iwc interrogates - aerik walker
IWC: Good Morning Aerik, thank you for joining us
Aerik: This should be interesting. Thank you for having me.
IWC: It’s good to have someone on the show with all the experience that you have, a true legend
Aerik: Much appreciated. I'm not here to start wars. You want to interview me, an interview you'll get.
IWC: Would you say that having all this experience is helping the younger guys on the roster?
Aerik: I would like to believe it is. And to be perfectly honest, I do have some of the guys and gals pick my brain every now and again. It's good to have that veteran presence just for that reason.
IWC: OK, moving on, we now know that Orlando Cruze was pivotal in you coming to the company. What was it about Orlando that drew you to the company?
Aerik: Well, I was somewhat lost and contemplating retirement at the end of last year. I wasn't signed with a company and was even hesitant to join IWC. However, he spent countless hours going over things with me and, honestly speaking, the man took months out of his schedule to finally get me to sign.
IWC: That said, we have seen of that that you and Orlando have engaged on quite a public spat on Twitter…what’s changed?
Aerik: In this business, there are things called 'checks and balances'. Orlando is an owner of the company and I was raised with the understanding that bosses don't get into the foray. Not only has he, on a few occasions, but he's also married to a member of the roster. As a veteran, this upsets my stomach and I want him to know that I am not okay with any of it.
IWC: But Orlando seems to think that you are the one who has changed?
Aerik: Everyone thinks I have changed. They're all wrong. I evolved. There's a difference.
IWC: So, are you saying that Orlando doesn’t have the best interests of the company at heart?
Aerik: Hell no! He's married to Taylor Chase, got his thing with Amanda Blayze, he's going back and forth with The Blacklist... dude's a mentally incompetent mess!
IWC: And what do you intend to do about that?
Aerik: Fix it. I've never backed down from a good fight.
IWC: Changing tact just a little, we have a question from Candi in Washington. She asks who are the five toughest opponents you have faced in your career?
Aerik: Oh, wow. That's a good question... five toughest? My brother, TJ, was always a tough customer when we fought. Another big guy at seven feet tall and a shade over four bills. John Shannon, a guy who I grew up with in this business. Marie Jones has more than proved her mettle, especially after Extreme Fury. Glory Braddock, who I had a great match with in MCW, very tough gal. And, even though I hate his guts, Jackson Adams isn't a lightweight when his head's on right.
IWC: That’s an interesting list…continuing that theme, the IWC is a hive of talent, who would you say are the top five individuals in the company.
Aerik: Alana Starr, gotta top that list. She impresses like no other. Marie Jones also up there. The World champion has caught my eye. Taylor Chase-Cruze and Abigail Lindsay to round it out.
IWC: And five that you can’t believe actually have a contract in the first place?
Aerik: I'd rather not touch that question. Everyone deserves a chance. What they do with that chance is on them.
IWC: Over the past few months, the IWC has become a haven for groups and teams, all looking out for each other. Why do you think this situation has come about?
Aerik: I think it's a matter of finding like-minded individuals who share that same passion for success that you do. When you have that passion and unity, a supergroup is formed.
IWC: And knowing you as we do, why was it that someone like you, who has all so often stood alone, decided to bring Apocalypse to the IWC?
Aerik: Apocalypse needed to be formed. IWC was in danger of falling into the same pattern as MCW, so something had to be done. And Aerik Walker does things BIG.
IWC: You’re alliance with the GOOD Movement raised some eyebrows, what was the thought process behind that?
Aerik: Honestly, there was no real thought process involved. At Extreme Fury, Apocalypse stood strong... but Adams looked to retire and Jessie Lasiewicz was heading for greener pastures. We were disparagingly low in the numbers game and needed assistance. Along came Alana and Ethan. The rest writes itself.
IWC: But don’t you think that doing that lost you personally a lot of fans who looked up to you?
Aerik: It is part of the nature of this business. You can't please everyone.
IWC: OK, Simon from Indianapolis says he has been following your career for nearly fifteen years now, and never once has he been as excited as he is right now. He believes a world title shot is on the horizon for you, would you firstly agree, and furthermore was that you intention when you joined the company?
Aerik: Thank you, Simon! He's a good guy, met him and his lovely family at a live event recently. Anyways, getting to Simon's question, I do agree that a World championship match is in my future, for sure. My intention for coming here was to, hopefully, win my fifteenth World title. And I will do just that.
IWC: And you are facing the former world champion on NewAge, do you think this is your chance to prove you belong?
Aerik: As good a chance as any, I reckon.
IWC: When you left the MCW all those years ago, did you ever believe that you would once again be at a company of that size?
