JAPW Booker, Ray Sager

What's up everyone and welcome to another interview, here on the DOI. This time I sat down with JAPW Booker Ray Sager, following JAPW's 9th Year Anniversary Show. JAPW has had many peaks & valleys in the past 9 years, and Ray discussed several of them, in this interview which mainly focuses on the aftermath of JAPW's 9 Year Anniversary show. In the following interview, Ray talks Necro Butcher, Trent Acid, CZW, Rhino, Teddy Hart, the future of JAPW & much more. I hope you enjoyed this interview as much as I did.

NOTE: To read previous interviews that I've conducted with Ray Sager, check out the following:
Ray Sager Interview 1 (April 2004)
Ray Sager Interview 2 (November 2005)

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: Hey Ray, it's been over a year since we last did one of these, so welcome back to the DOI. My first question for you is what are your thoughts & impressions of JAPW's 9th Anniversary show that took place this past Saturday night?

Ray Sager: Thanks for having me back, sorry for being about a week late on this interview. I am very happy and satisfied with this years anniversary show. Going in to the show a lot of fans and critics said it had a different feel from previous shows and it did and was meant to be that way. We wanted to focus on some of the new talent that we will be bringing to JAPW in the upcoming year, we wanted to let people know that we are still the best when it comes to scouting and finding new talent and utilizing that talent to the best of their abilities. The show it self from top to bottom in our eyes was as good as it could get. Everything clicked and with all the problems that we had to deal with that day and to put on a dream match type of main event is a credit and testament to everyone involved in the show.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: Besides Rhino no showing, what other problems did you have to deal with?

Ray Sager: We found out mid afternoon that Rhino would not be appearing and it threw a huge wrench into our booking plans as he was scheduled for the main event with Teddy Hart. What many other people don't know is that Necro Butcher almost didn't make it either. There were huge storms all over the country and many of our flights were delayed and Necro didn't arrive in Newark till almost 10 PM. For a while we didn't know if Necro would make it, as his flight kept getting delayed. Eventually the flight came in and Necro rushed over to the building and to his credit was part of an amazing main event.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: Are you surprised JAPW has been around this long, considering how many indy promotions you've seen come and go?

Ray Sager: Not really, I have been with JAPW since year one and worked my way up the company from wrestler to staff to executive producer. I have seen a lot of the inner workings and Jeff is committed to the success of JAPW and has invested a lot of time and money into the company. He has made many upgrades over the past two years to improve the overall product. Frank has a huge passion for JAPW and takes a lot of pride in the product, he lives, eats, breathes, sleeps JAPW and with that kind of passion it is hard to fail. We also have a very dedicated behind the scenes staff with tons of experience that add to the mix.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: What do you think was the biggest moment at this years anniversary show? What do you think was a low moment?

Ray Sager: Two moments that stand out were the return of the Christopher Street Connection after an extended absence. The CSC got a huge response and had a great comedy style match with Sexy Eddy and Beef Wellington. The 4 Way Main Event was the other big moment. It was a big time match, you could feel it in the crowd, if you were there live you felt it was something special. Homicide, Low Ki, Necro Butcher, and Teddy Hart all in the ring at the same time was simply amazing. Necro Butchers entrance was incredible, he was like Hogan in 84, the pop was that huge. Teddy winning the Heavyweight Championship and becoming a Triple Crown Champion in the process was also very big for the company.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: Alot of things have been said about your activity in JAPW from the wrestlers to your JAPW management peers. Obviously, JAPW is a family/real-life promotion first, as you've been making moves away from the wrestling business, which in return, has led you to be absent from several key shows this year. What's your current stance in JAPW and do you feel that you're losing your love of the game? Will JAPW ever get a 100% motivated and focused Ray Sager again?

Ray Sager: I have missed my fair share of shows in 2006. A lot of people have questioned my dedication to the company this year and I will be the first to admit that my focus has not been 100 percent. I work a very stressful full time job and I have a lot of commitments to that job that require my time outside of my normal working hours. I purchased a new home this year and had a major move to deal with as well as all the problems that go along with it. I also had a new addition in my family as my nephew was born this year and I traveled to Atlanta several times to visit with him and my family. I also think I was burnt out again a little bit this year as well. The pressure to succeed is intense and it really takes a lot out of you. This happened a few years ago and I ended up taking a few months off after abruptly quitting, which in hindsight was the wrong move. I feel 2007 is going to be a strong year for us, we have refocused and already have discussed where we want to go next year. I am 100 percent committed to JAPW and focused on nothing but success in 2007.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: What differences do you see between the shows that you book and the shows that Fat Frank books?

