There will be plenty of scrap iron being thrown around in the main event of this weekend’s First Time Ever event in Chicago tonight (December 3, 2022).
Current MLW World Champion Alex Hammerstone will take on one of the fastest-rising stars on the current independent circuit, powerhouse Franco Varga. The match-up between these two experienced veterans should result in a thrilling. Both men bring a great combination of power and finesse to their game. Both men have also been known for stepping it up a notch at just the right moment.
Those are the types of bouts that the start-up promotion that specializes in bringing together performers who have never faced one another. Established in 2020, First Time Ever already has the wrestling world talking. So far, they haven’t disappointed.
This contest should be no different. With Hammerstone passing one year as the reigning MLW kingpin, and Varga being an international star who has wrestled on five different continents. Both men are considered prime prospects for either All Elite Wrestling or WWE.
Franco Varga sat down for this exclusive interview with PWMania.com, discussing the match, the event, and his career.
Varga says that working with First Time Ever have been a great experience
“I have worked for First Time Ever lots of times, and is one of my favorite companies to wrestle for,” he stated. “I’ve appeared for them in multiple and also First Time in the UK. It’s something I’m super happy to be a part of it all.”
“It’s a promotion that isn’t really run like a promotion. The only thing they think about is giving the fans what they want, and ‘first-ever matches’ every time. You don’t see any other promotion doing things like that.”
“(First Time Ever) is going to keep booking these kinds of matches, because they don’t care what anyone thinks. They are going to book the matches that the fans want to see. Firs time ever matches, because that’s their gimmick; that’s their thing.”
“It’s always a good time for me, and it’s always for the fans. And that’s why I love First Time Ever.”
When Varga is mentioned as being ‘well-traveled,’ it’s actually quite the understatement. The 33 year-old-star, who is based out of Delaware, is currently wrestling 150-200 matches per year as he circumnavigates the globe.
The 270-pound stack of dynamite has performed in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia, with him hoping to add Africa to the Franco Varga Worldwide Tour at some point down the road.
“I have wrestled on five continents and I want to wrestle in Africa at one point, so I can say that I had that experience,” he stated.
As far as his immediate schedule, he’ll be staying on the move.
“I’m going to be in Minnesota and then I will be in Brazil and Chile for an entire month. I have an entire month’s worth of work down in Mexico in February. And I’m possibly going back to Australia in April. I’m going to be in St. Louis, Missouri, wrestling Petey Richards in a couple of weeks.
Varga says he’s looking forward to stepping in the ring with the MLW World Champion
“Regardless of him being the MLW World Champion, I want to wrestle Alex Hammerstone, the man,” Varga said. “I want him to be 100% prepared. I want to face him at his sharpest, and his at his best.”
“I think that what the fans want, and that’s what I want to do. I just want to give them what they want. I want to give my fans, his fans and First Time Ever what they want. And that’s what I want the main event to be, something that the fans will love whether theey see it online, or in person.”
Varga concluded by saying that this is a showdown that any professional wrestling fans should not miss.
“I think this is going to be a very special night, one that any fans in the area will want to be there for. And we will be airing on a few days delay on Fite.TV, so they can see it there, as well.”
“This match will be one that will have people talking because I know that Hammerstone and I will give it everything we’ve got.”
“So if you get the chance to experience it live, you should try to be there.”
