Johnny Kashmere has always been a polarizing figure on the indy wrestling scene ever since he made the transition from wrestler to promoter in 2004. PWU, which originated in bars and warehouses grew and grew and eventually started running big arena type shows. However, in the past few years, PWU has undergone many stop and go pushes for a variety of reasons. In this interview, Johnny Kashmere addresses all criticisms, PWU's past, the future, what the new PWU is all about and much more. With the northeast needing a shot in the arm, let's hope PWU can grow like they have done ever since they came to life 5 years ago.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: Johnny Kashmere, welcome back to the DOI. However it would be remiss if we didn't mention it seems that we did this interview last year when PWU was announcing a comeback. A year later, we seem to be in the same spot. Can you tell us about the last year of your life personally and professionally and how we got where we are today, in regards to Pro Wrestling Unplugged?

Johnny Kashmere: Thanks for having me back. What happened was, PWU had a certain momentum. Think of PWU like a car driving on the freeway. As the cars going full speed suddenly the car stalls out. The metaphor being my investor leaving us high and dry. So, what would u have done? Do you immediately pull the car over, or do u try to ride out the momentum and hope for a miracle? I kept things together as best I could, but sometimes you just have to let go in order to regrip. I, myself, was on empty. My creativity and vision had ceased and I was tired. Now, I have had time to recharge myself and now its time to recharge PWU.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: Pro Wrestling Unplugged, under the PWU: Wrestle Reality banner returns on 9/26, as PWU celebrates their fifth anniversary. What differences and similarities will PWU have now compared to the PWU of old?

Johnny Kashmere: On Saturday Sept. 26th 2009 PWU:WR proudly presents "The 5th Anniversary UNSCRIPTED". You will see us utilizing our local talent a lot more. Loyal talented wrestlers like Lucky, Joe Ettell, Rich Swann, Tyler Fullington, Rob Daly and The New Jersey All-Stars will have their time to shine. These guys are all underrated and waiting to break out big time in this area, keep an eye on them.

Also we have discontinued our womens division and tag division for the time being. We will honor three titles only, those being "The PWU World Title", "The Wrestle-Reality American Title", and our brand new "Super-Heavyweight Title" which is set to debut his fall. Also our events will be streamlined with 7 matches in all. No reason to run 13 match marathon shows in this economy.

Our website is now capable of streaming live or taped audio segments, so look for plenty of interviews you can burn onto cd and listen to at home while doing chores around the house or while driving in your car.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: Why should fans and wrestlers care about the reincarnation of PWU when it seems PWU has been down this road before? How can people trust PWU is for real this time? How can fans know that PWU is in it for the long haul and not a one and done show?

Johnny Kashmere: I guess they can't. Time will tell. What I will say is that my vision and passion for wrestling has always been my exclusive guide. In Wrestle-Reality we only utilize those wrestlers with a true passion or burning desire for wrestling. We use the guys that aren't themselves if they aren't wrestling. In a (failing?) market where all that matters is money, I find it refreshing that purists like us in PWU still exhist. We plan on donating our profits to local charities/good causes as most of our events will run under the "Fighting for the Cause" subclause. PWU:WR is proudly a not-for-profit organization.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: One thing PWU had going for it in the Philly area was the use of big name talent, as other companies focused on non-TV wrestlers. Will there be a return of big names to PWU? Do you think this makes PWU stand out in the Philly area?

Johnny Kashmere: I'm sure it does help us stand out. We will absolutely be using names for wrestling matches, appearances, seminars etc. We will be announcing some big names soon only at WrestleReality.com (guaranteed to be virus free and always 100% safe to view on you pc)

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: You have told the DOI privately you have several new investors in this project. What happens if they pull out? Will PWU be able to survive and strive?

