Tag Archives: gear

My first BG East match

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I have a couple of my older blog posts saved and plan on publishing them again periodically. I’m nearly done with another project that should (hopefully) be something very exciting for all you Firestorm fanatics. So then, enjoy this blast from the past!

Most of you think my first match was against Brad Rochelle, in the Contract 6. That was my first match to get released, but I had wrestled several matches prior to that. Now I’m not going to spoil the surprise, and tell you who all my opponents were, and what happened. I will tell you about the first match I ever did for BG East, and my thoughts leading up to it.

I was 19, or maybe I was almost 19. Jeez, I’m already messing up my own story. I swear it will get better from here on out. Either way, the point is, I was still very young, only 2 years into my professional wrestling “career”. Cameron Matthews had been on my case for some time to come do BG East. I was hesitant. Not because of the content but because I was worried it would somehow impact my pro career. I finally decided to give it a go. What’s the worst that could happen? At worst some sleazy promoter doesn’t give me $15 to come wrestle on his crappy show in front of 20 people? I could live with that.

I was very nervous about going to BGE. I didn’t really know what to expect, how the people were going to be, what I would have to wear. At the time, I was a verrrrrrry shy kid. I wore baggy wrestling pants for gear on shows. I just recently started wresting without a shirt on. I know, horrendous gear choice, but it was sort of “in” at the time. Especially if you were a shitty Indy wrestler. Lol.

Cameron agreed to pick me up. I was either carless at the time or my car wouldn’t have made the trip, I forget which. During the ride in, I didn’t really ask much about how this all was going to work. I wanted to, but didn’t want to bring it up for some reason. Besides, we had plenty to talk about with the local pro scene, and our dreams of becoming WWE Superstars. We were nearly at BG East, and I was still pretty nervous about how things were going to go. Part of me expected to pull up to some sketchy looking wrestling bathhouse.

Pulling up to the BGE facility, I was in awe… definitely not a bathhouse. If you know of the facilities or have ever seen photos, you know what I’m talking about. Upon entering, I was greeted by Kid Leopard and the rest of the staff. KL was very personable, and helped put me at ease. We were behind schedule (for those of you who know me, you’re not surprised) so we had to rush through the pleasantries, and get right to work.

The arena had more wrestling stuff in one room than I had ever seen. I had some of the same toys as a kid. Lol. Now it was time for the dreaded gearing up process. I was terrified. I tried on several things, and hated all of them. It wasn’t because he was throwing me in g-strings or anything but I was just so used to wearing baggy stuff, I had never tried on anything this tight. Well, other than my wrestling singlet, that covered a lot more though. I hated the way everything looked. I was pasty white, had razor bumps all over me, not an ounce of muscle and had on these little black speedos with flames on the front. Now that the gear was decided it was onto the match, I was nervous about what I’d be called though. I definitely didn’t want to use my real name, for the obvious reasons.

“Firestorm”, Cameron jokes. I’m assuming the flames on the trunks are what made him think of it. KL agreed, Firestorm worked. Jon is my real name so Jonny was the easy first name. I wasn’t in love with it but at least it wasn’t something like “Rod Steel” or some other typical porn name. Now, I honestly couldn’t picture going by any other name. So big props to Cam for that!

Taking pictures always made me uncomfortable. I never really was photogenic and now I’m in the tightest, smallest pair of speedos I had ever seen, trying to flex my non existent muscle for KL. I couldn’t wait to finish with all the prematch stuff, and get to the wrestling. When I look back at it, I can’t help but laugh. These days (because I’m in shape) I can’t wait to put on some form fitting, sexy trunks and take some pictures. I still don’t think I’m particularly photogenic (not like some of the other wrestlers) but I enjoy it.

Cameron and I warmed up, stretched out a bit. Talked a little shit pre-match, and prepared to do battle. That’s kinda been the fun thing about being friends with Cameron. We both get along very well, but when it comes to wrestling it’s different. Almost like we both have split personalities. It’s understood that whatever happens in the ring, or on camera stays there. One of us might have some bumps and bruises, or a battered ego after, but we don’t (or try not to) let it carry over into our personal life. It was a tough match, I didn’t really “get” what we were going for. I asked for some guidance from KL before the match and he was more than happy to offer up how he’d like to see Cameron tortured.

