Particle Don: Hi Todd! I can’t wait to find out more about your band 80’s Bush and your resturaunt Chix. It was great seeing you at King of the Deathmatches! I always use the 80’s Bush koozie you gave me! How did the concept for 80’s Bush originate?
Todd: I remember seeing Paul Stanley on the Kiss Animalize Live video from 1984. From then on, I wanted to be a rock star. Life didn’t really pan out for me to chase that goal.
I met a friend in 2008 who shared my interest in hair metal, so we started formulating a plan to start a band. In 2014, we found 2 other members ready to make a go at it. It’s been a total blast ever since.
Particle Don: Where can we see you play live?
Todd: Currently, we are playing around Central Illinois. We have played a few summer festivals and are hoping to break into the Chicago and suburban market.
Todd onstage with 80’s Bush!
Particle Don: Are there any plans for a studio recording?
Todd: That is also a goal. I doubt we are going to try and record an entire full length LP. We do have groundwork set for a few tracks. We are excited to spend some time in a studio and get some songs out there in iTunes!
Particle Don: What are a few of your favorite 80’s bands?
Todd: Kiss, Motley Crue, and Ratt. I’m also a huge fan of Winger (they get a bad rap in the music world…great, great musicians).
Particle Don: Do you know of any “rare hair” bands from the 80’s you think people should check out?
Todd: I’m getting a chance to see one of them this weekend: Babylon AD. I also strongly suggest checking out Wildside (though technically their album came out in the 90’s) and also Spread Eagle. All great, rockin’ acts!
Particle Don: What are a few other genres of music you enjoy besides 80’s rock?
Todd: Genres? Really none. I’m a huge fan of the Stones, Led Zeppelin, and ZZ Top.
Todd during a live performance!
Particle Don: Are you aware of Major League Eating professional eater Joey Chesnut’s new record of 70 hot dogs eaten? How many wings do you think he could eat at Chix Restaurant?
Todd: Great question! I hope Joey Chestnut never comes to Chix! LOL. I can’t imagine how many wings that guy could down. We had a high school kid eat close to 70 wings in one sitting. I would imagine Joey could eat 200?!?
Particle Don: What would you recommend to someone who is new to Chix Restaurant?
Todd: The Boneless Wings and the Chicken Tenders are hugely popular. We also serve a Pot Roast Bowl (smashed potatoes, pot roast, carrots, and gravy all mixed together). Just plan for a nap afterwards!
If you’re ever near Streator, IL, make sure to eat at Chix!
Particle Don: How long have you been watching wrestling?
Todd: I started watching wrestling in 1978. I was 5 or 6 years old. My earliest memory is Cowboy Bob Orton piledriving Greg Gagne on the concrete floor during an episode of AWA Wrestling.
Particle Don: Do you have a favorite classic-era wrestler?
Todd: Ric Flair, Dynamite Kid, and Bruiser Brody are just a few that come to mind. But, I’m a huge fan of many different styles and territories. I could write all day about the classic era.
Particle Don: Who is your current favorite wrestler?
Todd: Currently, Chris Hero. He can work any style, any opponent, any crowd. It will be a travesty if this guy doesn’t get a huge pay day from some promotion at some point. He’s too good to not be seen by the masses. In WWE, I go out of my way to watch AJ Styles matches. In NJPW, I enjoy Kenny Omega and am really starting to like Shibata.
Particle Don: When did you see your first deathmatch?
Todd: On tape it was 1993. Funk vs. Onita, exploding ring match from FMW.
My first time live was in 1997. I drove 300 miles one way to go see the first IWA King of the Deathmatches in New Albany. From then on, I’ve been hooked on the style.
Particle Don: Incredible. You witnessed the first ever American deathmatch tournament live. What was your first live wrestling show in general?
Todd: I don’t recall who or when, but I know it was an AWA show at the Richwoods High School in Peoria, Illinois.
Particle Don: Do you have any notable memories from this year’s King of the Deathmatches?
Todd: I thought this year’s show really upped the ante on the violence. It was the most violent spectacle I have seen in my 19 years of going to Deathmatch wrestling shows.
Two bumps from the Suicidal Beast in the first round are really what I remember most. The guy took an incredible amount of punishment.
Particle Don: Do you have a favorite piece of wrestling merchandise?
Todd: My Wrestling Observer collection (I’ve been a subscriber since 1986) and probably my autographed “Jim Cornette and the Midnight Express” wrestling scrapbook.
Particle Don: What is your favorite sports team?
Todd: I’m a New York Mets fan since 1983. I also follow the New York Knicks and the Oklahoma Sooners.
