Predator Pro Wrestling comes to Long Beach's MLK Center on May 15 & July 9 – a Q&A with Nightmare
Watched by millions of Americans every week on television, professional wrestling is relevant as active as ever on today's pop culture radar. Within the past few years, Rolling Stone, Sports Illustrated and Buzzfeed have all added wrestling beat writers, while ESPN has had correspondents on-site to cover WWE live events like Wrestlemania and Summerslam. But just as how there's an independent scene for music, there is an indie circuit of professional wrestlers and local promotions putting on events.
One such promotion is Predator Pro Wrestling, as led by Mike Jording –- who wrestles under the name Nightmare -– and his wife Crystal. A family based in Lynbrook, the Jordings launched the surprisingly-family-friendly Predator Pro Wrestling earlier this year, and the company's second ever will be at Long Beach's MLK Center on Sunday, May 15. Mike/Nightmare tackled some Q&A for No Place Like Long Island, and within such revealed when the promotion's third event will be.
For more info on PPW, click on over to www.predatorprowrestling.com or follow PPW on Twitter via @PredatorProWes.
This is the second event for Predator Pro Wrestling. Is there a third event already being planned for?
MJ: Yes there is. We will be returning to the MLK Center in Long Beach on Saturday July 9.
Was there a highlight for you in your first event back in March?
MJ: Seeing the turnout for the show, and having Thorson Creed win his first title.
How did the decision come to put on your first two events in Long Beach? Did you grow up around Long Beach or do you spend a lot of time there?
MJ: We wanted to run in Long Beach as the area is rebuilding after the devastation from Super Storm Sandy. We wanted to be a part of the rebuild. We did not grow up in Long Beach, my wife and I am from Lynbrook, but we spend a lot of time in Long Beach enjoying the community.
Besides Nightmare, who are some of the other people that will be appearing on Sunday 5/15 in Long Beach?
MJ: Thorson Creed, Andrew Anderson, Willow Nightingale, Aria Cadenza, and Lenn Oddity, and former TNA Impact superstar Robbie E will be signing autographs and taking pictures.
What are your goals for Predator Pro Wrestling? Is there a certain thing that needs to happen for the company to feel successful?
MJ: To continue to part on great shows and have people enjoy them, and for them to come back to see what’s next.
Aside from your company, are there other wrestling organizations on Long Island?
MJ: There are several other wrestling promotions on Long Island, most in Suffolk County. Which is why we choose to run in Nassau County, to give wrestling fans a great show without having to travel too far.
What is your favorite part of being a professional wrestler?
MJ: The fans, they’re the best part, because without them there’s no Nightmare, no Predator Pro Wrestling, and every wrestler that gets in the ring knows that.
Is there something you wish more people knew about wrestling?
MJ: All the work that goes into it. They see an event for an hour or two and don’t realize the amount of training the wrestlers go through. They also aren’t aware of all the work that goes in just so we can entertain them.
Do you have an accomplishment as Nightmare that you're most proud of?
MJ: I’m always proud of the 10 titles I’ve won and some of the big names I’ve wrestled, such as Tatanka, Demolition, FBI and Raven.
When you're not busy with wrestling, how do you like to spend your free time?
MJ: I love spending time with my wife and daughter. I also bowl and enjoy watching the New York Mets, the New York Rangers, and Cincinnati Bengals play.
Finally, what do you wish more people knew about Long Island?
MJ: We have great beaches and there’s a ton of things to do no matter the time of year. .
