The Heart Of A Champion

This blogger wasn't certain how to write this post and when he was going to do it.  However, now is the time to share it with everyone.

 

The Walking Death, Mike Madrigal of Filipino Pro Wrestling, will always be a champion in my book. As those of you know, Mike held the FPW Championship for 547 days.  

 

He took on all comers from the company that he wrestles for in the Philippines.  Earlier this year, he traveled to Malaysia to take part in a four way match for the prestigious title, and won.  Since wrestling returned to the Philippines, and the world after the Covid pandemic, he was undefeated in singles action.

 

The defeat to Jeff Cobb was, in no way, an upset.  I've had a chance to see Jeff Cobb live a couple of times when Cobb wrestled locally for an independent promotion in the Bay Area, and with New Japan Pro Wrestling.  Since the first time watching back in a local auditorium in Daly City, Jeff Cobb has improved greatly in his craft.  In fact, I'm sure that Mike Madrigal has, and will continue to improve from the experience from last month's match.

 

A little over a year ago, this blogger had an opportunity to interview him on this blog.  This happened after seeing my first FPW show.  The banger of a match that he had with Duke Ortega in August 2023 had this fan standing at the conclusion of the match.  It was that good.  I knew that FPW had a champion that they were proud of.  I had a chance to talk with Mike briefly after the show and it was an experience not to be forgotten.  

 

Mike was gracious and candid with what he said in the interview.  At the time, he wants to take pro wrestling, and with FPW to the next level.  There is no question in my mind that Mike and FPW have done just that.

 

Jeff Cobb has said that he will defend the title again in the Philippines, Japan and possibly other Southeast Asian locations.  As far as Mike Madrigal is concerned, don't be surprised if he gets another title shot down the line, as early as 2025!  He'll always be a champion!  

Interview #15 - Miguel Navarro

Hello everyone!

 

It's been about 11 months since doing an interview on this blog.  A lot has happened in the pro wrestling world since that time.  There have been several people that suggested that one of these should be done again.  So, here we go.

 

During this blogger's last visit to the Philippines a few weeks ago, had a chance to meet Miguel Navarro.  Right away, I saw the passion and the knowledge that Miguel has as a wrestling fan both locally and internationally.  Miguel is the WUW - PH (World Underground Wrestling - Philippines Correspondent).  Just recently, he began his own podcast called Ready To Rambol.  Please check it out if you haven't already.

 

Just recently, we did this interview with several questions.  Hope you enjoy it.

 

Wayne:  When did you start following wrestling?

 

Miguel:  I started following wrestling in 2006. Although I discovered it through a video game which is Smackdown 2 Know Your Role.  I played that game most of the time I was in my grandmother's house and I used to think that wrestling is a setting that can be seen in fictional media, like superheroes with superpowers can be seen in comics, series, or movies.  It wasn't until I was finding something to watch that I saw ECW One Night Stand 06 and realizing that wrestling is real blew my mind.

 

 

Wayne:  Have you ever wrestled or just follow it as a fan?

 

 

Miguel:  Back then I thought of being a wrestler, however due to a bad injury made me not pursue it for my safety. So I decided to just be a fan, then I got into podcasting, which lead to me contributing to the local scene, and here we are.

 

 

Wayne:  Who is your favorite wrestler locally and/or internationally?

 

 

Miguel:  Locally my favorite wrestler is SJM (Saint John Martin), some will joke that I'm being bias as a WUW correspondent, but I always see SJM as a unique wrestler and attraction in wrestling shows where you rarely see him appear, but when he does, you know that you will witness one of the most intense bouts of the show.

 

 

As for international wrestler, it has to be Cody Rhodes, he's the wrestler I fully got attached to and relate with mostly because I followed him when he was still a rookie in WWE, to running the indies and AEW, to his comeback in WWE and seeing him transform to the wrestler he is now.

 

 

Wayne:  What are your thoughts on Pinoy Wrestling today and its future?

 

 

Miguel:  This is the best time to support Pinoy Wrestling. You can see that the wrestlers here are giving their all. At this point we can say we have wrestlers who can go toe to toe with guys like Tajiri, CDK (Calamari Drunken Kings), Zack Sabre Jr. and more, likes of JDL (Jake De Leon) wrestling in Kouraken Hall, Fabio and Jomar being invited by Tajiri to train, and seeing the next generation of local wrestlers being exciting to watch. I can say that Pinoy wrestling now and future shines bright.

 

 

There you have it.  Thank you Miguel for your thoughts on the pro wrestling scene.  All the best to you as the WUW PH Correspondent as well as the podcast you recently launched.  This fan will continue to tune in to future podcasts.


Very soon, another interview could be headed this way.  Please be on the lookout who it might be.....