It wasn’t a squash job by any means. I don’t think I was capable of such a thing at the time. It was a tough match with some good back and forth. I won’t spoil the match by revealing details. I haven’t watched the match in quite some time, but looking back on it, I think you’ll be able to tell I was a Indy wrestler doing BG East. I approached and treated the match like I would any other on a wrestling show. It was go, go, go. I wasn’t methodically inflicting pain, and punishment on Cam like I would now. I tried to be a bad ass, but I had never been a heel before! I was always interested in being a heel, and felt like it came naturally to me. More so than faking the baby face role. Once it’s released, I’d like to watch it, followed up by something recent. Just to see the difference and evolution of my wrestling style.

Post match, I had a nice chat with KL. We got along great. He said I’d be welcome back if I was interested in continuing by BG East career. Obviously I took him up on the offer and the rest is history!

Superbowl Sunday & The Challenger 2!

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Deflate this

I don’t think the ball deflation thing is a big deal at all. I think if it were any other team this wouldn’t be a story whatsoever. The fact that the nation has been talking about the Patriot’s balls for the past two weeks is ridiculous. Let’s talk about the game instead.

Patriots 30 – Seattle 21

I think Seattle’s schedule this year was a joke. They struggled a bit early on (as did the Patriots) but the media and Seattle fan base keeps saying the defense really came alive at the end of the year. Oh really? It sure did, I’m sure it’s tough keeping Drew Stanton (backup, Arizona), Colin Kapernick (starter, SF), Mark Sanchez (backup Philadelphia), Ryan Lindley (backup, Arizona), Logan Thomas (rookie backup, Arizona) and Shaun Hill (backup St. Louis) out of the end zone. Kepernick is the only starter in the group and he’s not exactly an accurate passer or great decision maker. The point being is the 0-16 Detroit Lion team (fun fact, Drew Stanton was on that team), could’ve picked up at least one win against this stellar group of quarterbacks that Seattle has faced. To be fair, Seattle has had two good wins all season. Week one against Green Bay and week three against Denver. They did lose to San Diego, Dallas, St. Louis and KC this season. To get to the superbowl they had to beat a team with a losing record (Carolina) and in my opinion, the best team in the NFC, the Green Bay Packers. If Aaron Rogers was playing healthy, Seattle wouldn’t have won that game. By my count still just TWO impressive wins all year.

The Patirots schedule had me worried at the beginning of the season. Turns out, they were a lot better than I thought. Ugly loss to Miami in week one, the next loss to KC (KC fans must be pissed they beat both teams in the SB), Green Bay and the last game against Buffalo (resting so many players basically made this a glorified bye week). NE had a brutal stretch of games from week 4 on till the end of the season. KC is no joke, Cincinnati looked like the real deal at the time (once the Pats put up 43 on them it brought them back to earth), Buffalo and the Jets might not be good teams but those defensive lines are exactly what foils the Pats (see the NYG superbowls), Chicago (not so tough, scary WRs though), Denver (smacked Manning down 43-21), Indy, Detroit, Green Bay, San Diego, Miami (not all around good but still has a better QB than Seattle played down the stretch) and closing out with the Jets and the BIlls. They beat up on a lot of those teams outside of the loss to Green Bay (26-21 thanks to that TD right before halftime), they not only beat, but manhandled most of those teams. To get to the superbowl the Pats had to get by the next best team in the AFC at that time of year at least, the Baltimore Ravens, and they had to embarrass the Colts…. again. I think it was impressive smacking down Denver and Detroit, beating SD, and the Ravens. That’s at least 4 quality wins, I’d say beating Indy twice should add two more to the total but those games were so out of hand it’s tough to justify it.

