JAKE PARAGON - THE ALPHA & OMEGA
**Interview from Issue 16 of Westside Pro Wrestling Newsletter - December 2010**
Jake Paragon has been part of the local scene since debuting in 2007 and has wrestled not only locally in WA, but also in New South Wales and South Australia. WPW’s Tez got the chance to talk to the “Alpha and Omega of Australian Wrestling” before SHWA’s big second anniversary show, Ascension II.
WPW: Before you turned pro, you wrestled for NSWA-e as Dr. Chops. Do you have fond memories of that time?
PARAGON: I have loads of fond memories. It was my first experience doing anything with structured sports entertainment. It was a company dedicated towards charity and it was a group of people doing it for fun and love. Yes, it was “Suburban Wrestling”, which was a mix of backyard and pro - but we had a venue, and drew 250+ crowds. For a company without a professional wrestling ring, that is a huge achievement, and a great feather in the cap of the lady who ran it, Amanda. I'm still tying up with some of the same wrestlers from that very company to this day, in the professional setting of the Southern Hemisphere Wrestling Alliance, and I
wouldn't have it any other way.
WPW: How did you get the moniker of the Alpha and Omega of Australian Wrestling?
PARAGON: Back in 2008, when I wrestled for a promotion that now officially denies that I ever existed). I was a part of the heel stable “The Alpha Omega”. I created the name and the angle it could follow. Due to booking issues, departing/retiring wrestlers, and so forth, it wasn't feasible to run it as a stable anymore and I was proud of the foothold it had gotten, so I decided to keep the moniker and have it apply to myself alone - and try to earn it as best I can.
WPW: You had a short run as Independent Champion in late 2007-early 2008, after winning the title from Jarrad Slate. To date this has been your only title reign, was it a big deal for you?
PARAGON: It was a big deal at the time.
WPW: In early 2008, you go to travel Interstate for the first time to work for PWA Elite (now PWA Australia). What was that experience like for you as you were still in your rookie pro year?
PARAGON: My part was fairly minor, and rightly so. Looking back I don't believe I was at a level where I should have been on the same card as some of the incredible talent that PWA has. It was, of course, an honour and a privilege, and I hope that if I get the chance to visit PWA again anytime soon that I can give them a much better showing than before.
WPW: Later in 2008 you along with a number of other wrestlers started SHWA. Were you nervous at all about starting a new promotion?
PARAGON: I was definitely nervous, as it was a business venture, not a hobby. With hobbies you can pick it up, give it up, leave it till later, pick it up again, etc. SHWA was opened as a business. It was not created to be a flash in the pan, or an overnight sensation, or something to kill time. We started it with the full intention of creating something that would become great and stand out in the world of Australian wrestling. Two years now and we're stronger than ever, and happier than ever.
WPW: You had a great three match series against Californian, Jarek Matthews in late 2009. Do you think the series against Matthews improved your wrestling?
PARAGON: Definitely. Jarek has a long history to his name and a lot of experience. It was a huge privilege to be able to fight him - especially three times! Any wrestler should leap at the opportunity to wrestle against quality international talent and I feel that in those three matches I had with him, not only did it push my limits beyond what they had always been, but I've never been the same since and it gave me lots of new motivation and inspiration to evolve and improve. I hope I get the chance to take him on again and show him what the Alpha and Omega has become.
WPW: You recently returned from injury after several months off, and are in a lot better shape. How much weight did you lose and how did you go about doing it?
PARAGON: I lost just over 18 kilos. That is over 40 pounds, if my dodgy math is correct. I achieved it through the Body-for-Life diet and exercise program. One of my friends, Simon, clued me into it and we started it together to motivate each other to achieve the full 12 week challenge. I am very proud to say I followed the rules to the letter for 12 long and painful, yet very, very exciting weeks, as I saw the weight melting away and a physique finally appearing.
I have started another program and am determined to lose another 15 kilos in 12 weeks at the time of this interview. The most important thing I learned from the challenge is that a regular human being such as myself can find a way to evolve.
WPW: We are just a few short weeks away from SHWA’s second anniversary show, Ascension II. It is a big show in the history of the company. How do you prepare for such a major show?
PARAGON: I do what every fighter, every wrestler, every MMA contender, every boxer, every combatant does before a major bout. I train myself harder than ever. I put myself in the most peak physical condition I can so that when I enter the ring, I hopefully have the advantage over whoever stands opposite. To do any less is to disgrace yourself and the fans who support you. I also try to motivate my colleagues in this regard as well, as an entire card of wrestlers fighting their
hardest in their best condition is what the fans want, and what they should get.
WPW: What have been some of your favourite moments so far, either in the ring or behind the scenes?
PARAGON: The crowd response to Chris Masters as one of SHWA's main events. The opening of our very first show in 2008. The experience of wrestling for Snakepit in Adelaide. The rib we pulled on the $oldiers of Fortune by changing their entrance music to "Big Red Car" by the Wiggles. Being a spotlighted wrestler for Westside Pro Wrestling. I've got so many that come to mind that I can't write them all down. The best ones yet I'm sure are yet to come, and hopefully someday I get interviewed again to recap even more!
WPW: What do you hope to achieve in the business before you retire?
PARAGON: My ultimate success would be to main event the Tokyo Dome someday, like my heroes Kensuke Sasaki, Kenta Kobashi, Naomichi Marufuji, and Stan Hansen. However, wrestling in Japan for a living alone would be enough for me to consider myself having succeeded in my vocation.
