FROM THE EDITOR: Just prior to Canuck’s retirement announcement, the editors of Lone Observer were approached by former MRL journalist Jimbo Watts about a new segment- READY FIRE AIM. It’s a shoot interview that is longer than the Elevator Pitch. And the goal is to have the shoot be with former Lone Wolf and IWA superstars. Seeing how Canuck was leaving the business, the editorial staff asked if he would be Jimbo’s first interviewee. And Johnny graciously accepted.
Recently Johnny Canuck announced his retirement from professional competition and ultimately from Lone Wolf Wrestling. A member of the roster in tour #1, Canuck ,unlike few others, has experienced the ins and outs of the territory, its changes in leadership and faced every champion. The Canadian has been cheered and reviled, a hero in his homeland, and at the same time hated everywhere else in the world.
His championships and final record with the company are lucrative in themselves:
1261-589-76
$2,437,600 earned
Lone Wolf Champion – 2
Lone Wolf Tag Champion – 4
Lone Wolf Six-Man Champion – 5
TV Tag Team Champion – 5
TV Six-Man Champion – 6
I was invited to Johnny’s home away from home in the Florida Keys over the Christmas weekend. It was certainly a different Canuck than most fans have ever seen, relaxed, seated on the deck outside his bayside home, enjoying mojitos. The strong-minded, intense competitor sat like a man well-suited for the relaxing environment around him.
Johnny, thank you for your time and hospitality. In that you just started this permanent vacation, I’ll not steal too much of your time. Can we begin?
You’re welcome, Jimbo. I appreciate having the chance for this discussion. I think that all too often, wrestlers are not seen as we are. Our words are not given the right volume. This is my chance to tell my side of things.
So why wrestling over another profession?
That’s really quite simple. I wanted to prove myself each and every day and what better way to test oneself than in the oldest form of competition? A 9-5 job never appealed to me either as I didn't want someone looking over my shoulder and judging me. I will and always will be my own judge.
What brought you to Lone Wolf?
What brought me to the Lone Wolf territory was the aspect of it being a truly 'Lone Wolf' opportunity. I have no use for super stables of wrestlers who pool their talent each cycle to monopolize the title picture. I wanted to go to a league where my wins and my merits were due to me and me alone.
What is your proudest accomplishment and why?
My proudest accomplishment would have to be the formation of the Foreign Legion. I know a lot of people would expect me to name winning the Lone Wolf title, but that isn't it. The forming of the Legion was a turning point in my career- a point where I decided I wasn't going to take the crap and abuse that comes with this business. I found like-minded individuals who, like me, had enough of the injustices that were taking place here. To make that stand, to make the point that we are here and we are fighting mad, that is my most proud accomplishment here bar-none.
You won tag team gold with a lot of guys (Bishop Golden, Ali Atari, Shaone Avery,etc). But who was your best partner (and why)?
My best partner in my time here in was, without a doubt, Ali Atari. We gelled together like no one I have in the past. And I think that we complemented each other’s style well. I think we could have gone on to great things as a team here before Ali was unjustly removed from the roster.
Unjustly removed? I thought that he quit the company when Jim Spur signed his brief deal. Is that not the case?
That was what the locker room was told too. But I don’t believe it. I have never believed it. I think that Ali was gaining too much influence and management at the time found a reason to fire him before the Foreign Legion could gain anymore footing amongst the talent. We were going to change the game; instead we were broken just like a government crushing a union.
Wow. That’s heavy. You good for another, lighter question? Who is your wrestling hero?
My wrestling hero is and always has been The Dynamite Kid. His style, his flash and his toughness were a big influence on me as a young teenager. Seeing him win the world tag titles in the 80's sealed the deal for me. When he knocked out Valentine with that headbutt, I knew what I wanted to do as a career.
You have been in Lone Wolf since its inception. You have seen it all. So who is the best wrestler that you had the fortune of seeing in the company?
In all of my time here, the most over-all, impressive wrestler has to be Ralphie Bloodthirst. Not only has he won the IWA World title, but he has dominated the mat game since he arrived in the league. Sure we had our share of battles, and I'll forever have the scars to remind me of the wars, but I always respected his talents and silently admired his accomplishments. There have been many great wrestlers here since the first tour, but for my money, Happy is the benchmark that all others strive to meet.
Who is the most overrated?
