Everybody in the pro wrestling industry today is familiar with the name “Botchamania”.The show where all the mistakes in pro-wrestling come to light. But, we know quite less about the man working behind-the-scenes. Thus, today we’re bringing you our exclusive interview with the man, the myth, the legend, Maffew from Botchamania.
Aaroh Palkar (AP): Can you please tell our readers a little bit about yourself?
Maffew: Hi readers, I am a nerdy weirdo wrestling fan with an unhealthy obsession with video game music and Simpsons quotes. I've been making Botchamania since late 2006 and I'm very lucky that people still watch them.
AP: So, what initiated you into starting "Botchamania”?
Maffew: There were already similar videos on YouTube and I noticed they were all made by different people. So I figured I'd make my own version after seeing how bad some of them were. A small number of people watched and liked them so I carried on. And here I am, over 300 later!
AP: Nice, can you walk us through the process of making a "Botchamania" video?
Maffew: Watch every wrestling show on TV, make notes, listen to music, write down draft idea involving Simpsons/Goldeneye/N64 references then put them all together.
AP: So, do you do all the above-mentioned things by yourself? Or do you have someone to help you with this?
Maffew: It's me putting it all together but many people like to send videos of botches, endings, ideas that I use a lot of people's suggestions. I'll credit them though.
AP: So, when you're not making Botchamania videos, what else do you like to do?
Maffew: Listen to Ministry, read Hunter S. Thompson books, enjoy non-Hollywood films (Dhoom 3, Singh Is King to suck up), host quizzes, play games on Steam (Binding of Isaac, Broforce, Undertale and others)
AP: What game are you currently playing now?
Maffew: Broforce again! I beat it and now my mates are helping me beat hard mode.
AP: Nice! I've seen gameplay footage of that game I would like to play it someday. Coming back to wrestling, who are your current favourite wrestlers?
Maffew: Current? Maaaaaaan that's tough. Kevin Owens, EC3, BROKEN MATT HARDY, Joe Hendry, Lio Rush, Noam Dar, Zandig...ah the list could go on for ages. Too many!
AP: OK, and favourite matches of all time?
Maffew: Ooooh of all time? Bret vs. Bulldog Summerslam 1992, Styles vs. Daniels vs. Joe, Undertaker vs. HBK I
AP: Speaking of matches this particular controversy is now pretty old, but what are your views on the Will Ospreay/Ricochet match in NJPW’s Best of Super Juniors tournament?
Maffew: I've gone numb from watching strong style ultra mega mega flip-fests so I went ''oh'' when I saw it. I think there's way too much emphasis on work-rate/athleticism and not enough on character/making fans care about the wrestler and not the moves in wrestling.
AP: What do you think needs improvement in today's wrestling product (WWE, TNA, ROH, etc.)?
Maffew: Making finishers finish matches, more promos, less kick outs and less dangerous moves. Wrestling should be enjoyed guilt-free.
AP: Speaking of less dangerous moves, out of all your 300 videos, which is the worst injury related botch you've ever seen?
Maffew: Ah there's a few. Sid's leg, Neville's ankle from earlier this year, Sting getting turnbuckle powerbombed.
AP: And what’s the funniest botch you’ve ever seen?
Maffew: SHOCKMASTER!
AP: So, you mentioned the Buckle Bomb above, Seth Rollins ever since Balor’s injury has been getting a lot of flak for his style of wrestling, which everybody is calling “unsafe”. Do you think Seth’s style of wrestling is unsafe?
Maffew: I think the general high-impact style of wrestling WWE is focused on is dangerous, Seth's just had bad luck but it could happen to any of them. Ambrose does two dives per match and no-one cares. Rollins isn't dangerous...but fuck that Sting match. Why no-one went ''wait, Sting wouldn't have taken this move when he was in his prime why is he going to take 2 of them in this match and it mean nothing?'' Urghhhhh hated that. But yeah, it's not like Rollins is the sole guy to blame.
AP: WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart who called Rollins “Reckless” in past again criticised him after Finn Balor got injured saying that Rollins should stop using the bucklebomb. What do you think about this?
Maffew: I think so or have that move end a match once in a while. Weird that a lot of moves in WWE look brutal but they're simply set-up moves for something else. The fans like you already, stop killing yourselves!
AP: So, let’s deviate a bit from pro wrestling, and talk about UFC. CM Punk UFC 203, what do you think is the outcome going to be?
Maffew: 99% sure he's going to lose, but it's that 1% that's going to make me watch.
AP: Did you check out the first two episodes his documentary “The Evolution of Punk”?
Maffew: Not yet, looks fun though. I like Punk and I think he's a very entertaining person to pay attention to, inside the ring/octagon and out.
AP: While we’re on the subject of UFC we obviously need to talk about Brock Lesnar. What did you think of the finish at SummerSlam?
Maffew: I liked it. I watched the PPV with mates at a bar and everyone around us thought Brock has snapped for reals, at least for a few seconds. Almost everyone’s response was like, ''HOLY SHIT FUCK OH MY GOD AAAHHHHHHHHH'' then he F5'd Shane and it was like ''oh phew it's not real-real''. If Brock had left and not said anything, and not had Shane come out it'd have been perfect. I hope it doesn't lead to Brock vs. Shane or Brock vs. Goldberg though, I'm more interested in a current wrestler dealing with Brock, like Cesaro or Owens or Styles.
AP: Do you think WWE's making the right decision by going with these "semi-shoot" spots, like the Orton/Lesnar finish at SummerSlam, and Miz’s “shoot-style” promo on Talking Smack?
Maffew: I do when they're done properly. Miz/Bryan was so good as it made you pick a side without it being too complicated. Miz won but didn't do a flip, so Bryan didn't like him compared to the other guy. Brilliant promo but Bryan's perspective made me like Miz.
AP: Alright, so we're down to my final three questions. First, WhatCulture Pro-Wrestling aka WCPW, do you think it has the potential to become something big? And become more than just a YouTube show?
Maffew: ''Big'' is a weird term to describe success in wrestling nowadays because it's not about TV being the main focus. You could argue with breaking attendance numbers in Newcastle they're big already. I think they'll do well but need to be wary of trying to stretch themselves too far, as that's what hurts small companies doing well. The shows live are great fun though, as a fan.
AP: BROKEN Matt Hardy is one of the hottest entities in pro wrestling today. Do you think this character will still be successful in the coming future?
Maffew: Only if they introduce new people, have a team with Senor Benjamin and Vanguard1 actually wrestle. I think it could work, variety is best on wrestling shows.
AP: Do you think it is now time for the WWE to give Kevin Owens and AJ Styles the main-event championships?
Maffew: Yes!
AP: Alright my final question. Do you see Damien Sandow and Cody Rhodes still finding success out of the WWE? Or will the hype behind them die soon?
Maffew: Good question! I think it depends on where they go and what they do. There'll always be those that like them for what they've already done and who they are but there's also people who will be interested in what they have to offer now that's new. And turning them into new fans is going to be their challenge. I look forward to it.
Everybody from Sportskeeda would like to thank Maffew for giving us this opportunity, and we wish him nothing, but the best in his future endeavours.
