Tensions flare for PWS 1st anniversary
Wrestlers Jo Kyung-ho, center left, and Adam Mayhem, to the right of him, jostle as they prepare for a group photo during a Pro Wrestling Society (PWS) press event at All Stadium in Seoul, Aug. 15. / Korea Times photo by Jon Dunbar
By Howard H. Hernandez
As Korea's
prepares to celebrate its first anniversary, this should be a momentous occasion. They've even convinced
, former WWE femme fatale, to make an appearance at the
this weekend in northern Seoul gym All Stadium.
But something wasn't sitting right with PWS contender Shiho and visiting wrestler Uncle Money, a member of The Stable, a wrestling group within China-based
(MKW).
It was revealed a few days prior that The Stable members, including Uncle Money, were mocking Korea's Pro Wrestling Society (PWS) in a group chat. The messages were leaked on social media, and insults were flying. At a press event held last Thursday at All Stadium, the reporters present could feel the tension.
“I want to say that I'm really disappointed by what I've seen in that conversation from all of you. You really think I didn't have my friends in that chatroom? Think twice now,” Shiho growled at his former friend Uncle Money, the only member from The Stable at the press event.
Uncle Money, meanwhile, was livid that his privacy was violated. “I don't have any comments about the messages ― what was said was said,” he replied. “But I will comment on the fact that I thought Korea was about democracy and privacy. So the fact that our messages were leaked is a violation of our privacy and that's something at The Stable we don't tolerate.”
Shiho made his point at how furious he was by declaring that he wanted a match against Uncle Money, who rolled his eyes at the thought. “What do you say, Terrence?” Shiho asked PWS director Terrence McAvoy. “What do you say to let me fight this guy?”
McAvoy deliberated for a moment, then gave his approval. “Alright, Shiho, defend our honor,” he said. And to Uncle Money, he said: “It's fitting to call you guys The Stable, because you're acting like a bunch of animals.”
“I think everybody at this table is a piece of garbage, I just wanted to point this out,” Uncle Money said. “I'm Uncle Money, I'm part of The Stable, the most dangerous group in Asia. I'm the hitman. You pay me, I beat people up. I've already beaten up Shiho.”
However, there was one thing that Shiho was missing: a partner. “I'll find someone!” Shiho thundered. “I'll find someone and take Uncle Money out.”
A masked intruder interrupts the Pro Wrestling Society (PWS) press conference at All Stadium in Seoul on Aug. 15. Shiho tackles him and Adam Mayhem approaches. / Korea Times photo by Jon Dunbar
Right after their shouting match, Shiho headed directly to the ring to practice.
As Phoenix Fest 2019 approaches, pro wrestling fans here continue to speculate on the inevitable colossal confrontation between PWS and The Stable.
For mind, heart, as well as body, this will be Shiho's ― and PWS' ― ultimate test. He cannot let himself feel even a twinge of sympathy when he looks across the ring at his old friend turned deadly foe.
The wiry fighter, known for his high-flying fighting style, will have his hands full, as he will be fighting in two matches at Phoenix Fest.
He's already set to face Zeta Zhang in PWS' first inter-gender match.
“Thank you for bringing us into the future with that,” McAvoy told Shiho.
Meanwhile, Uncle Money is also double-booked as he will be facing Ray Xi.
While the two contenders took potshots at each other, fellow PWS fighter Adam Mayhem wallowed in his own pettiness, annoying everyone else at the table. Immediately arriving, he insisted on trading chairs with McAvoy. He complained about the event poster not showing him more prominently, and boasted of having the most social media followers.
A question from a journalist asking him to introduce himself to Korean fans who don't know him set him off.
“I don't have any Korean fans but all these guys that are sitting here have never been anywhere except Korea, or maybe China or Japan,” he said. “But guess who has traveled the world wrestling. They have Asian fans, but I have worldwide fans. So for the Asian fans who don't know who I am, google me bitches. Or wait, Naver me.”
A poster for Pro Wrestling Society's Phoenix Fest event this weekend
Mayhem will be fighting Simon Miller of Pro Wrestling Defiance.
There are seven matches in total, with MKW's Ash Silva set to face PWS champion Jo Kyung-ho, Kim Mir taking on newcomer Beom Sol, and Michael Su vs Jyunyan Lee.
Even if Phoenix Fest goes very wrong for PWS fighters, it will put Korea on the map alongside other independent wrestling teams around the world.
Tickets for Phoenix Fest have been on sale and VIP seats have already sold out.
Howard H. Hernandez is a videographer based in Korea. Visit hernandezstudio.net for more information.