Particle Don: Are there any other hobbies you enjoy besides rocking out with 80’s Bush and going to wrestling shows?
Todd: I have been recently working on a tabletop wrestling game to get published at some point. I also was an avid fantasy sports player, but have taken a hiatus on that as of late.
Particle Don: What a great concept. I hope your tabletop game becomes a reality! Where did you hear about Particle Don?
Todd: I saw you perform live at KOTDM 2014. I’ve been a fan of your music since and also got to speak with you at KOTDM 2015 and immediately liked you.
Particle Don: Do you have a favorite Particle Don song?
Todd: Without question, Oklahoma Stampede from Volume 3. I also liked Always Makin’ Big Waves from Volume 3. I’m a fan of Bleed for a Living (Danny Havoc theme) also.
Particle Don: Who should I write a song about?
Todd: I think you should write a song about Jim Cornette and perhaps it could get used as an opening on his podcast.
Particle Don: Do you have a favorite candy?
Todd: Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, without a doubt.
Particle Don: What’s your favorite food?
Todd: Pizza. I could eat it 7 days a week. I owned a pizza restaurant from 2006-2009. I think I did eat it 7 days a week!!
Particle Don: What is your preferred beverage?
Todd: Pepsi from the fountain or a cold Michelob Ultra.
Particle Don: Do you have a favorite 80’s TV show or cartoon?
Todd: I was never into cartoons much. My favorite TV show from the 80’s would probably be Different Strokes. As I got older, I really liked Cheers.
Particle Don: Do you have a favorite 90’s TV show or cartoon?
Todd: Seinfeld. No question.
Particle Don: Do you watch Ancient Aliens? What’s your opinion of the Ancient Astronaut theory?
Todd: Never heard of it.
Particle Don: Do you watch South Park? What’s your favorite episode?
Todd: I’m not into cartoons. I’ve only seen 1 or 2 episodes.
Particle Don: What are a few of your favorite movies?
Todd: Planes, Trains and Automobiles is my favorite film. I’m also a fan of the original Batman movie from 1966.
Particle Don: Is there anything else you’d like to say?
Todd: The few times we’ve met, I really enjoyed talking with you. I look forward to seeing you at future wrestling events and I hope that you continue writing and creating music. You have a great talent.
I wish Todd the best with his band and restaurant!
“Lowlife” Louie Ramos has been a staple in the New York/New Jersey independent wrestling scene for decades. The above image shows Louie with his son after his OPW Survival of the Sickest tournament win. Photo by Chris Grasso.
Particle Don: Do you remember what initially got you interested in wrestling? Did you watch as a kid?
Louie: My brother, I have been watching and living wrestling since I was about a year old. My mom tells me the story I that I would cry when my parents changed the channel during wrestling. They watched WWWF and wrestling from the Olympic auditorium in L.A. You can say I’m a life long fan.
Particle Don: Early on, who were a few of your favorite wrestlers?
Louie: I have been a Hulkamaniac since I first saw him. Hogan was more than just a hero on TV for me. He was an inspiration. My father abandoned my brother and I at a young age. Hogan, with his commandments and good guy ways, won my heart. He inspired me to do the right thing.
Years later I would watch WWC wrestling from Puerto Rico. One man in particular caught my eye: Abdullah the Butcher. I looked more like a mini Abby than I did the Hulk, so I identified with Abby and became obsessed with blood in wrestling. Later on I would read about Cactus Jack and all the madness going on at FMW in Japan. That was it!
Cactus Jack going through a Caribbean spider web in FMW
Particle Don: At what point did you decide to become a wrestler?
Louie: When I first watched ECW, specifically the barbed wire bat match between Ian and Axl Rotten. I was totally captivated by the madness and vowed to one day do the same.
Particle Don: When and where did you begin training? What was it like training with Homicide? Did you train with anybody else?
Louie: After I graduated high school I had a one track mind. I needed to find a place where I could learn how to wrestle. I gave up various college scholarships and other opportunities to follow the wrestling dream.
I ran into two guys at a Savio Vega autograph signing. They said they were training to be pro wrestlers, so I hooked up with them. Eventually, I saw they weren’t too serious, but I was. Thanks to those guys I found Arena Puerto Rico, owned by former wrestler Pedro Martinez. I would then bring my friends (who would go on to become Mace and Buff-E, the Christopher St. Connection, Steve “Monsta” Mack and Low Ki) to the Arena Puerto Rico.
There we would meet Homicide, Laython the Tower of Torture, Bobby Lombardi, J. Lover, Shao Lin, J. Train, Manslaughter and others who would help us along in our early years. However, Homicide and Laython are the ones who saw something in us and pushed us. It was intense but awesome to learn wrestling the right way.
