In an exciting development for wrestling fans, a monumental showdown between Samoa Joe and Navajo Warrior is scheduled for November at Impact Zone Wrestling’s (IZW) Long Live the King event. This much-anticipated Samoa Joe Navajo Warrior Match marks a significant moment as Navajo Warrior’s Last Mile tour culminates, drawing attention in Phoenix, Arizona.
The upcoming event will also celebrate Navajo Warrior’s storied career, with Samoa Joe, the AEW Trios Champion, stepping into the ring for a one-on-one bout against him, promising an unforgettable night for both longtime supporters and newcomers to the wrestling scene.
Former Champions Reunite and Celebrate a Shared Legacy
Recently, the Hawaiian Lion—a renowned Arizona wrestling figure—came out of retirement to team briefly with Navajo Warrior and GQ Gallo, reaffirming their bond. Their recent tag match against Hollywood Yates and Mike Knox showed the community’s strong ties, despite Knox’s forced absence due to an arm injury. This injury has also affected the NWA World Tag Team Championship landscape, adding further intrigue to the evolving local wrestling scene.
The Hawaiian Lion is set to join forces once more with GQ Gallo, who has made a name for himself as a respected All Elite Wrestling security professional, known for his formidable presence during AEW events on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Their reunion symbolizes a return to their early career roots amid the excitement of Tribemania at IZW.
Tickets in High Demand as Fans Anticipate IZW Long Live the King
With anticipation building, the front rows for Long Live the King at Bullshooters in Phoenix are already sold out, although tickets remain available for the general audience. Wrestling enthusiasts eager to witness this event are encouraged to secure their spots while supplies last, underscoring the growing popularity of IZW’s offerings.
A Veteran’s Return: The Hawaiian Lion Reflects on His Journey
The Hawaiian Lion recently shared insights into his decision to return to professional wrestling for the Long Live the King event. Reflecting on his past, he described being drawn back into the ring after teaming once again with Navajo Warrior and GQ Gallo at IZW Psycho Circus.
“I was at the last show where Navajo Warrior and Gallo teamed up one last time. Nav kind of pulled me in and I was happy to come out of retirement and wrestle. It is funny you said one last time because I have decided to wrestle again. At IZW Long Live the King, I will team up with my former partner GQ Gallo again. It is like going back to where it all began early in my career.” —Hawaiian Lion
Describing how his passion for wrestling began, the Hawaiian Lion recounted his first encounter with the world of wrestling during his school years in the mid-1980s, which was ignited by watching the AWA on television and inspiring him and a friend to pursue the sport seriously despite early misunderstandings regarding the nature of professional wrestling.
“The story is probably the same all across the board, from watching it on TV. For me, I remember flashes of the AWA in about 1985, 1986. I watched it through school and I remember I had a friend and our plan was always that we would become wrestlers. We tried out for wrestling. We walked into the wrestling room and we didn’t see a ring or anything. My friend as like, Where’s the ring? The coach said, ‘Oh, this isn’t that kind of wrestling.’ He turned around and walked out. He never turned back. I stayed. I wrestled throughout high school into college. And, in the military…. I don’t know if you ever heard any of those carny stories? I went to a fair in Germany when I was stationed there. They had a guy named Cosmos there who was literally out of the past. Barrel chested, handle bar mustache. Well, I wrestled with him. He threw me around. You could tell he was telling the shots. The only English word he knew was business. But, I wrestled with him… And, from then on, I couldn’t think of anything else I wanted to do.” —Hawaiian Lion
After his time in the military, the Hawaiian Lion connected with CC Star, a trainer who also introduced him to Navajo Warrior and other key wrestlers, establishing a foundation that helped launch his professional career.
“It was a few years later when I got out of the ARMY. I went to college and stuff and a trainer walked in named CC Star who passed away last year. He connected me, Mike Knox, and others with Navajo Warrior. The rest is history!” —Hawaiian Lion
Early Career Achievements and Wrestling Evolution
The Hawaiian Lion reflected on his early achievements, including his surprising victory over Navajo Warrior for the IZW Title, which occurred when he was still developing as a competitor but full of confidence.
“I was so early in my career and I might have been a little more cocky. I thought I could do anything! Looking back, to be as young as I was, to be in the ring with the Navajo Warrior and to get the honor of wrestling him and winning the title from him, I don’t think there could have been anyone better to be in the ring with. And, I don’t think anyone would disagree with that.” —Hawaiian Lion
He also discussed how the style of wrestling has changed over the years, noting a shift from large, dominant wrestlers to more agile, athletic performers of more average size, and the challenges this presents in balancing respect between old-school and modern wrestling techniques.
“Back then, you would have big guys that you would marvel at. They were larger than life. Now, you have guys that are really more human sized. Somewhere from 5’7 to 6’1, ranging in weight from 170 to about 200 pounds. With that change did come incredible athleticism. But, I kind of wish there was more of a middle ground. If you like old school style, well then you’ve got to get with the times. But, if you like the modern style, you don’t respect old school. There has to be more of a middle ground. That said, I’m more a fan of old school. Ricky Steamboat versus Jake Roberts, the Hart Foundation versus the Bulldogs. It meant something! I mean, it all means something. But, you know what I mean?” —Hawaiian Lion
Industry Commentary and Wrestling’s Current Landscape
Addressing comments made by Jim Cornette suggesting modern wrestlers are better suited for stunt work than wrestling, the Hawaiian Lion agreed that the industry has transformed into a platform where many look to break into entertainment beyond wrestling.
