DOI INTERVIEW WITH JAPW PROMOTER FAT FRANK

Fat Frank back in the Bayonne days

We've done a ton of interviews with Fat Frank on the DOI. To read some of our past Fat Frank interviews through the years, check out:
August 2003
December 2004
February 2005
December 2005

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: Frank it's been a while since you last did a DOI interview, so it's great having you back. My first question to you is what are your thoughts as JAPW approaches their 9th anniversary show?

Fat Frank: Thanks Mic, its great to be back here on the DOI site rather then the message board. I am very excited about the 9th Anniversary this Saturday night in Rahway, NJ because we will be out with the old and in with the new.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: Looking back, what have been some of your favorite JAPW memories?

Fat Frank: There are to many to name but the yearly anniversary events are always my favorite. The very first one in Newark, NJ we had over 1,500 fans attend our convention that day with the WWF right across the river in MSG & Snow the night before. Having Paul Heyman in my locker room when ECW was in its prime was also a big deal for me.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: Going into this show, many people are under the impression that JAPW hasn't done as much as they could hyping this show. Do you agree with those people? What else could JAPW do to hype this show up?

Fat Frank: Mic I have been personally shilling the internet day and night and its no secret that I keep the topics on our message board pumping but since I was in school in Sept the board was dead with no news or topics. I completed school this past Friday and within the last 24 hours I have given the message board new life. I don’t like to toot my own horn but when you want something done right you have to do it yourself, that’s just what I have done. www.board.japw.net Many people want to help you but when the time comes it doesn’t happen. I am sure they mean well and really don’t know what they are committing themselves to. I am also talking the JAPW street-team back over. I lose sleep at night wondering if flyers are where they should be and now that I have the time again I will do some good old fashion promoting and hand shaking like I have in the past.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: Despite JAPW's success as the top promotion in this area, has this been one of JAPW's hardest years as a company?

Fat Frank: Well its no secret that the crowds have been up and down this year and when I look back, many things should have been done different but I can not erase the past and just put 100% into the future.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: Booker Ray Sager has not made some shows this year, as he's been preoccupied with real life responsibilities. Has that hurt the company?

Fat Frank: As crazy as this might sound Ray missing a few events may have helped the company because when he was not there I had to be on my toes and just about do everything. I saw a few things I was not happy with and am in the process of correcting them. Ray has a truly stressful job away from JAPW and from time to time and needs to clear his mind from everything…..

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: What are you looking forward to the most at the anniversary show?

Fat Frank: October 28th is going to be out with the old and in with the new. This show will mold JAP for 2007 new feuds, new talent and many other surprises. I was on the phone with Ray for over 2 hours today discussing everything I want to do and he was even surprised how motivated I am. I had a little time off and now I’m back.

Over the weekend I sat back and watched every single 2006 JAPW event. Why was that done, why wasn’t that finished, where did that come from., what happen to world wide, who hired him? October 28th will not change JAPW in one event but it will be the beginning of a new direction. Faster DVD releases, introducing new talent to the fans etc…. I wish it could all be done at once but it can’t. One thing JAPW has lacked in 2006 is BUILD UP and yes fans I am aware of it. I am not ashamed to read every single post, request and complaint on the JAPW message board, We have a great fan following that wants to see JAPW grow and fans that call JAPW number 1, I won’t let them down.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: What are your thoughts about some JAPW veterans taking a sidestep this show for new talent? How come new talent are debuting on the anniversary show, taking spots away from guys like Monsta Mack, Deranged, Corvis Fear and other JAPW veterans?

Fat Frank: They are all on the show this Saturday night. I always bring new talent in for the yearly events and this year will be no different. JAPW probably has the best eye for talent and once you enter our ring you have almost everyone knocking at your door, don’t belave me, just check out the past show results at japw.net and judge for yourself….

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: Will this be JAPW's top show of the year?

Fat Frank: I believe so but JAPW had a lot of great moments this year and it’s a challenge for Ray and myself to top them, and believe me when I tell you that you want to be in Rahway this Saturday night to feel the feeling that is known as JAPW live. You just can’t explain it, but when the show is over that night you will say, now that was a great FK show……. JAPW has loyal maniac fans, family fans, casual wrestling fans and the smarts all rolled up into one set of bleachers and when that happens you can just feel the excitement.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: What are your thoughts about Teddy Hart and dealing with him as a person?

Fat Frank: Teddy Hart is Teddy Hart. There are times I want to choke him but there are more times when I say Teddy that was FKN great. I enjoy Teddy’s work and always tell him the following as soon as I see him. Teddy: Hello Fat Frank: FF: Teddy be Teddy. Teddy: What’s Up Frank: FF Teddy Be Teddy etc….

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: What are your thoughts on Rhino and how well he's represented JAPW?

Fat Frank: “WELL” is not a high enough praise for Rhino. Jay Lethal and Rhino have rebuild the history of the JAPW World Heavyweight Championship and Rhino might be see around the World on TNA but when he wrestles for JAPW he does not take a step down from working hard. Rhino is a class act all the way…

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: Do you think JAPW has gotten lazy at times this year? Will the anniversary show be the show where JAPW does it all again?

Fat Frank: Lazy no not at all, busy yes. 2006 was the very first year that my personal life has effected my addiction to all of this but now I am back. I wish JAPW could pay all the bills and I could work on it 24 hrs a day. Maybe one day it will, I would love to have an office for JAPW and while some people might say, what a mark, for my last comment. If I worried about what people thought or what the other 5 promoters were saying to me at my first JAPW show 9 years ago where would I be today? None of those guys even run shows anymore and to me this is all I ever wanted in life. I don’t want to be WWE Champion, I want to be able to live off this business. .

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: Why should any fan go to this show?

Fat Frank: I would tell any fans to give JAPW a try. We have gained more fans that have found out about JAPW from receiving a flyer at a WWE event then any other source. There is something for everyone. But then again not everyone likes the same thing and that is what makes JAPW so perfect. If you don’t like an apple, try a banana. If you don’t like a banana try a pear, I think you get it. One thing about JAPW is that are fans like to yell and scream. Our fans like to bring signs and interact with wrestlers. If you like to sit on your hands and tell people to shut up because your trying to watch a match then JAPW is not for you…..

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: What's the latest with JAPW World Wide?

Fat Frank: The re launch of World Wide was rushed plain and simple. We have the best show on the internet and some changes have to be made before we return. I will announce the new schedule after the show this weekend. In the last season of World Wide we lost focus on our original format and have seen the downfall of that. JAPW will no longer run in seasons and will air every two weeks, once we start we will not stop, but we must be ready.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: Will there be any surprises this year at the anniversary show?

Fat Frank: We are 8-0 with that question.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: What do you want to say to anyone reading this?

Fat Frank: I invite all JAPW fans to use our message board with your feedback and suggestions. I would like to make the message board the life-line between JAPW fans and staff. Thank you for the support and what ever you do, be at the JAPW Arena this Sat night October 28th at 8pm…………..

Thank you for this interview, and good luck this Saturday.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey
BULLSMC@aol.com