CJ O’Doyle
Height: 6′0″
Weight: 235
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
Pro Debut: May, 2002

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Website/Myspace: www.myspace.cpm/cjodoyle
Tournament History: 2005 Chikara Young Lions (lost in opening round), 2007 DCW Honor Cup (lost in the finals)
Where have you seen him: Pro Wrestling Riot, Pro Wrestling Fusion, World Xtreme Wrestling, DCW, Far North Wrestling, 3PW, Pro Wrestling Unplugged, Jersey-All Pro, Blackball’d Wrestling Organization, NWA Cyberspace, Maryland Championship Wrestling, Combat Zone Wrestling.
Championship held: WXW Heavyweight champion, WXW Tag Team champion (w/Cabbie), DCW Tag Team champion (w/Mark Harro), FNW Heavyweight champion.
Alan Wojcik: What does being part of the 2008 Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup mean to you and what did you know of Jeff before you were invited to be part of the event?
CJ O’Doyle: Being part of the 2008 JPC means a great deal to me. It is a huge honor to be able to participate in such a prestigious tournament. The collection of talent that comes together under one roof to honor Jeff is amazing. When I came to Florida, competing in the JPC was one of my goals. I’m proud to have accomplished that goal. Every year there are lots of tournaments, all for different reasons. Some are for pride, some for trophies, but the JPC is a tournament to honor a great wrestler and a great person that was taken from us too soon. This year the tournament also benefits a young boy named Devin who sadly suffers from Neuroblastoma. I remember being younger and watching Jeff at ECWA shows in Delaware. He was awesome.

Alan Wojcik: How did you come to be trained for wrestling by former ECW star Gary “Pitbull #1″ Wolfe and what was the daily training routine?
CJ O’Doyle: When ECW was at the Arena, me and my friend always asked to help take down the ring after the shows. While breaking down the ring I had met referee Mike Kehner. Once ECW went down, a few other companies ran the Arena. One of which was JAPW. So I had gone to check out the show and spotted Mike Kehner. I went over to him and struck up a conversation, including my desire to be a professional wrestler. He told me about a school run by Sandman, that Gary was the trainer of. The rest as they say is history. Training with Gary was both fun and brutal. Fun because this is what I wanted to do and I was doing it. Brutal because he is as tough as they come. The daily routine was pretty standard. Stretching, rolls, warm up drills, drills, drills, drills and more drills. At that time he was in Japan a lot and he would always come back tougher and tougher, which is great because it made me tougher and tougher. One thing that he didn’t start doing until recent (When he became the PWU trainer) is something called the “Circle of Pain” I highly recommend it to anyone that likes a challenge and likes to push themselves to see what they’re made of.
Alan Wojcik: You wrestled under other names like Prodigy, CJ North & Tommy Northshore. What led you to settle on “Irish Lionheart” CJ O’Doyle?
CJ O’Doyle: CJ O’Doyle was given to me and I’m thankful for the opportunity. I had started out as Tommy Northshore, being a surfer. That isn’t me at all. I took CJ and just simply shortened Northshore to North. I was doing very small shows and still training, when one day I walked into training and The Blue Meanie was there. Meanie (who I owe so much to) along with Jasmine ran 3PW. He invited me to be a part of the company, but I needed a new name. I remember being at work, when they called and said “CJ, how do you feel about CJ O’Doyle?” It was cool with me. I was happy to be in 3PW. Lionheart means extraordinarily courageous, and in the ring I don’t quit, I don’t back down. I leave it all out there. At the same time I was working for Pops (WXW) I had simply lost all the time. Pops wanted me to be in a bigger spotlight, but the fans only saw me one way. So I went under a hood and changed my name to Prodigy. I had a lot of success as Prodigy. After a while though it was time for a change, so it was only fitting to be CJ there as well.
Alan Wojcik: WXW recently announced some Florida events. Talk about working for them and the legendary Wild Samoan family.
CJ O’Doyle: Working for Afa, WXW, and the legendary Samoan family is another huge honor. Being able to learn from a WWE Hall of Famer was and is incredible. His training program is top tier. I have learned so much from them in all my time there, from small little things to very important things. It has given me lots of experience working not just TV, but LIVE TV. I am grateful to have been there as long as I was, and I’m excited for the opportunity to continue to pick up knowledge from them on these Florida events. Just like the JPC I look forward to these shows because I know, like the JPC they are going to be top notch shows.
Alan Wojcik: Your resume also lists the hardcore based promotion Combat Zone Wrestling. Are the fans as rabid for hardcore as they are for good quality wrestling matches? Plus what is John Zandig like as a promoter compared to others you have dealt with?
CJ O’Doyle: The CZW fans are truly unique. They are unlike any other fans I have encountered. The CZW fans ABSOLUTELY love their hardcore wrestling. But I know they appreciate good quality wrestling at the same time. Just look at all the top guys that at one point in time were in CZW. I think if they don’t know you though, you have to earn respect by doing hardcore matches first. The best way for me to describe it is that it’s like an initiation into acceptance from them. John is a nice guy, pretty laid back. He really cares about his fans, and puts the fans first. He always wants to make sure they are happy no matter what.
Alan Wojcik: I have heard some creative names for promotions but Blackball’d Wrestling Organization may take the award for best name. Who is the creative mind behind it and how did it differ from PWU, JPAW or even the defunct 3PW?
CJ O’Doyle: The creative mind behind it? Well wrestling promotion wise I believe that would be Rockin Rebel. However this “Blackball’d” actually was before the wrestling company. A die-hard 3PW fan named Mario, started a clothing company called Blackball’d. He asked me if I would wear his stuff to the ring and I did. Winter hats, t-shirts etc. Eventually Rebel and his partner did as well, putting the logo on their tights, and calling their tag team by that name as well. I think it fit very well. I’m not 100% sure the EXACT reason as to what led them to name the company that, but I bet all my reasons are correct. It differed to me because the Blackball’d building wasn’t the size of the ECW arena (3PW/PWU) or even buildings like Rahway (JAPW) It was out of a garage and it gave it a very intimate feel.

