Insight with Chris Van Vliet - Melissa Santos on her unique ring announcing, Lucha Underground, marrying Brian Cage

Episode Date: August 21, 2019

Melissa Santos talks with Chris Van Vliet at Impact Wrestling in Hollywood, CA. She talks about how she got into wrestling, her unique ring announcing style and her influences, meeting her husband Brian Cage, their wedding, working for Lucha Underground and much more! Audio provided by Samson Technologies: bit.ly/CVVSamson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Bet, win, get paid. It's Chrysmania, brother. That's a great question. Look at you, man. With the powerful questions. Woo! This is the Chris Van Bleachow. Chris Van Bleachow.

Ladies and gentlemen. Chris. The... Okay. Welcome, my friends. Thank you for bringing me into your ear. with this, another download of the Chris Van Bleach show. It only makes sense to have Melissa Santos on because I just had Brian Cage on a few weeks ago.

Although Brian Cage does make a quick, you know, cameo in this one. Wrestling couples are always so interesting to talk to. I know you're going to love this one as much as I did. And if you do enjoy it, please take a screenshot, tag me, tag Melissa, let us know that you're listening. Let us know what you think. Also, please keep those five-star reviews coming. Apple Podcasts so we can help get the word out there. I mean, if you love listening to the show, you know that I do a shoutout on every single episode. It's free, too. Well, it's not exactly

free. I mean, it costs you like 27 seconds of your time. But yeah, I will keep reading these shoutouts as a way to say thank you as a way to include you in the show. And I'm loving these podcasts. And I'm glad you guys are too. Adam Effect One, obviously had a spare 27 seconds because he left this review. And he said, CVV is my homie. Washed up indie worker here who loves Chris's approach, professionalism, passion, knowledge.

And my favorite is that he pursued independent wrestling, which seals the deal. He's a brother. Brother? Worker handshake. It actually says worker handshake. Thank you, Adam Effect One. That means a lot coming from someone in the business.

And yeah, I did go to wrestling school when I was 20 years old. And I kind of had to decide, was I going to go to wrestling school or was I going to go to school, school? I was in college at the time studying communication studies and with, you know, with the dream to, on one hand, be a pro wrestler. On the other hand, to be a professional broadcaster and something had to give. So here I am now a professional broadcaster that broadcasts about wrestling and other stuff, you know, on my TV show. But thank you for the review, Adam Effect One. Keep those reviews coming in. We have a ton of interviews coming up all out in Chicago.

Chicago's less than two weeks away. Got a bunch of interviews lined up there too. It's going to be great. I can't wait for that one. Thank you to this week's sponsor, MyBooky. You heard it off the top of the show, but sign up at mybooky.com

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So thank you to Samson Tech. You can go to SamsonTech.com to see their. full lineup. Now Melissa Santos has such a unique ring announcing style. You saw it in Lucha Underground, which is where she met Brian Cage. We get into that because I asked Brian how they met and then I heard Melissa's version of the story. It's very similar story. I mean, you can listen to Brian's first or after this and you'll see what I'm talking about. And as a fellow ring announcer myself, I have a ring announced right now for Blueprint Pro Wrestling in Deerfield Beach, Florida. I got nothing but respect for what Melissa does and how she does it.

You know, just the way she roll up. So much, so much energy there. And she describes it as a little growl that she has. She now works as a backstage interviewer for Impact Wrestling. And she's just an all-around awesome human being. You're going to love this. Here you go. It's Melissa Santos.

Okay, the interviewer getting interviewed. It's weird. Yeah. You got to hold this thing out. I'm a little nervous. I'm sorry. I'm a little nervous. how these things work. I learn a little over. I'm nervous. You're not nervous. Um, how are you? I'm doing

good. This is quite the get-up you have here. I'm like the pink power range right now. This is cool. This is my new gimmick. Yeah. This is great. It's a onesie. It's an adult onesie. So it's actually in Brazil. I'm not Brazilian, but in Miami, you don't see you're from Miami. I feel like some of the girls of the gym might wear stuff like this. In Miami, people wear all the things. Or none of the things. Or none of the things. Which is okay with Miami. It's fine. It's fine with that. Anything goes in Miami. It does. But we're in Hollywood. We're in Hollywood. Anything kind of goes here too. Oh, anything goes in Hollywood. You know. How close do you guys live to here? I want to see 45 minutes on like a no traffic day, which is very, very rare. So it took us actually

about an hour to get here today. So it's not too bad. That's not terrible. So we live close. So it's southeast from here, a little closer on the way to San Diego. So if you guys have been We live near Monrovia, so people from California know. Orange County? It's like Northern Orange County. Okay. So, yes. The O.C.