Particle Don: Everybody says that your wrestling nickname, “Lowlife”, is the absolute opposite of the person that you are in real life. Is there an origin story behind this nickname?
Louie: It’s funny. The name came from a TV news broadcast. The newscaster was interviewing someone in my old Sunset Park, Brooklyn neighborhood. The guy on the news said “This low life out here is ruining the neighborhood”. Since the name started with L, and my real name is Louie, I said “Why not?”, lol.
Particle Don: What’s your finishing move? Why did you choose it?
Louie: I have used a few finishers in my career. The leg drop is an obvious nod to Hulk Hogan. I’ve used the Death Valley Driver. Before Cena did it, I was the first guy to stack two people on my shoulders and hit the move. I use the Oklahoma Stampede as an ode to one of my favorites, “Dr. Death” Steve Williams, who does not get nearly enough credit for how great he was.
Particle Don: Did you know right off the bat that you wanted to get into hardcore wrestling, or was this something you decided a little bit later on?
Louie: I always loved hardcore wrestling. It’s what made me decide I wanted to bleed when I wrestle. However, upon beginning my training, I learned that I needed to be properly taught and have some experience under my belt before I did any hardcore. I didn’t do a real full blown deathmatch (a no rope barbed wire match) for almost 3 years after I started.
Particle Don: Who did you wrestle in your first deathmatch? In what promotion did this take place?
Louie: My first hardcore match was against Homicide under the old IWW “Insane World Wrestling” banner. It was an all weapons legal street fight. I did a triple barbed wire dog collar match against J. Lover and Homicide. I wrestled a steel cage match against New Jack and Jason Knight.
All of those matches took place under the Jersey All-Pro wrestling banner. I’d like to take a second to thank “Fat” Frank Iadevaia for all he did for me. Rest in peace, Frank.
Jersey All Pro Wrestling
Particle Don: Do you have a favorite deathmatch weapon?
Louie: I think I have become one with the dildo. I used it back in ’03 for the first time and have used it ever since. I love the barbed wire bat and thumb tack bat. Lately, I have grown fond of gusset plates.
Gusset Plates are used in the construction of bridges, buildings and other structures
Particle Don: What’s your least favorite deathmatch weapon?
Louie: As a deathmatch guy, glass and light tubes are like pencils and crayons in school. A necessity. However, I’m not a fan of the dust that comes from light tubes. And glass itself is unpredictable, but I’m down to use it.
The one thing I won’t do at this point is anything that involves heights. Anyone that knows my personal story knows my brother passed away from a fall at a great height, so I’m very against it.
Particle Don: You competed in the inaugural Nick Gage Invitational tournament against Nate Hatred in a brutal contest. Looking back at this match, what are your thoughts?
Louie: I was supposed to be a special guest referee in the match between Kyle the Beast and Jeff Cannonball. These were two guys making their first forays into a deathmatch tournament. GCW added me to their match.
The day of the event I find out that due to some issues, Nick Gage was not going to make it to the show. At that time I threw my name in the hat to replace him, and got my ass kicked for it.
Nate Hatred is a deathmatch legend and I’m honored to have worked with him. That match made me decide to make a comeback after I had been retired for most of the year. For this reason, that show will always be special to me.
Nate Hatred
Particle Don: You were victorious in this year’s OPW Survival of the Sickest tournament. How did it feel to finally win your first deathmatch tournament? Do you have any particular memories of this event?
Louie: Winning that tournament was dream come true. It was a culmination of 19 years of blood, sweat and tears. 19 years of never playing politics; always doing what is right for the business and the fans. It was an honor. And the fact that my son was there to witness it live meant even more. Eternal thanks to On Point Wrestling, Jeff Kane, Matt Tremont and the On Point fans.
Particle Don: You have an upcoming match against MASADA in On Point Wrestling. It’s your first time wrestling him. What are your thoughts going into this match?
Louie: Masada is a deathmatch icon and legend. He’s the greatest hybrid wrestler alive; a man who has done it all in the game. It will be an immense honor and privilege to be given this opportunity. I will do my best to deliver a performance worthy of the opponent and the moment.
Particle Don: What was it like wrestling the legend Terry Funk? How did this match come about? Are there any interesting stories involved with this contest?
Louie: Haha, Terry Funk was a class act. The word “legend” does not begin to encompass how great he is. He’s probably the most famous and well-known wrestler I have ever battled.
After the match, he apologized for knocking half of my front tooth out with a steel chair. Because of this, I decided to rib him and chase him around the locker room with a dildo when he was going into the shower, hahaha.
