Ahtu Najeeb is an American professional wrestler who is known mostly on the independent circuit where he has regularly worked for many promotions, but continues to strive for the Sanctuary. Known and portrayed as The Savage God King, Ahtu continues to use The Sanctuary to push other Indy promotions to be on the top of their game each and every night. Operating out of Hazelton, PA, it has become widely known as one of the hottest promotions coming up the East Coast.
Making it in the Independent industry is never easy, but Ahtu continues to show us why hard work and persistence always pays off in the end. His original gimmick and underlying honesty of how the business works are two of the main reasons why he has remained successful. There aren’t many people, let alone wrestlers, who stay true to themselves and their beliefs. Ahtu happens to be one of the very few and continues to use this trait to push his way to the main stage every time he steps into the ring.
By following the Independent Circuit and reading about the wrestlers and their storied careers, I am able to catch up with some of them and conduct an interview from time to time, which allows them to share with us their story. Recently I was able to catch up with Ahtu and he was gracious enough to put a halt to his busy schedule to discuss his career, future, and accomplishments. This is what he had to say.
When did your pro wrestling career begin?
My career began in 2008 at a school in New Jersey. Unsatisfied with the training there I sought out better conditions. In my travels ECW original referee Michael Kehner blessed me by taking me under his wing. I owe my life to that man and would give my life to save his without thinking. In a selfish cut throat sport, this man is honorable, wise and skilled beyond words. He trained under Iron Mike Sharpe originally. Realizing (in his mind) he wouldn’t be a wrestler’s wrestler he gravitated towards refereeing. However, he excels at both. When I’m at my best it’s because of Mike Kehners’ training. At my worst is when I have a lapse in memory and judgment and don’t stick to the rules and principles he instilled in me repeatedly. I owe the man my life.
Others have contributed to my success as well. Teddy Fine, Aramis Stinson, but most importantly and recently, Supreme Lee Great aka the Angry Wrestling Vet aka Jon Trosky. That is the other individual that I owe my life to. With mentors like Kehner and Trosky I can only go wrong when i don’t listen to them. Kehner created me, Trosky completed me. I cannot stress enough the importance of having solid mentors in your life. Honorable mention goes out to a big time Game Changer himself, Mark J Davalos aka Cowboy Billy Walker. This man is amazing and my spirit guide before I walk through the curtain to handle business. He gets my head right before I head out to destroy people as the Savage God King of the Sanctuary. He is another man I would take a bullet for without thought.
Again, everything Kehner taught got me into the position to comprehend and get polished by Jon Trosky. The wrestling promotion he runs/owns is as much a finishing school for workers/wrestlers as much as an all-around performance center. It was Trotsky’s vision that helped us create the Savage God King. His initial idea for my character with the company was great, but he kept giving me fantastic ideas and we built upon them accordingly incorporating every bit of myself along the way. This is one of the reasons why it’s believable. That’s why it works, because it’s real. The Savage God King is and always has been a part of me. I just need Jon Trosky to find him, amplify him, and set him free.
What federations have you worked for along the way?
I’ve worked for more companies that I care to mention because most of them do not deserve a mention because they weren’t good for the sport. One must be able to learn from bad things and bad people for own personal growth. And so…I did. I was run ragged and sh##ted on by all too many companies just to gain experience and have an outlet to hone my craft. I’m not here to bash shady wrestling companies and promoters, but they exist in abundance. The one piece of advice I have for any young cat breaking in the biz, hell, for any person for that matter, I urge you to research the schools you’re thinking about training at and afterwards pick your poisons carefully as you venture out to ply your trade. You pretty much have to eat a ton of sh#t before you find the company or companies that do right by the business and by your character. Never compromise your character. With that said, I have had some great learning experiences from ECWA, Pro Wrestling Syndicate, Victory Pro Wrestling and the Monster Factory. My home is the Sanctuary though. I was born there. My life didn’t begin until I joined the Sanctuary and that’s where my heart is. Period.
How could you explain the life of an independent wrestler?
The life of an independent wrestler is funny. Funny like masturbating with a cheese grater. Slightly amusing but mostly painful. But, that’s life in general. That’s why death exists. Like with any relationship that you love, there will not always be smooth sailing, but with all the rough patches, when you hit the sweet spots it’s oh so sweet and makes the bullsh#t worth it. As an independent wrestler you get screwed alot. Promoters expect you to work for a handshake and a hot dog like you’re a child just starting out.
