May 19, 2002

The following interview was conducted with Matt Matthews, from WEBY Shootclub radio. It was originally printed in the PPV section of Shootcamp, the training facility for the wrestling fantasy site that I help with, shootclub.com. I have reprinted it here for your viewing pleasure, and I feel it gives a great insight into how the project of Shootclub came into being what it is today.

 

MATT MATTHEWS: "Welcome ladies and gentlemen. My name's Matt Matthews and I'm the host of WEBY Shootclub Radio. However, I have also taken on the role of being Shootcamp's interviewer. Today, I have with me a very special guest. He is part of the "Big 3" individuals in charge of Shootclub. Allow me to introduce…John Rodeo from shootclub.com and johnrodeo.com!! How are you today, John?"

JOHN RODEO: "Pretty good, Matt. It's great to be here."

MATTHEWS: "Considering this interview is being broadcast during Shootcamp's inaugural Pay Per View, I'm sure some of the viewers would like to know a bit about yourself."

RODEO: "My name is John Rodeo, pronounced ro-DAY-o, like Rodeo Drive, and as you know I am one of the three people that run www.shootclub.com, along with Webby and Crock. We each have our own area of expertise, and part of mine is the fact that I used to work as an independent pro wrestling manager. I got into that back in 1992 at Killer Kowalski's Institute of Pro Wrestling, and had the chance to work with talent like Triple H, Saturn, Raven, Chyna, Albert and Scotty Too Hotty. So, combining my knowledge, and love of wrestling, I think it only help to give Shootclub a unique and distinct feel."

MATTHEWS: "How long have you been a part of Shootclub?"

RODEO: "Well, technically I could say since roughly June of 2000 when the doors to the game opened. But that would only be partly true. I had the honor to meet Webby and Crock some years back while playing a play by mail wrestling game and we became fast friends. That love of wrestling is what formed Shootclub, and its previous inceptions. We have had a play by mail game ourselves, as well as a version on the Internet before. So we have spent nearly a decade crafting, honing and shaping the game into the exact image you see today. So the short answer is two years, and the long answer is about a decade."

MATTHEWS: "So I take it the three of you form a unique bond. Exactly what aspect of Shootclub do you manage?"

RODEO: "As we come to pay to play and version 3.0, our roles may evolve, as the game itself does. At this time Webby handles the programming. Crock handles logos, banners, and the creative end of wrestling. Now, being that I am not the most technical person on the planet, my expertise is running the SWA PPV's and overseeing the SWA promoter belts along with Alex Profit. I also monitor and help with the message boards and chat room. So in short, Crock and I handle the bulk of what you see, while Webby does the programming. But make no mistake about it, everything you see is a result of a true team effort. And we are always there for each other, and willing to give or listen to honest feedback and criticism, whether from ourselves or our players."

MATTHEWS: "You mentioned Version 3.0. Webby has given countless messages on the message board concerning the newest version of Shootclub. What, in your opinion, is the coolest thing about the upcoming Version 3.0?"

RODEO: "Wow! That is like trying to summarize Webster's unabridged dictionary in one sentence. [laughter] The beauty of it is this, I suppose, in a nutshell is it will have a glossier look, without losing the unique feel that is Shootclub. Part of what Shootclub brings to the table is our own custom created software. None of that will be lost in 3.0. In fact, from top to bottom [the program] will be enhanced. So, I suppose each person will have something they will like best about it. As for me, I guess I will go with the fact that Webby is designing it so that Crock and I can manage more tasks. From that perspective, I think it will only raise the lofty bar that people have come to expect from the game."

MATTHEWS: "And with Version 3 will come "Pay to Play". How do you think Shootclub's roster will look once people start paying to play Shootclub?"

RODEO: "It is difficult to make an exact assessment. I am sure that some people will be unable, or unwilling to pay for the game. And I do not begrudge them. I completely understand that, and thank them for taking part in the Shootclub experience. What I do know is this. And that is that when all is said and done, we will have some dedicated players ready to play our game. And I promise this, they will get their monies worth."

MATTHEWS: "However, ShootCAMP will remain free, correct?"

RODEO: "That is correct. Shootcamp will serve a couple of purposes. For starters, it is a place where people can get their feet wet, and decide if they like or dislike the game. From there we have our newly implemented position of Shootcamp trainers. Serving in that role is Mikeisthestud, Derek B., Chefjayman, Rorbac, and Servo. So Shootcamp will also be seen as a training center of sorts, to help people understand the game as fully as they like. However, the exact length of time one can stay in Shootcamp has not been finalized."

MATTHEWS: "Do you have any advise for the Shootcampers watching this show?"

RODEO: "I would actually pass on something that I learned from my days in professional wrestling. Be a sponge. By saying that, I mean to soak everything in around you. Do not be afraid to make a list of what you like and dislike, as well as what you understand and what you do not. From there, you can go to the message board, the chat room, or consult your trainers, and they should be able to lend an ear, and a helping hand. But above all else, remember that this is a game, and I hope each and everyone out there that tries out Shootclub.com has fun doing so."

MATTHEWS: "Alright...this is the point in the interview where I ask you a nice opinion question. You ready?"

RODEO: "Sure."

MATTHEWS: "What is your opinion on the state of Professional Wrestling today?"

RODEO: "Great question. And it is one that I have mixed emotions on. It would be easy for me to try to be a Tuesday morning quarterback, if that is the term in wrestling and say everything that I myself would alter [laughter]."

MATTHEWS: "[Laughs] Eh...we all do it."

RODEO: "But the writers and bookers are dealing with a variety of people, trying to get as many people involved as possible, so, if I focus on what I truly like, it is the following: I am so pleased, more than most realize, to see the return to the big time of the wrestling manager and I am pleased to see some of the young talent out there get a chance. As for my opinion, I am kind of old school in my mentality, but I appreciate today's wrestlers for what they are. And having been there once myself, I appreciate their drive, dedication, and love for the industry."

MATTHEWS: "Thanks a bunch John. And I look forward to talking to you again, maybe after Version 3?"

RODEO: "Sure thing Matt. And thanks for your interest in Shootclub. It is appreciated as always."

MATTHEWS: "That's all for today, but be sure to join my co-host Dr. Love and me when we broadcast our live audio version of WEBY Shootclub Radio on www.fancast.com Tuesday, May 21 at 9:00pm EST. So, for all of us at WEBY Shootclub Radio and Shootclub.com, thanks for listening."

 

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