As far as the big game, I think New England’s offense can match up and put up points against Seattle’s defense. If NE is able to contain and negate Marshawn Lynch they win the game, luckily BB is able to constantly negate the oppositions best weapon. Russell Wilson is a good young QB but I don’t think you can expect him to put the game on his shoulders and throw against Revis, Browner & McCourty, especially with the average group of WRs he has. Those guys are playmakers, and we’ve all seen Wilson throw ugly picks when up against a D that’s good in coverage. For the Pats, Blount and Gronk are the keys to victory. Seattle’s been run on this year, they gave up 100 yards in both playoff games and 6 times during the regular season including all 4 of their losses. In those other games they’ve been lights out against the run, but again like the QBs they’ve played, not much competition against elite RBs here. They’ve also struggled against TE’s, at least ones with decent skills (Antonio Gates torched them in the SD loss, and Witten gave them fits in the Cowboys loss). They’ll be facing the best in the league against Gronk, I fully expect to see some Gronk spikes in the end zone this Sunday.

With two weeks to prep I think BB and #12 have an answer for anything Seattle wants to do defensively. Sherman doesn’t move from his side of the field that much, so you can scheme around that. I’d like to see them toss Gronk out there for a few and see how physical Sherman wants to get against somebody capable of “throwing him out of the club”. I expect to see a lot of motion from the Pats, probably stack up the WRs on one side with Gronk in the slot, that should help the WRs get open. I really don’t expect Seattle to ever have the lead, call me crazy but the Patriots are going to be in control of this game from start to finish. I think a lot of drives will end in FGs though, which is why the score is as close as it is. I think that if Seattle gives the Pats 3 redzone chances like they did the Packers, NE comes away with at least one TD. Seattle’s definitely a good team, and they have the talent to win this game, defensively they can give the Pat’s a hard time with the pass rush, and their outstanding secondary. The Legion of Boom is what makes Seattle great. I just think a healthy Gronk makes all the difference in the world. I also expect Julian Edelman to do something awesome, because he is awesome. SB win #4 for the Patriots, Tom Brady will be the greatest QB to ever play the game and there will be one very happy Jonny Firestorm.

Now onto Firestorm stuff. My diet hasn’t got off to a good start so I’ve basically delayed it till after the Superbowl. I would be doing good for a couple days and then fall off the wagon and then it’s impossible to diet during a Patriots game.

If you’re a member of BG East’s Arena you’ve been treated to some of the photos of my upcoming match against Christopher Bruce! I won’t post any photos of the match yet because it hasn’t been released but here are some portraits of the two of us from the bout.

  

It’s always fun for me to look back on matches and see how far I’ve progressed since then. I was younger, leaner, still skilled but lacked the real heel mean streak I have now. I remember being so impressed by Chris Bruce, he had been around the block at BG so I knew all about his reputation. Still to this day, I’m a big Chris Bruce fan.

I did a lot of filming last week (15 1/2 hours), mostly for custom match orders but also a couple matches for the Firestorm site. I just released one of the matches, scroll down to see more about that. I’ve also increased the quality and the video size for the VODs (new ones, not the old ones), so you should be seeing me as intended, bigger & better.

I have absolutely no travel plans as of right now. That can change at a moments notice. I’m a little behind on emails but I should be all caught up by the end of the day today.

My gear collection is running low, anybody want to send me something that I would wear in upcoming videos? I could use some speedos (small and medium) and singlets (medium), International Jock has some cool stuff on sale now. I’ve noticed some of you don’t care for the black speedos. With my big project taking up most of my time and resources, buying new gear isn’t at the top of my list. Speaking of the big project, I’m about half way done with it. I’m expecting to debut it in mid February.

Now for the next VOD announcement, The Challenger 2: Jonny Firestorm vs. Riley is now up in the VOD download section. Riley is a rookie to the underground wrestling scene but he’s a very talented pro. When I issued the open challenge for anybody to step in the ring with me, he was one of the very first people to respond. It’s taken some time to set up but we finally locked horns last week and he did not disappoint. He’s cunning, technically sound and deceptively strong. The photos don’t reflect how even the match is but it’s a total 50/50 back and forth bout that ends in a submission.

 

That’ll do it for now. Go Pats!

 

PS. Check out this “year end award” that I won for my work on POV 1 – La Sustancia. Thanks Jose, and I hope I can continue to innovate, entertain and tantalize you and the rest of my fans in 2015!