Welcome Indy fans to another McInterview with IHPW owner, Peter Ferriero. Pete also doubles up as wrestler Peter Van Orton. You can check out all current events at http://www.ihpw.com/ Enjoy, and make sure to check out IHPW on April 19th, in Lyndenhurst NJ. Email Sean at themic@sscwwrestling.com

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: Ok first question, How did Pete Ferriero get in the wrestling business, and how did you start your own promotion? Also, where did you get the money to fund a promotion and how much work does it take to make it profitable?

Pete Ferriero: Basically I had always been a fan of wrestling and just went to almost every WWE house show in Jersey for years. Time separated me from wrestling, but it never left my heart. In fact in High School, me and now turned referee (Chris Anthony) were like the only two guys talking about pro wrestling. Except later on when I met Ryan Wing (also another high school alumni) and so the summer of 1998 I met Tommy Fierro and he introduced me to Judas Young, and reintroduced me to Ryan Wing, who took me down to Gino Caruso's wrestling school, where I learned how to manage. Gino was great. The school was great and he was very understanding about a lot of things. , Than I got hooked up with a pro wrestling company called CWF through a guy named Pete Aliano. I was basically the 'Vince Russo' of that promotion. I never knew how much money went into running shows cause I never handled that.

Pete Ferriero: But, once CWF failed, I had to start up IHPW, I needed my own money. A friend Jeff Peters helped to get sponsors, and what not, but my idea was to promote the hell out of the show, so we didn’t need a dime.

Pete Ferriero: In fact, my first two shows, I had not one dollar to promote my shows. I just hoped I would promote it and sell enough tickets.

Pete Ferriero: and it kind of worked out. Now its becoming harder, because I Don’t want to take that much of a risk anymore.

Pete Ferriero: So I hooked up with Matt Holmes of LSE, major sponsor and producer of all IHPW does. And he has made money easier.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: That's great and very risky. Can you tell the fans what goes into your mind when you book a show? How much does money make a difference, and how do you go about thinking of what wrestles to get?

Pete Ferriero: When I ran my first show on my own, I was use to big budgets and big names from CWF. I guess I never put together, hey those guys cost money. Money is all the difference. If Matt and I had more money we would do bigger things, but with being limited, as most feds in Jersey I assume are, it certainly can handicap you to what you are able to do. Basically what goes into my mind is what a fan might want to see, who they might want to see, and basically find a way to give that to them. For our next show actually I had a hard time finding someone who was available, so sometimes it’s simply, this is who was available. Price goes into, cause u obviously want to turn some sort of profit. But, I try to figure that no one has seen in a while, and how much they might want to see them.

The MiC: New Jersey is littered with wrestling companies right now. Can you comment on that, if you think it hurts or help NJ Wrestling? Also what makes your promotion stand out as the show to go to, because NJ shows frequently run head to head?

Pete Ferriero: I don’t know in some aspects I guess it hurts. But than again how many different fast food chains are there in the world? I think people find excuses as to why things went unsuccessful. I read an interview with Vince McMahon once it said that certain promoters use to blame the all night gas station for the reason their show did bad. I think if a show is bad, its just simply bad and you didn't promote it enough. I think what stands out at my shows is the unpredictability. I try to keep things secretive and surprising. Whereas instead of just 11 matches straight up. We try to develop interesting twists and turns.

Pete Ferriero: I don’t think.

Pete Ferriero: That feds emphasize stories, but in some ways, I think too many stories could kill ya too. But I think Jersey yes has a lot of Indies, u just got to make yourself shine out of the pool, sometimes its hard cause their is a lot of good ideas and quality feds.

The MiC: Interesting. Can you comment about the UWS, run by Carmine Sabia? Also how much do you think the UWS benefits the promoters over wrestlers? And can you comment on why as of press time; IHPW hasn't joined up with the UWS?

Pete Ferriero: The UWS is a noble idea. I think the three that I know of out of Jersey that are in their are good people. I genuinely like all 3, and hope they feel the same. In regards to it benefiting promoters over workers of course it will definitely lay some ground between the two. It could be a way for them to flex some power. But the problem I found with it, and this might be the reason I wont join is I don’t want IHPW to be lost in the shuffle. I don’t want us to lose our own individually. I want people to come to IHPW and enjoy our shows and not have to be under a banner. I support a lot of what they are doing and if I can assist I would, but I don’t think it would be a good time for us to join something like that yet. The MiC: A lot of people share those sentiments. Can you comment on what IHPW is going to be featuring in the upcoming shows? Why should a fan go to your next show? Also, can you comment on your attendance figures?

