Dave Levy
What up DOIites and welcome to another McInterview. Following up our Carmine Sabia interview, is another NJ booker and that is Dave Levy of CSWF. Dave Levy has been in the CSWF from the get go. Originally starting off as a wrestler, he made the transition to management under the wing of Firehawk. Dave Levy goes into great detail about his career, his life and CSWF in this interview. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did, and don't forget CSWF returns February 21st in Wayne, NJ.
Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: How did you get into the wrestling business?
Dave Levy: I got into the business back in 1989. There was a group running out of my home- town called ICW and then became IWCCW run by Mario Savoldi. My brother, myself, and our friend Aaron, contacted Mario and asked if there was anything we could do. We did the usual grunt work like putting up flyers, ring crew, security at events, and anything else Mario asked of us. We were just glad to be involved and we did not care that it was all grunt work. We did a lot of his shows all over NJ, PA, and NY. At a show in Howell, NJ, Koko B. Ware was facing The Black Scorpion who was Tommy Dreamer (then T.D. Madison) under a hood. After the show I was helping Tommy back to his car with his bags and some kids ran up to him for autographs. They asked if he was the Black Scorpion, he told them I was to keep the heat off him. A few minutes later he thanked me and told me if I ever wanted to get in the business, he would train me. Now, I have a vision problem and at the time, according to my doctors, I was not cleared to wrestle. I declined the offer but regret it to this day. Dave Levy: I actually started out as a referee at Mike Sharpe’s school in Brick, NJ. My brother got trained to wrestle and I was a referee in the beginning. Mike needed a ref and said I could train for free as a favor to him for refereeing matches. I would wrestle on the school shows under a mask cause I didn’t want to catch heat from family about wrestling when I wasn’t supposed to; I will go into details later. I went under so many names at first cause hey; I was under a hood doing jobs for the other guys and loved it because I just love to wrestle, win, lose, or draw. I was also a ring announcer at times and I then became a manager. Then I got some extra help at Tommy Cairo’s school from Bill DeMott a few times. His lessons were exhausting and he kept drilling you at all times. Since ECPW was closer to my house, I went there to work out alot and Gino Caruso helped to smooth out some rough edges. I refereed up there before I made my actual wrestling debut. The first name I went under without a hood was “Casino Kid” Jackie Black. Yeah, I got teased for the name but hey, it goes with the territory. It was at that point when people started calling me Jackie Dreamer because people say I look like Tommy. After Jackie Black, it was “Electric” Eric Archer and another nowhere gimmick. SO… after a while I said screw it! Since everyone calls me Jackie Dreamer, I may as well go with it and I did. I love doing the Dreamer gimmick but it is not “me” and now I am J.D. (Jackie David) Dreamer, a combination of the Dreamer gimmick with just being me. More on this will unfold this Saturday at “Super Brawl Saturday II”. Dave Levy: The CSWF was the brainchild of Billy Firehawk. When he first started the group in 2000, there were plans to broadcast every show across the Internet and Billy had the right people in place for it. I was just another wrestler on the roster at the time. It was very slow at first, even I didn’t know when the shows were going to get started. Then 9/11 happened and the people that were supposed to get the internet broadcasts off the ground unfortunately lost their lives in the WTC disaster. We kept the name as a tribute to them. Firehawk himself also lived a few blocks away from Ground Zero, but was staying at his apartment in Las Vegas at the time. He could not go back to his place because of the disaster, so he stayed in Las Vegas. Some time went by and Billy called me up. He was looking to get started again and needed help. Since we go back over 10 years, he knew he could trust me and gave me some duties to do. Besides wrestling in the beginning, I would scout talent and do some promotional work. Over time and after our first show, my duties increased. Today I handle a TON of duties from Public Relations to Booking. I used to work for the Trade Show industry so I use that knowledge and contacts for show materials and such. I also put up the flyers, handle all advertising, press releases, majority of the booking, and many more countless duties that are all a part of the job.
Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: What is your relationship with Firehawk and why do you think he picked you to represent his company? What is it like working for Firehawk?