Particle Don: You teamed up with Dusty Rhodes in an ROH 5-on-5 match in 2003. What was it like meeting and teaming up with Dusty? Did he give you any advice that stuck with you for the rest of your career?
Louie: Dusty gave me a great complement. He said I reminded him of himself in his younger days. Dusty was great to be around and another legend that was awesome to work with.
Particle Don: You made it three rounds into King of the Deathmatches 2004, only one match shy of the finals. This tournament included names such as Tank, JC Bailey, Toby Klein and Necro Butcher. You defeated Homicide on night one and Ryan Boz on night two. Is there anything that stands out in your mind about this tournament? Was this the only time you competed in IWA Mid-South?
Louie: I wish I would have been invited back for more. You’d have to ask Ian Rotten why I wasn’t asked back. That show was a great memory. I loved every second of it. It was an amazing honor working with the man who trained me, Boz (who was a beast) and battling Corp. I’ll never forget that opportunity.
Particle Don: You’ve wrestled countless legends throughout your career. However, is there anyone you have yet to wrestle that you’d like to square off against?
Louie: Well, I’m getting my dream match against Masada on September 24th. I don’t know if I’ll ever get to work with Jun Kasai, but him and Kobayashi would be two guys I’d like to fight. I’d also like to work with Danny Havoc and Devon Moore. And maybe a rematch with Jeff Cannonball. Another one is Danny Demanto, I haven’t forgotten we need to hook it up one more time.
Jun Kasai’s back is disgusting, bearing the scars from hundreds of deathmatches
Particle Don: Back in early 2015, you announced that you were retiring from in-ring competition due to contusions and scar tissue found in your brain during a CT scan. What compelled you to step back into the ring and continue doing hardcore matches?
Louie: That match with Nate Hatred encouraged me to return, as I had no I’ll effects afterwords. Will I suffer one day? Maybe. But thanks to that match, I got to wrestle Archadia, Brian Myers and do the Survival of the Sickest tourney where I battled Matt Tremont. I’d love the heck out of another match with him.
Particle Don: You are very respected for being a family-oriented type of guy. Do you ever see your son getting into pro wrestling, or would you rather him stay away from it and pursue a different path in life?
Louie: He loves wrestling, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Do I want him to do death matches? I don’t know. But I’d love to see him on the big stage one day if he works towards it.
Particle Don: Do you watch current WWE? If so, who are a few of your favorite modern-day superstars?
Louie: I’ll be a fan forever. Right now I cheer on guys with a similar upbringing like me, like Dean Ambrose, Sammy Zayn and Kevin Owens. They battled on the indies and did it the right way.
Particle Don: Do you have a favorite South Park episode?
Louie: Yes sir, The Butters Show. The one where Butters follows his dad, sees him getting banged and put in a gay bath house and movie theater. I laughed so hard I tattooed Butters onto my arm.
Particle Don: Who’s your favorite South Park character?
Louie: Butters. He’s so adorable, always picked on and made to do stupid shit by his friends. Reminds me of somebody…lol.
Particle Don: What are a few of your favorite movies?
Louie: I’m a horror movie guy, with Jason Vorhees and Friday the 13th being my favorite. I also enjoy Nightmare on Elm Street, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Halloween, Saw and Child’s Play.
I also enjoy old 80’s action flicks, such as Rambo, Predator, Commando, Cobra, Die Hard and Rocky. However, my two all-time favorites are the 1986 animated Transformers movie and Training Day.
Particle Don: What’s your favorite beverage?
Louie: If it’s not ice cold water then I prefer something ice cold with alcohol in it. Once daily I drink hot water blended with lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, ginger and garlic for health.
Particle Don: Do you have any hobbies outside of wrestling?
Louie: Nope. I was into video games as a kid into my teenage years, but it’s been 13 years since I’ve been hard into video games. I like to sit at home and enjoy family time when I’m not working or wrestling.
Particle Don: What type of music do you like? Who are a few of your favorite bands?
Louie: I stopped listening to music years ago. I grew up on early ’90s hip-hop. I’m a Big Wu-Tang fan. I’m also a Nelly fan. I use his music as my theme song. My music app is filled mostly with wrestling theme songs guys use in the indies, lol.
Particle Don: Have you ever been to Cleveland for any reason?
Louie: No, but I’d like to to see where Bone Thugs-n-Harmony came from, lol.
Particle Don: Had you ever heard of Particle Don before this interview? If so, where?
Louie: I saw the interview of fellow deathmatch brother and close friend Jeff Cannonball. Before that, I can’t say that I did to be honest.
Particle Don: Do you have a favorite Particle Don song?
Louie: No, but if you put me on to some I’d love to listen.
