Exclusive: JJ Dillon On Sharing His Wrestling Experience With Today’s Talent, Pittsburgh Memories

KSWA Shawn Blanchard JJ Dillon
Photo by Howard Kernats

Wrestlezone’s Dominic DeAngelo recently spoke with JJ Dillon before managing Shawn Blanchard in his NWA Championship match against Nick Aldis. You can read a few transcribed highlights and listen to the interview below:

JJ Dillon on what Pittsburgh means to him:

This is special for me because my career really started here in Pittsburgh. A long, long time ago, back when Channel 11 had the Saturday morning show on the top of the hill. One of my first appearances was a television match with Killer Kowalski. I came in second that day, but it was a learning experience. When I reflect back, I always say that being in the ring with Killer Kowalski was the closest I thought I was coming to dying in the ring. Not that he was dangerous—I had all my teeth, no broken bones—but he just had a way of being relentless. Just about the time I thought I could take a deep breath, he put his big foot on my chest. Pittsburgh was always special. I’ve always enjoyed coming here and especially here [at KSWA Fanfest] for the toy drive. I was here last year and it was a huge success. The place is filling up, they’re going to run out of seats.

Dillon comments on lending his wrestling knowledge to today’s talent: 

My days in the ring have dwindled down, so I have all of this wealth of knowledge and experience. People like Shawn [Blanchard] say ‘wow, if I’m a big important match, especially if my opponent’s got somebody in the corner, I’d like to top them and have you in my corner. I figured that way I’m going to have an advantage before the bell even rings.’ I take that as a compliment, and that’s why I’m here.

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