Dave Levy: Firehawk and I go back over 10 years. I have known him since I was training down at Mike Sharpe’s and since the Wrestling Tracks USA TV show. We are very good friends and consider each other family. I think he picked me cause we go back so far. Plus, he knows how I have a head for this business and I never quit at anything I do. I don’t think I represent the company; I am just the person everyone talks to. With me being in NJ and him in Las Vegas, it makes sense I am the “go to” guy out here, but he ultimately has final say. Dave Levy: I would second that. In the beginning, Firehawk did the majority of the booking and programs. I had some input, but not much. After a few shows with dropping attendance, I had to give him a wake up call. I was honest as hell with him and told him we had to do a “massive overhaul” with the company. Some decisions had to be made and there are always some that get hurt over them. (Employees do not like it when their employers restructure because jobs can be eliminated.) We did what we needed to do to improve the product. Firehawk let me run with the ball, provided he still had his input and final say which was cool. Since our first shows at the Center Circle, the shows have steadily improved. I would say since July 2003 we have made great strides overall.
Dave Levy: Here is where my opinion differs from many out there. It should have nothing to do with fans up here wanting or not wanting to see TNA. It should focus around great wrestling talent being used in an area where no one has seen them. Many of the indy groups in NY/NJ use a good portion of the same guys. I read a message board post from Ray Sager of JAPW and he agrees that a lot of the groups in this area use the same talent. Slyk Wagner Brown and April Hunter work for everyone, and they are great wrestling talent. NWA TNA offers great wrestlers and they are a promotion on the rise. TNA is just another indy federation, just on a larger scale. They use the same guys as all the other indy feds in the country use and with great International talent and former WWE talent to boot. NWA Wildside is seen in a ton of markets across the country. If they had the PPV deal it would be the same thing. TNA is NWA, which means “the south” - I will agree with that. Vince had the Northeast, so the majority of casual fans will know the WWE guys. More die-hard fans know the NWA brand but how many do we reach and get? I am sure if TNA had a great TV deal up here more fans would turn out. I believe fans would want TNA in their area. A CSWF show has some variety plus we can offer the same talent without going to the Asylum. I believe TNA workers are unbelievable talented and more fans here should want to see them live.
Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: CSWF has had some pretty good shows featuring big names from NWA TNA as well as top indy talent. Unfortunately, CSWF hasn't had the best crowds for these big time shows. Why do you feel CSWF hasn't drawn properly and what will be done to correct it?
Dave Levy: I get this question time and time again. Everyone has growing pains. I explained earlier about the HUGE overhaul we had done. Slowly the crowds are coming. We also had to find the right base of operations. Our two previous buildings we not doing as well as we hoped. The Wayne P.A.L. has been more than helpful and that is a plus when it comes to getting people in the door. I used to wrestle for the P.A.L. so it feels good to give something back. We have also been building relationships with businesses and I used to go to college in the area. This is a familiar territory so hopefully; everything should come together very soon.
Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: What is your opinion about the "NJ wrestling wars"?
Dave Levy: I read everything that goes on and it makes my head spin. We should treat this like an Etch A Sketch - shake the whole thing up and start over. Everyone should go about their business and stick to just running their own feds. Instead of fighting, we really should be helping each other. No one should be bragging about attendance, except maybe JAP. And who really cares who is number one around here - I really don’t. All I care about is putting on a great show and trying my best to pack every one of them. All of us should just put on great shows and draw big numbers, make indy wrestling what it once was and deserves to be again.
Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: Is it safe to say that CSWF is the "official" indy promotion of NWA TNA due to your working relationship with them?
Dave Levy: I would not say that. We just did something no one has done with TNA yet so it was viewed as unique. They do see our DVD’s and we hope things can grow down the road. It just benefits both in the present time and it will hopefully grow in the future. There is more to this than even I am aware of. Even partners have to keep things from each other.
A few years later, my brother and I came across a radio show called “Who’s Slammin Who” based out of William Paterson College on WPSC FM. The show was run & hosted by Tom Casola, Tony Bender, and Johnny Gnatt. We became friends with Tony and Tom and we then found out Tony had a cable access show called “Wrestling Tracks USA”. We went to the show every Saturday and it was a blast! Imagine putting angles and brawls together just for a 30-minute program!! It was fun every week. A bunch of local talent from Mike Sharpe’s school and ECPW would come down a lot. After finding out about Mike Sharpe’s wrestling school, we went down there.
Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: You started your career off as a wrestler, with the name Jackie Dreamer. How did Dave Levy as Jackie Dreamer, make the transition to Dave Levy the booker/partner of CSWF?
My transition to booker/partner at CSWF was not an easy transition to make. I had to separate myself from the wrestling part and focus on the backstage duties. I never thought I would be in the position I am now. I had no aspirations of doing what I am doing now. I just took everything I knew to this point, combined with everything I have heard and seen from others and incorporated it into my own style. I am always learning as this position is constantly changing.
Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: Where did CSWF come from and what are your job duties there?
It is not bad working for him, or with him for that matter. We know how to separate business from friendship. If we didn’t do that, I do not think this would work out. When it’s about business, we do fight and argue about things and it can get heated. But we know it stays there, as business, it does not carry over to our friendship. We can fight during a show and still go out afterwards for a bite to eat and laugh about it all. He respects my opinions and decisions and that is what lays the groundwork for a great partnership. Sometimes he is very stern with his decisions and we do not agree. It is during those times I wish I could do things my way, but I can’t. I respect his opinions and decisions. If people watched our shows very closely since the beginning, you can see how we differ in terms of putting the shows together.
Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: CSWF didn't start on the right foot, in my opinion. Would you second that? Do you think CSWF could've started off better?
CSWF could have started off much better. In the beginning, I didn’t know much about the job I was doing. Everyone goes through growing pains and they learn from it. I could say 10 million things on how we could have been better. As the saying goes…could of, would of, should of. Every company wishes they could come out of the gate making money and doing the right thing. If I could start over, yeah, everything would be better.
Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: Recently, CSWF has been doing big things with NWA TNA. Do you feel that wrestling fans in the northeast want to see TNA, or do you feel your product would be better suited for the south?
Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: Before working in CSWF you did some work for Ricky O of JCW. What was your experience like there?
Dave Levy: This is a tough question and I am sure some are salivating right now waiting for my answer. Yes, I did help Ricky out with JCW. I helped at every show when his ring would break down. I would send him lists of available buildings that I would compile. I even helped him hand out flyers for the J- Cup at the 2nd Annual Opie & Anthony Softball game. That was how he showed his appreciation. (But he did get some great pictures in the stands that day. Have to love Opie & Anthony fans!) I did what I could because I am always committed to anything I do. I do remember some phone conversations about some shows that “didn’t happen”. I was so willing to do anything and I was just being taken advantage of. There are so many things I could say but enough has already been said. One thing I will say is that I did get him that meeting with the Rexplex and I even went on a meeting there with Ricky. Ricky has made comments about me in his interviews and I have said nothing, I have kept my mouth closed. When I started to help with the CSWF, that is when Ricky started to badmouth me. I never did anything to the guy except try to help, and this is how I got treated. Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: Being "CyberSpace", what are your feelings about message boards and the role and impact of the internet in wrestling?
Dave Levy: The internet should be used to seek and obtain information. It is a necessary evil. The internet has helped to ruin wrestling to a point. It has taken the surprise or the “kayefabe” aspect of the “sport” away. Everyone wants to know who hates Triple H in the locker room this week. People want to read “Smackdown Spoilers” so they can know the outcomes without even watching the show. We got carried away with it. People should not know everything. If the man upstairs had wanted us to know everything, then what purpose would we have? The excitement was not knowing what came next and the internet tells you, sometimes months ahead of time. Rumors here, this hotline has that. The message boards are too carried away. Some threads are funny and some should not be aired out in public. Too much information can be a bad thing, you know? Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: CSWF has an internet title. Will it ever be defended on the internet, meaning downloading and watching a match from the official CSWF website?
Dave Levy: We are currently working on some additions to our website. We are hoping to have media like that available in the very near future. Like I said before, the main people behind the “CyberSpace” concept are not with us any longer.