The O.C. Yeah. Do you remember that show? Of course. Yeah, I do too. Yeah. Did that just like date us a little bit? Yeah.

Maybe a little bit. We look good though. So it's okay. I'm 36. 35. Yeah, so we're like the same age. It's okay. It's okay.

Yes. I think people's first introduction to you, in the wrestling world at least, was Lucha Underground. Yes. Obviously. Yes. What was Melissa Santos doing before then? Yeah, that's a really good question.

I was always, and I grew up dancing, singing, and acting and doing all that, so I loved entertainment. I was also an athlete in school, so I played water polo, and I was always just a hyper kid, always trying to challenge myself, do something new. And then out of high school, went to college for a little bit, kind of dropped out. that didn't make my parents really happy. And then I dropped out and started doing insurance. So, like, I was, like, a financial planner.

It doesn't seem like it, but I can, like, crunch some numbers and get your, your 401k going. Wow. Yeah, so I did that, and it was monetarily fulfilling, but I wasn't, like, happy. I would, oh, my goodness, towards the end, like, I would, this is, I've never said this. I don't think on camera. But no one's ever asked me like this.

So I. I would go out to my car and I would just sit there and cry towards the end because I hated it so much. And people are really mean sometimes in like the service industry. So I have so much respect for servers and just people that always are there to help you because it's a hard job. And so I was, I worked in a service industry that wasn't very like I'd hand over a piece of paper and it wasn't something. It wasn't like a pair of sweet jeans and you're like, oh, I just paid to. hundred dollars for this like I'd I'd give them a promise that our insurance might work when it needs to work so it was a lot people don't really people don't really like insurance agents but I did okay I did okay and people like I still have friends that I help set up on the insurance and like their 401k and all that stuff so I did meet some great people but it wasn't fulfilling to me so I ended up getting laid off and then when I got laid off I decided I lived in Long Beach California which is not too far actually from here yeah I remember those you from Cal you guys I know where Long Beach is, but the drive out here, you have to drive everywhere.

So driving to where I wanted to live to start auditioning because after I got laid off, I'm like, you know what, forget it. I'm going to live on like a year of unemployment. I had saved money and I'm going to start taking some acting classes again. And I'm going to do this before I regret it. And so I went out, got a really kind of like not that great agent. It was like the first person that would look at me because I didn't have any real, real credits. Just like theater and things like that out of high school and just little things here and there.

but nothing that would impress anyone and go, I really want to sign her because she's doing great things, right? Because that's how it works. It's like people don't really start paying attention to you unless you get something, but you kind of need something in order to pay. It's really, it's, you know, what it's like. It's hard. So I met with my agent, my agent goes, hey, there's like one of the first things I ever did.

I think there's this show that's like, it's wrestling, but it's a television show, and they're looking for girls to wrestle and I'm like, what is it? And it was wow, it was wow women of wrestling which is now on Access, right? They're killing it. So I was like, okay, like WWE. That was like the first thing I said.

And I'm like, okay, so I go. I watched like the girls, I walked in and the girls that were already casted were there and they were watching like old wrestling videos and just a lot of them don't know anything about wrestling. So actually not one girl was actually a wrestler, just athletes mostly. And so what basically had,

happens is I lay Lonnie Kai so comes up to me and goes hey I like your look have you ever been in a ring before and I'm in the back like I'm just watching I'm basically watching people um just watch wrestling right and she goes I like you though come here she gets me in the ring wow yeah it's like crazy and I don't know at this point who lay Lonnie Kai is or anything like that I'm like okay and she looked tough shit and she is she is um we're talking about a woman who is at the first like WrestleMania like ever I mean she it's this is an incredible like person and I didn't even know the level of amazing that she was until then I'm in the ring and she takes my hair back and makes me bump right and she's like boom and now I'm on the floor I'm in the ring and I'm looking up and I'm