Aerik: To be honest, not only did I not think I'd be part of an organization as large, I didn't think I'd be wrestling anymore.
IWC: And do you think this is your last chance saloon?
Aerik: Come what may, whatever happens here, this will be my final tour, yes.
IWC: And have you set any time limit on this? What age do you actually see yourself giving it all up?
Aerik: I won't retire until I win number fifteen. Even if that means wrestling until I'm 70.
IWC: And would you stay in the industry, perhaps as a trainer or a manager?
Aerik: Definitely. I owe a great deal to the business as a whole. I'd love to dabble in management. Nothing Front Office, though.
IWC: It’s seems we have a question from William, who apparently is on board his own private jet as we speak…he asks, how does it feel to be such a sell out?
Aerik: Feels good, Willy. How's that jaw of yours?
IWC: But your own personal feelings aside, surely you can see why people would think this?
Aerik: Everyone is entitled to their opinion. You say 'sell out', I say 'knocked out'.
IWC: So this is you, you are adamant this is the right path.
Aerik: It may not be the right path, per se, but this is the path I chose and I stick by it.
IWC: And Paul from Nottingham says, he saw you at the Nottingham show in the UK this year, and loved the fact the IWC came to his city. Is there any defining moments you remember from the UK tour?
Aerik: Defining moments? Other than laughing in Sinistry's face and retaining my title shot? I'd say when I faced Kevin Justice at the live event in Nottingham. First time Justice and I were against each other since 2005. That UK tour was memorable all around.
IWC: Coming towards the end of the interview now…we’ve always gone over your desire to win more titles, but do you have any more goals before you retire?
Aerik: Hey, adding a fifth Hall of Fame nod can't be a bad thing, right? Especially after my service to the industry.
IWC: And with Reawakening Day getting closer, how do you see that event panning out for you?
Aerik: I'm foreseeing a match with Danny Darko. Tables, Ladders and Chairs. Maybe my NHB title shot on the line. Since it doesn't appear I'll ever get that shot... been, what, three, four months now?
IWC: And finally Aerik is there any message you want to put out there, to your fans, enemies, allies?
Aerik: To my fans, thanks for sticking through it all with me. Journey is far from over. To my allies, we aren't just the best, we are GOOD! To my enemies, four words: run. Run. Like. Hell.
IWC: Thank you Aerik, always a pleasure
Aerik: This was enthralling. Thank you.
Aerik: This should be interesting. Thank you for having me.
IWC: It’s good to have someone on the show with all the experience that you have, a true legend
Aerik: Much appreciated. I'm not here to start wars. You want to interview me, an interview you'll get.
IWC: Would you say that having all this experience is helping the younger guys on the roster?
Aerik: I would like to believe it is. And to be perfectly honest, I do have some of the guys and gals pick my brain every now and again. It's good to have that veteran presence just for that reason.
IWC: OK, moving on, we now know that Orlando Cruze was pivotal in you coming to the company. What was it about Orlando that drew you to the company?
Aerik: Well, I was somewhat lost and contemplating retirement at the end of last year. I wasn't signed with a company and was even hesitant to join IWC. However, he spent countless hours going over things with me and, honestly speaking, the man took months out of his schedule to finally get me to sign.
IWC: That said, we have seen of that that you and Orlando have engaged on quite a public spat on Twitter…what’s changed?
Aerik: In this business, there are things called 'checks and balances'. Orlando is an owner of the company and I was raised with the understanding that bosses don't get into the foray. Not only has he, on a few occasions, but he's also married to a member of the roster. As a veteran, this upsets my stomach and I want him to know that I am not okay with any of it.
IWC: But Orlando seems to think that you are the one who has changed?
Aerik: Everyone thinks I have changed. They're all wrong. I evolved. There's a difference.
IWC: So, are you saying that Orlando doesn’t have the best interests of the company at heart?
Aerik: Hell no! He's married to Taylor Chase, got his thing with Amanda Blayze, he's going back and forth with The Blacklist... dude's a mentally incompetent mess!
IWC: And what do you intend to do about that?
Aerik: Fix it. I've never backed down from a good fight.
IWC: Changing tact just a little, we have a question from Candi in Washington. She asks who are the five toughest opponents you have faced in your career?
Aerik: Oh, wow. That's a good question... five toughest? My brother, TJ, was always a tough customer when we fought. Another big guy at seven feet tall and a shade over four bills. John Shannon, a guy who I grew up with in this business. Marie Jones has more than proved her mettle, especially after Extreme Fury. Glory Braddock, who I had a great match with in MCW, very tough gal. And, even though I hate his guts, Jackson Adams isn't a lightweight when his head's on right.