Johnny Kashmere: Yes, see the mistake I made before was putting all of PWU's eggs in one basket. I, myself, have evolved as a promoter over the years. This time I have 4 business partners I know and trust as well as money investors. So if any one or even 2 people pulled out, the federation would continue on as always. The new Head of Talent Relations in PWU: WR is longtime Philly staple, the massive KWAME. The new Director of Operations is another Philly veteran and WWE dark match specialist NICK BERK.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: What are your thoughts on the competition in the Philly scene, such as CZW, DragonGabe, ROH & ACPW? Do you see any of those promotions helping or hurting PWU?

Johnny Kashmere: I think there's plenty of room for everyone. I actually promote the events locally, so people will come to PWU reguardless of the other feds is my belief. Remember PWU ran a joint event a few years ago with DragonGate and it didn't draw many fans at all. I have found that most casual fans don't care much about wrestlers with unpronouncable names who have no USA tv exposure.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: You're no stranger to CZW. Do you think CZW has become a backyard show with a roof over it? What are your thoughts on the style it has become since your time there?

Johnny Kashmere: I haven't seen any footage since I left to be honest so I cannot comment. You'd know better than me.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: It would be irresponsible of us if we didn't ask you about your former partner Trent Acid. What is going on with Trent these days? Do you think he's come back too soon? Do you think he is still going through problems or is 100% clean? What are your thoughts on Trent in CZW and will Trent, a PWU icon, be back on 9/26?

Johnny Kashmere: The only person that can answer that is Trent himself. All I'd like to say is that I will always have his back when it comes down to it. Brothers are brothers for life.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: Two PWU alums and personal friends of yours, Z-Barr & Nick Berk will be in the new PWU. Can you recap your relationship with these two, and what will their role be in the new PWU?

Johnny Kashmere: Sure.......Nick Berk has obviously paid his dues in his decade in the business. Having appeared on WWE tv multiple times and having trained with Tom Prichard and Terry Taylor, Berk is truly the most underrated wrestler in the USA right now. As I said earlier, Nick is the new Head of Operations in Wrestle-Reality. Nick actually helped train me early on in my career. Another little-known fact is that Berk co-promoted my federations before PWU began. The federations were named/called "TradeMark Wrestling" and "Renegade 'Resslin' ". Both were successful and drew a lot of fans. A great foundation has been established.

ZBARR, a former PWU TV Champion, is another underrated veteran wrestler. He has grown up a lot and has a hell of a lot to offer any federation. He is one of the most easily hated personaes ever in the Philly region.

Both ZBARR and Nick Berk along with Tom Carter aka Reckless Youth will be the main trainers when we reopen the Wrestling Academy in the very near future.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: PWU will have three separate championship divisions - The Heavyweight, Super Heavyweight & Americas championships. What was your thought process behind this decision and why did you drop the women and hardcore titles from PWU?

Johnny Kashmere: I dropped the womens and tag division because we really don't have much in the way of depth in these divisions currently. I figured why have titles when there are only 2 competitors in each division. This opens doors for WSU to possibly send womens matches to future WR events.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: What are your thoughts on Helter Skelter? Do you think he belongs in wrestling or is a necessary evil? Do you think fans just wink and are in the know why he's on a show? Furthermore, what are your thoughts on Eric Simms conning him out of tens of thousands of dollars making Helter almost destitute?

Johnny Kashmere: How else is Simms gonna pay for his hair implants?! Seriously though, Helter has evolved a lot believe it or not. He has come a long way. He learns everything the hard way I must admit and he has been used and abused by many. In PWU we offer him assylum where he ca be himself and try new things. He has earned my trust over the years we have been working together and I wish him nothing but the best both inside and outside of wrestling. Helter is on the permanent WR roster.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: What is Johnny Kashmere's role in wrestling right now, aside from PWU promoter? Will you be wrestling or more worried about the behind-the-scenes of PWU?

Johnny Kashmere: I will announce our new General Manager to the fans in the ring on Sept. 26th, after that I plan on joining the active roster starting in October. Time for JK to get Real.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: You have had an up and down relationship with Rob Feinstein of RF Video, where it almost got physical with a PWU employee and an RF Video employee. What is the status of the relationship now and what are your thoughts on Rob Feinstein?