she like looks down at me and she's like how is that and I'm like that was kind of cool right and I'm like wow that was awesome and that was the only time I ever said taking a bump was awesome honestly because it doesn't feel great right It doesn't. It doesn't. It's a lot. But I learned how to wrestle. I mean, I don't have tons of experience, but I guess because I was an athlete, I was able to kind of get in there and like, kind of like a guitar player, you learn maybe three chords at a time and you like work those chords. And like I was able to look the part also. And wow was that, you know, it's very gimmicky. Look at glow, right? And so it's very like, it's showy. And so I was like, I can do this. I'm an actor. I can do this. And it was fun. It didn't take off. So about a year later, I get another call, same agent. They're like, hey, there's this lucha show that's looking for, you know, a girl to announce, but she needs to speak Spanish and she needs to be able to wrestle as well. And I'm like, I mean, I can do that. I go in there.

I've never announced or anything like that, but I've hosted and done stuff like that. So I'm like, I guess I can do it. So I go in there and the creators and like MGM, like Eric is there and like Krista Joseph is there. And at the time, I didn't know who they were. And then so they already knew that they like, they wanted to see me. They asked for me because they saw me on Eva Lisa's page, doing some kind of wrestling.

Oh, okay. And then I was talking on the mic, and they're like, hey, we kind of like her. Did she speak Spanish? And so that's how they contact my agent. And so that's how Lucha Underground happened. But it was all because of wrestling. But I wrestled first. They like hand selected you.

Yeah, they saw me and they're like, hey, we like her. And is she in L.A.? Perfect, because they didn't want to just, they were going to fly people in, but that's just like more of a cost, right? Yeah. It is MGM. I mean, it's Robert Rodriguez. They had the funds to do that.

But they were like, can we have her be here? But she needed to speak Spanish. too because we did it in two languages the first season on unimaz which was Univision's uh yeah univision's um cable network and that was so hard i cried again i cried but i was frustrated crying this time i really want to do this so after the first set of tapings i set of my car kind like the insurance and i cried but this was different because i'm like everybody's watching me doing this because it was really intimidating and i cried out of frustration because i do that sometimes too so um but then i was like no i'm going to do this and then i'm

I came back and I figured out my rhythm and it was awesome. Who was it that gave you like your presence in the ring as a ring announcer is different from anything we'd seen before. It's weird for some, I think. It's not for everyone because I growl a little bit, but that's just naturally me. But it worked so perfectly for Luch Underground. It worked. It worked.

Yeah. And I just watched tapes. Like I was just like watch people and like. Who was it? Like I mean. I like like Bruce Buffer like for me even though it's not like, he's not an announcement. for wrestling. He's so, he's an announcer, but, you know, wrestling's a little, everything's

just, everyone, there's, there's a different style for announcing and, in wrestling, I feel, from what I've seen, but like Bruce Buffer just kind of just like, did whatever, like, he just, like, goes low and he kind of has the growl, and I'm like, I feel like I sound a little bit like that. I didn't

copy him, but I, like, allowed myself to just kind of feel, like, just kind of do, like, and that's where acting, I feel like, kind of, I just allowed myself to just feel the way I should feel in what ring announcer would feel like for me. And it just worked. Like, for me, people liked it. No, the first tape, you guys

don't ever watch season one. I'm not slicing one, but the first episode of Lucha Underground, it's... And we're all going to go watch it now. I was literally the following Lucha. And I was like terrified and my rhythm was so weird and it was just like I was

so nervous because I went from auditioning two weeks before that to who you have to work and you're going to shoot all these episodes. And I'm like, I have no idea what's going on. And so I was really intimidated and I didn't know anyone in the business. Like I came and I sat next to at the time Matt Cross and I'm like, hey, hi, so you're a wrestler? Ugh. What am I doing?

Like now that I think about it, like what? A little newbie. Like I didn't know anyone. I just sat there. I didn't really know much about the indie world. You know what I mean? So I was like, man, like I. I just, now that I think about it, I'm like, how embarrassing.

But he's like, yeah, I don't know. He's like, I guess I'm going to wrestle. And I'm like, are you a wrestler? He's like, yeah. And I'm like, are you been doing it for a long time? Things like that. And then when I saw him in the ring, I'm like, oh, my gosh, he's like, wow. And I feel like a complete idiot.

Well, also when you go to Looch Underground, I went to a taping. And it's like you're going to a TV tape. Which is very different. Yeah. Everything was like we signed releases. We were audience members. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Which was so different.

from Impact or Raw or MLW. That's the biggest difference. It's like a like a soap opera, right? Yeah, different from Marine of Honor. Yeah, it's different from all of them. Yeah. And there was no entrance music in person either. No, it wasn't.