Word Association
Firehawk
- one of my best friends and a great partner. Gives me the opportunity to be me and let my ideas not only be heard, but expressed. A true original and he could never be any other way. Without his wife Daisy, I don’t think he would be half the man he is now.
Ricky O
- It’s been three years already. I want my bullrope back. I am sure you can find it.
Carmine Sabia
- Cool “kid” lol. He has gone through tremendous growing pains and has turned his company around and the product became better. The shows have been good and I hope it stays that way. Just no gauntlet matches with 34 wrestlers, 6 “kids”, and 2 midgets. Would not be a cluster without midgets.
Fat Frank
- Gave me my first title belt when he ran under the NSWA name ECPW School. The first light heavyweight champ, ahh the memories. Frank has always been cool with me and I will always remember the days of NC-17. Been there since the beginning. JAP is hands down the top fed in NJ and he has built a great product for himself.
Tommy Fierro
- Put on some great shows and does some fine conventions. We have our own history and it is very rocky. I do not want to open this can of worms. So, to me, this is history. I am sure some know the story, but I don’t think everyone knows the truth.
Frank Goodman
- Never met him but hear he has some long ass shows. Uses some of the best talent in the indy’s. Have to respect a businessman like that.
Jac Sabboth
- Only talked to him a few times over the phone. Never really dealt with the man.
Joe Panzarino
- Never met the guy or seen his product
Rob Feinstein
- Never met him but has one hell of a group with ROH. One of the finest indys in the country. Have to take my hat off to the guy who can put that much talent on one show.
Mr Puerto Rico
- Have to love Ralph. He always means well and loves to call 10,000 spots in the ring, all with him on the offensive. Always been a great guy with me. Love’s the “Ohio” spot.
Jimmy Snuka
- One of the nicest and more heartfelt guys I have met in this business. He looked out for me and always called both myself and my wife - “his kids”. He was like a father, the stories and wisdom he would share was something else. I wish these young kids could experience him today. Learn from those before you; don’t ever think you know it all. Jimmy made getting into this business worth it. OK brudda!!!!
Shawn Sheridan
- Good young talent and great gimmick. Love the 80’s Nintendo gimmick,(Being of the Nintendo generation myself.) He always seems to be at a crossroads, too many paths and decisions ahead of him.
Ron Killings
- The “Suntan Superman” had almost given me a heart attack twice. Great athlete and we are proud to have him as our Champion. Great wrestler and a great individual to boot. Glad he will be coming in the day before this week so there is no chance of him being late. Always worth watching. Misused by his former employer.
Mike Tenay
- Great wrestling mind. Man has a heart for this business like no other. His dedication is something that so many have forgotten about. He has some of the funniest faces when he is on camera. People have said Mike Tenay is not a draw and in those people eyes, he isn’t. There are some out there that have enjoyed meeting him. Always willing to talk and offer his input. A credit to wrestling.
Slyk Wagner Brown
- One of the top wrestlers not under a contract anywhere. This man has so much potential it is no wonder it gets work everywhere. Always a pleasure to watch him work. He is a terrific person. So much untapped potential.
April Hunter
- April is a doll. Great wrestler, great personality, and very down to earth. One of the top female workers in the US today. Makes a great tandem with Slyk and it shows in their chemistry. She is tougher than some of the guys out there.
Trinity
- Fearless aerialist and a dancing machine. This girl has so much energy it is no wonder she does half the things she does. She is getting better with every match. Her future is very bright.
Solution
- In my eyes, one of the top 3 teams on the indy’s today. Not only do they have the size and talent to go far, but they are great individuals. I have been impressed with them since I first saw them work. I am proud to have them in the CSWF. If these guys are not noticed by TNA or WWE soon, then both groups tag team division is missing out.
Americas Most Wanted
- Right from the Solution to AMW. They are the best tag team out there today, that is not under a WWE deal. Guys have the size and the ability as well. They are not 3 time NWA World Tag Team Champs for nothing. Great to work with and they will surprise many in the future.
Sonjay Dutt
- This kid is amazing. Talk about a bright future! Always a pleasure to talk to. He is going to be huge in the near future. He is a pleasure to have on the roster. He exudes talent and you can see he has fun.
