JNPO: Inside the rise of Seattle’s DEFY Wrestling
As always, this is a free show. Just click below to listen.
In January 2017, a new indie promotion launched in Seattle, Washington, headlined by Cody Rhodes vs. Shane Strickland competing for the now-defunct GFW NexGen Championship.
In current day, DEFY Wrestling just celebrated their fifth anniversary, has a rabid and loyal fanbase, their own on-demand video service, and has helped further along the careers of Strickland, Darby Allin and prodigy Nick Wayne.
In this look at the history and future of the promotion, co-owner and co-founder Matt Farmer talks with me about everything DEFY in a fascinating look at how an indie promotion has fought to make it in a region that needed a modern wrestling infusion.
In our talk, we discuss Allin, Strickland, the rise of Wayne and the night he was given his AEW contract, balancing cards with local vs. fly-in talent, and plenty more.
If you’re in the Portland, Oregon, area Saturday, check out their event headlined by DEFY Interim World Champion Christopher Daniels, 2 Cold Scorpio vs. Nick Wayne, a no DQ match between Joey Janela and Schaff, and more.
Click below to listen.
Since 2011, Josh has been a contributing editor to Wrestling Observer/F4WOnline.com and also hosts the Punch-Out podcast. He has also written for Fight Magazine, Bloody Elbow, Bleacher Report, and other websites. He's a 2000 graduate of the University of Maine, worked in pro sports, and once was an indie ring announcer.