To the other side of the spectrum we go huh? In the most overrated category, we again have many wrestlers to choose from. Many. But the one that jumps out at me for some reason is Baddest American Biker John the 13th. Oh sure he can wrestle, but as a total package, he is lacking. His interviews are barely understandable. And even then when you do understand what he is saying, you have no idea of his meaning. To say the dude is a little out of touch would be an understatement. I hear that he has decided to call it a career here as well and that is almost a shame. Almost. I enjoyed hearing his unusual and far-fetched match ideas each cycle.
Who is the most underrated?
Now the most underrated wrestler in Lone Wolf has to be Wrestling Gold.
Underrated? The first man to hold 5 Lone Wolf titles; the only man to repeat as champion on two occasions? Why underrated, Johnny?
Yes. His accomplishments are beyond discussion. But I know a fair amount of people thought and still think that he was/ is over the hill and past his prime. He was discounted for his age. But I think it’s just the opposite. He always gives a good match and with his wealth of experience he can pull out a victory at almost anytime. He would still be winning here if he wanted to be in the ring. He was underrated because he was so horribly underestimated by competitors.
OK. Who was your toughest opponent?
My toughest opponent here was without a doubt Enforcer Erik Davis. Back in the early days, he gave me all he had each and every night. But in the end I finished his career, sending him to lick his wounds while the front office took notice of this Canadian. I'm not sure where you are now Davis, but I've heard rumors that life hasn't been kind to you after our battles, and for that I'm truly sorry. I do thank you for the wars we waged though as they were some of my most treasured memories of my time here.
Your tenure with the company has spanned two sets of leaders. You enjoyed success under both regimes. What was the most different between the two? Both the good and the bad of both teams?
It's true, I wrestled for both regimes here in my time and the differences between the two aren't that much to be honest. I enjoyed wrestling for both of em to tell the truth. I can't think of any bad aspects to either one in fact. They both really catered to the fans as well as the wrestlers and I think that is a big reason on why Lone Wolf is as popular as it is.
What does Lone Wolf need most right now to stay on top of the game?
I think that Lone Wolf is still THE territory to be in IWA-wide. To keep it on top, it will need to provide non-stop action for both the fans and the wrestlers (which shouldn't be a problem as that is what they are famous for). The PPVs are second-to-none, and the fact that they are held around the globe only points to the fact they are doing the right thing. I know I'll be back sitting in the stands watching the action. Who knows I may even return to mentor the next generation of Canadians.
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When you survey the locker room, who do you think is the next big thing?
As I look around at the locker room today it is hard to see who the next big thing could be. I think Honey Broadway is a rising star here regardless of what some think about him. The man can wrestle! I also like Mercury who has shown some serious promise in his time here as well. I expect to see big things out of both men in the coming cycles.
What is next for Johnny Canuck?
What's next for Johnny Canuck you ask? Well first things first. I'll be taking time to rest and heal some nagging injuries. While they are healing, I'll be starting work on my long overdue autobiography "Standing on Guard For Thee - The Johnny Canuck Story." I'll also be doing some traveling to places I've wrestled before but never had the chance to see more than the airports. And lastly, I'll be attending the 5th KISS Kruise come Fall. After that the door is pretty much wide open. I may be back like I've said before, but that all depends on the caliber of potential up and comers. If the pool is dry, I'll stay home (it’s that simple).
Is there anything or anyone that you would like to address that we have not touched on already?
I think we've pretty much covered everything although I would like to address a comment made by Starkiller on a website some weeks back. When I announced that I was retiring, you for some reason made it known that you were now the longest serving member of the roster. I'm not sure what your agenda was with that comment, and really, I don't care. But I will say it showed a lot about your character to put the light on yourself in another wrestler’s retirement. So you enjoy that title of longest serving wrestler for whatever its worth. (For me) I think that maybe in your senior years you have forgotten what the real reason of this fine sport is........to win titles. But hey, each to their own.
I would like to take the time to thank each and every one of my opponents and partners in my time here. It has truly been a rollercoaster ride and one I wouldn't change for anything. To those in charge in the front office both here and in the main offices of the IWA, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you do and continue to do. While it may not often be said it is noticed and appreciated. And with that said…….Lone Wolf Wrestling…….I'll see ya.
With those words, I calmly clicked stop record on my iPad. There was nothing else to do but pour another mojito and listen to “A World without Heroes” from Kiss’ The Elder whilst the Winter sun set somewhere over Cuba.
