Spotlight on Mad Dog Connelly w/ Don Halliwell

Photo credit: @myskewedview

Mad Dog Connelly has been terrorizing opponents all over the Midwest. His unorthodox style and brute strength make him stand out and put fear into his opponents. Connelly has especially been making a name for himself in Paradigm and New Wave Pro. In Paradigm he has excelled in the UWFI Rules matches, making it to the semi-finals of the Fighting Spirit Heavyweight Grand Prix 3, before falling to Alex Kane. He has also defeated some big names in UWFI fights including Davey Richards and Hoodfoot.

At New Wave Pro he has not only been putting fear into his opponents, he has also been collecting championships. New Wave has been having incredible shows recently with people like Connelly, Anakin Murphy, Shooters Don’t Die, and Nate Matthews at the forefront. Connelly has been calling himself the true champion of New Wave Pro, as he recently became the Unified Higher Ground champion and will challenge Gary Jay, for the Crossroads Championship, on a future show.

I was able to ask Connelly some questions about his career so far, the Mad Dog character and what the future holds for him.

Your persona reminds me a lot of Bruiser Brody. Is he one of your influences and are there anyone else that influences your style?

I would absolutely say Brody’s had an influence on me. I’ve watched him ever since I got back into wrestling in college. I grew up with Mick Foley, Terry Funk, Ken Shamrock, Vader, and Stone Cold. Those people and those characters have followed me all throughout my life in some form. I eventually got more into Buzz Sawyer, Tim Thatcher, and Sabu all later down the road, all three shaped me in some way. Buzz Sawyer was a very big influence on the way I move and wrestle today though. The “Mad Dog” name also came from Buzz.

You have wrestled under the UWFI rules in Paradigm quite a bit. Do you go into those matches with a different mindset?

This is a tricky question. I do and I don’t, I move with the same intent and keep the same energy I’d have with a normal match format, but with UWFI, there’s different restrictions to consider, given the rules. Paradigm Pro and UWFI, however, have given me a lot of opportunities to truly push myself beyond the limits I thought I had, and find that next gear, ultimately helping me as an athlete and a performer.

Your style of wrestling is more like a brawler, do you prefer to have matches with other brawlers, like Max the Impaler, or do you like the clash of styles match ups?

I can and will wrestle any style of wrestler put in front of me. It all ends the same.

You have a very unique style in your promos. How did you come up with this style and how has the Mad Dog character evolved?

The Mad Dog character has evolved from my video logs from my bedroom, where I’d document myself ranting about something or another, to Mad Dog being the director of these cryptic messages made toward his opponents to get in their heads, maybe some talking still here and there. It felt more like taking the vulnerability and instead of showing it off, moreso creating some power from it. I take a lot of inspiration from my days as a teenager, editing videos for Youtube in my basement, as well as David Lynch, especially Twin Peaks. I also love Mick Foley’s promos, Steve Austin’s ECW promos, Loose Cannon Brian Pillman, and Jake the Snake. Also just put myself in it and allow it to be me.

I understand that you are a trainer. Is there anything that you would tell someone who is thinking about becoming a wrestler?

I try to start off every new student that comes in to learn with a speech pretty similar to what my trainer gave me on my first go-around. The general etiquette, paying your dues, the realities of the business, and the hardship of the road. I think the most important thing I’d tell anyone though is that this career you want is a marathon, not a race. You want your business around for as long as possible to get the most out of your time in wrestling, so take care of yourself, and think about your longevity.

Have you set any long-term goals for your wrestling career? Also, what companies are at the top of your list of places you would like to debut for?

I have, and I have short-term goals. I keep eyes on where I can go, but I don’t have any offers on the table, so I don’t keep my head in the clouds for too long. As far as companies I’d like to debut for, I’d love to make it to Enjoy at some point. I’ve kept my eye on Beyond for quite some time as well. I’ll wrestle just about anywhere, though. Let me make one thing clear, however;

I WILL fight PCO by the end of this year. That is a promise.

You recently became the Unified Higher Ground champion at New Wave Pro, and you are stating that you are the true champion of New Wave Pro. The current heavyweight champion there is Don’t Die Miles. Do you plan on challenging them for that title and how would you expect that match to go?

I AM the true champion of New Wave Pro, and the Midwest. There is no one that could possibly stand my ground and say otherwise. Miles has one title and has yet to defend it against me. Interesting, isn’t it? I’m in contention for the Crossroads title against Gary Jay as well, and when I win that one Miles’ single title will pale even more so in comparison.

As for the match, you’ll see when it happens… if it happens

What does Mad Dog Connelly like to do when you are away from the ring?

I smoke a lot of weed and binge coffee until I shake and get the spins and have to lie down and scroll endlessly on my phone. Other than that, I have a job.

Is there anything else that you would like to tell us about yourself or anything that you have coming up?

I will be involved in Paradigm Pro’s UWFI contender series this season, premiering on May 4th on IWTV. The first episode I face Dominic Garrini. I also face Gary Jay May 7th in Terre Haute, IN to unify our three titles for New Wave Pro. April 30th, I’m facing Jake Lander in a No DQ match for Zero1 USA in Mattoon, IL.

And I will fight PCO.