BLOOD IS THE LIFE

Interview with independent wrestling star Necro Butcher

By Dr. Abner Mality

They grow 'em big, tough and sick in West Virginia. You find some bigger but I doubt you'll find any tougher or sicker than Mr. Dylan Summers. Mr. Summers is better known to fans of the indy wrestling scene as the nefarious Necro Butcher, a bloodthirsty brawler who thrives on mayhem and who seems immune to punishment. Necro has risen from humble beginnings to stand on the verge of real stardom.

One time, wrestling was full of nasty roughnecks who loved to brawl. Names like Bruiser Brody, Abdullah the Butcher and Mad Dog Vachon come to mind. Nowadays we don't see much of that kind of maniac in the ring anymore...it's all a bunch of 20 something pretty boys doing crazy stunts and flying through tables. It's rare indeed you see a good, hair-raising brawl. Necro Butcher is determined to keep the tradition alive.

I recently got to confer with the West Virginia wildman and found him actually to be rather humble. Apparently he saves all his bloodlust for the ring. Read on and learn the secrets of the Necro Butcher...


WORMWOOD CHRONICLES: What motivates a guy to get involved in the extreme lifestyle you have? Is a certain amount of masochism necessary?

NECRO BUTCHER: Nothing that deep...just a desire to improve my standing in the world of independent wrestling. I saw other guys doing it and knew I was better, so I decided to give it a shot.

WC: Do you see yourself as a fearless man? It must seem that way to most of your fans.

NB: I'm just a guy doing the best job he can.

WC: Do you categorize yourself as a wrestler, a brawler or an exhibitionist? Or maybe all three?

NB: All three, definitely. You have to entertain the crowd no matter what you're doing. I prefer the brawling style, though.

WC: What would your response be to somebody who would call you a "garbage wrestler"?

NB: That term is from Japan but American fans don't get the meaning and somehow think garbage wrestling is wrestling without talent. That's not the case. The term "garbage wrestling" is not negative at all in Japan.

WC: Did you know right from the start of your training that you'd be a "blood and guts" kind of wrestler or did it take a while for you to realize that?

NB: Of course not. That all came later when I was exposed to IWA and CZW and I wanted to get out of Texas to be seen more.

WC: What was it like training with the legendary Black Bart?

NB: Very tough. Find me somebody else who can say they were trained by him. You won't. I saw so many guys come and go from those days it wasn't even funny. I definitely know how bad I wanted to keep going every time someone else quit.

WC: Are you a fan of the oldschool kayfabe wrestling? Did guys like The Sheik, Bruiser Brody and Abdullah inspire you to take your current path?

NB: I think those guys should inspire everybody. When you were a kid, you believed those guys were monsters. There need to be more monsters in today's wrestling.

WC: Is there any particular specialty match you like or are more drawn towards?

NB: Without a doubt, I love pinfalls count anywhere matches.

WC: Was there ever any match where you took so much punishment that you wanted to quit? Did you ever wake up and ask "why am I doing ths?"

NB: It happens all the time, both, but I don't know what else I would be doing.

WC: Who would you say has been your greatest opponent?

NB: Too many to name. I wouldn't want to slight anybody.

WC: What was it like working with Samoa Joe and how would you rate him as a wrestler?

NB: I consider myself lucky to have had a few matches with him because he is already on his way to being a big star. That first match with him in Philly got me so much press.

WC: As a wrestler you get to travel a lot. What have been some of the more memorable places you have visited?

NB: I love and miss Tokyo the most. But Montreal is quickly becoming a favorite.

WC: Although it seems unlikely given how extreme your matches are, would you wrestle in WWE or TNA if you had the opportunity? Would you do it even if it meant being less hardcore?

NB: Well, of course but I don't really see how I could be used by a bigger company like that. I'm perfectly happy where I'm at.

WC: What do you think the major problem is with wrestling today and how would you correct it?

NB: Things have reversed from when TV wrestling was geared towards getting fans to the live show. Today, the live shows are designed to get you watching TV wrestling. Nothing I could do about that.

WC: Are you a fan of death metal or other extreme music? "Necrobutcher" would be a great name for such a band!

NB: Not too much. I'm an old school guy!

WC: What's your favorite horror flick and why?

NB: "The Last Man on Earth" starring Vincent Price. He was alone on an earth overrun by vampires. He spent his time exterminating them. When he finally found other humans, they killed him. Great movie!

WC: Lastly, how long do you think you'll be in this business? There's got to be a stopping point some day!

NB: As long as I'm still having fun and getting paid. Right now, both are still going on, so no end is in sight. Hopefully when it's all over, I can do something on the other side of the curtain.