Interview with NWE's GM Roberto Indiano!

WE- How did you get into wrestling promoting?
R.I.- An old friend has introduced me in wrestling business and I have immediately understood that it can be a big business. I become a wrestling follower, but before starting this business, I wanted to understand deeply the product and do I lived for some times in Usa.

WE- How Nu-Wrestling Promotion evolved in NWE?
R.I.- When I felt really ready to open a wrestling company that can be a real point of reference in Europe, once I had the necessary experience and the right contacts, I and my friend Kishi has decided to create the NWE.

WE- When you started out in the wrestling business, did you find it hard to deal with?
R.I.- This is a very hard business for who starts it and so you must know it well. It's a different world from the one of other shows; but once you have understood the way of doing, how to go ahead, there are no more problems. at the beginning all is always a big problem!!!

WE- Across the 2005 year, Italy was the “el dorado of wrestling” with loads of kids absolutely crazy about wrestling. What do you remember about that period?
R.I.-I miss working in Italy...I'd like to return back and organize shows in my Country, but unfortunately here wrestling is seen now as devil and for many reasons now it's impossible to organzie something here without a tv coverage.
Also the wrestlers has wonderful remember of Italy...everybody miss our hospitality and our culture.

WE- Do you think a different way of promoting wrestling could have permitted Italy to keep up that attention about wrestling?
R.I.- Maybe yes...but it's not up to me to tell this. Lots of mistakes have been made during promotion time by anybody...now things in Spain are really better for everybody. For sure the biggest mistake has been not to valorize in the right way the power of Italia Uno (popular Italian TV Channel n.d.WE)...without that channel wrestling has dead.

WE- Are there any chance to see a NWE tour again in Italy?
R.I.- I really hope so....

WE- NWE has just had a huge summer tour in Spain. What’s your balance about this tour and how about a comparison from the situation in Spain nowadays and the 2005 boom in Italy?
R.I.- Pheraps this has been one of the most prolific tours in the history of the european wrestling. A summer not to be lost, rich of emotions and of lots and lots of people!...we have joined more than 150.000 persons around the NWE ring in less than two months...these are good results!!

WE- The Spanish Summer Tour was highlighted by the return of The Ultimate Warrior in front of 16.000 paying spectators.
What are your feelings about this amazing event?
R.I.- An extraordinary experience, strange for many points. A very waited moment by all, the roster was very stressed as all of us....we have worked too much in order to produce this event and the return of warrior on the ring. The show was very good, people was happy, people liked the matches, all seemed to go to an happy end, but...in the last match, after the announcement of Warrior something broke down. People has begun to shout and in the last minutes people become to leave the arena...and the more waited return has become a drama.

WE- According to the Warrior’s speech after his match against Jordan, he difficultly will be part of the NWE active roster in the future. What can you tell us about it?
R.I.- We have in the roster the most extraordinary talents of the world. Think to Jungle Pac or to Spartan 3.000 b.C...think to the extraordinary charisma of Orlando Jordan or to the experience and technic of Juventud Guerrera and Ultimo Dragon...now I prefer to concentrate me on the future of these guys instead of on Warrior.

WE- Can you anticipate us something about the tournament to decree the next NWE Champion?
R.I.- I can only tell that it will be one of the most appasionate tournament of the wrestling history...not to be missed!!

WE- Are you already thinking about a possible other amazing import for NWE? Some internet rumours have talked about Scott Hall but we know your dream is The Hulkster!
R.I.- Scott Hall has not presented to our show....so I don't really think we will call him again. Hulk Hogan? It's just a matter of time...just a matter of time!!

WE- NWE announced some days ago his debut in France. How do you think NWE will have an effect on the French Wrestling scene?
R.I.- The same impact that we had in Spain. The NWE is preparing to enter as protagonist in France.

WE- What made you focus on using mainly former WWE wrestler?
R.I.- Our public is made up of kids and family and this target knows well the WWE product. For this reason we use the most loved characters, the most known by kids because without them it would be impossible to make a good promotion and then...they are very good!

WE- By the way, various European wrestlers have been part of NWE in the recent past. What’s your opinion about European scene?
R.I.- There are a lot of really incredible talents and I would like to mention above all Jungle Pac.In the last months he had an extraordinary grow up and he is maybe the best highflyer of the world. We have given him a character that he loves and he knows to act as in a very good way and we are teaching him how to work with a less expert, but more passionable public.

WE- Recently loads of international promotions (TNA and NOAH above all) have had their “European vacation” here. You have been part of the CZW and NJPW European Tour in the past.
Do you think this kind of operation could be really successful for the promotions or it could turn out in a waste of money?
R.I.- No one operation, without a right television coverage or television promotion can have a good economical success.

WE- Are there any plans for NWE to start an Academy in Europe (maybe with Ultimo Dragon as head trainer), like various other promotions?
R.I.- No Plans for now.

WE- What about exporting NWE product in other country?
R.I.- We are working very hard to export NWE in all Europe. After Spain we are preparing the market in France, Belgium, Romany and UK. But we are also dealing with overseas Countries as South Africa, Australia, USA and Samoa Islands.

WE- Do you think NWE will ever be successful in the UK scene?
R.I.- I think that with the right tv coverage NWE will be well appreciated.

WE- Can you tell us more about the cross promoting between NWE and 1PW in the 2007?
R.I.- Something happens with the money. Gauntley forgot to pay us our 50% after the show but we are talking about few coins for us; that guy has the worst reputation in the business.

WE- Do you think that NWE can be a WWE or TNA competitor today or in the future?
R.I.- WWE is one of the greatest production entertainment machine in the world, over 30 years of experience and big budgets for their productions. I think that there's no way to be in competition with them. I don't consider TNA competitor because they don't produce events, they don't sell tickets and this is the first NWE business... so we work in different markets and ways.

WE- To end the interview, tell us why NWE is really “the place to be”!
R.I.- This is our catch phrase because when wrestlers come to work with us they feel very well. NWE is passion but with professionality and our shows are really complete: you can see great stars, amazing high flyers, power guys, young talents and beatiful women.




by Stefano D'Alessio