Pete Ferriero: IHPW has a slew of shows coming up. I know as of now the next one is April 19, 2003 at the Lyndhurst Knights Of Columbus in Lyndhurst NJ (cheap plug) oh starting at 6pm. We have The American Dream Dusty Rhodes going to be appearing, his opponent is being signed as we speak, and we are also trying to get some WWE there in some way. But I can tell u Danny from TE 2 will be there also. Our attendance figures have gone up and down. At first with a larger venue I was able to sell out. A smaller building limits you on what you can do. At first we sold out a 500 seat venue, struggled to about 350-400 in Skatersworld, than came to the Knights that can sit about 300 pushing it, and only have drawn about half of that on each occasion we ran there, with highs and lows at different points. It’s kind of just hit or miss. I think I am still trying to figure out why different things affect things. I can tell you we ran a lot of our shows on Sunday nights what could definitely screw us up. Why come, I guess we offer a very different kind of pro wrestling.

Pete Ferriero: Oh and 1 other reason. Pete Ferriero: Becky Bayless is going to be there and she is so damn hot. LOL.

The MiC: It's good to see a promoter being honest about attendance. I'm sure other males agree with your Becky comment! Can you comment on WrestleAid, and why it was cancelled?

The MiC: Also is WrestleAid supposed to be Super 8 kind of event?

Pete Ferriero: You know what they say? Don’t believe the hype. Sometimes we hype stuff based on what seems to be accurate info, but release it prematurely. The venue we still want to hold it out originally gave us a price of $6000, crazy right. Well than about a week before we were to sign papers they wanted another $1000, so I don’t have asshole written on my forward, although some claim to have seen it a couple of times, I just wouldn’t agree to it. A little different than Super 8. I wanted to focus more headlining names than Indy wrestlers. It is to be a who’s who in pro wrestling, or a who's who that isn’t in the WWF anymore, lol. But- I still want to do it and I want possibly other promotions to get involved. I want to do it for the homeless, like a wrestling live-aid or comic relief. The MiC: That's good, and I understand the venue problem. What do you think about promotions signing ex-WWE stars and TE kids? Do you think that ex WWE stars really draw big crowds? Also do you think TE kids belong in the Indies without going to a real school first, and do they draw? IHPW has been known to use Danny "The Danimal" From TEII

Pete Ferriero: I think ex- WWE stars do draw well. There is a place in all of our hearts for certain ones. Frankly I don't see people lining up for Shawn Stasiak anytime soon, but his name is still worth something. I think for fans it’s how much is it worth. Is it worth $15 a shot, hell no? Is it worth $10 a pop plus I am going to see D Lo Brown, than yeah maybe. There are ones out there ex-WWE stars that can really bring a consistent crowd in. As for the TE kids. They get thrown into something so quickly and have no idea what they are in for. I don’t think they draw big crowds per say but they did have a ton of MTV TV-Time. And they do promote to a casual wrestling fan. I don’t know it’s hard to tell. I can tell you as far as paying their dues, I think they might get it worse in the ring on the Indies, cause of that experience, I wouldn’t know though. I say yeah they draw if like anything advertised correctly.

The MiC: The next IHPW show is using a lot of B-level talent and no ex WWE guys, and Dan from TE II. Is this a purely financial decision? How hard is it promoting an Indy show without real established Indy stars with the exception of Rob Eckos/Inferno/Jay Lethal? Why should someone go to the April 19th show, over a rival promotion, which is featuring all women’s wrestling, with established women stars?

Pete Ferriero: Well the web site hasn't reflected everything we are offering yet. If our show that was announced was it, than hell ya I'm going to see chicks too, but we got Dusty Rhodes coming, we got Danny from TE2 and a couple of other suprises to be announced in the next couple of weeks that could be huge. I am not going to be the promoter that says, oh don’t go see JAP in Bayonne. I felt bad I ran the same day. Fans should do what they want. If they want to come see Dusty, come see Dusty. If they want to go see Traci Taylor’s cans, go to the JAP. I must say they are nice. lol. But seriously, I know our show is going to be awesome that night and when you hear who Dusty's opponent is going to be, it will be awesome. The only thing I can also add though is we are having a mini catfight fight tournament. So we got some chicks too. Hell, we got Allura. And BECKY BAYLESS, hello? I’m kidding. So does JAP. I do disagree that Inferno Isn’t an established Indy star or Tiger Mulligan and Shawn Sheridan for that matter. These guys have been around for a long whiles.