Ray Sager: I think I put more focus on storylines and back story. I want things done for a reason and I want matches and angles to make sense and to carry on for several shows to try and keep the fans interest. Frank books more on the fly and is great with coming up with last minute ideas. He is into more of the blood and crazy shit so his shows are more violent. Frank wants everyone to go home happy so sometimes he gives them everything for that show and then you really got to work hard to top it the next show.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: There was alot of developments coming out of this years anniversary show. Firstly, just for everyone reading this, what exactly happened to Rhino? Was it true that this was going to be Rhino's last show for a while anyway? What lays in the future for JAPW & Rhino in the future? Also, with Rhino now out of the picture for a bit, does that give JAPW extra money to work with to bring in high-end indy guys like your Necro Butchers, Tyler Blacks, B-Boy's etc?

Ray Sager: Rhino had a family emergency and couldn't make the show last minute. During his tenure in JAPW, Rhino did everything he was asked to do, was a true professional, and was a great influence and leader in the locker room. There is no way you can fault the guy for missing the show, in my eyes family always comes first, he more than proved himself to us, it was just unfortunate timing and nothing else. Rhino had a great run for us and a lot of new fans came because Rhino was on the shows. But like everything else sometime change is good and we needed to open the door for some new talent we wanted to introduce. With that said, Rhino is NOT DONE with JAPW, so you never know when he may reappear.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: What's the current status of Trent Acid in JAPW? Has Trent Acid fallen off in your eyes this past year? What do you think is going on with Trent Acid right now? Additionally, what has Trent Acid done recently that JAPW didn't agree with? (Ex: Sabotaging the Boston show)

Ray Sager: Trent Acid will always be JAPW 4 Life, he was with JAPW since he was 15 years old and has appeared on and off over the years. Trent always has given JAPW 100 percent in his matches and always put his body in harms way, his dedication cannot be questioned. Besides the Boston incident, some things happened which I am not going to elaborate on, but Trent wasn't fired. Some promoters love to throw around the term "Fired", it makes them seem bigger then that are, however no one really gets fired on the indys. I really don't want to talk about Trent and what may or may not be going on, I haven't talked to him since the anniversary show and I at least owe him a conversation before any decisions are made.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: Fat Frank told the DOI that JAPW will be instituting a "no-tolerance" policy. Can you elaborate on that and how will it be enforced? What happens if a wrestler violates the policy?

Ray Sager: Our No Tolerance policy that we are instituting is not a drug policy per say, it has more to do with a wrestler's behavior and their actions at our shows. Before every show, we lay out a strict set of guidelines and rules that we expect to be followed. This is a business and we have to be responsible when it comes to our fans and the running of our shows, so any deviation of these rules will result in that wrestler not being asked back to perform. Some of the rules are having contact with the fans, using the microphone without permission, excessive cursing and a few others. Like any other job there are rules to be followed and in JAPW it is no different. The rules are simple and will always be laid out before a show, so there will be no one to blame if a rule is broken.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: What's the latest with EC Negro? Obviously the last few shows saw EC Negro get involved in different incidents, from spitting on fans to leaving shows early. Do you think EC Negro has somewhat become the "Terrell Owens" of JAPW, without actually being the best player on the team? What's his current status in JAPW?

Ray Sager: EC Negro is a good talent but I feel he can do better, sometimes I think his focus isn't always there but when he is on he is one of the better talents in the ring. Despite some things that have been written, and many things have been blown out of proportion, including incidents at the Anniversary show, EC Negro is still very much a part of JAPW. Negro is very passionate about being a part of JAPW and there were some communication problems and those problems came from my end and not his. There was some confusion that night of what was going to take place and some plans got changed last minute, Negro was obviously upset because he is a big part of JAPW and didn't have a place on the show as he should have. Negro did leave early, but it was with my blessing as he asked me before he left. I should have realized he was upset about what took place but I am zoned out to a lot of things during the show, especially when I still had talent stuck on airplanes. If I could change what happened I would, but what is done is done and we need to move on.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: In a recent column I wrote about JAPW I talked about the old JAPW-CZW war. While it looks like there is no hard feelings today, how did you feel personally when several fans started a "CZW!" chant at the anniversary show, only for the JAPW loyal fans to chant "CZW sucks" then go straight into a "JAP!" chant?