Johnny Kashmere: Rob has done more for me then just about anyone else in wrestling. He is personally responsible for my Brief appearances on WWE tv. RFVideo.com is now the exclusive distributer of all PWU Wrestle Reality events, seminars, etc. Since Rob is the innovator of the Shoot Interview and PWU is the innovator of Wrestling-Reality, it would seem to be a perfect fit to somehow combine clips of shoot interviews on youtube or our dvds. Look for this in the future.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: Before PWU took its latest sabbatical, there seemed to be something brewing between you and Sean Hanson. Can you elaborate about that issue and will Hanson, a PWU original, be part of the new PWU?

Johnny Kashmere: Hanson is a lot like me. I have reached out to him and we have settled our differences like men. Sean is welcome to be our senior official on sept 26th should he accept the offer.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: You were very influential in the rise of the careers of Devon Moore & Drew Blood. What are your thoughts on them now?

Johnny Kashmere: I just laugh alot

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: Do you feel PWU dropped the ball on Eddie Kingston, especially when you got him he was as popular as he ever was?

Johnny Kashmere: Tod Gordon was the "booker" back then. I guess the ball was kinda dropped, but from what I saw Kingston wasn't any more or less popular with the PWU crowd as anyone else on the roster.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: What are your thoughts about the abundance of streaming online indy TV shows? Do you think the free footage may hurt DVD sales/live gate, because fans can just watch the stuff for free online?

Johnny Kashmere: I think no one wants to sit at their desk watching their computer to see their wrestling. Its more comfortable to sit in your living room and watch it on dvd or tv. I'm personally a huge fan of DVR, itd be neat to have matches on a database somewhere for quick available viewing. But to stream a 15 minute tv show is lame and no one cares or watches.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: What are your thoughts on PWU's first champion Homicide? What were your thoughts on the USA Pro vs PWU (NY vs Philly) feud and do you think wrestling needs more "real-life" type of issues, especially under a banner called "Wrestle-Reality"?

Johnny Kashmere: Homicide has been on national tv for years now, he has my respect. I liked the philly vs NY war. I think anything that brings multiple markets within the same region together is only good for the business. To answer your 2nd question, YES I think its obvious that wrestling fans are losing interest. If reality allows fans to return to wrestling and not feel insulted then that's a Godsend.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: Any update on your relationship with Roger Artigiani? Would PWU ever return to the arena?

Johnny Kashmere: I'm ok with Roger, it was always more Roger's video guy Pancoast that I had problems with. Aside from Pancoast calling The SAT the racial "S" word, he is also antisocial and can't look wrestlers in the eyes because he spends a lot of time bad mouthing everyone behind their backs. He is one of these guys that looks down his nose at the wrestling business and thinks he is above it. (By definition making all wrestlers losers and scumbags, and him normal and classy) Kinda like everyone is stupid but him. What qualifies him to even have an opinion? Video editing?! Walk a few actual roads Pancoast, then judge and snub others is my advice to you.

PWU has no interest in ever returning full time to The Arena. Its a way overpriced venue and the spirit of ECW isn't there anymore. In my opinion the spirit lives on in the indy wrestlers of today, not 4 walls and a ceiling.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: What are your thoughts on Tod Gordon and what is your relationship with him today? Did you ever feel jealous or for a better word, slighted, that he got a lot of credit for PWU's success and not you?

Johnny Kashmere: I have no relationship with him today whatsoever. I was never jealous at all, I always enjoyed working with Tod. I know how much of PWU rested on my shoulders during Tods time as booker. PWU is, was and always will be MY baby. Everyone with a brain realized this years ago.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: Someone you are very proud of, Rich Swann, will be wrestling in Japan for POW in July. Can you give us the full details of this arrangement and what does it feel like to see one of your own progress like this?