The MiC: I said Inferno was an Indy star for the record. Thanks for being honest, as the show line-up isn't really that impressive as it is right now. It's good to see that IHPW has something up its sleeves. Can you comment on Peter Orton’s relationship with IPHW?

Pete Ferriero: Did I mention Dusty Rhodes would be at the IHPW show? Peter Van Orton is my alter ego I suppose. Yeah it’s not too much of a stress to play an asshole in the ring. I guess his relationship to IHPW is that it’s my 'character'

The MiC: Seems that many promoters have alter egos! Can you comment on PVO and Noels relationship?

Pete Ferriero: I will get to that in a minute, are you a fan of the American Dream Dusty Rhodes?

Pete Ferriero: Cause he will be at the show April 19!

Pete Ferriero: Onto Noel and PVO's relationship. For a long time I have wanted to do the angle I am doing with Noel. Once I got to talk to her, I saw she was very cool, and open to the direction it is going. So just let it play out. However, their is no real relationship their. I have a real girlfriend, non-wrestling related. But, Noel and I have great chemistry together.

The MiC: I'm not a fan of 60-year-old wrestlers with man boobs

The MiC: Who plays politics backstage?

Pete Ferriero: Dusty is a classic superstar my man.

Pete Ferriero: Oh that’s a good one.

The MiC: I live in the north not the south

Pete Ferriero: Well to us in the 26 and over bracket Dusty will be a treat, but there will be a younger star there too, who doesn’t play politics.

The MiC: Can you give the fans a hint at Dusty's opponent? Do you think promoting a mystery opponent is the right way to go? Who doesn’t play politics?

Pete Ferriero: And that answer is simple, Ryan Wing. He has never played any political games.

The MiC: Kudos to Ryan Wing

Pete Ferriero: But, most workers honestly have been very cool with me and it could be A LOT worse. Which I am sure will now start happening.

Pete Ferriero: I will reveal it on the web site- Dusty’s opponent in about 2 weeks.

The MiC: Sounds good, and I'm looking forward to it. Obviously Dusty is what you're banking on to sell this show. Do you think fans from NJ will really want to see a fat guy, who is out of shape, and had his best matches 20 years ago, and plays politics, in the ring? He had a horrible outing in NWA TNA. Do you think going for someone younger, such as a Justin Credible, would've been a better way to go?

Pete Ferriero: Well I guess time will tell on that. I think that is your opinion of Dusty. Personally I have been a fan for years. I know that Lyndhurst is an old school wrestling town, and more will remember him than Justin. But, wait to the card is announced to hear whom the opponent is. One thing I always try to do is appeal to every audience.

The MiC: That could be, and you're right, we'll find out April 19th, in Lyndenhurst, NJ. Where do you see IHPW in the future? Are you satisfied with NJ, or would you eventually like to expand to other territories, or even eventually get a national deal?

Pete Ferriero: To be honest I am unsatisfied with the level IHPW has been playing on. I feel there are so many bigger things to be done. Starting in September 2003, IHPW will move to the next level. If I stay at a local Knights Of Columbus, I will be small potatoes forever. But I am putting out a product, so It’s to my advantage right now. With Matt Holmes of LSE's help I hope to get us swinging in the right direction starting in the fall. I want to expand to many new areas and really kick things up.

The MiC: Word association

The MiC: Fat Frank JAPW

Pete Ferriero: ok nice guy, dedicated promoter and someone who I think kicks some serious ass.

The MiC: Ricky O JCW

Pete Ferriero: When you say that name, I say a big heart. Was kind to me when I first started and just has always been someone who I truly liked. Good promotion.

The MiC: Carmine Sabia SSCW

Pete Ferriero: Honestly. Nice kid. Really nice guy. Always been good to me. Runs a good promotion. Could do so much more if he would get past some of his issues. He knows what I am talking about.

The MiC: Rob Feinstein ROH

Pete Ferriero: Rob is a gifted guy. He is actually a good friend of mine. I really like what he did with ROH. I think it’s the best Indy promotion period.

The MiC: Frank Goodman USA PRO

Pete Ferriero: don’t know him that well. Was at a couple of USA Pro shows. I know people complain about the length of his shows, but so what. I like USA Pro when I saw them. Lots of names, kind of in the right direction up there. Good location a lot going on.

The MiC: Vince Russo NWA TNA

Pete Ferriero: I actually like him a lot. I like his element of surprise that anything can happen. I am not into the too much sex stuff. But whatever.

The MiC: What about Dave Arquette winning the world championship? What about pissing on Hulk Hogan’s legacy? What about booking his friends as top guys and leaving proven draws in the dust?