“It is! Unfortunately, wrestling has become something of a middle ground now to where you wrestle until you get your shot in Hollywood. Or, you land a spot on a game show or something like that. Wrestling has become a stepping stone.” —Hawaiian Lion
He also recounted IZW’s television history, which includes several broadcasts on Spanish-language channels during the early 2000s and local venues, emphasizing how Navajo Warrior played a crucial role in elevating the production’s professionalism.
“IZW has had a few stints on TV dating back to 2002, 2003. We had a show that aired on a Spanish language channel… I can’t recall the channel but where I worked was largely Spanish speaking and when I’d come in, they’d point at me and be like, Were you fighting on TV? That was cool. We had a few different shows. One from the Sets in the mid 2000’s, we had a shot from the Celebrity Theater that was on TV. The thing about it was, Navajo set it up in such a way that we treated it like big time TV. We had a hard cam, we had times we had to hit. In addition to training us to wrestle, he was also helping to teach us TV. And, we had a roster that believed in it.” —Hawaiian Lion
Overcoming Injury and Renewed Passion
One of the most challenging moments for the Hawaiian Lion was a severe neck injury sustained during a match stunt that involved a chain wrapped around his neck, which eventually resulted in nerve damage affecting his arm and back. Despite the injury and delayed surgery, he maintained a strong spirit dedicated to wrestling, even as his future was uncertain.
“I woke up one morning, the night before I had wrestled Dean Radford. And, he wrapped a chain around my neck. The stunt went bad. It linked up around my neck and started to choke me out. I was able to get it off but the next day, when I woke up, I couldn’t use my right arm to push. I went to the gym and my left arm went but my right arm wouldn’t push. I remember looking at my right arm and saying to it, What’s wrong with you? Well, my right tricep was injured. My right peck, my back started to atrophy. At the time, I was a full time wrestler. This was my livelihood! I went to doctors, acupuncture specialists, and so forth… I did all of this not realizing that my neck was broken. When I saw a specialist, they told me my C5 was essentially just gravel. The injury happened in February. I didn’t have my surgery scheduled until July. So, I worked with it. And, I was in a space where I thought if this is how I die, fine. That wasn’t a good attitude to have. My son was still very small. But, I was still living that dream. I still wanted to get signed.” —Hawaiian Lion
After stepping away from wrestling for several years due to age, injuries, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hawaiian Lion has found renewed energy and motivation to return, marking a special moment in November’s event.
“Well, I was over 50 years old and I started to feel like I wasn’t performing up to my standards. Then, COVID hit. I was having trouble keeping up from injuries as well as I wasn’t really taking care of myself the way I should have been. It just felt like it was time for me to step away.” —Hawaiian Lion
“I have changed a lot of what I was doing. I’m feeling better in myself and I found I missed it. I am excited to wrestle again in November at IZW Long Live the King as part of the Last Mile tour. Samoa Joe is going to face Navajo Warrior in Nav’s final match. It should be a special.” —Hawaiian Lion
Arizona Wrestling Scene and Relationships Between Promotions
Discussing the growth of wrestling in Arizona, the Hawaiian Lion denied the existence of any rivalry between IZW and other local promotions like PCW, highlighting the different approaches each organization takes. Nevertheless, he praised the overall talent pool built in Arizona, considering it one of the strongest in the nation during the 2000s to around 2010.
“No, there is no rivalry. Of course, there is always going to be egos involved and some egos might get bruised. That is the nature of this. But, I have worked PCW shows for Dom. I see his way of doing things and running his promotion and it is a little different from how IZW runs their promotion. When I look at how big Arizona has grown and how big Arizona is going to be, I think the scene has a lot of potential for growth. And, I would argue that the crop of talent Arizona produced in the 2000’s, perhaps up until about 2010, might have been among the best crops of talent in the country.” —Hawaiian Lion
Concerns Over Safety Following Raja Jackson Incident
The Hawaiian Lion also addressed a troubling backstage incident involving wrestler Raja Jackson, emphasizing the risks when matches shift from scripted performances to uncontrollable “shoot” situations. He expressed concern about the circumstances surrounding the incident and the importance of trust in a dangerous profession.
“From the can incident and Raja Jackson maybe not understanding to them apparently making up…. But, to give yourself to that person and to be thrown down and hit your head and have the unprotected shots to the head that followed… It is sad. I don’t know what Raja’s situation is. Is there a mental illness? Was he intoxicated? I don’t know what his situation was. But, to go in there to perform a work and it quickly turns into a shoot, that is a very dangerous situation. You go in there trusting somebody with your life.” —Hawaiian Lion
What This Event Means for Wrestling Fans and the IZW Community
The Samoa Joe Navajo Warrior Match represents not only a climactic chapter in a veteran wrestler’s farewell tour but also the convergence of Arizona’s wrestling heritage with current star power. It stands as a testament to the passion and longevity of performers like Navajo Warrior and the Hawaiian Lion, who continue contributing to the wrestling world even after years of hurdles and breaks.
With ticket demand high and major names lined up to partake in the event, Long Live the King at Bullshooters is poised to be a defining show for IZW, potentially inspiring renewed enthusiasm and further growth for wrestling in Arizona’s vibrant scene.