Dirty Rotten Scoundrelz
- Guys are getting better with every match. The potential is there to do great things. Another group that hits many crossroads. Some decisions are hard to make, but they have to do what is best for them.
Roadtrips
- Depending on who you are on the road with, it can be very fun. I remember one night after a show in Downingtown, PA we were “supposed” to have hotel rooms. Turns out the guys who was supposed to set it up, didn’t. Jimmy Snuka was with is and some guys at the place we were at heard we were in trouble. They were huge fans of Jimmy and asked if all 9 of us wanted to crash at their house for the night. One of the funniest moments ever was watching Kid USA dance, it was worth it!!
Women wrestlers
- A lot of great women wrestlers out there. I think women’s wrestling should be showcased more often. Women are becoming better wrestlers and they need groups to use them more. Some females are worth watching more than the males.
Women in wrestling who don’t wrestle
- Randy Savage had Elizabeth and I think over time even her role changed. After a while she got to be more active in the ring, but didn’t wrestle. I know some call these girls “the 5th ringpost”, but I think it is great to have valets out there still. I do think if you are going to be at ringside, you should have some in ring knowledge. Just because someone looks hot, does not mean they belong at ringside. Learn the craft first.
Managers
- A lost art today. There are some young wrestlers than can benefit from having a manager. Manager’s are supposed to enhance the wrestler and help them get noticed, but not overshadow them.
John Shane
- John is the best manager I have seen on the indy’s today. He has great presence on the mic, knows his wrestling inside and out, and is always willing to do more. He is a natural. Can never thank him enough. Many lose out by not having him manage on their shows.
Matt Striker
- The Modern Marvel. Here is someone that has untapped potential. His charisma, ability, and looks should propel him to new heights in the future. Funny as hell and one of the nicest guys around. Shame we had to lose him this weekend, but 3PW knows what they have in him. As far as I know, he is always in Room 305.
Vanity
- Great person. Not like other females in the business. I know many come just to see her.
Alexis Laree
- A great wrestler and a very sweet person. Wish her nothing but the best while in OVW/WWE. She deserves it. A true testament to women’s wrestling. I am just sorry things ended on a sour note. The door is open for her to return at any time.
Simply Luscious
- Another excellent wrestler. I respect her decision for sticking by her friend. She is a genuine person and I feel we lost out on someone worth having on the roster.
Dan Barry
- Talk about the future of high flying. I see a lot of potential in Dan and I am proud to put him in matches that test his ability. Dan will go far and he has just started. HE has a very bright future ahead of him and hope his body can handle the punishment over time.
Michael Shane
- Talk about wrestling ability. This kid has great talent and is a credit to the TNA X Division. Glad to have him wrestling for us and look for bright things from him in the future.
Vince Russo
- Not sure if he ruined wrestling or helped to reinvent it. I am not a fan of his and never will be. The guy never belonged in the ring and still does not belong in front of the camera. Behind the scene is where he should stay.
Vince McMahon
- The greatest promoter alive today. The man reinvented wrestling. I think he has lost touch with the fans and does not know what they want. He creates his own little world and lives it out every Monday and Thursday nights. In my opinion, he believes his own storylines. The WWE would not be in such a mess if he would just LISTEN to others rather than those who just kiss his ass. Would be better viewing talent for their in ring abilities, not cause they are 7 feet tall and can’t move around the ring.
Promoters who think they are Vince McMahon
- Live in a fantasy world. People should be themselves and not someone else. You lose touch with your own reality when trying to be someone you are not.
Bastion Booger
- Great business cards. Was better as Makah Singh in Stampede.
Giant Gonzales
- Another example of a big man Vince loves to push. Great attraction, but not a great wrestler.
Declaration of Independents
- One of the best websites that cover indy wrestling. Good reviews, columns, and articles. I think the message board gets carried away too much. Should cover us a lil more than they do, lol.
Jackie Dreamer
Not the best and not the worst out there. Never really showed his true potential. Always felt like he was being kept from doing more. Should have been more himself than just another gimmick.
