Jonathan Gresham Discusses Inaugural PRODUCE Event, Expresses Deep Concern for Professional Wrestling's Future

Prominent independent wrestling sensation Jonathan Gresham is slated to headline the inaugural “PRODUCE Volume 1: The Octopus” event on Monday, where he will face Fuminori Abe.

This new wrestling series, presented by Orange Crush, is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET at Pioneer Works in Brooklyn, New York. The event, backed by Adam Abdalla, will also feature a musical performance by Abel Ferrara.

Gresham indicated that his vision for the broader potential of professional wrestling was a primary factor in his involvement with the event. He conveyed that audiences should anticipate seeing two competitors who possess a genuine affection for the sport.

“This is not me trying to sound braggadocios. I feel like there’s several athletes across the pro wrestling space that feel the way that I do about their work. I believe that these individuals exist, but I’m going to talk about myself right now and Abe. I think on Monday you’re going to see two people who are in love with pro wrestling perform for you,” Gresham stated. “I’m a firm believer in there’s two sides of the coin here.”

“There’s one side where there’s individuals that love the idea of being a professional wrestler. They love the fame, being on television, the moves, the fans clapping for them and all that stuff. I am in love with pro wrestling. I understand professional wrestling on a different level, on a more visceral level than most people and I feel like Abe feels the same way about his craft. So, on Monday, you’re gonna see two people in the main event that are in love with pro wrestling and perform for you.”

Critiquing Modern Wrestling's Trajectory

Gresham articulated a profound passion for professional wrestling, yet he also voiced reservations about its contemporary state, describing it as existing on a “spectrum.” He expressed particular concern regarding the adequate training of professional wrestlers.

“Currently, modern wrestling, I look at it on a spectrum, it’s gotten so far to one end to where, on a weekly basis, on television, at most indie shows that we go to, we see these young athletes, people that have never made it to television, and quite frankly just starting their life, just starting their career, take these big risks,” Gresham observed. “And these promoters are perpetuating this thought process by rewarding the people continuously risking their bodies. I see people diving from balconies, missing tables, just doing some of the most ridiculous things and this way of thinking has left the independents and is now taking place on national television and I just don’t think it is sustainable for the wrestling community going forward.”

Gresham is actively seeking to influence a shift in the current operational structure of the sport.

“Meanwhile, the people that show up and do the craziest moves and do the five-star matches every show are getting pushed. But then when those individuals get the opportunities to go on television and get an opportunity to go on TNA, AEW, WWE, normally those opportunities are eight-minute matches that, right out of the gate, when you’re about to go out, turn into four-minute matches.”

He lamented the phenomenon where independent wrestlers, accustomed to performing 15-minute classic matches on smaller circuits, finally receive television exposure only to find their anticipated eight-minute matches frequently reduced to just four minutes.

Concerns Over Style and Safety

“So, that’s when you get this super homogenistic style that everybody is trying to replicate over and over again. Because, I mean, at one point, it was working, it was new, everybody was chasing it,” he explained. “It started around 2006 or so and then it just got progressively crazier as time went on and now we’re like in the thick of it and I really fear that we’re gonna see people on national television seriously get maimed and injured because of this style and the promoters are perpetuating this issue.”

As the inaugural PRODUCE event approaches at the close of this month, Gresham remains dedicated to refining and showcasing his distinctive wrestling style.

The event roster is also expected to feature Joey Janela, Effy, LaBron Kozone, Mance Warner, Man Like Dereiss, “Hot Sauce” Tracy Williams, and Mad Dog Connelly. Jonathan Gresham holds a role as co-producer, with Adam Abdalla serving as creative director.