Courtesy of Alan J. Wojcik and http://alanwojcik.com
In May 2003 IPW Hardcore promoters created the JEFF PETERSON MEMORIAL CUP in tribute to the fallen cruiserweight star who passed in 2001 after a long battle with cancer. Since then the event has garnered a list of international stars who supported the event and honored Jeff’s memory by putting on five star caliber bouts. The previous winners were “Reckless Youth” Tom Carter, Justice, Chris Sabin, Milano Collection AT, Chris Hero & Erick Stevens. On November 20-21 sixteen men will come to Brooksville & Crystal River, Florida to try and join those names. Could this year’s winner be:
Davey Richards
Height: 5 Ft 8 In
Weight: 202
Hometown: Othello, Washington
Pro Debut: June 2004
Tournament History: 2006 Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup (lost to Rod Steel in 1st round), Winner 2006 ECWA Super 8, Winner PWG 2006 Battle of Los Angeles, 2007 NWA/ECCW Pacific Cup (lost in 2nd round), Winner 2009 FIP Eddie Graham Battle of the Belts
Where you have seen him: Full Impact Pro, Pro Wrestling Guerrilla, Ring of Honor, Pro Wrestling WAR, APW, UPW, AWA Pinnacle, IWA-MS, WXW (Germany), AWA Washington, Dragons Gate USA, Pro Wrestling NOAH
Championships held: Current FIP World Heavyweight champion, current ROH World Tag Team champion (w/ Eddie Edwards, duo is American Wolves) PWG Tag Team champion (w/Super Dragon twice, Roderick Strong once), ROH World Tag Team champion (w/Rocky Romero) AWA Washington Tag Team champion (w/Tony Kozina)
Alan Wojcik: Having been part of the 2006 event, what does it mean to you to be part of the 2009 Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup?
Davey Richards: It means I’m gonna spread some buttcheeks and ol big daddy DR is gonna go rotor rooter in someone’s colon with his size 9.
Alan Wojcik: You were trained for wrestling by former JPC competitor Tony Kozina. Talk about the training process and working with him during your career as a tag team partner.
Davey Richards: One time Tony went on a date with this chick and she was giving the cold shoulder the whole time, so when he went to drop her off at her house as she’s getting out of the car. He tried to belt out a fart to let her know how disappointed he was with the date and shit his trousers. True story.
Alan Wojcik: Besides the Peterson you participated in 2 other tournaments in 2006. First let’s talk about the ECWA Super 8 (run by Jeff’s uncle Jim Ketner) where you defeated Scott Lost, 2005 JPC winner Milano Collection AT and Charlie Haas.
Davey Richards: Yea, I whipped ass. In truth I needed the money as me and Tony were starting up our promotion, “Sweet Christ Entertainment”.
Alan Wojcik: The other tournament you won was the PWG Battle of Los Angeles where you defeated Ronin, Austin Aries, Roderick Strong & CIMA. Talk about that night and being a regular in PWG since 2005, are you surprised by the promotion’s success?
Davey Richards: Once again, me whipping ass. I’ve had the honor of being part of PWG roster for so long. Those guys are like family. I wouldn’t be where I am today with out PWG. There success doesn’t surprise me one bit as its long overdue IMO.
Alan Wojcik: 2006 also saw you begin to work for Full Impact Pro and Ring of Honor. First how did you come on the radar of each promotion and what were the initial reaction to you by the extremely fickle ROH crowd?
Davey Richards: Gabe Saplosky called me up and wanted me to come in, I wanted to come in, so it all fell together. The ROH fans are ok by me, they’ve never stolen my car or hit on my wife. But if they did, I’d be whipping some ass and this and that.
Alan Wojcik: During your ROH tenure you have been part of a few factions, namely the No Remorse Corp and Sweet & Sour Inc. Which group do you feel got you the greater career success and without ticking off your other tag partners, try and compare them to your current “American Wolves” partner Eddie Edwards.
Davey Richards: No Remorse Corps was awesome, man I miss Rocky( Romero)! It really broke me out my shell and let me start having fun. Eddie is the flippin man, straight up. Dude is ssssooooooo underrated, legit the toughest guy in ROH. He beats up little kids so right there he’s rocking in DR’s book. Its my pleasure to tag with him. But yea chicks loved Rocky so that was cool to be around too.
Alan Wojcik: Also during your tenure ROH held several PPV style events and currently has a TV show on HDNET (Mondays @ 8pm). Talk about that experience and do you find yourself getting more bookings from being on TV?
Davey Richards: I don’t get any more bookings, I’ve never even seen the TV show, my TV got stolen, that will be the ultimate ass kicking when I find that guy. I’m gonna kick him right in the tip.
Alan Wojcik: At the Eddie Graham Memorial Battle of the Belts event you defeated Erick Stevens, El Generico & Roderick Strong. I want to talk about that event but also why you brutally attacked then champion Tyler Black taking the championship belt and a $25,000 bounty from Heart Break Enterprises.
Davey Richards: Yea, sometimes I just wake up and go, “Man, I’m so goddamn jacked it’s crazy”. I mean really, I look at my legs in the mirror and just ponder as to how God created these quads of destruction. Then I went and won the tournament. I attacked Tyler because as a God fearing man I don’t take kindly to someone impersonating my Lord and Savoir Jesus H. Christ.
Alan Wojcik: On May 2nd you were awarded the FIP World Heavyweight championship due to injuries to Tyler Black inflicted by you over several months and the same evening you defeated Kenny King. What were your feelings being given the championship instead of winning it or do you feel it was yours all along like Heart Break Enterprises leader “Superstar” Sean Davis proclaimed, what I mean is shouldn’t you have defeated Black in the ring?
Davey Richards: That’s wrong and all wrong sir, your being wrong about and your being racist. I did beat Tyler, punched his fucking mouth loose in ROH and PWG.
Alan Wojcik: You will be featured on the 11/6 debut PPV event from Dragons Gate USA taking on Shingo. For fans unfamiliar with the product, try and explain the Dragons Gate concept and what made you say yes to working for the promotion?
Davey Richards: Dragon Gate is the evolution of wrestling. What made me say yes is DGUSA has some bad mother f’ers rocking the casbah and ol DR wanted in on the mix.
For full event info, VIP ticket packages and profiles of other competitors log onto www.JPC2009.com