That was so weird. It's like post edit kind of stuff. And you're standing in the ring like just standing there. And then in nowhere you're like, the following Lucha is. And I'm like, where'd that come from? I was because you hear, you don't even hear your TV cues. Like I'm hearing the cues. So it is different.

And what's kind of nice about that is like if I maybe messed something up, which actually I'm so hard on myself that I didn't see myself messing up. And I only probably messed up a couple times because I couldn't, I didn't have cards in my hand. I wasn't allowed to have anything. And a lot of times there was rules and because there was acting involved and things like that. So within the storyline, there were lines that I have to deliver that were not, I can't just cut a promo. Like I, I mean, not that a ring announcer would, but a luched underground, it could happen. I ended up wrestling too. So I, everything was incredibly scripted.

So if something got messed up, you could start again, which I didn't really like that much because I wanted people to like experience it as it would in a show, right? Because once I started Lucha, I actually started watching indie shows. I'm like, let me go watch an indie show. And I'm like, no, no, no. It has to have the same feel. I wanted to feel like that for everyone, not just so much like a TV show. And that was like a balance that and a really special thing that is only Lucha underground, like because of the TV. the element, right? So because you're signing release forms, right? They make you turn your shirt

inside out. You couldn't walk in there with the logo, right? You couldn't do that. This is the new collar and elbow shirt. There you go. Right. Use the link below to get 10% up. Swipe. I mean, that's Instagram, right? I don't know where this is going to end up. This is a, this is YouTube. Okay. And the audio of this. People are listening to this right now. You didn't even tell me where you could, I mean, I knew you did all the things. And I know you had it. I was like, who knows. I trust him. I said, whatever. I'm going to do it. People are also listening to us on the Chris Van Fleet Show podcast. Yes.

But it was Lucha Underground that led to you meeting your husband, who, uh, he's sitting over there. Actually, I was very, I know, and he's like, I can hear him talking, interrupting my, uh, interview here. It's fine. We can't even hear that. You can't even hear it. So, um, I, so I asked Brian this, and it's, I'm interested to hear your answer to this. Take me through the, the first time you guys met.

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Get roman.com slash blue wire. Well, I saw him for the first time at Lucha. He was actually not one of the guys that started right the beginning, beginning. Like there was some episodes before him. And then you showed up and I was like, wow, like this is the type of wrestler. I remember when I grew up watching wrestling. I grew up watching actually wrestling with my brothers. Like, I only have brothers.

And my first actual time I actually got hurt injured, it was actually wrestling. I got dragged off the couch and I don't know what move my brother called that. But I ended up cracking my head open. But it was because I wanted to wrestle with my brothers, right? Yeah, yeah. And so, yeah, I grew up with brothers. So, like, I had to be, I got toughened up really quick. but when I saw Brian I'm like wow that's like a rest like what I imagine a wrestler like looks like

and I know now we have a lot of like a fast like cruiser way he is yeah that's why I'm saying that's not a man that's a machine it is ooh the machine la machina in Spanish for lucha you know so so when I saw I'm like wow amazing and I have a I love working out and I have a lot of respect for bodybuilding and things like that so of that nature and just Just like, I thought that was amazing. I'm like, oh, wow, he's so nice. And then he gets in the ring. And he's so nice out of the ring and he gets in the ring.

And he's like a completely different character. And the artist in me is like, wow, look at him. He's like transformed into this like, God. So you had an instant crush. So I 1,000% had a crush on him. And I sat there and I was like, wow, I turned to the guy who used to ring the bell behind me. And I'm like, hey, I get paid for this. And he's like, absolutely.

I'm like, that guy is not my favorite is what I said. But I just kind of kept it to my. And at that time, I was dating someone. So that was kind of inappropriate. But I mean, I wasn't saying it to everyone. Now you guys know. But, yeah, I was dating someone, but I just thought he was spectacular. And he was so great in the ring still is.

Just looks so good. I still get butterflies sometimes when I see him in there doing his thing. And now he's standing behind the camera right now. You can come in and at least let people know that you're here. Here you want to. Okay. It's funnier. So is he really standing there?

We don't know. Nobody knows. What do we really know, right? Are we even really here right now? That sounds like the Jimmy Jacobs interview. I know. That's me and Jimmy all the time. Am I ready?