Ray Sager: I had no problem with it at all, the fact that CZW fans came to our event and hopefully had a good time is all that matters. When they chanted CZW, they were just showing that they are passionate fans of their company and our fans responded with their own response and JAPW chants. I was in the crowd when it happened and it was basically fans having a good time with each other, it was mostly all in fun and part of having a good time at the show. As Frank said we welcome fans from all companies to attend our shows

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: What were your thoughts about the returns of Axl Rotten & The CSC? Were you disappointed in the reaction Axl got? Were you thrilled with the reaction the CSC got?

Ray Sager: We always like to have a surprise or two on our anniversary shows, it has basically become a tradition for us. I am a big fan of the CSC and got the idea about two months ago to have them in as a surprise and to have them wrestle the Canadians. They haven't been around in quite some time and were always a big hit so it basically was time to bring them back. The reaction they got was huge and they will return December 2 in Aberdeen. Axl was our extreme surprise and he is great to have around. Axl loves to work for JAPW and really goes all out when he works for us. Axl is a great influence on the young guys and helps out and gives advice to a lot of the guys in the locker room. Axl even hosted the Halloween contest, he needed to leave early but ended up staying to host with Nicky Benz. I was not upset about the reaction because Axl lost a ton of weight and I am sure a lot of fans didn't recognize him at first, but we got a focused and healthy Axl Rotten, who was in amazing shape. Axl even tapes some amazing old school promos after his match which brought back a lot of memories.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: Teddy Hart is now the JAPW Heavyweight Champion. This obviously gives you many different routes to go down in the future. What are your thoughts as Hart as champion and as a booker, are you nervous with Hart as champion, considering his past? Do you believe that Hart can hold his own as the face of JAPW?

Ray Sager: Teddy Hart is a very versatile champion and I am looking forward to his title run. When Teddy is in the ring, he has that superstar aura about him and really adds something special to the company. There are a few fans outside of JAPW that give Teddy a hard time, and he has gotten a bad rap. Teddy has been nothing but professional with us and has earned our trust and nothing says that more that earning the JAPW Heavyweight Championship. I am not nervous about Teddy's run, the only thing I am nervous about and it would be a good thing is if Teddy got signed. I think Teddy's title run is going to open up a lot of eyes and prove a lot of his detractors wrong and hopefully gets that door finally opened for him to go where he deserves to be.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: Fat Frank stated to the DOI that JAPW will be re-evaluating their roster. What guys do you see leaving the company? Can you let us know anyone who might be re-joining the company? Is there any chance for former JAPW titlists like Slyck Wagner Brown, Crazy Ivan, Dixie, Insane Dragon etc coming back?

Ray Sager: We are basically going to sit down and evaluate every single worker on the roster. There have been a lot of talent that have been with us a long time and some time off might be good for them in the long run as for them not to get stale. There is a lot of new talent coming in as well to keep things fresh and there are only so many slots on the roster available. We are also looking at former talent that we feel might be able to help us again.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: What are your thoughts on Necro Butcher's JAPW debut? What plans do you have for him in the future?

Ray Sager: I was a big fan of Necro Butcher even before he came to JAPW. His debut and entrance was Hogan like, it was amazing to see live. When Necro Butcher was in the ring, he brought a whole new dimension to JAPW and the fans felt it. JAPW has never had a wrestler like the Necro Butcher, he is a modern day Bruiser Brody, a guy that would scare the shot out of you in a back alley, a legit tough guy. Necro Butcher has a bright future in JAPW and I think we can offer some unique matches for him and set him up for a long term run.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: In a question that the DOI has been asked by nearly a million fans, what's the current status of JAPW webmaster Mark Szaboo?

Ray Sager: Mark Szaboo was offered a high management position with a major national entertainment company and due to time constraints asked for his release. Mark is an amazing talent when it comes to web design, so it really hurt us when he left. The door is open for him to come back once he gets his free time back to normal, we all wish him luck with his current endeavors.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: Where do you see JAPW going from here and what wrestlers do you see making an impact in JAPW?

Ray Sager: I think 2007 is going to be a huge year for us, we are changing things up again to keep things fresh in terms of talent and storylines. I see Teddy Hart having a huge year, I think it is going to be his breakout year and a lot of people will take notice. I think Jay Lethal and Azrieal are going to shake up the tag team division and make it much better than it has been. I look for a lot of the new talent to step up and make a big impact this year such as Necro Butcher, Ricochet, Chuck Taylor, Human Tornado, Tyler Black and several others we have our eyes on.

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

Ray Sager: Check out japw.net and go Rutgers.