Johnny Kashmere: The first time I saw Swann wrestle I knew he was something special. I have no clue how he seems to blatantly defy gravity but he does it every match! I gave him the "Blue Chip" moniker and its stuck on him. He has a fantastic attitude and is very respectful and humble. A shining example of what our wrestlers in PWU should be like. I wrestled Swann a few weeks ago for ACW Unplugged and the match went very well. He is learning wrestling psychology at a fast rate, and working with guys like me, berk, zbarr, lucky etc. assures he will continue to improve and progress. I wish him the best and support him unconditinally.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: PWU will be holding their PWU Hall of Fame on 9/26, in conjunction with the 5YA Show. Any updates on who PWU may or may not be inducting?

Johnny Kashmere: I have a good idea of who I'd like to induct. Once we confirm who we are inducting we will make it public only at Wrestle-Reality.com. Join our mailing list asap so you get press releases and updates sent to your inbox twice a week.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: PWU plans on having a training center/school as they have done in the past. Can you give us details on this?

Johnny Kashmere: Details coming soon only at WrestleReality.com. Set that as a bookmark or on your favorite places and join the email list. Our myspace page is www.myspace.com/wrestlereality if you'd like to send us a friend request. We will have training academy details up there very soon.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: What happened with your Celebrity Boxing GM role with Damon Feldman? How come it didn't last?

Johnny Kashmere: My passion is for wrestling. Damon is a hell of a promoter and I have already learned from him. No hard feelings just not the fit I was looking for. I hope PWU and the CBF can stay on good terms down the line.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: What are your thoughts on Billy Reil and him jumping on your ex-position? What does a GM of a Celebrity Boxing league exactly do anyway?

Johnny Kashmere: again, I just laugh. GM maintains law and order and helps promote the events. I don't even know if Reil showed up to the CBF event or not.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: What are your thoughts on Bill Behrens?

Johnny Kashmere: He looks out for individual talent rather then the promoters. Without promoters thered be nowhere to get his talent booked. With the economy as it is now, I think wrestling in general needs a lifeline.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: What are your thoughts on Jim Kettner?

Johnny Kashmere: He's always been an inspiration to me. I learned ALOT from him about how to maintain a fanbase and how to plan events and handle talent relations. I would very much like to work with Jim in any capacity in the future and I wish him all the best always.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: What are your thoughts on JAPW?

Johnny Kashmere: Solid federation, not sure what they've been up to lately at all though.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: What were your thoughts on the failed Sumo VPW promotion? Have you heard any news on Sumo's whereabouts?

Johnny Kashmere: Last I heard he was in a mental ward on suicide watch. Sumo forgot where he came from. He started out on PWUs ring crew and would tell everyone how he was in ECW because he carried their ring a few times. Then he comes into money and tries to put pwu out of business. Karma Karma Karma And to all of the mutts that showed their true colors and jumped on sumos bandwagon, I say to you.....BWAHAHHAHAHA!!

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: Is there anything you'd like to say in closing to the wrestling fans, your peers and anyone else reading this interview?

Johnny Kashmere: PWU:WR is NOT trying to be the next ECW. We are NOT trying to put anyone out of business and we are NOT into insulting our fans' intellegence. When you see Wrestle-Reality live you will experience the difference. Our wrestlers are real people with real expectations and goals. PWU:WR exhists so passionate wrestlers can hone their skills in preparation for tv contracts. And we hope to earn money for local charities and good causes along the way. Supporting PWU:WR is essentially supporting pro wrestling in general.

If you want to get involved in PWU now is the time! We are currently accepting sponsorships as well as having spots open on the ring crew and street team. Email backseatjk@tmail.com with serious inquiries only.

WrestleReality.com
Myspace.com/wrestlereality

The information on this website is exclusive property of the Declaration of Independents and cannot be used elsewhere without proper link credit. All DOI purchases are non-refundable. All mail (electronic or postal) sent to the DOI becomes property of the DOI which allows the DOI to reprint that e-mail in it's entirety by doing so, if the email is considered newsworthy.

Copyright declarationofindependents.net & doiwrestling.com. All Rights Reserved.