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“Big Trouble” Ben Bishop is one of the most recognizable names on the independent wrestling circuit.
The 7-foot giant has appeared in several promotions in the United States and will be involved in a big match against Foxx Vinyer at Awesome Championship Wrestling’s (ACW) Reckoning next weekend at the MJN Center in Poughkeepsie, New York.
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Ben Bishop gives the business to Killer Kross in Awesome Championship Wrestling. (Jay Vogel)
Bishop has seen it all – the good and the bad. He opened up to PK Press Club Digital about what he’s going to change about the independent scene, understanding that small businesses putting on a wrestling show is a bigger business than most people think. Finding the perfect ring venue, a backstage area, paying fees, and setting a reasonable ticket price are all things to consider.
“You have to find where the sliding scale is. So, I get it. It’s hard. So when I hear something like, ‘What would you change?’ It’s little things,” Bishop said. “I think the basic necessities in the independent scene are something that’s really important. The big joke in independent wrestling is like water is for boys. Water is in the locker room. I think that’s a basic thing. I think it’s something that every promoter should be able to provide.”
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Ben Bishop supports Richard Holliday in Awesome Championship Wrestling. (Jay Vogel)
Bishop said the timing of each show should also be a thought in a promoter’s head. He said shows shouldn’t really last more than 2 1/2 hours, with demonstration events lasting up to three hours.
“I think people just want to enjoy wrestling and get out of there at a reasonable time, maybe go to dinner, maybe have a drink somewhere and enjoy their evening – make them leave wanting more,” he continued. “At the end of the day, I think all of us wrestlers can do what we love. There will be some independent shows that are way better than others. There will be some that are way worse than others – and I’ve been to every one of them. I’ve seen them all and I know what the bad ones are and I know what the good ones are.
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“And when it comes to Awesome Championship Wrestling, they’re unlike any indie games I’ve done. The MJN Center is beautiful. There’s a beautiful locker room. There’s so much room. There’s enough chairs for people to sit. There’s even couches, which is amazing. They have snacks, food, and catering, and that doesn’t happen very often. But you know what that does? It leaves the locker room happy. No one is unhappy in that, and if no one is unhappy and everyone is happy, then the product will be better.
“No one worries about, ‘Oh, I haven’t eaten in eight hours,’ or ‘I’m dying of thirst here. I can’t find a bottle of water.’ It’s all these little things. But I’m just thinking about the basic necessities, if independents could just take care of them. I’m not asking for a huge distribution. I’m not asking for sandwiches or pasta or anything like that. A little water, some basic things, and I think it could go a long way for the independent scene.”
Ben Bishop promotes Richard Holliday in Awesome Championship Wrestling. (Jay Vogel)
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Bishop has also been alongside Richard Holliday at recent ACW shows. While Holliday lost the ACW Heavyweight Championship to Killer Kross, he will have the chance to showcase his skills against the current IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, Andrade.
ACW Reckoning will take place on May 16.