Are we ready to start? He's like, well, I mean, who is ever really ready? Are we really even here? So you're dating this guy, but you see the machine and you're in love with the machine. I had a crush on him. Like, I'm watching like my favorite character on TV. I totally was a crushing on him. And I like just kind of just watch him in awe.

I'm like, wow, he's so amazing to watch. So I felt like a little kid. I'm like, that's my character. That's the guy I picked to, like, fight for, you know. Kim. Cage. And it was fun to say that. Like, his announcement was fun.

And so I just, apparently, I didn't even know I was doing that with my head. And then I saw, they're like, oh, that's cool. You always do that with your head. I'm like, what did I do in my head? And I'm like, oh, because the 5, 5, 5.9, I'm like, okay. And it was just fun. And they allowed me to do that. Lucha Underground allowed me to do a lot of things that I think wouldn't be a normal, like,

kind of ring announcer thing to do, right? So, like, they allowed me to do so much. They gave me so much freedom and didn't really stifle that at all. They were like, you have to do this. And unless it, like, was completely sucking, I guess, like, which never happened. Like, they never said anything. At least they made me feel like I knew what I was doing. So how did that transition into what you're doing now with impact?

It transit. I mean, I developed, like, I just, it's wrestling, right? So, like, I developed, like, an incredible, like, confidence within the wrestling world. And you have a big fan base now. It's nice. Like you guys are awesome and everyone who is supportive of me, I'm very, very, like, thankful for, because I get to make a living in the wrestling world. I never thought I was going to do anything like that. So, and it's because of that and stuff and because of Lucha Underground.

And so how it translated was I started traveling, doing, Brian actually started helping me get bookings in the indie world outside of Lucha Underground. And so that helped me develop more experience in the indie world because it's different. And it kept me like on my toes because every independent show is different. You don't know what's going on. Sometimes it's just like the car changes in a second. It was very different than having a scripted like basically a script and like here you go and having like a, you know, the AD come over and hand it to you. And they're like, here's your script for the day, Melissa, very different than the indie world, right? And that kept me completely.

I felt like that kept me. It was the best training. I mean, Lucha Underground, yes, trained me. But I was still very sheltered because it's TV. So like there's, there isn't. just catering at every promotion. People try, right, to make it comfortable, but it's not like that, right? Like you, sometimes you're in the trenches a little bit.

And so I love that, though. Like, I love the greediness of it. I love the camaraderie of it. I love being able to see like my, like, fall in love and have admiration for people in this industry doing the incredible things that they're doing. It was all in the indie world as well. So, like, it just kind of came together. And when Brian decided to go to Impact, you got signed at Impact, like, oh, I would

love I would love to do Impact Drive, but there wasn't really a place for me at the time, and they don't have an on-camera constant ring announcer. And then it got, I guess, Don thinking and Scott thinking, like, how do we use her? Like, and Ed says, you know, Ed's the owner of Impact. And so Ed goes, apparently he says, hey, who's that, right? Like, he didn't really know who I was, like as Lucha Underground. It wasn't seen on a lot of networks, you know? We had one network and it was really, you know, it was hard for people to watch, but people still watched it.

Like, it's incredible, right? And so, but Ed didn't. And he was like, oh, well, Melissa's ringing out for Luchat underground. He's like, okay, we need a girl like her doing backstage interviews. And, I mean, they already had a backstage interviewer at the time. So they're like, oh, we don't, we're not kind of just bring her in. And so eventually they did bring me in. And I guess it just worked out.

They, I guess they were going to replace a person that was there. And then, yeah, it kind of worked on and just snuck in. Backstage interviewing is new for me. But it was still acting. Like, I'm listening. Yeah, of course. And I'm just engaging. And because I know almost everyone, like, we have chemistry.

So it's fun. And they play with me. And it's just fun. They even ask me, hey, Melissa, do you think it's okay if you do this? I'm like, I trust them so much. And I'm like, do whatever you want. Like, you guys, this is your character. And I never feel that I'm going to ever be in a position where I'm going to feel

uncomfortable or that they're going to compromise, like, who I am as, like, a human being. There aren't, it's wrestling. Boundaries are sometimes, like, kind of pushed, right? And I love that. And as an artist, I want to do fun things like that. I want to, like, I like, I like, I like, I like, like, holding the mic and going, and just listening.

