Bowks Talking Bouts #21: Darren Metselaar

I spoke with Vice Chairman at Grande Prairie Combative Sports Commission and veteran Manitoba wrestler under the pseudonym Steve Stryker, Darren Metselaar! We discussed XFFC 15 and G1 Climax 27 primarily and it was a blast. 

 

(1:10) the winner take all fight that Darren almost didn't let go forward, (2:06) the amateur mma scene in Canada, (5:00) the considerations of putting on alberta's first outdoor mma show, (7:14) The pro wrestling in Darren's formative years and his love for Japanese wrestling later on, 

(8:24) why strong style doesn't come across as well to North American audiences,

 

 

 

(9:30) Winnipeg connection to Kenny and worked with him early when Kenny Omega had a surfer dude gimmick, (10:40) thoughts on Okada and Omega's matches past as well as future, (12:19) thoughts on Kenny's controversial Toru Yano match, (13:06) differences between Japanese fans and North American fans, (14:01) modern North American fans being ridiculous with chants, (17:03) Kenny's Yano match showing that he can work the fluid Japanese style and adapt to comedy heavy stylings if needed, (19:06) michael Elgin's efforts this year and how I saw him wrestle regularly in Oshawa in 2006,

 

 

 

(20:14) G1 being the toughest stretch of pro wrestling anywhere on the planet, (21:21) Tanahashi vs Ibushi being excellent with both the storytelling and the in ring,  (23:46) why Cody Rhodes should be in the tournament this year, (26:39) seeing big things for juice robinson going ahead, (28:04) the importance of a talent leaving a given promotion to later return with renewed fan interest, (29:02) dusty rhodes' indelible mark on the business, (33:25) predicting the first ever all gaijin final of a G1, (36:33) Don Callis doing commentary for njpw and the strong connection Darren has with him through the Winnipeg scene, and more!