🛡️ SHOOT Project Interview Transcript
The Real Deal discusses The Pinnacle, Zenith, and SHOOT Project’s Move to New York City
Abigail Chase:
Josh — first off, congratulations. This announcement has sent shockwaves through not just the SHOOT Project community, but the entire wrestling world.
Let's start at the beginning: Why New York City? What made it the next home for SHOOT Project after all the years rooted in Las Vegas?
Let's start at the beginning: Why New York City? What made it the next home for SHOOT Project after all the years rooted in Las Vegas?
The Real Deal (Josh Johnson):
We wanted a change. It was time, you know? New York City has been home to some of the craziest wrestling events — hell, just regular events in general — since the beginning of the country. We want to make our mark on that history and truly embrace it and a new attitude moving forward.
Abigail Chase:
You mentioned a new attitude moving forward. Can you dig a little deeper into that?
What does this "new attitude" mean for SHOOT Project — and for the fans who’ve been riding with you for decades?
What does this "new attitude" mean for SHOOT Project — and for the fans who’ve been riding with you for decades?
The Real Deal:
Our internal mantra has always been about making waves, being revolutionary. Our events — from our bi-weekly show, Revolution, to our main attraction once-a-year PPV, Reckoning Day — have played to that.
Now, though, we're shedding that particular set of skin. We've reached that apex. That's why we're calling this whole project The Pinnacle. It's why we stay on the bleeding edge of professional wrestling — to be atop the proverbial mountain.
Now, though, we're shedding that particular set of skin. We've reached that apex. That's why we're calling this whole project The Pinnacle. It's why we stay on the bleeding edge of professional wrestling — to be atop the proverbial mountain.
Abigail Chase:
That's powerful — shedding skin, embracing the apex, standing atop the mountain.
So Josh, you’ve always been a guy who thinks long-term.
What does success look like for you with The Pinnacle?
Attendance? Influence? Legacy?
How will you personally know that this move was the right one?
So Josh, you’ve always been a guy who thinks long-term.
What does success look like for you with The Pinnacle?
Attendance? Influence? Legacy?
How will you personally know that this move was the right one?
The Real Deal:
Quick answer: all of those things.
Look, this is going to take time. It's a literal multi-billion dollar project. We're leveraging ourselves significantly to get this done, which means we're open for business on partnerships — both in the media and in the building.
We want to bring in whatever retailer wants to be here. We want to create a truly centralized peak of entertainment and media.
Look, this is going to take time. It's a literal multi-billion dollar project. We're leveraging ourselves significantly to get this done, which means we're open for business on partnerships — both in the media and in the building.
We want to bring in whatever retailer wants to be here. We want to create a truly centralized peak of entertainment and media.
Abigail Chase:
You said you're open for business.
What kinds of partnerships are you envisioning — media, retail, entertainment crossovers? Are we talking just wrestling... or is SHOOT Project aiming even bigger?
What kinds of partnerships are you envisioning — media, retail, entertainment crossovers? Are we talking just wrestling... or is SHOOT Project aiming even bigger?
The Real Deal:
We'll talk to and negotiate with anyone.
Are you a financial firm looking to move into this area? Call me.
Are you an independent bookstore hoping for a shot at unbridled success? Call me.
We're absolutely bringing some of our wrestling-themed businesses from Las Vegas, because we're a wrestling company at heart — but I'm never going to shut out an interesting opportunity. It may not work, but I'm always willing to listen.
Are you a financial firm looking to move into this area? Call me.
Are you an independent bookstore hoping for a shot at unbridled success? Call me.
We're absolutely bringing some of our wrestling-themed businesses from Las Vegas, because we're a wrestling company at heart — but I'm never going to shut out an interesting opportunity. It may not work, but I'm always willing to listen.
Abigail Chase:
Let's shift gears a little.
What does this move mean for the SHOOT Project roster?
How do you think performing at The Pinnacle will inspire — or pressure — them?
What does this move mean for the SHOOT Project roster?
How do you think performing at The Pinnacle will inspire — or pressure — them?
The Real Deal:
It's going to be tough.
We don't require people to live in the area, but it definitely makes sense if they do. We're ready to help them relocate if they want to.
If they don't want to uproot their families, they don't have to. SHOOT Project has great benefits when it comes to accommodating travel.
As for the in-ring product? It's ABSOLUTELY going to pressure them. This is a completely different stage than Las Vegas was. The lights are brighter. The noise is louder. The expectations are higher.
We don't require people to live in the area, but it definitely makes sense if they do. We're ready to help them relocate if they want to.
If they don't want to uproot their families, they don't have to. SHOOT Project has great benefits when it comes to accommodating travel.
As for the in-ring product? It's ABSOLUTELY going to pressure them. This is a completely different stage than Las Vegas was. The lights are brighter. The noise is louder. The expectations are higher.
Abigail Chase:
So imagine Night One at The Pinnacle.
What’s the feeling you're hoping to create in that building?
What’s the feeling you're hoping to create in that building?
The Real Deal:
It's gotta be huge.
Titles on the line. Top-tier stars available. Anything and everything.
I'll give you an exclusive right here: We've got this Revolution, a PPV, and one last Revolution — and then the name for that show? We're done with it.
We'll open the door to NYC, here at The Pinnacle, on our very first episode of... Zenith.
I'll give you an exclusive right here: We've got this Revolution, a PPV, and one last Revolution — and then the name for that show? We're done with it.
We'll open the door to NYC, here at The Pinnacle, on our very first episode of... Zenith.
Abigail Chase:
Zenith.
The highest point. The peak. The ultimate rise.
Is Zenith the beginning of a new era for SHOOT Project... or the culmination of everything it was always meant to become?
The highest point. The peak. The ultimate rise.
Is Zenith the beginning of a new era for SHOOT Project... or the culmination of everything it was always meant to become?
The Real Deal:
It's the dawn of a new era, undoubtedly.
Zenith is our love letter to our place in professional wrestling and how we've grown over the last 25 years.
Everything — Tokyo, Vegas, now New York — has led to this moment. Zenith.
Abigail Chase:
Final question, Josh — a personal one.
What does all of this — The Pinnacle, Zenith, SHOOT's past, present, and future — mean to you personally?
What does all of this — The Pinnacle, Zenith, SHOOT's past, present, and future — mean to you personally?
The Real Deal:
(laughs) It means I'm not retiring anytime soon, that's for sure.
When we reopened in late 2019, I wanted to make sure we were doing everything right — guaranteed deals, benefits no one else was offering.
Health insurance. Retirement plans. Security.
I didn't know in 2001, when I signed with SHOOT, that this was the road I'd be walking. But seeing it now? This is everything I could have ever hoped for out of my career. This is it.
When we reopened in late 2019, I wanted to make sure we were doing everything right — guaranteed deals, benefits no one else was offering.
Health insurance. Retirement plans. Security.
I didn't know in 2001, when I signed with SHOOT, that this was the road I'd be walking. But seeing it now? This is everything I could have ever hoped for out of my career. This is it.