Alan Wojcik: After working for those promotions what led you to coming to Florida and talk about the differences in ring styles in there is one between the northeast and Florida.
CJ O’Doyle: I came to Florida for a few reasons. One is because I have most of my family here. I also was presented with some unique training opportunities if I moved down. So the choice was simple. There are huge differences between in ring styles. I think the fans have seen a lot up north. Down south, is much more family oriented. It is very old school. There are still a lot of things unseen, that I’m excited the fans will get to see in time. There was almost a riot at Pro Wrestling Riot, when an athletes’ sister (2007 JPC member Sideshow) was put through a table. In the north that would be common. Little things like that are taken for granted up north, but can be so much more appreciated down here.

Alan Wojcik: Pro Wrestling Fusion lists you as a top contender for Vordell Walker’s Bruiserweight champion. What do you think constitutes a Bruiserweight?
CJ O’Doyle: I think what constitutes a Bruiserweight is a smash mouth, in your face, hard-hitting, take no prisoners, strong style wrestler. Period.

Alan Wojcik: You recently joined the Pro Wrestling Riot roster. How does one exist in the promotion seemingly controlled by Ron Niemi’s 911 Inc and Amy Vitale’s Club 305?
CJ O’Doyle: It’s a jungle out there, but I won’t be intimidated. Ron Niemi and Amy Vitale hide behind their charges. Anyone that buys the DVD’s or comes live will see these guys and their groups are nothing more than just bullies. Bullies will run roughshod until their stood up to. I have no problem facing any of them head on. Am I outnumbered? Sure. Will that stop me? Nope. I think enough of the roster is sick of seeing these groups have their ways. I know the guys on the roster would go to battle with me just like I would with them. In fact at the JPC, in War Games 911 inc. has a LONG night. I know the Riot squad, led by Bruce Santee will finally give Ron and 911 what’s coming to them once and for all!
Alan Wojcik: On Kory Chavis & Kenny King’s Myspace pages they are listed as a member of Team WTF. What is Team WTF or is something you cannot address?

CJ O’Doyle: First rule of Team WTF, don’t talk about Team WTF.

Alan Wojcik: So not a shocking answer. After looking over the other fifteen competitors who do you think is the one obstacle between you and the trophy presentation on the 27th?
CJ O’Doyle: I can’t say there is just one obstacle Alan. Looking at every competitor, each one of them I see as an obstacle. All 16 of us are here for a reason. Any one of us can take the whole tournament. However I would be a fool to look to far past my first round opponent Jon Davis. I think this should be one of the most anticipated first round matches. He is tough, strong and on top of his game. But I’m stronger, I’m quicker, I’m hungrier. And that’s the difference. I’m hungrier. I want it more. I’ll keep getting up when I get knocked down. I think our match will be like two bulls butting heads. But when the collision is over, I’ll be standing tall looking at my battle scars through the reflection of the 2008 Jeff Peterson Cup.

– Alan Wojcik