Dave Levy
- A better person today and someone whose eyes are open. Always willing to go the extra mile for people. Makes sure the boys are taken care of. An underestimated individual. Has the potential to do a lot with the CSWF and incorporate a professional and honest attitude into the backbone of the organization. No one in this business really knows me for me. I just want to put on the best shows and make sure people leave happy, wanting to come back for more. They say nice guys finish last, I have yet to see the finish line.
Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: Jackie Dreamer is the CSWF Hardcore Champion. Do you think it's shady to have management wearing championships? Will Jackie Dreamer ever really get hardcore and step in the ring with known hardcore wrestlers like Terry Funk, Low Life Louie, Johnny Bravado, John Zandig etc?
Dave Levy: Yes, it is not right to have management wearing a title belt. In the beginning I thought it would be cool, but over time, I have learned that is not the case. The idea is to get the talent over more than myself. I made a decision and pulled myself off the shows, even as Hardcore Champion. Firehawk wants me back in the ring and I told him no, at least for now. It should be about pushing our guys and not myself. I don’t even care if I don’t wrestle again; I just want to put out the best product possible. My ego is not that big where I need all the attention. A Booker/Promoter should push the show, not make themselves the focus of their organization. There will be an announcement made this Saturday regarding the future of the Hardcore title. We did get an inquiry from New Jack wanting to face me for the Hardcore title. He said he has not beaten on a Dreamer in awhile and would love the chance. J.D. Dreamer may get hardcore once again, but not anytime soon. Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: What is your opinion on the state of wrestling today?
Dave Levy: Wrestling goes thru its cycles. We are in a low right now. A ton of great talent is out there, 10,000 groups running in NJ, PA, NY. I guess over saturation is the best way to put it. So many people want to get into wrestling that the industry cannot handle so many wrestlers and groups. We do need a strong #2 promotion and I hope TNA becomes that group. WWE needs competition because it is healthy for business. The sooner we can drop the egos and just get back to wrestling, than the sooner things might improve. New Jersey is flooded with wrestling. Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: Why should people go to CSWF over any other promotion? What does CSWF offer that no other promotion offers?
Dave Levy: Gee, once again, we offer the NWa TNA talent no one else offers. You can see wrestlers like Ron Killings, Mike Tenay, Americas Most Wanted, Michael Shane, Shark Boy, Trinity, Julio Dinero, and more to come. We have had other great stars like Danny Doring, Crowbar, D Lo Brown, Chris Hamrick, EZ Money, Larry Zbyszko, SWB and April, Xavier, Homicide, and others I know I am forgetting. We offer talent other groups do not use in NJ. No other organizations offers guys like Kappa Tappa Kegga, Mike Preston, Rapid Fire Maldonado, Genesis and Queenan Creed, Romeo Valentino & Candie, and more to come. We are always looking at new talent from all over. Every show we have offers something different. Our roster is very diverse and fans should come and see wrestlers they do not see every weekend. We offer variety where others don’t. I just wish people will come out and judge us for themselves, not cause they heard something from someone or read a bad review on the boards. See it with your own eyes and make your own decision. Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: What talent do you see having a great future? What talent do you think will never make it?
Dave Levy: Talent that will have a great future: Slyk Wagner Brown, Michael Shane, The Solution, Sonjay Dutt, Dan Barry, Grim Reefer, Mike Preston, Striker, John Shane, Xavier, Chad Collyer, Frankie Kazarian, Chet Jablonski, Christopher Daniels, AJ Styles, and tons more.
Never make it: Sorry to say these kids who don’t get trained properly, or don’t even bother to get trained for that matter. I saw a ticket sellers match at a SSCW show recently. There was some talent that did not belong in that match. I see some people that are good for the indy’s or the school feds, but they will not go any further than that.
Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: If you were booking the WWE, what would you do to change it?
Dave Levy: I would change the rosters for one. Second thing I would do is cut back on promos. I know they are necessary sometimes, but enough is enough. On the last WWE PPV, No Way Out, there were 2-3 segments that were just promos and took up over 30 minutes of air- time. That time could have been better spent pushing the guys that don’t see enough air- time. In that time frame, they could have had another 2-3 decent matches. Triple H does not need 20 minutes to ramble on. I would not push the big guys so much and let those that can wrestle be on TV. Angles would make sense and not always feature Vinnie Mac. I would listen to the fans because after all, they are the ones paying to see the events. If you don’t listen to your fans, then you ignore your customers. The creative teams would have more input from all the talent and not just be “yes” men. If you keep the boys happy, the product will be better and more fans will turn out. Don’t care so much about ratings, improve the product and the rating should be there. Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: What do you like better, booking or wrestling and why?