WPW: Thank you for taking the time to speak to WPW, Jake.
Jake Paragon has been part of the local scene since debuting in 2007 and has wrestled not only locally in WA, but also in New South Wales and South Australia. WPW’s Tez got the chance to talk to the “Alpha and Omega of Australian Wrestling” before SHWA’s big second anniversary show, Ascension II.
WPW: Before you turned pro, you wrestled for NSWA-e as Dr. Chops. Do you have fond memories of that time?
PARAGON: I have loads of fond memories. It was my first experience doing anything with structured sports entertainment. It was a company dedicated towards charity and it was a group of people doing it for fun and love. Yes, it was “Suburban Wrestling”, which was a mix of backyard and pro - but we had a venue, and drew 250+ crowds. For a company without a professional wrestling ring, that is a huge achievement, and a great feather in the cap of the lady who ran it, Amanda. I'm still tying up with some of the same wrestlers from that very company to this day, in the professional setting of the Southern Hemisphere Wrestling Alliance, and I
wouldn't have it any other way.
WPW: How did you get the moniker of the Alpha and Omega of Australian Wrestling?
PARAGON: Back in 2008, when I wrestled for a promotion that now officially denies that I ever existed). I was a part of the heel stable “The Alpha Omega”. I created the name and the angle it could follow. Due to booking issues, departing/retiring wrestlers, and so forth, it wasn't feasible to run it as a stable anymore and I was proud of the foothold it had gotten, so I decided to keep the moniker and have it apply to myself alone - and try to earn it as best I can.
WPW: You had a short run as Independent Champion in late 2007-early 2008, after winning the title from Jarrad Slate. To date this has been your only title reign, was it a big deal for you?
PARAGON: It was a big deal at the time.
WPW: In early 2008, you go to travel Interstate for the first time to work for PWA Elite (now PWA Australia). What was that experience like for you as you were still in your rookie pro year?
PARAGON: My part was fairly minor, and rightly so. Looking back I don't believe I was at a level where I should have been on the same card as some of the incredible talent that PWA has. It was, of course, an honour and a privilege, and I hope that if I get the chance to visit PWA again anytime soon that I can give them a much better showing than before.
WPW: Later in 2008 you along with a number of other wrestlers started SHWA. Were you nervous at all about starting a new promotion?
PARAGON: I was definitely nervous, as it was a business venture, not a hobby. With hobbies you can pick it up, give it up, leave it till later, pick it up again, etc. SHWA was opened as a business. It was not created to be a flash in the pan, or an overnight sensation, or something to kill time. We started it with the full intention of creating something that would become great and stand out in the world of Australian wrestling. Two years now and we're stronger than ever, and happier than ever.
WPW: You had a great three match series against Californian, Jarek Matthews in late 2009. Do you think the series against Matthews improved your wrestling?
PARAGON: Definitely. Jarek has a long history to his name and a lot of experience. It was a huge privilege to be able to fight him - especially three times! Any wrestler should leap at the opportunity to wrestle against quality international talent and I feel that in those three matches I had with him, not only did it push my limits beyond what they had always been, but I've never been the same since and it gave me lots of new motivation and inspiration to evolve and improve. I hope I get the chance to take him on again and show him what the Alpha and Omega has become.
WPW: You recently returned from injury after several months off, and are in a lot better shape. How much weight did you lose and how did you go about doing it?
PARAGON: I lost just over 18 kilos. That is over 40 pounds, if my dodgy math is correct. I achieved it through the Body-for-Life diet and exercise program. One of my friends, Simon, clued me into it and we started it together to motivate each other to achieve the full 12 week challenge. I am very proud to say I followed the rules to the letter for 12 long and painful, yet very, very exciting weeks, as I saw the weight melting away and a physique finally appearing.
I have started another program and am determined to lose another 15 kilos in 12 weeks at the time of this interview. The most important thing I learned from the challenge is that a regular human being such as myself can find a way to evolve.
WPW: We are just a few short weeks away from SHWA’s second anniversary show, Ascension II. It is a big show in the history of the company. How do you prepare for such a major show?
PARAGON: I do what every fighter, every wrestler, every MMA contender, every boxer, every combatant does before a major bout. I train myself harder than ever. I put myself in the most peak physical condition I can so that when I enter the ring, I hopefully have the advantage over whoever stands opposite. To do any less is to disgrace yourself and the fans who support you. I also try to motivate my colleagues in this regard as well, as an entire card of wrestlers fighting their
hardest in their best condition is what the fans want, and what they should get.
WPW: What have been some of your favourite moments so far, either in the ring or behind the scenes?
PARAGON: The crowd response to Chris Masters as one of SHWA's main events. The opening of our very first show in 2008. The experience of wrestling for Snakepit in Adelaide. The rib we pulled on the $oldiers of Fortune by changing their entrance music to "Big Red Car" by the Wiggles. Being a spotlighted wrestler for Westside Pro Wrestling. I've got so many that come to mind that I can't write them all down. The best ones yet I'm sure are yet to come, and hopefully someday I get interviewed again to recap even more!
WPW: What do you hope to achieve in the business before you retire?
PARAGON: My ultimate success would be to main event the Tokyo Dome someday, like my heroes Kensuke Sasaki, Kenta Kobashi, Naomichi Marufuji, and Stan Hansen. However, wrestling in Japan for a living alone would be enough for me to consider myself having succeeded in my vocation.
WPW: Thank you for taking the time to speak to WPW, Jake.