Name – KUMA | Johnny Pugs
Main Promotion(s) – United Pro Wrestling
Social Media – Facebook | Twitter
Thank you for taking the time to speak to us KUMA. The first question is the standard one, how did you get into wrestling and what was the moment that got you hooked in?
I’ve been a fan of wrestling since about 3 years old, I had a lot of older cousins who handed down some toys and videos to me. I remember being amazed at the contrast in the action figures in particular Big Boss Man, Bret Hart and Legion of Doom.
The first memories of watching it is the Colosseum Home Video collection, Battle in the Royal Albert Hall was my favourite.
What made you decide to start training to be a wrestler and where did you start?
Being the size I am, and being a life long fan, it was pretty much a natural transition. I trained a few years ago but lost confidence and self belief, which is a reoccurring thing in anxiety sufferers. It was a mind over matter decision to train again and one I’m never going to regret.
At 6’8″ and 550lbs you are Europe’s biggest wrestler. What challenges have you faced in your training and development in wrestling?
My biggest physical challenges are obviously physical fitness in the cardio side of things. I move really well and can do things men my size usually can’t and luckily I have a background in weight and strength training, so I guess that is a great positive and maybe an edge I have over other heavyweights.
Your ‘home promotion’ is United Pro Wrestling, based in the North East of Scotland. Following your recent debuts in Discovery Wrestling and Reckless Intent Wrestling, are there any promotions on your immediate ‘bucket list’ of promotions that you’d like to compete in?
When I started wrestling Discovery was my main goal as I had attended a few shows and got to know the owners along with the guys behind the scenes, like Darren Goss and Randy Valentine, who have shown me a lot and also taken me under their wing.
And obviously ICW is where most European wrestlers would like to end up at some stage. The production and fan base is amazing also, being Scottish is also a massive incentive to get there for a sense of national pride too, almost like making the international team if you will.
Still on that ‘bucket list’, as far as dream matches go, are there any wrestlers that you would like to face from the current British wrestling scene and/or worldwide from past or present?
I’d love to mix it up with some of the heavy hitters like:
Joe Coffey
Rampage
Bram
WALTER
Matt Riddle
Kid Fite
Lionheart
But more local guys, it would be Michael Chase who is somewhat of a close friend and mentor to me.
I’d also like to either face or tag with Lucha DS who was the first non-United Pro Wrestling guy to offer me advice and keep an eye on me. A gentlemen inside and outside the sport.
Stallyon who trained me.
I’d also like to test the extremes side of things with the like of Renfrew, Jester etc.
There’s so many good guys, it’s very hard to give a short list.
Outside of Scotland you have wrestled in England and, more recently, Germany. Are there any countries that you’d wish to wrestle in?
Japan and America are the obvious two I wish to hit, asides them, I guess France and Italy would be cool. Germany is awesome I’d love to go all over there.
What was it like to part of the record breaking match at the Johnny Moss School of Pro Wrestling in Cumbria?
Johnny found me through Marty Jones and reached out about facing Big Wally which I happily accepted and got the chance to go and train with him for a solid day.
Johnny blew my mind on just how much he knew and how he explained things, little touches and movements you wouldn’t even think about, he picked up on showed me. I genuinely left there looking at my entire move set differently and it added more confidence to my ring skill set.
Facing Wally was a great experience, we set the British record for the biggest super heavyweight battle in history, not only this but it was Johnny’s leaving night before taking up his job with WWE, probably my biggest and proudest moment in wrestling so far.
Who have been your biggest influences when it comes to your style and/or character? Be it from a training standpoint or a personality that you look at for inspiration.
Big Show, Bam Bam, Yokozuna, Giant Haystacks, Mark Henry, Earthquake and Typhoon for the physical side of things and for mic work, Punk, The Rock, Vince McMahon and I’m a huge Zack Gibson fan.
Where do you see KUMA in five years time?
Well I’m 31 this month so time isn’t on my side. I’d love to think I’ll be a household name in British wrestling and potentially working regularly in Japan or America.
And finally, if folk want to keep up to date with you, where can we find you on social media and where can people buy your merchandise?
I am @smashkumasmash on all platforms and merch is available at shows and hopefully soon online.
Our thanks goes to KUMA for taking part in our SWN Meets series.
SCOTTISH WRESTLING NETWORK | SWN 