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JOE DOERING DISCUSSES WRESTLING IN JAPAN, DIFFERENCES IN THE CULTURE, TEAMING WITH GREAT MUTA & MORE

Recently, Douglas Nunnally of The Wrestling Voice conducted an interview with AJPW's star gaijin Joe Doering shortly before the big Yokohama show. Below are the highlights:  

Douglas Nunnally: How did the initial summer tour with All Japan Pro Wrestling start? Who set it up?

Joe Doering: It was a talent exchange between the "TNA Dojo" (Can-Am school) and the AJPW Dojo. Phil Atlas & I went to Japan and Akira Rajin & Brute Issei came to Windsor to train for three months.

  ...   Douglas Nunnally: Now in the recent controversial book, "Ring Of Hell," Matthew Randazzo V paints life for young boys in NJPW as constant torture for sick, perverted veterans. Was the life for young boys in AJPW completely the opposite or were there some problems?

Joe Doering: Well, we never got hazed or anything, but I did see some of it. I've heard it was a lot worse a few years earlier. While I was there, a sumo wrestler [Takashi Saito] was killed during a hazing incident. I don't think serious stuff like that will ever happen again. Going out and getting the young boys drunk is a favorite one for me. Totally harmless fun though.

  ...  

Douglas Nunnally: You went on almost a two month winning streak in AJPW piling up some impressive wins for a young gaijin, the highlight of which had to be the angle on July 15th when you saved ref Wada and Keiji Muto from the heel faction Voodoo Murders [which Doering has now joined] and declared your love of AJPW. How did this angle come about?

Joe Doering: It was a lot of pressure. I thought I was just going to train & do some shows and a month into it; I’m thrown into the main event angle. It was a hell of a rub that started at Korakeun Hall.  

...   Douglas Nunnally: Starting with your September tour, you began your feud with what you called your generational rival Suwama. What were your initial thoughts on Suwama?

Joe Doering: He’s a tough son of a gun; a sh**-brickhouse if you will. I’ve had a few good matches with him and I enjoy working with him. He was the champ and I want another shot at him since we are one and one against each other in single matches.  

...  

Douglas Nunnally: Where you intimidated to be teaming with Muto in the company's premiere tournament?

Joe Doering: For sure. I knew I had to go out every night and deliver. It was my time to "go to school."   ...  

Douglas Nunnally: How much has Keiji Muto helped you along the way?

Joe Doering: He’s been really good to me. I’ve learned a ton from him. He’s good about giving me feedback on my matches and things I can do better, et cetera. Being in the same ring over and over with a legend like that, you have no choice but to grow as a performer and wrestler.  

...   Douglas Nunnally: How did it feel to pull off huge upsets against not only Osamu Nishimura, but also former Triple Crown champion Minoru Suzuki?

Joe Doering: Those guys made it easy on me; real pros. My match with Suzuki might be my favorite, not because it was my best but because he really brings it in there. I had to keep up or get the hell out of the way!  

...   Douglas Nunnally: What do you feel is the key difference between the American & Japanese crowds?

Joe Doering: Respect? I think the American fans have it too, don't get me wrong. The Japanese people appreciate the sport side of the business though while the American fans love the entertainment, but maybe that's just because that's the way it's presented. I'm not sure I can give a clear answer to that.  

...   Douglas Nunnally: So now to switch focus to some broad issues in wrestling, you went over to AJPW right as the Chris Benoit tragedy hit. Half a world away, was this a big story over in Japan? Was it a big topic in the locker room?

Joe Doering: It was reported in all the newspapers, shows, et cetera. I remember that day it happened. We couldn’t believe it. Then we found out what really happened; it was a sickening feeling.  

Douglas Nunnally: Would you say the drug culture in the US is also a problem over in Japan as well?

Joe Doering: Not at all.   ...  

Douglas Nunnally: What would you say you're enjoying the most right now for angles, matches, and promotions?

Joe Doering: I really like Santino [Marella]; I think he’s great. I’m enjoying the [Shawn] Michaels & [Chris] Jericho stuff right now too. I prefer to watch older tapes though on YouTube and the like.  

To read the interview in its entirety, please click here.