Alan J. Wojcik: I am sure
Naphtali: Ron Niemi emailed me the beginning of 2003 asking me if it was a good idea. I thought it was a real great idea to carry on Jeff’s name in a huge tournament with guys like CM Punk, Colt Cabana and Reckless Youth. We thought it was going to be a one time event; here we are five years later.
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Alan J. Wojcik: Anyone who has attended the previous 4 events knows it is usually opened by you giving a tribute to Jeff. For anyone who has never attended or purchased a DVD of the event, tell them what Jeff Peterson meant to you before and after his tragic passing. Â
Naphtali: We were best friends and road partners. We went everywhere together sometimes not by choice. Sometimes I drove him to and from events but I never minded because of our friendship. After the fact it’s still hard. Every night I expect my phone to ring and talk to him or I see him at places I am shopping. I know he is always there one way or another. Â
Alan J. Wojcik: In the 2003 event you defeated fellow IPW-Hardcore legend Seijin Akki (2004 competitor Mikey Tenderfoot’s alter ego) and lost to the eventual winner “Reckless Youth†Tom Carter. What was going through your mind during those matches, I mean did you have Jeff in your head thinking I hope he is watching and enjoying this?Â
Naphtali: The hardest part was doing my speech and then going right back out for the opening match of the entire tournament with Mikey. That was difficult but I knew Jeff was looking down and didn’t want to mess up in front of that crowd. Â
Alan J. Wojcik: The 2004 event had some memorable matches (which are listed at the end of this interview) but you had one of your own in the opening round against TNA Wrestling’s Petey Williams when a somersault plancha went bad.Â
Naphtali: I remember everything from the match I just didn’t have control over my body. I tried to pick myself up but couldn’t. I thought I was screaming to referee Billy Dalton “I’m done, I’m done.†Turns out my mouth was open but nothing was coming out. I have watched it and the ropes were loose. I landed and hit my head on the chair. But I am here and in one piece. Â
Alan J. Wojcik: You haven’t competed in the tournament since 2004 but in 2006 you had match with Billy Kidman on night one and the second night a hardcore tribute match facing off with OG Scarface (now known as 2007 entrant Sideshow) and your on-off tag partner Havok. I remember some people felt it was poor taste to hold that match. Please tell the readers your immediate reaction to that statement.Â
Naphtali: My number one favorite match with Jeff was a match where tables and ladders were used. So no one knows Jeff like me, OG and Havok. He would have loved everything about that match. People want to crap on that match, fine I‘ve been crapped on my whole career.Â
Alan J. Wojcik: The previous events were booked by Ron Niemi and other people. What led to Naphtali taking over the event and how did you deal with the pressure to produce a great event that has seen international names involved? Â
Naphtali: Ron moved to
Alan J. Wojcik: Unlike previous tournaments this year the JPC held nationwide qualifier matches in addition to the normal at-large bids. What led to that decision and do you feel it was a success in drawing early interest in event?Â
Naphtali: I didn’t plan on it happening. I think it was the YaPro tournament in
Alan J. Wojcik: This year’s event features some national names like the previous years (Chris Hero, Kenny King and Matt Cross to name a few). What led to the decision to include Shimmer’s Allison Danger and why not someone like Gail Kim or Traci Brooks, (which isn’t meant as a slight to Ms. Danger who has wrestled internationally).Â
Naphtali: A combination of things led it to happen. One is a business and personal relationship with Shimmer owner Dave Prazak. I work with him in FIP. I thought why not have a woman from Shimmer on the show in a match. Allison and Sara Del Ray were mentioned but I chose Allison and it got us lots of publicity. Â
Alan J. Wojcik: I am sure you get asked this, how do you set up the brackets?Â
Naphtali: They are picked out of a hat. I had the qualifiers and after that I looked over things and like what we have. I think people expected Chris Hero vs. Erick Stevens in the finals not as early as it could happen. Â
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2003-2006 Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup Information:Â
May 17, 2003–Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup DAY 2 in St. Petersburg, FL: Naphtali b B-Boy, Reckless Youth b Tony Mamaluke, Ruckus b Jason Cross, Sedrick Strong b Justice, Reckless Youth b Naphtali, Reckless Youth b Roderick Strong to win tournament, Frankie Capone & Pat Powers & Pat McGroin b Pretty Fly & Comic Book Guy Anderson & Mark Zout, Agent Steele NC Navy Seal, Sonjay Dutt & Steve Madison b Jerrelle Clark & Roderick Strong, Billy Fives b Lex Lovett to keep IPW title, Shane Twins b Danny Doring & Steve Corino..
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2005 Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup night one—
2005–night two— Brandon All Stars: non tourney 4 way Jay Fury b Chasyn Rance, Jerrelle Clark, Aaron Epic. Second Round: Vordell Walker b Matt Sydal, Jimmy Rave b Petey Williams, Chris Sabin b Mikey Batts, Sonjay Dutt b Rickey Reyes, Semi-finals: Chris Sabin b Vordell Walker, Sonjay Dutt b Jimmy Rave, FINALS: Chris Sabin B Sonjay Dutt. Non tournament matches included: Antonio Banks b Rod Steel, Double Deuce b Heartbreak Express, The Vandals and The Market Crashers to retain the NWA Florida Tag Team Titles, Sal Rinauro/Tony Kozina b Fast Eddie/Todd Sexton, Bruce Steel b Roderick Strong to retain NWA Florida Heavyweight Title….