IWC: That’s an interesting list…continuing that theme, the IWC is a hive of talent, who would you say are the top five individuals in the company.
Aerik: Alana Starr, gotta top that list. She impresses like no other. Marie Jones also up there. The World champion has caught my eye. Taylor Chase-Cruze and Abigail Lindsay to round it out.
IWC: And five that you can’t believe actually have a contract in the first place?
Aerik: I'd rather not touch that question. Everyone deserves a chance. What they do with that chance is on them.
IWC: Over the past few months, the IWC has become a haven for groups and teams, all looking out for each other. Why do you think this situation has come about?
Aerik: I think it's a matter of finding like-minded individuals who share that same passion for success that you do. When you have that passion and unity, a supergroup is formed.
IWC: And knowing you as we do, why was it that someone like you, who has all so often stood alone, decided to bring Apocalypse to the IWC?
Aerik: Apocalypse needed to be formed. IWC was in danger of falling into the same pattern as MCW, so something had to be done. And Aerik Walker does things BIG.
IWC: You’re alliance with the GOOD Movement raised some eyebrows, what was the thought process behind that?
Aerik: Honestly, there was no real thought process involved. At Extreme Fury, Apocalypse stood strong... but Adams looked to retire and Jessie Lasiewicz was heading for greener pastures. We were disparagingly low in the numbers game and needed assistance. Along came Alana and Ethan. The rest writes itself.
IWC: But don’t you think that doing that lost you personally a lot of fans who looked up to you?
Aerik: It is part of the nature of this business. You can't please everyone.
IWC: OK, Simon from Indianapolis says he has been following your career for nearly fifteen years now, and never once has he been as excited as he is right now. He believes a world title shot is on the horizon for you, would you firstly agree, and furthermore was that you intention when you joined the company?
Aerik: Thank you, Simon! He's a good guy, met him and his lovely family at a live event recently. Anyways, getting to Simon's question, I do agree that a World championship match is in my future, for sure. My intention for coming here was to, hopefully, win my fifteenth World title. And I will do just that.
IWC: And you are facing the former world champion on NewAge, do you think this is your chance to prove you belong?
Aerik: As good a chance as any, I reckon.
IWC: When you left the MCW all those years ago, did you ever believe that you would once again be at a company of that size?
Aerik: To be honest, not only did I not think I'd be part of an organization as large, I didn't think I'd be wrestling anymore.
IWC: And do you think this is your last chance saloon?
Aerik: Come what may, whatever happens here, this will be my final tour, yes.
IWC: And have you set any time limit on this? What age do you actually see yourself giving it all up?
Aerik: I won't retire until I win number fifteen. Even if that means wrestling until I'm 70.
IWC: And would you stay in the industry, perhaps as a trainer or a manager?
Aerik: Definitely. I owe a great deal to the business as a whole. I'd love to dabble in management. Nothing Front Office, though.
IWC: It’s seems we have a question from William, who apparently is on board his own private jet as we speak…he asks, how does it feel to be such a sell out?
Aerik: Feels good, Willy. How's that jaw of yours?
IWC: But your own personal feelings aside, surely you can see why people would think this?
Aerik: Everyone is entitled to their opinion. You say 'sell out', I say 'knocked out'.
IWC: So this is you, you are adamant this is the right path.
Aerik: It may not be the right path, per se, but this is the path I chose and I stick by it.
IWC: And Paul from Nottingham says, he saw you at the Nottingham show in the UK this year, and loved the fact the IWC came to his city. Is there any defining moments you remember from the UK tour?
Aerik: Defining moments? Other than laughing in Sinistry's face and retaining my title shot? I'd say when I faced Kevin Justice at the live event in Nottingham. First time Justice and I were against each other since 2005. That UK tour was memorable all around.
IWC: Coming towards the end of the interview now…we’ve always gone over your desire to win more titles, but do you have any more goals before you retire?
Aerik: Hey, adding a fifth Hall of Fame nod can't be a bad thing, right? Especially after my service to the industry.
IWC: And with Reawakening Day getting closer, how do you see that event panning out for you?
Aerik: I'm foreseeing a match with Danny Darko. Tables, Ladders and Chairs. Maybe my NHB title shot on the line. Since it doesn't appear I'll ever get that shot... been, what, three, four months now?
IWC: And finally Aerik is there any message you want to put out there, to your fans, enemies, allies?
Aerik: To my fans, thanks for sticking through it all with me. Journey is far from over. To my allies, we aren't just the best, we are GOOD! To my enemies, four words: run. Run. Like. Hell.
IWC: Thank you Aerik, always a pleasure
Aerik: This was enthralling. Thank you.