As an independent wrestler that’s built somewhat of a name you wind up receiving emails and Facebook messages that start off like “I run (insert generic name here) and was wondering if you’re available on…” These messages happen a lot. Vague messages with little detail, but yet they expect a shiny happy prompt response. Meanwhile pay was never mentioned (because yes, travel is an expense and is costly) surprise!! God forbid you ask them what they have in mind for your character. A ship with no destination never gets anywhere or reaches anyone.
Unfortunately, much like with life in general these days, people aren’t professional and don’t know how to conduct themselves. You know the drill though…no weddings, funerals, barbecues, love life, birthdays, all those things will be missed while you’re on the road building your career and living the dream for little or no pay at times. None of those things mean anything to me anyway so I’m well suited for this lifestyle. Never been a family man or a social menace so I’m good.
Pro Wrestling is the perfect excuse to no show on the social scene. As a pro wrestler, at some point you’re simply in pain every day. Plain and simple. So if you can’t handle it, go buy a sock collection, and some magic markers and start putting on puppet shows in your living room. With all the hardships though, being a pro wrestler is the greatest thing ever. Period.
Do you pay attention to other federations or follow other wrestlers?
I pay attention to other promotions, but mostly just keep track of talent because you never know who’s going to be staring you down from across the ring. Most independent wrestling products are so horrible and painful to watch that I just look out for workers/wrestlers, as to stay informed and current. If anything I keep up with WWE pay per views to see the model we should be following and learning from because it’s the fed. They know what they’re doing. No one is perfect and we can point out all the flaws we want, but it’s the fed and their sh#t is gospel.
What would be your dream match?
Dream match?? Not going to happen. Would have been to work the Road Warriors or to team up with one of them. Not going to happen, but does it really matter.
What would you say is your greatest accomplishment in the sport of professional wrestling?
My greatest accomplishment in this sport is not spending time on my knees and being true to the industry. So many c##ksuckers and people that give the sport a bad name again and again and again. I can proudly say that isn’t me. As long as I do well by this sport and my mentors Mike Kehner and Jon Trosky, I have accomplished all I need.
What is your most memorable match?
My most memorable match hasn’t happened, but when it does it will be at the Sanctuary as the Savage God King.
Who are/were some your favorite wrestlers and why?
The Road Warriors were/are my favorite wrestlers. They are the reason I started lifting weights when I was a kid. Honorable mentions: Nikita Koloff, the original Four Horsemen, Paul Orndorff, the Spoiler, Jake the Snake, Macho man, Stan Hansen, Phil Collins… The theme there is they are all individuals that are not to be f##ked with in or out of the ring. Real men that will work with you or f##k you up legitimately. They were intense as hell and had style. Did it big and did it alot.
What needs to be accomplished in your eyes to be able to look back and call your career a success when it’s all over?
My career will be a success when it’s over when I make something of the Sanctuary: Wrestling’s Last Hope, which is located in Hazleton Pa and operating out of the church of Doomsday Jesus. It’s all I want and all I need. This June will be the one year anniversary of the company. We are new and I will get our name on the map and respected if it kills me. That will be my legacy. Helping to build the Sanctuary and being the first wrestler others think of when it’s mentioned. Doing good by Jon Trosky and helping make his beautiful vision a success. I believe in this company as much as I believe in myself and I’ll die in my attempts to get them the recognition they deserve.
***As a special thanks before I go, I would like to recognize Russell Williams for helping with the Savage God King Look and Johnny Gee for his amazing photography of the Sanctuary.
***Hopefully you enjoyed this interview and learned some new and interesting things about the uncensored mind of Ahtu Najeeb. I would like to personally thank Ahtu for taking the time to share with me his stories so I could share them with all of you. This was one of the most entertaining interviews I have done so far and look forward to doing it again. For more information you can follow Ahtu Najeeb on Facebook (under his name), Twitter @MONSTERAHTU and Instagram @thedoomsdayjesus.
***For over the top in ring action you can find Ahtu laying it all out on the line for the Sanctuary. You can watch this heart stopping action on their YouTube channel sanctuaryPAtv with livestreams of every Sunday night event for FREE. Also don’t miss the debut of Pacific Coast Wrestling, located in L.A in September!
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