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June 16, 2006–Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup DAY 1 in Sanford, Florida. Opening round: Ruckus b T.J. Mack, The Canadian Cougar b Jake Manning, Joey Ryan b El Generico, Rod Steel b Davey Richards, Krazy K b T.J. Wilson, Delirious b Human Tornado, Tom Carter b Chasyn Rance, Milano Collection A.T. b Arik Cannon, Jerrelle Clark b Dagon and Ryan Drago in a 3-WAY (Non-Tournament), Frankie Ciatso w/Molly Holly b Erick Stevens w/So-Cal Val (Non-Tournament), Billy Kidman b Naphtali (Non-Tournament), Christopher Daniels b Roderick Strong (Non-Tournament).
June 17, 2006–Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup DAY 2 in Pinellas Park, Florida: Second round: Ruckus b Canadian Cougar, Joey Ryan b Rod Steel, Delirious b Krazy K, Milano Collection A.T. b T.J. Wilson | Second Round: Ruckus b Joey Ryan, Milano Collection A.T. b Delirious | Finals: Milano Collection AT b Ruckus to win the Jeff Peterson Cup. Non tournament included: T.J. Wilson b Human Tornado and Jake Manning and Arik Cannon and El Generico and T.J. Mack in a 6-WAY, Billy Kidman b Lex Lovett, Modern Day Theory (Scott Commodity & Preston James w/Molly Holly) b Bruce Santee & Pretty Fly w/Amy Love, Naphtali b OG Scarface and Havok in a 3-WAY Jeff Peterson Tribute match, Christopher Daniels b Sedrick Strong——————————————————————————————
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Opening Round of the 2007 Jeff Peterson Memorial CupÂ
Reckless Youth BracketYRR member Sal Rinauro vs. APW-GA’s “Kool†Seth Delay vs. NWA Indiana’s “Pure Dynamite†Billy RocGOUGE’s Krazy K vs. Shimmer Allison Danger Â
Justice BracketNWA-FSM’s Trik Davis vs CZW/ROH star Chris HeroFIP Florida Heritage champion Erick Stevens vs. FPWA’s Nooie LeeÂ
Chris Sabin BracketEWA’s Chi Chi Cruz vs. YRR member Chasyn “Not Cocky†Rance Maryland Championship Wrestling champion Adam Flash vs. ACW’s Sideshow Â
Milano Collection AT BracketNew Wave Pro’s “Unreal†Michael Elgin vs. ROH’s “M-Dogg20†Matt Cross YRR member “the Natural†Kenny Kings vs. AWA’s TJ Mack Â
Night 1 Main Event:
Rage in the Cage battle royal!!!!!!! 20+ person come as you are, bring your own weapons! Entrants announced so far include: Heartbreak Express (“Superstar†Sean and “Fabulous†Phil Davis), Francisco Ciatso, Naphtali, “Irish Destroyer†Heater, Dany Only, Pretty Fly, Leon Scott, Havoc, Bug, Dr. Heresy, Kory Chavis, Craig Classic, Lifeguards and Mister Saint Laurent.Â
Jewish Community Center
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Second round matches in each bracket. Semi-Finals will see Sabin Winner vs Milano Collection Winner and Justice Winner vs. Reckless Youth WinnerÂ
Tag Team RESPECT Match
“The New Heavenly Bodies” Chris Nelson and Vito DeNucci vs Lex Lovett and “Iceman” Buck Quartermaine
JPC Tickets now available!
You can pick up JPC tickets at any event that Naphtali will be attending, including:
June 29th FIP Melbourne, FL
June 30th FIP Crystal River, FL
July 1st SHIMMER Inverness, FL
They are also available via paypal to [email protected]
If you buy via PayPal, please specify if you would like your tickets sent to you, or available at Will Call the day of the shows.
Ticket information
Night 1
$10 General Admission, $5 Kids under 12, Add $5 for VIP entrance
Day of show, all tickets $2 more
Night 2
$10 General Admission, $5 Kids under 12, Add $5 for VIP entrance, Day of show, all tickets $2 more
2 Night VIP Ticket: $25
For more information:
call (727)512-0071
Please check out our MySpace pages http://groups.myspace.com/JPC2007 and
www.myspace.com/jeffpetersoncup or www.floridaindies.com for all things JPC related! Plus check out www.thesuperstation.net/jpc.html for words of enlightenment from Naphtali.Â
Want to buy previous tournaments? You can buy the 2003 event on www.highspots.com, the 2004 event on www.rfvideo.com , the 2005 event on www.rohwrestling.com in their store and the 2006 event on www.pwwf.comÂ