Particle Don: Do you have any merchandise fans can buy online?
Louie: I never got into the merch end of things. Support my people Jeff Cannonball, Matt Tremont, Nation of Intoxication, Homicide and Masada…buy their merch.
Particle Don: If there’s anything else you’d like to say or plug, please do so!
Louie: On Point Wrestling has an upcoming show, A Beautiful Day 2 Die, on September 24th in Williamstown, New Jersey. There’s a great lineup capped off with my dream match as I go one on one in a deathmatch with the Ultraviolent Beast and the best hybrid wrestler alive, Masada.
Particle Don: What got you into wrestling? Did you watch growing up?
Deadly Dale: Oh yeah. I’ve watched for as far back as I can remember. I got into it by watching as a small child.
Particle Don: As a kid, who was your favorite wrestler?
Deadly Dale: The Hulkster, brother!!! In that era he was every kid’s favorite. Kinda like how John Cena is to the real young kids these days. When I became a teenager, my favorites were Razor Ramon and Shawn Michaels. I guess you could say the whole Kliq was my favorite before I even knew there was a Kliq. Scott Hall is my favorite wrestler of all time.
Scott Hall
Particle Don:
When did you decide to become a professional wrestler?
Deadly Dale: Right after high school. I really didn’t think it was something that was even an option. It just kinda happened to me. A buddy of mine from school told me he was training at a local town. I used to talk wrestling with him, and he showed me my first dirt sheet.I got the sheets through a school email address on a DOS computer.
Once he told me he was training, I instantly knew I wanted in. I started going to the shows and helping clean up. I’d also set up the ring and do other various tasks. Eventually, I was able to train. That buddy ended up being a long time tag partner and friend now known as Idolbane.
Deadly Dale: In the North East Arkansas region were I am from. I initially trained under a guy named Grizzly Gipson. A year or so after that I trained with “The Ebony Idol” Reggie Montgomery and Max Mayhem. They’re all some real old school dudes.
Particle Don: Did you always know you wanted to get into deathmatches, or was this something you decided later on?
Deadly Dale: I always liked doing hardcore matches and street fights. I was a local yokel for a lot of years and there wasn’t a death match scene anywhere close to my area. I started deathmatches when I finally began to travel.
Particle Don: What was your first deathmatch?
Deadly Dale: I was part of a group called known as Social Deviants for years, which consisted of me, Idolbane, Cody Only and Uncle Filthy. We would do these 6 man matches we called LSD Deathmatches. They were more like really extreme hardcore matches rather than actual deathmatches. There were never any special stipulations or anything, but for our area, it was the craziest shit anyone ever saw.
A couple of years ago, I got the opportunity to work for JCW on the road for The Gathering tour at Pop’s in Sauget, Illinois. I thought I was going to be in a battle royale, but things changed and battle royale was removed from the card. I ended up getting to main event with The Necro Butcher in a deathmatch. The experience blew my mind. It’s one of the highlights of my career.
Particle Don: What’s your favorite deathmatch weapon?
Deadly Dale: I like the bizarre shit that fans bring, things like blow-up dolls crucified on light tube crosses.
Particle Don: Do you have a least favorite deathmatch weapon?
Deadly Dale: Hot sauce sucks when it gets in your eyes.
Particle Don: Is there a story behind the name “Deadly Dale”?
Deadly Dale: Yeah, I was struggling to find a cool name that I liked. I went through a few. My very first name was Black Sunshine. Then I became Deadly D. I got the idea from Violent J’s name. It somehow just evolved into Deadly Dale.
Particle Don: What deathmatch tournaments have you been in?
Particle Don: How did you get into this year’s King of the Deathmatches?
Deadly Dale: I was invited to do Prince of the Deathmatches and made in to the finals, where I lost to Joseph Schwartz. After the match, the fans chanted “Put them both in!” They were referring to King, because the winner of Prince gets to go on to King. Ian Rotten came out and announced I would also be going to King of the Deathmatches. Earning the respect of the IWA Mid-South fans and crew was one of the best feelings in my life.
Particle Don: You had an excellent showing this year at KOTDM. What are your thoughts on the match?
Deadly Dale: Thank you. I loved it, I just wish I would’ve advanced. At least the new king, John Wayne Murdoch, was the one who eliminated me. Hopefully I’ll be invited back next year so I can take home the crown!
Particle Don: I brought the Cotton Candy Faygo that you found in the ring at King of the Deathmatches. Unfortunately, it didn’t make the DVD footage, but you cracked open the Faygo and took a huge sip. This seemed to rejuvenate you and give you a second wind during the match. What went through your head when you saw the Faygo in the ring? Were you surprised the flavor was Cotton Candy?