Like, I can get involved and you guys do stuff. I'm, oh, hell, yeah, makes my day so much more fun. So, do you have plans to get back into the ring? I would love to. I injured my leg, training, actually, so I had to get surgery four months ago. Yeah. I've seen all your Instagram stories. You're like, I hope I get in shape again.

Like. Is that how I sound too? Well, it's like, it's just ridiculous. I don't feel because I'm so used to like being able. I can't jump right now. It's so weird. Oh, wow. So because of I had an ACL reconstruction.

What happened? I was training to wrestle again. Oh, no. I was going to do a tag match with Brian at bar wrestling, Joey, uh, Joey Ryan's promotion. And I, it's weird. I just, I got stuck in like the mat. It was weird. And did you just hear the pop and my ACL, it was going to go already.

It was just, it happened then. I'm glad it happened then and not in the middle of the match. Sure. Because we were, we're about to do a match and like, because I'm, still very new and just creating a match so quickly is not something that I can just do while I'm like, you know, shaving, like these guys do it. So I, we were putting together the match like a couple days before and just kind of getting a feel of what I can do. And I was going, I went in to do a 540 kick because Ryan goes, oh, your 540 kicks are dope. I'm all right, cool, I can do this here.

And I'm like, dude, I haven't done one in a while because baby. And I had just had a baby not too long before that. And I had snap. And I'm like, no, like something. And I knew. I knew. And my leg went out on me and I had surgery. And right now I'm in recovery mode for four weeks out or four months out. But the plan is to move forward from there. I would like to before I am an old beaita, old lady, and I can't do this anymore. And before all the joints start going out, I would like to possibly super kick someone in the face. Like, I'd be great.

Any takers? I don't know. Havik's down. Like she's like, I'll take a super kick from you. I'll take a German from me. I'm like, I'm not. Anyone would. Suplex you.

Havoc. Sure they would. But see, it's how sweet they are. Like, everyone's supportive of it. So maybe I'll do, who knows, maybe Impact will let me do something small, fun. I don't know. Well, you're putting it out into the world. I am.

We manifest that, right? The things that we want. So, yeah. Yeah. Okay. Well, I want to be respectful of your time here because everyone is waiting here. I like it. I should start interviewing you.

No, that'll be on your show. I know, guys. So maybe we got a show coming up so maybe we can get you on my show. We can't talk about it just yet. But hey, some surprises, guys. some prizes coming up, so I'm excited. I'm happy to answer any questions. I have questions for you.

Where's your kid if you guys are here? Tomorrow we're going to have her for tomorrow's tapings, but she's with grandma. Oh, that's the best. The best. Free babysitting. Absolutely. It's the best. You all with kids, no.

And she's so spoiled with my parents. Like, I'm like, were you like this with me? I don't remember you being like this with me. And she comes over and she's like, I'm here for you, Baby Skyler. I'm like, what about me? Am I chopped liver? Like, what's how? Yep.

I'm standing right here, mom. Like, no. But yeah. It changes when moms become grandmothers. Yeah. Because I see it with my mom, with my sister's kids. Yeah. I'm like, you didn't act like that with me.

Yeah, you don't remember. You're like, I don't think they did. Like, I don't remember. And she didn't act like that with me. It's a grandma thing. It's a grandpa thing. Do you have a favorite Brian Cage match? God, favorite Brian Cage match.

I have a non-favorite Brian Cage match. Okay. Remember that one time you put skewers in your head and I think Sammy Callahan did that? He allowed it to happen. Oh, I was so mad. I was why that pretty face? Like, I know it was in his head, but it was so close to his little pretty forehead. And he was bleeding and he looks up at me and kind of winks, but the camera didn't see that.

And I'm sitting there trying to hold my mic like, I'm going to kill him right now. And we had just started dating. So I'm like, oh, keep yourself. Yeah, you're like, oh, there's going to be more of this? Yeah. And he also had an incredible match where I can't pronounce that match that you had in Japan. Can you, come here really quick. I love, I thought that was.

