Dinerpod 39: Steven Mitchell

In this episode, Red Velvet goes via satellite to sit down with Steven Mitchell, the owner, promoter, and creative mind behind Elite Pro Wrestling (EPW). Stephen isn't just a man wearing many hats; he’s a survivor who has navigated the physical toll of the ring and a battle with brain cancer to build one of the most organized promotions on the independent circuit.

In this candid conversation, we dive into:

• The Origin Story: How a late-bloomer fan from the Attitude Era went from "backyarding" with metal pans to being trained for the pros in just four days.

• The Road to EPW: The wild, true story of how EPW was born out of buying a ring from Minnesota and a 10-hour white-knuckle drive with a truck bed full of steel the day of the show.

• Life in the Ring: Steven reflects on his recent retirement match—a brutal casket match against Jared Savage—and the "leap of faith" off a 12-foot ring that sealed the deal on his career.

• Building a Legacy: Why Steven prioritizes "guaranteed pay and professional footage" for his talent and his philosophy on molding characters like DD Jenks, Clayton Clark, and the Academy of Fire Arts.

• The "Cursed" Championship: The strange history of the EPW Heavyweight title and the innovative "Odyssey of the Elite" stipulation that keeps fans on the edge of their seats.

Whether you're a die-hard "smart mark" or just love a story about a father building a dream against the odds, this interview pulls back the curtain on the grind, the glory, and the heart of indie wrestling.

#wrestling #prowrestling #indiewrestling #promoter #dinerpodsports