Deadly Dale: Haha, yeah man, I looked down through all the blood in my eyes, and laying amongst all the plunder and shards of broken glass I could see the neon glow of the blue Faygo. I didn’t hesitate to pick it up and crack it open. I did sniff it first just in case some sick fuck poured gasoline in it or something, lol. As soon as I sniffed it I got that unmistakable whiff of cotton candy, so I preceded to chug. If it was any other soda I probably would not have picked it up, but I had to show my Faygo love!
Deadly Dale takes a slug of Cotton Candy Faygo at King of the Deathmatches 2016. Photo by Drew Chaos.
Particle Don: What’s your favorite flavor of Faygo?
Deadly Dale: Red Pop.
Have you ever had a Redpop Slurpee?
Particle Don:
Who are a few people you’d like to wrestle that you haven’t already?
Deadly Dale: Off the top of my head I’d say Sabu and X-Pac. I’m drawing a blank trying to think of matches that could realistically happen someday. There is a ton of talent out there that aren’t “big names”. I want to wrestle everybody.
Particle Don: What’s your finishing move? Why did you choose it?
Deadly Dale: I really don’t have one specific finisher. It all depends on my opponent and the situation we’re in. The power bomb is my favorite move. I use it a lot.
Particle Don: Do you have any non-wrestling hobbies? If so, what are they?
Deadly Dale: I like to relax with a good video game. I enjoy reading comics. I consider myself an artist, too. I also study a lot of conspiracy and paranormal type shit. I collect oddities. I’m very diverse and weird.
Deadly Dale: There’s so many. I love music and have a very broad spectrum. I’ll name a few, but there are probably hundreds that I could list. I listen to Wu-Tang Clan, Rancid, Sublime, Rage Against the Machine, ICP, Nirvana, NWA, and Hank 3. The list goes on and on.
Particle Don: What’s your favorite ICP CD?
Deadly Dale: That’s a tough one. I’ll go with The Great Milenko, because that was the first one I ever heard. I had it on a purple cassette tape.
The Great Milenko was released in 1997.
Particle Don:
What Juggalo Gatherings have you been to?
Deadly Dale: Just one so far. Gathering 2016. I wrestled at the Odd Ball Brawl in the bloody royale match.
Particle Don: Do you have any funny Gathering stories you’d like to share?
Deadly Dale: Not one in particular that stands out, but the whole weekend was a blast.
Particle Don: Have you ever heard of Particle Don before this interview?
Deadly Dale: No, but I briefly got to look at your site. I read the meaning of your name and I love it.
Particle Don: Do you have a favorite classic WWF entrance theme?
Deadly Dale: This might not count as classic WWF, but my favorite wrestling theme is the nWo song.
Particle Don: Do you watch WWE? If so, who are your favorite current wrestlers?
Anthony Mossow with Nick Gage at IWA Mid-South King of the Deathmatches 2015
I briefly met long-time wrestling fan Anthony Mossow at IWA Deep South’s Carnage Cup 9 in 2013. However, it wasn’t until the next year at CZW’s Tournament of Death 13 that I found out he creates awesome-looking custom wrestling figures. While in the parking lot, he came up to the car and showed me his Jun Kasai and Jaki Numazawa figs.
Particle Don:I’d like to thank you for taking the time for this interview. Please, tell the ParticleDon.net readers a little bit about yourself. What are some of your hobbies?
Anthony: Hello, my name is Anthony Mossow. I make custom deathmatch figures as well as old school territory figures. I’m also into boxing, MMA, and lacrosse.
Freakshow
Particle Don: What got you into wrestling?
Anthony: My father had received free tickets to a show at the Syracuse War Memorial. The main even was B. Brian Blair vs. Swede Hanson.
FMW deathmatch legends Atsushi Onita and Megumi Kudo
Particle Don: What got you into deathmatch wrestling? Around what time did this happen?
Anthony: To be honest, I always look at the WWC as the first deathmatch promotion. The barbed wire and fire matches, were to me, the originals. Don’t get me wrong, there were no light tubes or toothpick jumbo bats, but what they were doing paved the way for today’s athletes. I’d say the late 80’s is the time when deathmatch wrestling originated.
Mitsuhiro Matsunaga custom fig, complete with packaging and alligator from the infamous alligator deathmatch
Particle Don: Who are some of your favorite deathmatch wrestlers, and why?
Anthony: I have so many favorites of the deathmatch style. I’m afraid that if I start naming them, I would leave out too many. I’ll say anyone that’s willing to put their body on the line for us is my favorite. I’d like to thank them for doing so.
