Indy INC. Exclusive: RESISTANCE Pro Co-owner Gabriel Baron Discusses Forthcoming AMC Show
Launched just a few years ago, Chicago-based promotion RESISTANCE Pro Wrestling quickly garnered attention from virtually every facet of the industry. To be sure, the involvement of acclaimed musician Billy Corgan in the fledgling endeavor evoked quite a bit of intrigue from fans and industry insiders alike in the early stages of R-Pro's development. But in the years that followed, the men and women of R-Pro have carefully and steadily built a hard-earned reputation as a showcase for professional wrestling excellence, offering a proving ground for some of the best talents in today's independent scene, including Harry Smith, Kevin Steen, Melanie Cruise, Colt Cabana, Cheerleader Melissa and many others.
Earlier this year, cable channel AMC?home to celebrated television series like Mad Men, Breaking Bad and The Walking Dead?announced they are developing a reality show that will chronicle the inner workings and real-life backstage drama behind the curtain at RESISTANCE Pro. R-Pro Co-owner Gabriel Baron shared some candid thoughts with WrestlingINC.com regarding the past, present and future of the promotion as they embark on they attempt to grow their regional fan base into an international television audience.
Since RESISTANCE Pro's inaugural "Black Friday" show back in late 2011, you've built a dedicated fan base for you live shows in the Chicago area while carefully cultivating a sustained buzz on the Internet. How has the fan response to your product?both at live events and throughout cyberspace?transformed R-Pro from a regional promotion to a company that's ready for an international television audience?
It's all about heart. The fans who come to our live shows can attest to that. Jacques, Billy, and myself have stressed from day one that R-Pro is a family. That family is not only our talent, office, and staff but our fans as well. We know so many of our fans personally because they care as much about our product as we do. Whether it's because a certain character, storyline, or our POP (Positive Outreach Program) has touched them, they aren't afraid to tell us about it. It's not people taking to message boards or social media to voice approval or dissatisfaction something we are doing, it's them coming up to us at our live shows (or us coming up to them) and making real, personal contact. Our roster and staff know that the fans are what "keep the ball rolling" in this business, so we treat them as valued guests in our "home". It is our honor to be given the chance to entertain them and we let them know that. If we are able to show that appreciation to a nationwide or international audience, hopefully others will start to do the same.
The Chicago scene, as well as the Midwest itself, is replete with independent wrestling promotions, from fly-by-night outfits that garner audiences of 10 to 20 fans a night to time-tested organizations that can pull in hundreds of fans per show. What made Resistance Pro stand out from the veritable "alphabet soup" of indy companies waiting in line for a big break?
When we first decided to take this journey together, the three of us said that interesting characters and unique storylines are what is lacking in wrestling nowadays. There are literally hundreds of world-class athletes on the independent scene who can do more moves than you or I could name, but if you aren't emotionally invested, who cares? Someone can do a bunch of crazy flips and seem unfazed? While that's amazing, they should be working for Ringling Brothers, not R-Pro. Fans want people and situations they can identify with and live vicariously through, not emotionless acrobats in physical exhibitions. That's what we offer in comparison to our competition and helps us stand out from the pack.
Many reports have used the phrase "unscripted reality series" to describe the AMC's forthcoming show about RESISTANCE Pro. How much wrestling will be featured on the AMC show?
Probably around 5%. RESISTANCE Pro's story is about the people – in the ring and backstage. Non-fans would never give us a shot if we were "just another wrestling show". Show them the real people, their sacrifices, the brotherhood?the ups and downs, highs and lows?situations they can identify with, and they are hooked. We've had tons of fans who come up to us after a show and tell us that it was the first time they had ever been to an independent show and now they're among our most ardent supporters. They see the love and genuine care we all have for one another, the sacrifices we all make to put on a show, and that makes it even more amazing and appealing to them. Show that to millions of people on TV and we're in a very unique position, don't you think? To be the first wrestling company ever to "get over" their talent and staff's "real lives" in lieu of their in-ring counterparts? The possibilities are endless to where that could lead.
For fans who want to see in-ring action, what's the best way to check out RESISTANCE Pro?
If fans want to see the in-ring action RESISTANCE Pro has to offer, come to a live show! We have a YouTube channel at RealRESISTANCEpro with all footage in glorious HD, DVDs available at RESISTANCEpro.com on our "Merchandise" page, and on DVD and streaming VOD through our partners at Highspots.com and RFvideo.com!
Staff, talent and longtime fans of RESISTANCE Pro have been very candid about their appreciation and affection for the company's former "street team leader" and timekeeper Sam Thompson who passed away in 2012. Do you still feel Sam's enthusiasm and spirit as Resistance Pro prepares to enter such an important and exciting chapter in its evolution?
We all love and miss Sammy and have never stopped thinking about him. We know that he's looking down on us, smiling, and helped us get where we are. His motto of "Never, Never, Never Give Up" is our credo and what we preach to each other and the kids we talk to through our POP program. Whenever any of us are in doubt, we look to his brother Zach (our play-by-play commentator and in-ring interviewer) and sister Katie to remind us of what Sammy would say. He's as much a part of R-Pro's success as Billy, Jacques, or myself. He was there when we started it and he'll be with us every step of the way, no doubt. We just want to make him proud. We love you and miss you, pal.
R-Pro In-Ring Interviewer Zach Thompson with his
brother, Sam Thompson
Mike Bessler is a Contributing Writer for Pro Wrestling Illustrated.
Thompson Brothers photo by Kyle La Mere for RESISTANCE Pro.