Pete Ferriero: Again a matter of opinion. Yeah I agree bad shit. But if you watch TNA some of it really isn’t bad.

The MiC: Agreed. Vince McMahon WWF/E

Pete Ferriero: The reason we are all here. A lot of people, fans, get on Vince lately. But I hate this thing where people go, oh business is bad. Vince is leading us into the shitter. Again another excuse. If anything now is the time to get wrestling hot again on your own. People will come to see anything, fuck people stood outside in California to watch OJ Simpson drive by in a fuckin Bronco, I think going to a local show or WWE show isn’t that bad. Plus Vince still draws over 10,000 every show. Wish I were doing that. Genius, who I admire greatly.

The MiC: Gino Caruso ECPW Pete Ferriero: Gino is a great guy. He was one of those guys that gave me my start. That’s THE place to learn to train. Don’t bother with other schools that say they offer stuff, but you get trained by other 12 year olds.

Pete Ferriero: Gino's is the ONLY place I recommend.

The MiC: Jac Sabboth ICW

Pete Ferriero: That is where I first saw Red. I was shocked when I got there and saw a full house. It was a real hot thing. Other than that, not too sure about it, haven’t seen them in a while.

The MiC: Wrestlers: Steve Corino

Pete Ferriero: The best wrestler in the world. I remember a long time ago I saw Simon & Steve tag team and I was a Steve Corino fan ever since. His promo work is the best; he can wrestle anyone at anytime. I have no idea why the WWE doesn't have him right now.

The MiC: Homicide

Pete Ferriero: Heard good things about him. Not too familiar.

The MiC: Steve Austin

Pete Ferriero: A true legend.

The MiC: Rock

Pete Ferriero: Overrated. But funny as hell.

The MiC: Wow, 2 people have said that in the McInterview, Dusty Rhodes

Pete Ferriero: An Icon of mega proportions.

The MiC: Hulk Hogan

Pete Ferriero: Always hated him as a kid. I was more of a Piper fan. But, just man what an ICON.

The MiC: Can you comment on wrestlers that have been fun to work with, and wrestlers that will never be contacted by you? Who are your friends in the biz and who are you enemies, and why?

Pete Ferriero: Steve Corino is fun. Gangrel I will never forget for our crazy car ride from PA to Jersey with Chris Idol. My friends are Idol, Rob Feinstein, Steve Corino; I would say Johnny Thundar and Carmine (sometimes, when he isn’t giving me heat about putting Sandman on my show.) I made the mistake one time of saying I would never book Chris Candido on a show again, but I could safely say I feel never is not in my vocabulary. I have learned never means it will happen again. Oh Ryan Wing, Inferno also. I guess my enemies are the guys or I should say guy who pretends to be nice to my face but continues to trash me to everyone he meets. Over such petty bullshit. You know some people like to just put the badmouth on cause they hate to look at themselves in the mirror. But I can safely say that guy will one day find himself wishing he just would of stayed quiet. Not cause of something I will do, but just cause he will say the wrong thing about the wrong person.

The MiC: Can you name names?

Pete Ferriero: Its only one guy that I think really truly doesn’t like me, but no wrestler I can guarantee that.

Pete Ferriero: Well maybe 2 lol. But none that our wrestlers. I think I try to treat every wrestler with honesty and respect. One time I had a big fight with a local wrestler named Krieg

The MiC: What happened?

Pete Ferriero: Cause he refused to believe I was being honest.

Pete Ferriero: Sometimes though I make promises and cant deliver. I hate that but that’s what happens and that night Krieg got very angry. So we argued, but we handled it and have been respectful since.

The MiC: Honesty is such a hard thing to maintain and once it gets broken, it's hard to re-establish. Closing off, here's the open floor, please tell all Indy fans anything that you might want to get off your chest

Pete Ferriero: I want the fans to know that I want to deliver quality wrestling. I want to deliver quality entertainment, and I want to keep producing with Matt Holmes of LSE some of wrestling's greatest moments. I am an honest and open guy. I don’t bad mouth people cause I believe in Karma and all that gay spiritual stuff. I believe that all good things come to those who wait and believe in themselves. Stick with IHPW, give us a chance if you never have seen it cause you will not regret it.

The MiC: Thanks Pete for the exclusive interview, and everyone visit IHPW April 19th in Lyndenhurst, NJ!

Thanks for reading and to comment email Sean at themic@sscwwrestling.com Dont forget to check http://www.declarationofindependents.net Daily for all the latest in indy wrestling.