Huskie Howard Interviews CZW Owner DJ Hyde

Huskie: Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a special guest here today at Wrestle Ohio. We are joined by the owner of Combat Zone Wrestling, DJ Hyde. Thanks for joining us here today at Wrestle Ohio.

Hyde: Thank you for having me.

Huskie: How long has CZW been around, and how did the company get it’s start?

Hyde: CZW has been around almost fifteen years. It was started by John Zandig.

Huskie: When did you take over?

Hyde: I took over in August of 2009.

Huskie: What makes CZW so successful?

Hyde: I could list a lot of things that make it successful. Doing good business and having a great staff helps.

Huskie: I see that a lot of CZW stars pass through the HWA here in Ohio. Tell us a little more how that partnership came about.

Hyde: HWA is a good company. It is the home of a lot of the top guys in the Midwest. With that, it opens the doors for CZW to do business with the HWA. Talks between the offices started some time ago. With the rich heritage of the HWA and CZW being one of the top companies in the world it seemed like a good fit.

Huskie: How has CZW evolved since you took over?

Hyde: In so many ways. Business wise, we have changed a lot. The company is run as a business where it kind of wasn‘t. Booking and creative wise we have went in a new direction. I have opened doors to all our new vendors, international partners and working with a number of other places. Traveling, adding the best production staff in wrestling, check out Hybrident.tv. So many things have changed since then.

Huskie: How did you get hooked up with your international ties?

Hyde: A lot of hard work! Reaching out to some of the best companies in the world was not easy. But showing that we are a top company in the United States and proving it business wise helps.

Huskie: What do you look for when you book the talent?

Hyde: I look for someone who can make us money, or that I see something special in.

Huskie: Recently CZW did a double header with the HWA. How did that go?

Hyde: It went well, CZW is moving into new markets and Ohio is a great place to be. I enjoyed the shows. I was very proud of our staff and happy with how things came off. The HWA crew is amazing, people really need to check them out. Fans can check out the shows now or get the DVD at Hybrident.tv.

Huskie: How hard is it to keep expanding the company and getting into new markets?

Hyde: It’s very hard. It seem like something I have to do over and over. Building a new audience in a new area is so difficult.

Huskie: When is CZW’s next live Internet Pay Per View?

Hyde: Live is Tangled Web 5 on August 11th from Flyers Skate Zone.

Huskie: Do you have any advice for anyone that is looking to start up a wrestling company?

Hyde: Learn the business. Understand what wrestling is, focus on that and you will be ok. By the way, it’s a business.

Huskie: Is there anything you would like to say to the CZW fans?

Hyde: More to fans in general. If you haven’t checked out CZW, please do so and let me know what you think. We have the best staff, wrestlers, and production there is…CZW fans, thank you.

Huskie: How can fans follow CZW online?

Hyde: @combatzone on Twitter. CZWrestling.com and the official CZW Facebook page at www.facebook.com/officialczw.

Huskie: Ok, we have talked to DJ Hyde the promoter. Now let’s switch gears and talk to DJ Hyde the wrestler. How long have you been wrestling, and how did you get your start?

Hyde: It will be eleven years in September. I started training with guys at the show and got on them after a few months. I had no real clue what I was doing. Then I found CZW. The CZW Academy gave me a great place to learn and taught me so much.

Huskie: Why do they call you The Lariat?

Hyde: I did two clinics one with JBL and the other with Stan Hansen. Both guys said I should start using it as my finisher. I have legit ko’ed many guys with it and many are afraid to take it.

Huskie: Who are your influences in wrestling?

Hyde: Hulk Hogan, Stan Hansen, JBL, Vince McMahon, and tons of others.

Huskie: What is your favorite match of all time?

Hyde: I have so many for different reasons. But I would say Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant.

Huskie: What is your favorite match that you have been involved in?

Hyde: Cage of Death 9 for the fact that at the end of the match it was me and Danny Havoc. The fans loved him and hated me. Even now when I watch it there is that Rock/Hogan or Rock/Cena emotion.

Huskie: What is your dream match?

Hyde: To be honest I have none. I just love what I do. I would wrestle anyone. I would love to wrestle the greats like Hulk Hogan, John Cena, CM Punk, Bruno Sammartino, Stan Hansen. There’s also many guys overseas I’d like to wrestle. But I am living the dream! I just want to take CZW to the top and be on of the best heels in the business.

Huskie: What are your thoughts on Indy wrestling today?

Hyde: A lot of it is bad. There is some good. There is way too much for me to mention, but 90% of it is bad, there are no workers. Just a lot of guys who should not be in the business. Most places are hurting wrestling and not focused on what we are here to do. It’s not a game or a fun weekend thing. It’s a business. It’s my life, it’s how I feed my family. Most guys don’t take it serious. Hell I always feel I need to do more. Guys don’t get in the business for the right reasons. Most just want to be cool or a star…and don’t care about anything but themselves, and don’t work on their craft or focus on the right things.

Huskie: In your opinion what could be done to make the Indy scene better?

Hyde: There are many things that could be done. I really believe that it will be up to the people in the business to get together and change it. We need to get people out who don’t belong. It’s way to easy to get in now days. I could list so much but it will be the boys all working together for the business.

Huskie: What has been your biggest accomplishment in your career so far?

Hyde: I am just proud of CZW and the guys that I have trained. Watching them and carrying out my vision is great. We are not there yet, but we are working together to get there.

Huskie: Of all the places that you have wrestled so far, where is your favorite place to wrestle?

Hyde: Anywhere for the most part. I love The Arena and Japan.

Huskie: How do the fans in Japan compare to the fans here in the states?

Hyde: The culture is different, but the fans are fans. They love wrestling so much and respect it. I think the respect is the difference. It’s the way they handle themselves. It’s so great being around them.

Huskie: You mentioned you would like to travel more. Where are some places that you would like to go to wrestle?

Hyde: Anywhere and everywhere I haven’t been. I also want to go back to places that I have already been.

Huskie: Do you have any advice for those who are looking to become a pro wrestler?

Hyde: Please find a good school. Make sure this is what you want to do, and if it is, then take it serious. Remember this is a business and focus on that. Check out the CZW Academy. I will tell you it’s worth it.

Huskie: After your in ring career is over how do you want to be remembered?

Hyde: I want to live on through out the guys that I trained and be looked at as a good worker.

Huskie: How can fans follow you online?

Hyde: @djhyde_1 on Twitter and www.facebook.com/djhydeone on Facebook. Or email me at djhyde@CZWrestling.com

Huskie: Before our time is up, is there anything you would like to say to the wrestling world?

Hyde: Fans, thank you. People in this business, focus on the business. Other wrestlers, I am greater than everyone. Checkout CZW and Hybrident.tv!

Huskie: DJ, it’s been a pleasure, and I would like to thank you again for your time.

Hyde: Thank you.

Huskie: Alright wrestling fans be sure to check out CZW. And make sure to check out their next Internet Pay Per View, Tangled Web 5, on August 8, 2012 at 7:30 PM. Until next time, you’ve been Hanging with Huskie!