Dave Levy: This is not an easy question. I love to wrestle and always have. I started out as an amateur in the 4th grade. I was Varsity in Jr. High and in High School. Even the University of Michigan was looking good for a small wrestling scholarship. Then all of a sudden I had vision troubles. I have a loss of central vision in both my eyes due to blood clotting on the blood vessels behind the eyes and hemorrhaging. Basically means my central vision is distorted and scarred. Cannot use laser because the problem is too close to the center of the eyes and they could risk losing my whole vision. I was told by doctors I could not stress my blood vessels and had to stop wrestling and weight lifting before my Junior year of High School. Wrestling was my life and I went into a depression. I was watching my teammates do something I love to do, and couldn’t. When I started training at Mike Sharpe’s, no one in my family but my brother knew. I was scared at first cause I didn’t want to risk my vision, but I loved wrestling so much I didn’t care. Every time I get in the ring, I am flirting with the fact I could lose my vision. After wrestling for 2 years I told my specialists. I was tested and they found no new scarring or bleeding, I was home free. But the possibility is there for future damage, but unlikely. I have been called all the names in the book and I used to take it to heart, now I call myself googly eyes, lol.
When I am booking, I try to plan out matches the fans want to see. I can put together some dream matches that have yet to be done like AMW/Solution, SWB/Killings, Dan Barry/Michael Shane just to name a few. On our second show Crowbar and Slyk Wagner Brown had a tremendous match. I think we were the first to use Xavier vs Slyk Wagner Brown. I want to give fans matches not seen elsewhere. I even listen to the fans on who to use, what matches they want to see. Even a lot of the wrestlers thank me for their matches. Mike Preston fought D Lo Brown this past November and that was a learning experience for him and he was so appreciative. Mike Preston is a tremendous talent and that is why he fought D Lo. Grim Reefer had the chance to wrestle both Shark Boy and Michael Shane. These are guys on PPV every week and Reefer went toe to toe with them. This is what I like doing for these guys, giving them a chance to show what they can do in high profile matches.
Overall I would say I am a more effective booker and teacher. I hope to get back in the ring soon, but not at the expense of those I am trying to push and help.
Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: Where do you see CSWF in the future?
Dave Levy: CSWF is making great strides and will be around for a long time to come. We have many future dates planned at the Wayne P.A.L. and in the very near future we will be starting to run out in Las Vegas. I see us on a larger scale and being more competitive with other groups out there. I get e- mails and tapes from talent every week looking to be a part of our roster. It is this talent that will help us grow and attract more fans down the line. I am not saying we will be the next WWE, but it would be nice to run the CSWF as a full time gig. Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: What do you want to say to anyone reading this?
Dave Levy: Many know our next show is this Saturday February 21st at the Wayne PAL Building in Wayne, NJ. All info can be found on the DOI or at our website at www.CSWFol.com . If you have not seen a CSWF show, then this is one you do not want to miss. Forget what everyone says about us or any rumors you may have heard. Make your own opinion about us and see the show for yourself. Everyone can get along if we just keep our mouths closed and focus on building the crowds. So much petty shit goes on it makes everything look childish. If anyone has any questions or comments about anything I have said, I am very easy to reach at CSWFinfo@aol.com . I am the kind of person that believes in doing things one on one, face to face. I do not believe in airing out personal stuff on message boards. I hope this interview has given not just insight into the CSWF, but helps some out there that know me, understand who I am. Unlike some, wrestling is a part of my life; it is not my social life. I think many out there forget to separate wrestling from their everyday life and get caught up in everything. I would like to thank Sean and the DOI for giving me this chance. Hope to see everyone this Saturday at Super Brawl Saturday II Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: Thanks for your time and for this interview.