Rory Mondo
Particle Don: You create highly-detailed custom action figures for independent wrestlers. First off, I’d like to personally thank you for doing this. I understand it takes many hours and lots of work to make just one custom figure.
Anthony: Yes, as we all know, I enjoy making deathmatch figures. I’d like to thank all of you that like them, and even the ones that don’t! Hahahahaha.
Matt Tremont
Particle Don: Can you take us through your process of creation? Obviously, you start off with some sort of store-bought figure, and customize from there. How do you choose the right figure for a given wrestler?
Anthony: It’s funny, sometimes I can look at a head of a given figure and think “Yeah, if I carve the hair, sand it down and work with it, that’s the one…”
See, it’s funny. When I make these figures, you’re kind of getting a part of me. Whether it’s a good day or a bad day, you’re getting a part of my emotions with each creation.
I can’t say I have too many favorites, because they’re all like my kids. I mean, all the time I put into them…waking up in the middle of the night to fix them, or whatever the case may be…if you get a custom figure from me, you’re not just getting a custom, you’re getting a part of my emotions as well.
Kiki Rose custom figure complete with a dollar bill stapled to her face from Queen of the Deathmatches 2014
Particle Don: Do you use a certain type of paint? Are there different types of paint for different situations?
Anthony: I use all types of paint, what ever I can find. The figures are not meant to look “perfect”. They are like deathmatch wrestling…gritty, cutting edge, and off the wall. Just like the wrestlers themselves.
Corporal Robinson
Particle Don: Do you find it’s easier to customize certain brands of figures? For example, are Jakks figures easier to customize than Mattel?
Anthony: I like Jakks. I don’t like Mattel. I haven’t worked with Hasbro figures too much, either. I made a Hasbro Bill Alfonzo…it was a bit cartoonish.
“Mr. Insanity” Toby Klein
Particle Don: I bet you have an impressive figure collection. How many pieces are in it? What are a few of your precious gems?
Anthony: I have well over a thousand figures. I think I have over 300 just in customs. As far as gems? My Onita, Brody, Abdullah the Butcher, and Terry Funk. I have so many at my house. Some of my customs I consider gems, as well.
Dynamite Kid (Territory Days)
Particle Don: Other than figures, what are a few pieces of wrestling merchandise or memorabilia you’d like to share?
Anthony: If I was home, it would be much easier to send pics. Because of my job, I’m only home like 20 days out of the year. I have stuff like Jun Kasai’s goggles, Sabu’s pants from the ECW Terry Funk no rope barbed-wire match, Abdullah the Butcher’s boots, and some stuff from the Headhunters. On my Facebook page you can see quite a few pics with me and the wrestlers, and my figures as well.
Masada
Masada with his trademark skewers
Particle Don: What was the first deathmatch tournament you saw on film? How did you come across the footage?
Anthony: RF Video made it possible for my deathmatch video collection to come to fruition. IWA Japan and the Ian Rotten stuff was my first. Those years are a bit fuzzy for me from partying pretty hard, hahahahaha.
Anthony Mossow with Tiger Jeet Singh
Anthony recreated each of the 8 combatants in the original 1995 IWA Japan King of the Deathmatches tournament – complete with Cactus Jack’s autograph
Tiger Jeet Singh signed the collection as well!
Particle Don: What deathmatch shows have you seen live?
Anthony: I’ve been to IWA Mid-South’s King and Queen of the Deathmatches and CZW’s Tournament of Death. I always enjoy when Hyde brings over the Japanese fellas. I’ve also been to an IWA Deep South Carnage Cup.
Mickie Knuckles And Ludark Shaitan
Particle Don: Where did you find out about Particle Don?
Anthony: I remember meeting you at CZW’s Tournament of Death in 2014. We talked about figures, and I showed you a few of my customs. You hit me up with a CD.
John Moxley (Now known as Dean Ambrose in WWE)
Particle Don: What are a few of your favorite Particle Don songs?
Anthony: We love the Havoc jam! My son digs it as well. He always plays it on YouTube, hahahaha. I like the Kabuki Quantum Fighter song too (Binary Code mix, Scott O’ Conner mix). I love old school video games. Sometimes I still live in a time warp.
IWA legend Iceman
Particle Don: What wrestler would you like to hear Particle Don write words for?
Anthony: I think you should do a Josh Crane or a Bryant Woods jam. Hell, how about a Mitch Page song?
The Bruise Brothers
Particle Don: What would be your dream match?
Anthony: Jun Kasai vs. Jd Horror, Bryant Woods vs. Danny Havoc and Masada vs. Atsushi Onita.
“The Crazy Monkey” Jun Kasai
Particle Don: What are some of your favorite bands?
Anthony: Das EFX, The Doors, Van Halen, Pantera, Type O Negative, and a lot of 80’s stuff.
Whacks
Particle Don: What are you looking forward to with deathmatch wrestling in 2015? Do you plan on attending any shows?
Anthony: I will definitely be at King of the Deathmatches. I’ll also be at Queen of the Deathmatches. Ian is a genius for this concept. I mean, bitches and blood? Hahahaha. Also, Nick Gage is a free man!
Violento Jack
Particle Don: Anything else you’d like to say to the ParticleDon.net readers?
Anthony: Support deathmatch wrestling, and go to all of the shows you can. Just my opinion! Go to Tournament of Death and support those guys, they always put on one hell of a show.
I appreciate you giving me the chance to tell all and speak about my hobbies! To everybody, please support deathmatch wrestling, period. It was great to be interviewed. Thank you and God bless.
Particle Don: One of the things I like most about Anthony’s customs is the references to certain matches, gimmicks and time periods. For example, the JC Bailey figure has the syringe in his foot from the Thumbtack Jack match. He’s also holding a thumbtack bat, JC’s favorite weapon. Piper’s figure has the beer bottle that he broke over his head in Portland. Kiki Rose has a dollar bill stapled to her face, and her outfit is impressively detailed. John Moxley is wearing his Tournament of Death attire, complete with Masada’s skewers in his head.
Roddy Piper with Anthony Mossow’s figure in-hand
The Dynamite Kid figure is wearing attire from his territory days. The IWA-Japan King of the Deathmatch 1995 set is incredibly detailed, down to the trophy in Cactus Jack’s hand. Rory Mondo is wearing the gear and facepaint from his final match. Trent Acid has the robe from his JCW “Altar Boy” gimmick. The John Rare figure has a box cutter in his hand. Mitsuhiro Matsunaga has a barbed-wire halo, and the alligator from his Alligator Deathmatch with Shadow WX in 1998.
IWA Japan’s King of the Deathmatches 1995
JC Bailey with a syringe in his foot from the infamous CZW deathmatch against Germany’s Thumbtack Jack
Over the years, I have seen this man many times on Smart Mark Video, going nuts during a “bar fight” (when the wrestlers set up 2 chairs facing each other and trade punches to the skull) with Necro Butcher and many other opponents.
He’s been to Carnage Cup (the fifth edition in 2009 comes to mind), Tournament of Death, and King of the Deathmatches, among many other shows.
One thing that impressed me about this fan was the distances he drove. I’m watching footage from Philly’s Arena…there is is! I’m watching Deep South footage from Calera, Alabama…there he is!
Another thing I appreciate is how nuts he goes when the wrestlers perform a spectacular maneuver! He truly enjoys himself while at the show. Watch the footage. You’ll see him jumping up and down, cheering during a bar fight or big spot!
Particle Don: If possible, give us a list or semi-list of all the deathmatch shows you’ve been to!
Robert: All CZW and IWA, 2002 – 2011.
Particle Don: What would be your dream match?
Robert: Necro Butcher vs. Hilary Clinton in a House of Pain Lumberjack match.
Particle Don: Any recommendations of specific wrestling shows or promotions we should check out? Where can we find it?
Particle Don: Any unique experiences or fan interactions you’ve had while attending a deathmatch show that you could never get at a normal wrestling show?
Robert: The time a fan “Hardcore Mike” had a chance to give a dumb fan a free unprotected chair shot to the head. He gave a wimpy chair shot.
I asked him why he didn’t lay him out. He said “I didn’t want to get sued”. He is now called “Corporate Mike the Soft-Core Punk Rocker”.
Particle Don: What are some of your favorite bands?
Robert: Anything before 1979.
Particle Don: Throughout wrestling history, what is your favorite entrance theme? Why?
Robert: Anything with AC/DC, as they are Australia’s greatest band.
Particle Don: Where did you first hear of Particle Don?
Robert: From Atom…ha ha
Particle Don: What is your favorite Particle Don song?
Robert: I like Don, but not music after 1979.
Particle Don: What entrance theme would you like to hear Particle Don write words for?
Robert: The Munsters.
Particle Don: What is the origin of your nickname Chris P. Lettuce?
Robert: Cactus Jack’s first book in 1999. One of the wrestlers used it as a name. I took it from the book.
Particle Don: What are you looking forward to with deathmatch wrestling in 2015? Do you plan on attending any shows?
Robert: Light tubes on fat bald guys who are not wearing shirts.
Particle Don: Do you have any side projects or creative endeavors you’d like to share?
