One of the highlights of my year has been attending a ton of local wrestling shows in the Kansas/Missouri area. It’s been a fantastic experience to witness the rise of talented up-and-coming wrestlers who have the potential to become future stars in the industry. Among them, one individual who stands out is Bobby Joe Black, a humble farm boy with a heart of gold racking up wins on both sides of I-70. I had the opportunity to chat with him about the local wrestling scene, his aspirations, and his upcoming match against “the Unnatural Disaster” Salum Gust. If you have the chance to catch a local Kansas/Missouri wrestling show, be sure to keep an eye out for Bobby Joe Black, I think you all will be pleasantly surprised.

Note: This interview was conducted electronically in June 2023.

Any Images that aren’t my blurry shots from shows are from Black’s social media page or the TCW pages linked below.

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Tell me a little bit about yourself.

“My name is Bobby Joe Black, I’m 29 years old. I was Born and raised in Turner Kansas on my family’s farm. I’m a massive Kansas City Chiefs fan, pro-wrestling fan, and Star Wars fan.”

Where did you train?

“I trained, and currently still do train, at the Trailblazer Performance Center owned by Ryan and Jake King. When they are open, I’m always there.”

Do you have any tips for aspiring professional wrestlers? Recommendations?

“My tip for anyone wanting to get started on their professional wrestling journey is to do your research and ask questions. Also be prepared to run and squat still your legs feel like jelly.”

What got you into wrestling?

“So, originally a friend I made in middle school showed me these WWE wrestling games. From there I watched Raw and Smackdown and told my friend “I want to do this when I get older.” When I turned 18, I was reunited with my brother Johnnie jo Black and he started taking me to this smaller-scale wrestling show called Metro Pro Wrestling and from there I was hooked.”

Which wrestlers do you look up to most?

“So, this is a question that requires a layered answer. So, for high level WWE guys I look up to Chris Jericho, John Cena, and Matt Hardy. For the guys you would call indie that would be, Mark Sterling from Metro Pro, Sir Bradley Charles, and Camaro Jackson.”

I’ve been going to independent wrestling shows in the area since 2007 or so (off and on), and to me, it seems like the MO/KS scene is exploding post-Covid, what are your thoughts?

“I truly believe that is due to people being tired of being in the houses and wanting to see live entertainment and sports.”

I’ve seen you wrestle for Trailblazer Championship Wrestling, Tri-States Wrestling, World League Wrestling, and New Breed Wrestling (just on YouTube), are there any other places you frequent?

“So, currently the list of places I’m wrestling are Trailblazer Championship Wrestling, World League Wrestling, Tri-States Wrestling, New Breed Wrestling, and Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling. SICW is the newest place I have wrestled for. I am currently talking to a lot of other places in states as far as Tennessee Arkansas and Iowa.”

Do you prefer doing tag matches or singles?

“That’s a good question because my favorite person to tag with is my brother Johnnie Jo Black, a close second would be Bert Candy. But other than teaming with those two, I prefer singles.”

You really surprised me at TCW’s Bunkhouse Brawl, how’d you prepare for a match like that?

” So, for a match like that and for a match like the one I’m having against the “unnatural disaster” Salum gust. A lot of squats and dead lifts.”

What do you consider your biggest win so far?

“The biggest win for me so far is the Bunkhouse Brawl win. My first win against Juno Granger was really important to me, but nothing so far can beat that feeling I had when I eliminated Salum Gust to win the Bunkhouse Brawl.”

NOTE: See my review of TCW Bunkhouse Brawl for more info HERE

Speaking of The Bunkhouse Brawl, you have been embroiled in what appears to be a blood-feud with “The Unnatural Disaster” Salum Gust ever since, what exactly is his problem with you?

“So, I’m pretty positive the reason he is out to tear my head off is because of my Bunkhouse Brawl win. As you saw, he was eliminating people left and right, he even threw my brother out. He almost had me too, but I was able to get out of his “unnaturally” strong grip and send him over the top rope. He saw it as his opportunity and now he wants his revenge.”

This upcoming weekend (June 24th) you go against Gust in a “Body slam Match” at TCW Star Spangled Slammer, are you confident you can get the man up?

“Believe it or not, but I actually requested this “Body slam” match. The last match Salum and I had made me very upset with myself. Since then, I’ve been putting extra hard work in the gym and on the farm. So I’m not only confident I’ll lift Salum up and slam him down. I’m very confident.”

What is your contingency for some of Gust’s unsavory “friends”?

“First of all, I don’t think Salum has friends, probably why he’s so mad, but if you are talking about “The Madman” Max Sterling, Johnnie Jo and I have had our talks in our war room about what to do.”

Looking forward to the second half of 2023, what are some of your goals?

“My overall goal by the end of 2023 is to have had 70 total matches under my belt.”

Who is a dream opponent of yours?

“Of current wrestlers, Kevin Owens would be a dream one. Now, a wrestler from any time would be Bret Hart.”

What is the weirdest place that you have wrestled?

“In the middle of a dirt road.”

Any Movies, TV shows, books you are enjoying, want to recommend?

“So, as I said I’m a huge Star Wars fan, so really anything from that. But if you don’t want to have to know anything to enjoy a show Watch The Mandalorian. I’m excited for Ashoka to come out in August, and next week is [Marvel’s] Secret Invasion, so that will be fun.”

I’m a big history guy, so I ask this to people in all my interviews – If you could go back to any point in history via time travel, where would you go?

“I would go back to when the great Pyramids were built. I want to see if it was aliens or not.”

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So, there you have it! It was awesome to get to speak with Bobby Joe Black and get his thoughts on his upcoming match on June 24th in Ottawa Kansas. Bobby Joe is known for his tenacity and heart, and I’m sure that he will overcome the odds next week with the fans firmly behind him. Star Spangled Slammer is sure to be yet another solid event, and tickets are selling fast, so be sure to head over to their ticketing site HERE.

Stay tuned for a preview article VERY soon.

For More about Trailblazer Championship Wrestling, check out their website HERE, Facebook Page HERE, their Twitter page HERE, or YouTube HERE. TCW is also listed on Cagematch HERE

Bobby Joe Black is also on Social Media, and can be found HERE, be sure to give him a follow!

For more of my professional wrestling content, click HERE