For those unaware, Netflix has released its new pro-wrestling-centric docuseries Wrestlers, looking at the day-to-day business of Ohio Valley Wrestling. The former WWE developmental territory is now owned by multi-time WWE Hardcore Champion Al Snow, and the series revolves around him and his band of misfit wrestlers trying to keep the company afloat. One of those muppet-like grapplers is former Impact Wrestling star “Mr. Pectacular” Jessie Godderz. During Godderz’s time in Impact, he won the Impact Tag Team Championships on two occasions alongside his fellow BroMan, Robbie E, now known as Mr. Stone in WWE NXT.
In an exclusive Haus of Wrestling interview, I asked Godderz what he thinks of the success Stone has found working for WWE on Tuesday nights.
“I bet Mr. Stone is going to be a huge fan of Wrestlers,” he beamed. “I bet Mr. Stone would have loved to have been a part of it because he is a man, much like myself, of any opportunity, he will take and make to the best of his abilities, and that’s why being matched up with him was awesome. It was a great part of my life and my career and just being able to hang out with him, as well as DJZ and what he’s doing now.
“I know, he’s got other businesses and stuff, as well as his kids, his twins, which I mean, he’s being able to see them grow up, but the body of work that he’s actually been able to showcase up until now is just outstanding. Talk about a guy that had his back against the wall, just maybe physical stature-wise, and he’s done such a great job of transitioning and, like, reinventing himself, and that’s a testament to Matt Hardy, Chris Jericho like he’s literally being able to embody years of a career in different phases.”
For those that are unfamiliar, DJZ was The BroMans’ charismatic DJ and would routinely blare his airhorn as the group of heels made their way to the ring. DJZ was not just a DJ, either; he was a fully capable wrestler and eventually splintered away from the act, returning to calling himself Zema Ion and winning the X-Division Championship on two occasions. Flash forward to today, and DJZ is known as Joaquin Wilde, a member of the WWE Friday Night Smackdown roster and part of the LWO, one of the most successful acts in all of pro wrestling.
“He’s doing a phenomenal job, too, and we just get to see a different chapter in a different part of people’s lives as we continue to grow up and stuff,” Godderz said of Wilde. “When you start looking back, and you see all these young kids and stuff, it’s like, ‘Oh, man, we’ve kind of been here for a while,’ because I’ve been wrestling for over ten years now. So, you kind of look back, and you’re like, ‘Oh, okay, we’re not really like the up-and-coming young bucks anymore, you know?’ But it’s cool. It’s cool to see everybody’s success because there’s more than enough room up top.”
My full interview with Jessie Godderz is now available on the Haus of Wrestling YouTube channel and podcast feed. The first season of Wrestlers, featuring Godderz, Al Snow, and other notable names, is now available to stream on Netflix.
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