 00:43:28,083 --> 00:43:30,703 Passions are running high right now. 1057 00:43:30,738 --> 00:43:33,348 [Clapping] 1058 00:43:33,393 --> 00:43:35,743 There's a prison guard that helped him pursue his dream of 1059 00:43:35,787 --> 00:43:37,347 being a pro wrestler. 1060 00:43:37,397 --> 00:43:38,347 We understand that prison guard is actually 1061 00:43:38,398 --> 00:43:40,008 in attendance here tonight. 1062 00:43:40,052 --> 00:43:43,232 [Cheering] 1063 00:43:43,272 --> 00:43:45,672 Callihan's checking to make sur all of his teeth are still in. 1064 00:43:45,710 --> 00:43:47,760 Yeah, and it's not the front that he's gotta worry about, 1065 00:43:47,799 --> 00:43:49,099 it's the wisdom teeth.