I don't know if there's enough room for the machine. I feel like I know he's taking up. Look at, look at the size of this man. Why do you have the keys around your neck? How do that even, how are we taking this off? Those are my keys, by the way. They're going to just stay there. What was the match that you had in, I don't want to,

butcher his name at Noah against Nakajima Nakajima, the whole name is just Nakajima? It's like Katsu Yeah, I wanted to honor the name. I just called Nakajima, so. I thought that was such an incredible match. Yeah, it's probably my top And I had no idea what the commentary team was saying

but all I knew is they were so hyped for it and they'd be like, oh, Brian! Keechee! And I was like, hell yeah, I was like, dude, yo. I was more, I was more psyched on the fact that they knew like all of my like move names. Yeah, and it was so, Oh, fire store, M-O-E, Weapon X, DRICLA.

And it was so amazing. I was so hyped for it. I've never, and I've never heard a commentary team and just like, or just commentary is so hyped in my life. And I had no idea what they were saying, but it was freaking amazing. And I love that they called you KG. It was cute. My first experience in Japanese wrestling, obviously I have no idea what they're saying, but it's

awesome just because they're so, like, turned up to 11 the entire time. Yeah. Y'all in Japan. Have you, let's ask Chris question. Have you seen that match, Chris? Oh, no, I haven't seen that match. What the f. But I look forward to seeing that.

It's so good. It's absolutely amazing. You want him to lie to you? No, I would know. Chris isn't lying. He would have caught in that lie real quick. Yeah. And like, so what was the finish?

What was the finish? Well, you have to watch and find out. Okay. I told you I was going to stick around and it was going to happen eventually. All right. I need one of these. Okay, I'll take Brian. I'm trying to interview him the whole time and it's kind of almost worth.

Thank you both. Thank you. I think the order of these going up would be Brian's first, and then everyone will know all the things that happen in Brian's interview. Yeah. And then they will now be watching the payoff in this interview. Yes. And here it is.

This is the payoff. All right, guys. So thank you. Thank you. Thank you so much for this. There you have it, my friends. That was great. I feel like we could have talked a lot longer.

But that was the end of a very long day that was right after the Impact Wrestling show in Hollywood, California. Melissa and Brian needed to get out of there. I mean, they've got a kit. They got a tent, too. So I appreciate both of their time there. How awesome is she, right? Congrats to her and Brian on their recent marriage, although they spent their wedding night in the ER.

And if you follow either of them on social media, they had a redo of their wedding recently because of the ER trip. You can see the photos on their social media account. Great chat. Thank you to our sponsors. MyBooky. Head to MyBooky.com slash Bluewire to sign up. Also thank you to Roman.

You can get a free online doctor visit and free two-day shipping by visiting get-Roman.com slash bluewire. Harry's Razers. Go to harry. Harries.com slash bluewire to save $10 on a value trial set. Also, Chris 15 for 15% off at greenroadsworld.com. So I'm flying to Houston this weekend. My dad and I have this awesome tradition. We visit a new Major League Baseball Stadium every single year.

So we're going to Houston. We're seeing an Astros game. It's our 22nd stadium that we visited together. It's an amazing tradition. I'm 36 years old, and I'm so glad that, I mean, I live in a different country from my dad. I live in the U.S., my dad's back home in Canada. I love that this is the thing that brings us together. I mean, don't get me wrong.

I still see my family, like, you know, holidays, and we face time all the time. But this is that one tradition, like the father's son trip. So we're going to Houston. Who lives in Houston? Which wrestler lives in Houston? Well, yes, Booker T does live in Houston. I reached out to him. He's not in town this weekend.

So we're going to set up that interview for another time. But Sammy Guevara from AEW lives in Houston. So as soon as I land, going to the hotel, Sammy's meeting us there. We're doing that interview. So keep an eye out for that one, which should be great. Then next weekend is all out in Chicago. If you're going to be there, if you're going to be at Starcast 3, I'll also be there. So keep an eye out for me there.

I'd be awesome to say what's up to give you a high five and just all around. Just see you and, you know, share some awesomeness together. We always leave you with a quote. This is a great one to end on. This one's powerful. If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door. That's from Milton Burrell. That's such a good one.

Yeah, such a good. And have a great day. Make it a great one. The Hammer Alley podcast, an 80s flashback mockumentary. Back in the 80s, there were a thousand bands trying to make it in the world of rock. But there was one band that had it all. Hammer Alley. Whatever happened to Hammer Alley?

How did they go from top of the rock? I'm looking for a music video. They're a band from 1987. Hammer Alley. Ever heard of them? To Rock Bottom. Dude, I was born in 1987. I can't believe he's doing this.

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