Steven: First off, thank you for doing this interview with me. What has your involvement with pro wrestling been like in recent months?
Tod
Gordon:
In
recent months I have been involved first with MECW, a promotion with national
aspirations that unfortunately came to a premature end due to problems with the
financial back. Now, however, I am involved with the new 3PW promotion that is
based out of Philadelphia where I am lending my years of experience as a
promoter in this market in an effort to help The Meanie and Jasmin take their
promotion where they want it to go.
Steven: As everyone knows, you are the original founder of ECW. How did you put together such an awesome promotion from the ground up?
Tod
Gordon:
That
question could take 5 pages to answer, but let me just say that I was extremely
fortunate to be surrounded by people who's only goal was to see the promotion
succeed. It wasn't just the talent that was the hardest working in the history
of the business, it was all the behind the scenes workers as well. We were very
fortunate to come along at a time when the industry was pathetically boring and
the fans were hungry for a good product. Basically, what started out as a cult
following soon became a groundswell movement, and we just grew exponentially
from there.
Steven: What do you consider your
best wrestling moment?
Tod
Gordon:
No
question there..........Barely Legal, our first pay-per-view. We were the little
engines that could. Who would have believed this little Philadelphia promotion
that began in 1992 running a show at a bar in front of 80 people was on
pay-per-view three years later...a place reserved for the millionaires from WWF
and WCW.
Steven: What is your worst moment?
Tod
Gordon:
My
worst moment? That would have to be a plural. It's whenever I lose a friend from
the business whether it is Dick Dudley or Rick Rude. I traveled with Rick for a
while and we became quite close friends. I took his death very hard. You never
get used to losing a friend.
Steven: You have a tag team match coming up June 29th
at the 3P wrestling show in Philadelphia. In that match you will be teamed with
Sabu and the two of you will be facing your long time rival, Bill Alfonso and
his tag partner, Sandman. Can you give the fans a preview of what to expect?
Tod
Gordon:
At the last 3PW show in Philadelphia, Bill Alfonso turned his coward back on
Sabu and hit him flush in the face with a steel chair. Also, as most fans in
this area know, there is no love lost between my former best friend The Sandman
and myself. So, the match on the 29th pits Sabu and myself against the Sandman
and Bill Alfonso. I know Sabu has some major surprises in store for Fonzie, very
painful surprises, and he has been teaching me everything from foreign weapons
to fireballs so that I may surprise Sandman with a few tricks of my own. This
will be a very hardcore show, much like the glory days of ECW. We will see New
Jack, The Public enemy, Ian and Axl Rotten, and many other surprises. It
promises to be one of the more memorable shows of the summer.
Steven: What are your thoughts
about the wrestling world today?
Tod
Gordon:
The
wrestling world today is becoming a sad state of affairs once again. Lack of
competition breeds complacency. Hopefully, people will remember that all of the
stars of today, save a few, came up through the ranks of independent
federations, and the fans will support these up and coming stars by attending
those shows.
Steven: As many wrestling fans know, you sold your share of ECW to Paul Heyman back in 1996. What are your feelings towards Paul Heyman now?
Tod
Gordon:
The
next time I see Paul Heyman I will slap the spit right out of his mouth. That's
what everyone has always wanted me to say anyway. Actually, I never said I sold
him anything in 1996, and quite honestly, I still speak to Paul pretty much once
a week as our relationship, much to the chagrin of many, has always been one of
friendship. Since 1993, when I first met Paul, I would venture to say that I've
never gone two weeks without a phone conversation.
Steven:
Do you have any future plans in the wrestling business?
Tod
Gordon:
Future?
Not really. I'm getting a great deal of enjoyment out of helping the Meanie and
Jasmin. I love to take a seed and watch it grow. I would love to be a part of
seeing another new promotion make it. They are really nice people and they show
a real caring for the talent in the locker room. As far as any other work in the
business...it's hard to say as I have already turned down a few opportunities
due to the fact that I'm just not up for the wear and tear that travel puts on
you.
Steven: When you are not involved with pro wrestling, what do you like to do with your time?
Tod
Gordon:
Pretty
much what you would expect....drugs, sex, and rock and roll. Actually I run
another business full time and am raising 5 children. That doesn't leave a great
deal of free time.
Steven: What can fans expect to see when they attend a 3PW show?
Tod
Gordon:
Fans
know that once I lend my name to anything that they are immediately guaranteed
to get more than their monies worth. That was my claim to fame from day one.
They will get a hardcore ass kicking show where any performer may show up
un-announced, where absolutely anything goes, where blood or nudity or something
totally crazy could happen at any given moment. 3PW has a great nucleus of
talent with Sandman, Sabu, New Jack, The Blue Meanie, The Pit Bull, Crowbar, and
others like Bam Bam Bigelow scheduled for future shows. As far as June 29th is
concerned, you can be sure that the Public Enemy-Bad Breed feud will continue in
the same bloody vein as always, Crowbar and The Pit Bull will let everything
hang out, and speaking of hanging out, either Jasmin or Candi will have a very
naked rear end getting lashed with a cat-o-nine tails. In terms of our match,
there will be 4 people in that ring all looking for payback. Someone's sure to
get it.
Steven: Where do you see the wrestling business in the future? Will Vince continue to monopolize the business or do you believe another federation can make a strong run at WWE?
Tod
Gordon:
For
the immediate future, I don't see anyone challenging the monopoly status. The
money needed is just so excessive. We found a niche with ECW because no one was
doing our style. There aren't any niches out there currently that are ripe for
the taking.
Steven: If you had to choose one wrestler that means more to you than any other, who would that person be?
Tod
Gordon:
That's a really difficult question as I have many people who I consider
brothers in this business. If you were to force me to choose one based on
wrestling I guess it would have to be Bill Alfonso as I had my only true in ring
run with him around the country, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to bust him
up good on June 29th.
Steven: Tod, Thank you again for taking time out of your busy schedule to do this interview.
Tod Gordon: You’re
welcome. Take care!
Note: At the intermission of Saturday June 29th's show, 3PW in conjunction with Mayfield Mayhem will be raffling off a collection of items direct from the Mayfield Mayhem Grab Bag, such Japanese goodies as Mutoh, Hayabusa, Akira Hokuto, Cima & J Cup Laminated Photos, I.W.A. King Of The Death Match and All Japan Show Programs, Mich. Pro, All Japan, NWO & Great Muta C.D.'s are just to name a few. Arrive at the Arena early, you'll be given a raffle ticket. If your number is pulled at intermission, you'll be given 1st opportunity to choose your prize!
Also, don't forget that once again ESPN's "No Holds Barred Wrestling"
Radio show is sponsoring a bus trip to the 3PW event on June 29. A few changes have been made as there will be 2 stops this time and a new bus company as well. The updated bus trip schedule goes like this: